They walked together hand in hand to the top of the grand front staircase. Scarlett looked down and was instantly apprehensive. Bertie had made it seem as though he just wanted to escort her from the house by the front door. Now, however; she realized that nearly all the household servants were standing in a sort of receiving line at the bottom of the stairs.
Scarlett remembered how the house servants would do something very similar on the few rare occasions her mother would leave Tara. Her mother would speak to Lulu, the upstairs head maid; she'd speak to Pork and Martha the cook. Mammy would wait at the very end so she could then accompany her mother on the journey. Scarlett leaned slightly forward to look for Renee and sure enough there she was, proudly awaiting her mistress.
Bertie had done this to show the entire Ton that Scarlett was not being forced from the house; she was leaving of her own volition. There were groups of his guest, gathered in clusters below. They wanted to watch how Scarlett's exit was handled. The Princess of Wales was conspicuously absent. There was also some sort of commotion toward the India garden room, but the stairs were angled in such a way that Scarlett couldn't see what was the cause of the buzz of excited conversation coming from that direction, unless…
Her heart nearly stopped in her chest. Traditionally when a guest took leave at a royal house party earlier than the other invited guests, the lady of the house would grant a short personal interview with that guest. In theory it was to insure that the guest hadn't been slighted in some way but in reality it was simply a way to obtain gossip. Who'd left early and the equally important why would circle the party for days and it was nice to have answers to those queries. Would she have to take leave of the Princess of Wales? She didn't completely put it past Alexandra to not heap public scorn on her. Could she bear being denounced in public as a whore by a Princess? She squared her shoulders, she'd bear it because it wasn't true and anyway Rhett was waiting for her. Let Alexandra call her a whore and anything else that she liked. Bertie and most importantly Rhett knew those allegations to be false, let Alexandra do her worst.
"Are you ready to run the gauntlet my love?"
Scarlett nodded, "Yes, just let's get this over with."
They descended the stairs looking every inch the devoted lovers being forced to say good-bye because of fate and circumstance. The prince's guest whispered about howdistraut the Prince looked and how resigned Madame was. Clearly neither relished the idea of parting. The Prince was going to cohabit with the Princess but only because of political expectations, which was now abundantly clear. The generally consensus of the guests was that this had been the house party of the century to be out. Not since the party where King George the IV had met Maria Fitzherbert had there been such a notorious party.
At the bottom of the stairs Gregor the Butler took her arm from the Prince's and began to walk her down the line of assembled servants. The Prince walked a step behind in a telling display of his devotion and respect for Scarlett. The maids and cooks assistants all curtsied as though she were the Queen herself. The valets and under butlers, the servers, the dogs bodies, every one of them bowed low to her. Many of them thanked her for her guidance or for their being hired by her. There were blessings and best wishes, in all it was an outpouring of emotion for the woman that the majority of the Prince's household staff considered to be their true mistress.
Scarlett graciously thanked each and every one of them for their many services and kindnesses to her.
Finally they reached the end of line and Bertie once more took her by the elbow and led her toward the India Room.
"Bertie," she murmured under her breath, "don't make me do this please. I don't want to see her, can't you just make my excuses?"
"Why on earth wouldn't you want to see her, she adores you."
"Alexandra!" replied Scarlett shocked at his words.
"No, my…" his next words were drowned out by the gentleman caller as they entered the room.
"My lords and ladies, gentleman, I present his highness the Prince of Wales. My lords, ladies and gentleman, Mrs. Scarlett Butler."
At the end of the red carpet stretching before them on a raised dais sitting in a beautiful gilt chair keep specifically for her visits was Queen Victoria herself
"Bertie, no oh no, why is your mother here? Alexandra will be furious at your mother showing this kind of favor."
"Let my mother do whatever it is she intends to do."
Scarlett fell to her knees when they reached the dais. She kept her eyes downcast waiting for the Queen to give her permission to rise.
That permission did not come. Instead Victoria stood and after briefly greeting her son she turned her attention to the still kneeling Scarlett.
She reached forward and titled Scarlett's chin upward. Scarlett looked into the Queen's hazel eyes and waited.
"We've heard tell that you'll being leaving our son's household Mrs. Butler is it now?"
