A Different Perspective
Melbourne watched The Duke finish the last of the brandy in his glass, placing the glass delicately back on The Priminister's desk. ''So, you think this person is a real threat to The Queen?''
''Alongside The King, yes''
''Because The King wants to marry Prince Albert to Victoria?''
''Yes'' Lord Melbourne replied
''So the attack on you, it was a clear warning then?''
Lord Melbourne had chosen to leave that tiny detail out, however he knew the Duke was smarter than he often got credit for ''Yes'' He finally replied ''The three attempted attacks have been clear warnings about The Queen marrying''
The Duke nodded slowly, taking it all in ''You caught the person who fired the gun on the public appearances?''
''Yes, Her Majesty questioned him, against my better judgement, but the man admitted he was paid to do it''
''Im guessing you do not know who?''
Melbourne shook his head. ''I am certain The King is behind these threats. He knows Her majesty will consult me regarding anything that may lead her away from the palace or her royal duties, so he is using a different tactic''
''One of which you do not know'' The Duke replied
Melbourne nodded again
''Christ, you do not do things by halves do you''
''I am concerned The Queen may be in genuine danger, the guards have been increased, but somebody with inside knowledge is leaking information therefore making the guards attempts fruitless''
''If he is leaving in a few days I do not see why this should not stop?''
''He is returning again, when however we do not know, he confided in The Duchess to begin with, but refuses to now''
''He can only proceed with an arranged marriage with two things, one being the privy council agreeing, which im sure you already know, and with The Queen in the country, he could bring Albert back to the palace with him but if Her Majesty dislikes Albert as much as you say she does I would think everything would be sorted prior to this to ensure no time is wasted''
''Surely the council will not agree to an arranged marriage… The Queen is only 19 years old there is no rush''
''Of course not, but you know as well as I do that nobody will give an honest opinion in the Privy Council, if one person agrees with The King chances are everybody else will''
''Either way it would take some convincing''
''Not if someone he is working with is close to the Privy council'' The Duke replied
Melbourne visibly stiffened at the thought ''Its possible, but who would dislike The Queen so much?''
''It isn't about dislike more than it is money, I would say the people alongside The King are being paid, or promised some kind of privileges if The Queen is married to Albert''
''And what about the attacks?''
''That one is a little more difficult, you need to find out who is feeding him information, or if he is getting it himself to ensure he knows when The Queen is going out and will be vulnerable''
''I do not want her hurt Duke''
''You have walked into a storm Lord Melbourne, although you had plenty of warning. Tell me, why did you not walk away sooner''
''I am to committed to it now'' Melbourne replied honestly ''I want her to be happy''
''You must be close to her if you are a target as well''
Melbourne remained quiet for a moment ''Being Her Majesty's personal secretary as well as The Priminister means my involvement is high in her life. She often asks for my opinion on things, if I do not agree with such things she listens, I suppose I would then be a target given the difficult situation''
The Duke nodded and smiled ''Be careful Melbourne, you complained enough about Parliament before Victoria became Queen, I suppose now parliament is a breeze compared to this''
Lord Melbourne couldn't deny that things where difficult, but most of the time they did not feel as difficult as they were, because he loved her. And experience told him that loving someone was far from easy. ''Thankyou Duke, your advice has been much appreciated''
''You may want to see The Queen happy, but I do not wish to go to your Funeral Melbourne. Be careful''
Melbourne felt the chill run down his spine as The Duke left his office.
V&M
Victoria sat surrounded by her ladies and family, the group was submerged in conversation as they discussed several things. Victoria tried to ignore the fact that she missed his company. He spent most evenings here, but before long he would spend all his evenings here.
They had not mentioned it yet, but she knew he would have to step down as Priminister. Victoria's main concern was keeping their marriage equal, she wanted him by her side as her husband not under the rules of a morganatic marriage.
Knowing he would have lots of work to do before going to France Victoria understood he would not always be at the palace until he fully retired from parliament.
