A Royal Rebuke Read online

  “Let him!” Lord Victor said lightly. “I assure you, there are quite a number of people can claim the doubtful distinction of being born on what is called ‘the wrong side of the blanket’!”

  Then they had gone to the cabin where Alexander was waiting for them.

  Now the Princess said,

  “I have enjoyed learning Russian, but it will all be a waste of time if there is no one to talk to.”

  “According to the Marquis of Salisbury,” Lord Victor answered, “the Russians are everywhere, but if you are looking for a tall, dark, handsome Prince, you will have to go to Russia.”

  “I would rather talk Russian with – you,” the Princess replied.

  Lord Victor thought that was just what he would like to do himself.

  Then he knew that he must be very careful.

  He was well aware that, because they were together all day, the Princess talked to him quite spontaneously and intimately and this was something that must cease as soon as they arrived at their destination.

  He also had the uncomfortable feeling that she was a little in love with him.

  Yet, because she was so young and innocent, she was unaware of it.

  He admitted to himself when he was in the darkness of his cabin that he found her fascinating.

  He had never in his whole life spent so much time alone with a young woman.

  Instead of counting the hours, as he had expected to do, until he could escape, he found her more and more interesting day by day.

  It was not only because she was so beautiful.

  Every movement she made had a grace that was natural and of which she was completely unselfconscious.

  It was not only because her features were classically perfect, but the expressions on her face that succeeded one another were, he thought, each more entrancing than the last.

  But there was something else quite different.

  Something he had never encountered before and of which, he told himself, he was afraid.

  It was the undeniable affinity between them!

  They laughed at the same jokes and seemed able to read each other’s thoughts.

  Lord Victor had never found this with the women he had made love to.

  In some strange way he could not explain, he was closer to the Princess than to any woman he had ever known.

  He was intelligent enough to realise that it was because their minds had become each a part of the other’s.

  It was therefore more subtle than if it had been their bodies.

  ‘Whatever happens,’ Lord Victor had been telling himself every night, ‘I must not let her fall in love with me, so that she is unhappy when I leave.’

  He watched the sunshine streaming in through the porthole and it turned her hair into a golden halo round her head.

  He was asking himself as he was gazing at her whether he would be happy when he left Zararis on H.M.S. Victorious, and returned to England alone.

  Suddenly, as if she did not wish to continue what she was thinking, the Princess pushed the papers on the table to one side and said,

  “The sun is shining and we have time for a run round the deck before luncheon. But hurry, hurry, before one of the watchdogs tries to stop us!”

  There was no one to do so.

  Lord Victor knew perceptively that she was thinking that in a day or so it would no longer be possible for her to run round the deck.

  She would be surrounded by all the pomp and ceremony that was waiting for her in the country she was to reign over.

  That evening at dinner, rather unwisely, Lord Victor thought, the Ambassador piped up,

  “We are not very far from Athens now. I have always thought the lights of the City in the darkness with the stars overhead, is one of the most beautiful sights in the world!”

  The Princess jumped up from the table.

  “We must go and see it!” she exclaimed.

  “It’s too early,” Lord Victor replied, “the last rays of the sun are still on the horizon.”

  “Then that will be beautiful too!” the Princess replied. “How could Greece be anything but beautiful, whatever time of the day it is?”

  She had reached the cabin door as she spoke.

  As they heard her running towards the companionway, no one moved and Lord Victor was therefore obliged to follow her.

  He found her on deck.

  The horizon was tinged with the crimson of the sunset and it looked, he had to admit, like something out of a Fairytale.

  “It is lovely! Lovely!” the Princess sighed in a rapt little voice. “I can understand how Papa often felt homesick for his own country, even though he was so happy with Mama.”

  Because Lord Victor was afraid of the emotion in her voice, he asked,

  “I have often wondered why your mother has not come with you to be present at your marriage and your Coronation.”

  “She wanted to – of course she wanted to,” Princess Sydella replied, “but she suffered from acute rheumatism last winter and it is still impossible – for her to walk up and down stairs.”

  Her voice was sad as she went on,

  “Poor Mama has to be carried, except when she walks very very slowly with two sticks on the ground floor. As she said herself – it would be most undignified to have to be carried by sailors up and down a Battleship!”

  “I am sorry to hear that she is suffering,” Lord Victor said, “but perhaps with the warmer weather, she will soon be better.”

  “I am praying – that she will,” the Princess answered, “but I am so very lucky to have you – otherwise those old fuddy-duddies would never let me do anything!”

  She leaned over the ship’s rail as she spoke and looked down at the sea.

  “Perhaps we will see a dolphin,” she said. “Like those that were sacred to Apollo.”

  “I think,” Lord Victor replied, pointing with his left hand, “that Delphi must be somewhere over there and it is a place I have always wanted to visit.”