Scarlett nearly nodded which would have been a complete breach of royal protocol. She remembered herself at the last minute and carefully phrased her answer. I am indeed, your majesty. My beloved husband, whom as you may recall, I thought was deceased had instead been shipwrecked. We are now finally reunited and it wouldn't be appropriate to serve the Prince as I now have my pre-existing obligation to my husband to honor."
"And what of our God daughter?"
"The carriage awaits us to take myself and Mr. Butler to Osborne House."
"We will expect to see Elizabeth at least once a year, if not more."
"Of course your majesty. We would be honored if you'd visit us once we are in residence at Osborne House."
"We should like to confer some honor upon you in respect to your devotion to this family."
Scarlett blushed. "But," she stammered, "I'm not a British citizen. Please the kindness that I've been shown by the entire royal family is honor enough." What could Victoria be planning and how had she come to be here on the very morning of Scarlett's departure unless… She glanced at Bertie out of the corner of her cat shaped eye. He was smirking with a great deal of self-pleasure. He had somehow gotten his mother to come here to award her a title as a farewell present. But it couldn't't be a title, she wasn't't English so that excluded her from a peerage.
Her attention returned to the Queen who had raised her voice to address the crowded room. "Though traditionally June 20th is the day we conifer this honor which is mine own to award to those who have performed personal service for their Sovereign. Scarlett Butler has been a loyal friend to the house of Saxe-Coberg these past two years and we have delighted in the order she has restored to the residences occupied by the royal family. Where once waste and sloth were found, now order and accountability reins. We are most pleased with Mrs. Butler and so in appreciation of her services we confer upon her membership in The Royal Victorian Order granting her the title Dame Grand Cross. Thus she will be, upon rising, be so addressed as Dame Butler."
She gestured to one of her ministers who stepped forward with a the mantle of office , worn only by Knights and Dames Grand Cross. The mantle was a dark blue satin coat, edged with red satin. On the left side was a representation of the star worn pinned to the left breast.. The star was an eight-pointed silver star.
"Rise Dame Butler."
Scarlett glared at Bertie. He was obviously enjoying the ceremony and honor being shown to his friend. The minister began to step forward to help Scarlett into the blue silk coat but the Prince reached out and took the coat slipping it on Scarlett. His mother briefly smiled at the Prince's dedication to Scarlett. Of course her son loved this woman. It was unfortunate that Scarlett was not of a royal line. She would have served well as a bride for her son. What was done however was done and Albert would just have to learn to show Alexandra the respect due to his wife.
Victoria spoke again "The collar Lord Melerad."
The collar, was made of gold. It consisted of octagonal pieces alternating with oblong frames. Each octagonal piece depicted a gold rose on a blue field. Each frame contained one of the following inscriptions: "Victoria," "Brit. Reg meaning Queen of Britain "Defender of the Faith" and " Empress of India" in Latin. In the center was a medallion bearing Victoria's effigy.
The Prince draped the collar around Scarlett's neck and shoulder before bestowing a kiss on each of her cheeks. "Now no one can ever slight you or insinuate you were anything less than the love of my life," he whispered softly.
Scarlett only smiled before turning to the Queen. She curtsied deeply. "I'm overcome, I've no words eloquent enough with which to offer my thanks."
"Then say nothing, we know what is in your heart, it is written clearly in the pride on your face." Victoria leaned forward and gave Scarlett the customary kiss on each cheek just as her son had done only moments before. "God bless and keep you Dame Butler." In a voice meant only for Scarlett she added, "You and my granddaughter."
Scarlett nodded, tears strangling her breath. This poor woman, for all that she was Queen of England she was so pleased thinking that Scarlett's daughter was her son's issue. It vindicated her from blame for the Prince's supposed interest in his own sex. It wasn't Victoria's fault that the Prince couldn't love his pale shrew of a wife. If Alexandra was prettier or of a more vivid personality than certainly she would have been loved as much as Scarlett.
She knew that Rhett wouldn't be pleased with so much of Europe thinking Bess was Prince Albert's daughter but she would look to that tomorrow. Today was a time to rejoice in once more having had a friend who would defend her to the world and praise her to the skies.
The Queen took Scarlett's arm and Bertie took the other. They escorted her back down the aisle formed by the aristocracy who bowed and curtsied as their Queen and future King passed them. No one would ever slight her afterwardsbecause they would look to this morning and know that Scarlett carried the stamp of royal approval.
There was Rhett waiting by the front entrance. The three of them came forward and Rhett ever the man of the world bowed low before Queen Victoria.