''Did you finish all the invitations?'' Harriett asked dragging Victoria from her dream world.
''Yes'' Victoria smiled ''I was hoping to go riding, but at least they are done and can be sent away now''
''I have seen the dress drawings ma'am, what a gorgeous gown it will be''
''I wanted to make the effort seeing as It is a farewell dance, I am hoping Lord M will give me some flowers from Brocket Hall, with the colouring they would go very well together''
Harriett smiled warmly ''Im sure if you asked him he would oblige. Wouldn't he Emma''
Emma nodded ''If there is the tiniest excuse to go there he will go, even for a few hours. Little else makes him happier now''
Victoria smiled at her ladies before thinking of something carefully.
-The Next Day-
Victoria's eyes fluttered open to the bright sunlight seeping through the windows. Lehzen stood beside her bed
''Good Morning Your Majesty, I trust you slept well''
Victoria smiled still dazed in sleep and nodded. ''Thank you for waking me so early Lehzen, I have much to do today''
''What are your plans for today ma'am?'' Lehzen asked as she grabbed Victoria's robe, placing it round her shoulders as she stood from her bed.
''I have a few more details to arrange for the dance tonight, then my boxes, then I wish to go riding with Lord M, and then I would like to go to Brocket Hall to choose some flowers to go with my dress tonight''
''I am not sure going to Brocket Hall so close to the dance is a good idea Majesty, perhaps you should wait until after''
''Then we are going to France, no I must go today. I am sure Lord M will agree when I see him this morning''
Victoria had not seen him last night, he sent a letter back with Emma Portman's husband explaining he was to busy and had to get things done before going to France. Victoria had debated writing back to him but decided to give him his space.
V&M
Lord Melbourne walked along the bottom floor of the palace, past the staff who all looked surprised to see him down here at such an hour. It was early still, Victoria would be having her breakfast and being prepared for the day, he knew he wouldn't be noticed just yet.
The kitchen was thriving, the staff all working quickly to cook and prepare the food The Queen had requested for the morning, not to mention the dance for night. The heat struck him in the kitchen as he quietly walked past the busy staff.
Out in the open courtyard stood the man he was waiting to see. A pipe in his mouth and a cap over his head the man looked dirty, covered in soot and charred coal on his hands
''First of all'' The man held out his hand
Lord Melbourne counted the money, placing it in his hand he watched the man count it carefully before putting it in his pocket.
''He was discussing something about a boat leaving the docks, I couldn't catch what it was leaving for but he described it as 'causing a fuss' something sinister I would say, he left the palace and met somebody in a quiet street a short distance away.
''Do you know where exactly, and did he pay the man''
''It was near the market place, judging by the silence I would say he was being paid''
''You did not see his face?''
The man shook his head ''I had to stay behind the wall, so they did not see me, it was not a long meeting, they discussed the ship at the docks, the time it was leaving, what bay it was leaving from, what the ship looked like, and to make a fuss... He did say 'do not get caught' I heard the other bloke say that he was more experienced, but more experienced in what I do not know''
Lord Melbourne tried to take all the information in ''Thankyou'' He said offering his hand, please keep an eye on him whilst The Queen is away in France, write to me any details that I need or information, I shall ensure it is worth your time''
The man nodded quickly before taking another draw on his pipe.
Lord Melbourne's mind was spinning as he made his way back through the working staff corridors, up the stair case to the palace itself. He knew the ship would be the one they where leaving on for France, but not knowing what was going to make the fuss meant he could do little but be aware of what may happen.
Lord Melbourne hoped that when they left The King would lose his desire to keep things so hidden, at least then he could perhaps get some further information.
''Lord M!'' Lord Melbourne turned to see Victoria come walking up from behind him. Her deep blue dress was plain and simple but hugged her curves perfectly as she quickly caught up with him. ''You are very early, what brings you to the palace so soon?''
