Malice at the Palace (The Royal Spyness Series Book 9)

 

“Oh no, dear,” Princess Louise said. “Beatrice and I have each other and the nieces close by and if I want to get out, I just walk through the park to Harrods or a concert at the Albert Hall. And if I want to go farther afield I jump on a number nine bus. Nobody knows who I am. It’s quite refreshing.”

 

I thought that people might just notice an old woman in Victorian garb, but I nodded and smiled. A maid was sent to find my things.

 

“I can’t think why we’ve never met you before, Georgiana,” Princess Beatrice said and got a warning look from her sister.

 

“I’m afraid my mother left us and I was stuck alone in the nursery at Castle Rannoch,” I said.

 

“But you must have been down in London when you were presented.”

 

“Of course,” I said.

 

“She wouldn’t have wanted to waste her time visiting elderly relatives, Bea,” Princess Louise said. “She would have been fully occupied with parties and balls and such.”

 

“But you didn’t find yourself a husband during your season?” Beatrice asked.

 

“I’m afraid not, ma’am.”

 

She patted my hand. “Never mind. A nice healthy-looking girl like you will be snapped up soon enough. You’ll see, the next wedding we celebrate in the family will be yours.”

 

“I hope so.” I gave her a smile.

 

The maid appeared with my coat and brolly.

 

“Take Lady Georgiana out through the back door, Phyllis,” Princess Louise said. “She can go home by the courtyard and won’t have to walk in that dreadful wind.”

 

I kissed both great-aunts dutifully on the cheek without knocking either one of them over. Then I followed the maid down a narrow hall and was let out into a dark courtyard. Here it was quite still, apart from the drip, drip of rain. It was also quite dark. No lights shone out from windows, except for one on the second floor that must have been mine. But the heavy curtains were drawn and only a sliver of light showed. I put up my brolly and picked my way over the slippery cobblestones. As I approached the archway at the end of the courtyard I was relieved to see some sort of lamp was glowing, illuminating the dark shape of the building around it. As I drew closer a cold wind rushed at me and high above a clock began to chime ten.

 

The haunted clock tower, I thought. At that moment the light vanished and I was left in total darkness. I have to confess I plunged through the archway and ran all the way to the front door.

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 9

 

 

 

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4

 

KENSINGTON PALACE, LONDON

 

Princess Marina arrives today. I hope she won’t be as awful as her cousin!

 

The next day the apartment was full of hustle and bustle as we awaited the arrival of Princess Marina. Men appeared with large flower arrangements. Shelves were dusted. Fires were lit. Servants were in evidence and a good luncheon was served in the dining room. Civilization had come to apartment 1. I knew that the boat train was due in about four, so I made myself look as presentable as possible and went to the long salon to await the princess’s arrival. Countess Irmtraut was already there.

 

“I did not see you at dinner last night,” she said. “You were unwell?”

 

“No, I dined with my great-aunt, Princess Louise,” I said. “She has the apartment next to this one.”

 

“Ah yes, I am told that this house is full of old royal ladies, but they do not invite me. I am not related to them, I suppose.”

 

What was I supposed to say—that I was sorry she wasn’t related to the English royal family? When I said nothing she went on, “So why are you not a princess yourself if these ladies are your aunts?”

 

“My grandmother was Queen Victoria’s daughter. The offspring of a princess do not inherit her title. My grandfather was a duke, so my father was also a duke, and I’m merely a lady.”

 

“Hmph,” she said, obviously weighing whether a mere lady might rank below her. She looked out of the window. It was still as dreary and blustery as November can be in England.

 

“I hope Marina had a good journey. I do not think the Channel would have been smooth.”

 

“Probably not. But it’s only an hour, isn’t it? One can endure most things for an hour.”

 

“It will be longer if she comes from Hook of Holland,” she said. “And rougher. I am always seasick, even on fine days. I have the delicate constitution of my ancestors.”

 

I was extremely glad that Major Beauchamp-Chough joined us at that moment. “Won’t be long now,” he said. “The princess will be tired from her long journey, so I propose we let her rest until the motorcar comes for you at seven.”

 

“The motorcar?” Countess Irmtraut asked.

 

“The princess has been invited to dine with her new family,” the major said.

 

“We are to accompany her?” Irmtraut asked.

 

“Only Lady Georgiana, since she is a family member,” he said curtly.