She addressed him regally. "You are Mr. Butler whom we've heard so much about from our dear friend Scarlett?"
"I am your highness, may I take this occasion to express my deep gratitude at all you and your family have done for my wife?"
"You may."
"I will forever be your servant your highness. The treatment Scarlett received from your family puts my mind to ease. I feared for her while we were separated and to know that she was cared for is a great relief indeed."
"I've told Scarlett that we expect to see Elizabeth at least once a year, if not more."
Rhett's expression changed and if Scarlett hadn't know his expressions she would have never noticed, as the change was barely detectable. Obviously he didn't relish being told what was expected in regard to his daughter. He answered politely because he had no wish to antagonize the Queen of England.
"Your highness we will endeavor to please you."
Queen Victoria studied Rhett with a scrutinizing expression. "Mr. Butler, Scarlett has been a good friend to this family. We trust that we will have nothing to fear in the treatment she will receive from here on out?"
Rhett could hear the implied threat in her words and chose to ignore it. "Your highness, I've spent these last two years searching for my wife, I love her more than I can say. I will protect her till my dying day, she has nothing to fear from me…no matter what."
It was obvious to him that the Queen was worried that Rhett would hear the gossip regarding his wife and her son and perhaps seek to punish Scarlett or her daughter. The Queen believed Bess to be her granddaughter and nothing anyone would tell her would change her mind. He wasn't pleased, but for Scarlett's sake he could let it be, for now.
The Queen let go of Scarlett's arm. "God bless and keep you child." She leaned forward and once again kissed Scarlett once on each cheek.
Bertie let go of her other arm. "I love you darling girl," he raised her hand bearing his ring to his lips. "If you ever need me…" he left that statement open ended, its implications were well stated. The Prince may be letting her go physically, but chains of devotion would link him to her forever.
Scarlett could no longer keep the tears back, headless of who was watching amongst the aristocracy she pitched herself into the Prince arms. He held her head against his left breast cradling the back of her head as she sobbed. "Shh, it's alright, you finally have your husband and I've had the honor of having a friend who loved me for who I was, not what I could give you. I'll miss you…" he looked over her head to Rhett, his eyes beseeching. 'Take her, please I can't stand having to say goodbye.' The Prince mouthed to Rhett.
Rhett nodded and reached for Scarlett. She went to him and he held her up, wrapping one arm around her waist.
"Kiss Bess for me," said Albert.
"I will, I'll write."
He smiled fondly. "I shall eagerly await the missives bearing your further adventures."
Scarlett curtsied to the Queen and again to the Prince. The Queen gave a nod of dismissal but the Prince bowed deeply to Scarlett, setting off further whispers from the assembled crowd who had been watching the Prince and Scarlett say their good-byes.
Rhett helped her up into the carriage.
The prince addressed Rhett one last time before he too climbed into the carriage.
"Take care of her."
"For the rest of my life," answered Rhett simply, trying to conceal the pity he felt for this obviously unhappy man. It was seldom he felt sorry for anyone, but the Prince of Wales had been so kind to Scarlett and not because of her face or body. Rather he had been kind to her because Scarlett had won a part of his heart. Rhett could afford to like this man a great deal because they both loved Scarlett but at last Rhett knew that he had her heart.
The carriage pulled away from Havenhurst House and Scarlett cuddled close to Rhett resting her head on his shoulder.
"Are you ready to go and meet your daughter," she asked quietly.
"I can hardly wait," said Rhett.
"It will be wonderful to hold her again."
"Are you away from her often?" Rhett asked.
"No, very rarely, in fact. However neither Bertie nor myself wanted to have her in the same house while Bertie was having a house party. I was going to be occupied entertaining and Bertie with business and Havenhurst has many secret stairwells and passages. We were simply concerned for her safety. Bertie and I planned to join Bess at Osborne House as soon as the party ended." She bit her lip gently.
"You'll miss him a great deal, won't you?"
"Of course, I'm so grateful to be with you. I'm grateful that you and our daughter will finally make one another acquaintance. But Bertie was there with me during dark days and I can never forget that. He was a friend, a brother, my strength when I had none."
"I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what?"
He pulled her even closer "I'm sorry I was a fool, my bad judgment cost both of us a great deal."
"That's in the past Rhett and we have a whole future to enjoy, together."
They sat in silence for the rest of the journey to Osborne House simply enjoying one another's company.