''I did not come last night ma'am, so I figured coming earlier would get things done quicker'' He smiled as he pushed down the burning guilt for lying to her.
''I am glad that you are here actually. Victoria walked down the corridor with him, holding her hands together at her waist, fiddling with her fingers as she walked beside him. ''I have been meaning to ask you something''
He looked over to her, her uncertainty unnerved him, he knew how confident she usually was, and how open she was with everything they discussed.
''Yes Ma'am?'' He replied calmly
''After we have done the boxes, and perhaps ridden out given how early you are today. I was rather hoping… that you would take me to…Brocket Hall''
He slowed right down, almost stopping as her words spun round in his already muddled mind before smiling a little. ''What desires you to go to Brocket Hall today ma'am?''
''I would like to pick some flowers to go with my dress, it is a new one you see, I believe the flowers will help my appearance'' Victoria replied nervously, giving her answer quickly and still feeling the need to explain further in the hope he would say yes.
''I am sure we could find the time ma'am, we could not stay long though, if you are to prepare for the dance in time, Perhaps I could send for some flowers, that would save the trip''
''No'' Victoria smiled. ''I want to go, to choose them myself. If we do not have the time you will have to send for them. I simply must have some to wear, they always look so delightful''
She did not need the flowers to look beautiful, even today with no crown, no jewellery, no special dress, she looked a vison. He could sit and admire her all day without a care in the world. Maybe one day he would be able to. But as a group of servants walked past he quickly switched back to Priminister in a bid not to draw attention to them.
V&M
Victoria signed off the last document in her boxes, her hand ached slightly as she had worked quicker than usual to ensure the boxes where completed within a better time.
''I cannot stand writing to much, I get the most awful ache in my hand'' Victoria began rubbing her hands together ''Would it not be extraordinary if there was something that did the writing for us?''
He looked up at her, already smiling he saw the twinkle in her eye, the untouched possibility of the future ''Maybe one day ma'am'' He said as he finished reading the document and placed them back into the dispatch boxes. ''I fear when we return from France the Afghanistan papers will require a great deal of attention. They are looking at abandoning''
''I see'' Victoria said as she finished rubbing her hands ''Should we look at them before we go?''
He shook his head ''I need more information than this to gauge the situation and devise the best route to move forward, it is senseless worrying about it at the moment'' Besides, he had bigger things to worry about.
Victoria nodded and agreed, she did not understand half of the war documents and did whatever Lord Melbourne suggested, so far it has never steered her wrong.
She stood from her seat and walked over to him ''Are we going riding now? If so I should change''
He looked up at her as she stopped in front of him, leaning on the table beside him. ''We could skip riding and go straight to Brocket Hall'' He said slowly, his eyes scanning up and down her body ''It would give us more time over there''
Victoria pondered the question. She had wanted to go riding, but equally knew travelling would take up extra time of which she did not have today. Perhaps he was right. ''Yes, I am happy with that, but we must go riding tomorrow, regardless of how tonight goes''
He nodded his head moving to stand as he watched Victoria walk off to tell her ladies and staff of her plans.
V&M
The carriage pulled down the long gravel driveway of Brocket Hall. Victoria had travelled with Lord Melbourne as the pair of them where the only ones travelling there. He had not had much excuse, but the unmarked carriage attracted little attention on the streets of London.
Victoria looked at the grass and flower beds, the beautiful large oak tree's and spring bloom surrounding the large hall. The gravel driveway was little to distract from the attention of the beauty that surrounded the hall itself.
''It is like a secret paradise'' Victoria said as she continued to look out the window.
Obviously, Lord Melbourne had taken in the sights of Brocket Hall since he was a child, it was nothing new to him now. But seeing Victoria so amazed by its beauty gave him a bubbling sense of pride. Her smile was as broad as the mornings sunshine as he helped her out of the carriage and the couple walked through the large hall way.