  “Oh, do let’s go there together!” the Princess pleaded. “I would love to stand beneath the ‘Shining Cliffs’ with you. And I am sure, although the Temples are in ruins and the statues stolen, we would be able to visualise it in all its glory.”

  It struck Lord Victor that he would like to be there with the Princess and Delphi had always appealed to him ever since he had first read about it.

  Then he thought that he was treading on dangerous ground and he said rapidly,

  “Have you any idea where your father’s island was? Perhaps we shall pass it before it gets too dark.”

  The Princess did not answer and he could see that she was still looking at the sunset.

  She was so very lovely in the fading light, as Lord Victor could see that the first evening star was just coming out overhead.

  He had an overwhelming desire to put his arms around her.

  He wanted to tell her that he would protect her from anything that would hurt or make her unhappy in the future.

  Then hand-in-hand they would go to Delphi and become part of its magic, which would never die.

  He did not move or speak, but the Princess said in a rapt little voice,

  “I am sure that Delphi would seem – real to me – as if I was a part of it – perhaps we both were – many years ago – ”

  Lord Victor felt as if he was in a dream from which he had no wish to awaken.

  Then, because he was afraid of his own feelings, he walked away to stand at the stern of the ship and he looked with unseeing eyes at the crimson of the setting sun reflected on the smooth surface of the sea.

  Then the Princess was beside him and she slipped her hand into his.

  “Why did you move away?” she asked. “You are not – angry with me?”

  “No, of course not,” he answered.

  “Have I said – something to upset you? If you don’t tell me what is – wrong, I shall lie – awake all night – worrying.”

  “There is nothing wrong,” Lord Victor replied. />
  He looked at her, saw the pleading expression in her eyes and said somewhat roughly,

  “There is nothing wrong except that you are too lovely for any man’s peace of mind.”

  He saw the expression of astonishment in her eyes.

  Then, as she realised that what he had said was a compliment, it was replaced by what he could only describe to himself as a rapture.

  It was then that he turned and walked away, leaving her alone.

  Only when he reached his cabin did he admit to himself that he was in love.

  He wondered what the hell he should do about it.

  *

  The next day they were moving through the Northerly group of Greek islands.

  Only as they passed up the Aegean Sea did the Ambassador at luncheon tell them what lay ahead.

  “I have not bothered Your Royal Highness with it before,” he began, “but I think before we actually arrive at the Port of Zararis I should tell you what will happen.”

  “What will happen?” the Princess asked.

  Lord Victor knew that she was suddenly feeling nervous, as he wondered what the Ambassador was about to explain.

  There had been no mention until now of what was planned for their arrival.

  He had thought to himself that there would be the inevitable drive through the City with cheering crowds.

  Then there would be long and exceedingly boring speeches by the Prime Minister and other dignitaries and after that there would be another Reception.

  This would be when they reached the Palace, where presumably the King would be waiting to greet his future bride.

  Because he was an elderly man, he would not hurry to greet Princess Sydella on the Battleship, as a younger man would have done.

  Whatever happened, Lord Victor was quite certain that it would all be extremely boring, both for the Princess and for himself.

  There was only one redeeming feature of the ceremony.

  That was that they would understand what was being said in a language that from that moment on would be the Princess’s.

  She had asked him only yesterday if he thought that there would be any English people in the Palace.

  “I think that is unlikely,” he replied, “although, of course, there will be a British Embassy or Consulate in the City itself.”

  “Then suppose,” Princess Sydella suggested, “I forget how to talk in English – and have to start learning the language all over again when I – go back to England to visit – my mother?”

  Lord Victor tried to laugh.

  “You are making unnecessary difficulties, ma’am, and, of course, you will remember how to speak English! How could you possibly forget it? If I am not mistaken, you say your prayers in that language.”

  “I do indeed,” the Princess said with a note of relief in her voice. “But can you imagine talking Greek, with all those funny words put in, day after day, year after year?”

  She sighed before she added,

  “And you must know that my jokes will not sound half so funny in Zararisian.”

  Lord Victor knew this to be true and he was trying to help the Princess accept the inevitable.

  “I am sure that you will be able to ask some of your friends to come and stay with you. That would easily be possible, if you pay for those who cannot afford it.”

  “I never thought of that,” the Princess exclaimed, her eyes lighting up, “and – will you come and stay if I – ask you?”

  Feeling as he did at the moment, Lord Victor thought that it would be a grave error.

  But to make her happy he answered,

  “Of course, I should be very honoured to have an invitation from the Queen of Zararis! At the same time, I will want to bring with me, if I do not then have a wife, several of my horses.”

  The Princess gave a little cry.

  “That would be wonderful! I promise you, here and now, that I will send a special Battleship – if we have one – to collect you and your horses!”

  She paused for a moment.

  Then, as if she could not help herself, she asked,

  “Is there anyone – particular – you want to – marry?”

  Lord Victor was sure that this was an idea that had never occurred to her before and she was hurt by the thought of it.