The inside of the house authenticated the outside of it. The design was timeless and beautiful, each chair so carefully placed opposite some detailed art work or a huge mantel fireplace, the large rooms where each decorated differently but nearly every room had huge windows to open the outside grounds into the house itself.
Victoria wondered what the upstairs of Brocket Hall was like, she had not spent much time here due to the obligations of being Queen and the disapproval surrounding her of coming here.
It saddened her slightly to realise she had never really seen the grounds and enjoyed her stay here. She intended to change that.
They stepped out of a large glass door, down a long stone path, plants laid either side of the pathway as the couple walked towards the two large glass houses at the end of them.
The willow tree's lining the river where a short distance away from the houses themselves, as Victoria stepped in the aromatic smell of different flowers hit her along with the warmth coming only from the sunshine above them now.
Her eyes scanned the plants, some full of flower and colour and others not so much, the deep green and light colours where a feast for her eyes as she made her way down the pathway on her left. Lord Melbourne remained quiet as he followed, watching her intently focusing on each plant, obviously deciding which one was best.
''What would you suggest?'' Victoria turned to see The priminister pulling a dead flower off the stem very carefully. ''I would like something bright and colourful given the colour of my dress, and something that smells nice''
''All flowers smell nice'' He pointed out in a defensive yet playful manner.
Victoria laughed but watched him look across the selection of flowers, he walked over to some peonies, a light but large looking flower with thick petals and some orchids. ''I would say these three offer the most colour, and these two particularly offer a great smell''
Victoria nodded as she looked over the flowers. She agreed these did look beautiful. He had not seen her dress yet, she hoped he would agree with her choices on the chosen dress. ''What is this one?''
''A rose'' Lord Melbourne replied quickly, I have a different coloured one if you would like?
Victoria smelt the large flower, the smell seeped through her, offering a taste of the summer that was coming. She smiled ''No, this one is perfect''
The couple went and picked a small bunch of flowers, all of which where laid in damp tissue and placed in a wooden box to keep them safe on the journey home. Victoria looked out of the windows at the back of the glass houses. ''I love this place, it is simply divine'' She said with a smile.
They where concealed from view, the vegetation covered most of the glass, the back of the glass houses seemed to be deliberately left bare perhaps to allow more sunlight, or to look out at the river that ran along the house. Victoria felt sealed off from the rest of the world, just like when they found that pond the other day when riding.
''When we are married, I wish to spend our honeymoon here'' She turned and smiled at him as she watched his lips quirk up and his eyebrows raise slightly.
''Do you like it that much ma'am?''
Victoria turned and nodded ''It is one of my most favourite places'' She said finally ''And I want your flowers at our wedding, nothing else will do''
He smiled then, wrapping his hands around her waist and linking them behind her, pushing his hands into her back she stepped into his frame.
''This is the place I realised that I loved you'' He almost whispered it to her, as though it was a secret nobody else was to know.
''Then this is the place we both shall love together'' Victoria said, feeling that pit of joy and fluffy happiness build in her stomach ''We are getting married'' She said with such excitement.
He smiled and nodded, he was sure she felt the same as him, a feeling he only felt as a younger man, before marrying his wife. That feeling of pure bliss whenever he was within her company, she made him feel young, as though he had his entire life to live and enjoy yet. It made him very happy.
''I am a very lucky man'' He said finally before placing his finger and thumb either side of her chin and kissing her delicately on the lips. It was a fleeting type of kiss, but she didn't pull away, they shared the same air for a moment, before Victoria kissed him again, wrapping her arms around his neck as she pulled her body flush against his and deepened the kiss.
Those moments, what emotions they held. She could not wait until that day came where they would be equal, where they could express their love for each other within her home as well as his. She was so happy, she was certain nothing could ruin this for them.
Oh dear... I always think the happier people write the harder things are when they go wrong… what is going to happen at the Docks do you think? Will these guys get their happily ever after? Thanks for reading and for all the reviews, keep them coming they make me smile!