  “I am a confirmed bachelor,” he said quickly, “and I think it unlikely that I shall ever marry.”

  He was aware as he spoke that the sunshine had come back into her eyes and she smiled.

  It was then he told himself that he must not allow this sort of conversation to happen.

  Nevertheless he was aware that it had.

  “Now what has been planned,” the Ambassador was saying in his slow rather dreary voice, “is that as we near the Port of Zararis, a special Royal Barge will come out to collect Her Royal Highness and those in attendance upon her.”

  Lord Victor was listening in surprise as the Ambassador went on,

  “Her Royal Highness will sit on a throne made of flowers in the centre of the barge and an orchestra will play behind her.”

  The Princess gave a little exclamation.

  And Lord Victor knew that she was wondering if she would be allowed to dance.

  “You will sit in state, ma’am,” the Ambassador went on, “as the barge moves down through lines of small boats, all decorated and specially lit.”

  “Why does this have to be at night?” Lord Victor enquired.

  “Because, my Lord, everyone in the City and in the countryside will want to be there and it would be impossible for every factory and shop to close their doors in the daytime.”

  Lord Victor nodded to show that he understood and the Ambassador continued,

  “The illuminations on the road from the quay to the Palace will make it as bright as daylight. Her Royal Highness will drive in an open carriage, so that everyone can see her.”

  His voice was almost dramatic as he added,

  “When Her Royal Highness reaches the Palace, His Majesty will be waiting at the top of the steps to greet her.”

  Lord Victor was aware of the apprehension in Princess Sydella’s eyes as he spoke the last words.

  “I am sure that Your Excellency has arranged it admirably!” he said quickly.

  “You must thank the Prime Minister for that,” the Ambassador said. “It was his idea and we felt that it would be a delightful entry into the City. The onlookers will undoubtedly take Her Royal Highness to their hearts.”

  “There will be flowers everywhere,” one of the Baronesses chipped in. “They will be arranged around the trees lining the route and the children will throw them into the carriage.”

  “Your Royal Highness will be presented with a wreath of flowers to wear on your head,” the other Baroness joined in, “rather than a tiara.”

  Lord Victor thought that this was an original idea.

  At the same time he knew without her saying so that the Princess was wondering where he would be.

  “Lord Victor, representing Queen Victoria,” the Ambassador declared, “will sit opposite Your Royal Highness with his back to the horses. The next carriage will contain your Ladies-in-Waiting and myself.”

  There was a note of satisfaction in his voice as he said the words.

  “After that will come the Prime Minister and Members of the Council.”

  “What – happens when we – reach the – Palace?” the Princess asked in a low voice.

  “His Majesty will greet you and there will be a State Banquet at which we will all be present,” the Ambassador answered.

  He was waiting, Lord Victor knew, for some sign of appreciation from the Princess.

  As she did not speak, he said,

  “I see it has all been very well thought out. It will certainly be an original way of being greeted in a new country. I feel sure that other countries will copy such ceremonial in the future.”

  The Ambassador swelled with pride.

  But the Princess said nothing until she was alone with Lo
rd Victor.

  They were going to play deck tennis after the two Baronesses had quickly made excuses so that they could lie down.

  As they reached the deck, the Princess asked,

  “Do I have – to do all – that?”

  Lord Victor did not pretend to misunderstand the question and he replied,

  “I think that it is an excellent idea for the people you will rule over to see Your Royal Highness looking very lovely and surrounded by flowers, which, in my opinion, are far more becoming than jewels.”

  The Princess did not speak and after a moment he added,

  “They are really doing their best and it will be up to Your Royal Highness in the future to make all ceremonial more interesting and less tedious than it seems at present.”

  “You – you think I can – do that?” she asked hesitatingly.

  “Of course you can!” Lord Victor said. “You have made this voyage, which I thought would be a long drawn-out bore, enjoyable and entertaining for me. That is what you have to do in the future for a whole country!”

  “But – it has been enjoyable and – entertaining for me,” the Princess said, “because you are here.”

  “You did not know that before I came aboard,” Lord Victor said, “and I am quite certain, even if it had been the old man you were expecting, he would have been entranced. It would have meant a new lease of life for him because you make everything you do, think and say what you call ‘fun’.”

  There was silence and then the Princess asked,

  “Can I – really do – it?”

  It was the question of a child who felt that everything was too big for her.

  “Of course you can!” Lord Victor reassured her. “Try not to be frightened. Tell yourself that, if nothing else, you will make those you rule over laugh and discover the beautiful things in life, rather than those which are ugly.”

  “You are so sensible – and so wise,” Princess Sydella said, “and I want – you to be – there to tell me – what to – do.”

  There was a little pause.

  Then Lord Victor said,

  “You know that is impossible.”

  He walked towards the deck tennis net that was waiting for them.

  “Now I am going to beat you,” he announced, “unless you really exert yourself!”