Voices in a Haunted Room

I took pleasure in watching my mother while she dressed in her court clothes. She had always been outstandingly beautiful and in all her splendour she was very lovely indeed. No one would have guessed that she was the mother of a son old enough to be a soldier-and fighting with the French at that. I watched them leave in the carriage.

Her last words to me were: “When you go out, keep close to Jonathan. You’ll be safe with him.”

If only she knew!

Jonathan gleefully told me that he had plans for the day and that he intended to make up to me for not being included hi the royal invitation.

“You must be disappointed,” I said. “I was under the impression that you would be honoured.”

“Places are limited, and one for father and son would be asking too much. It is an omission which, in the circumstances, gives me untold pleasure. I intend to enjoy every moment of this glorious day. We shall start on our horses.”

“Jonathan,” I began earnestly, “I want you to understand I will not have ...”

He interrupted me. “I assure you I shall behave impeccably. I can on occasion, you know. I have decided to dedicate today to proving to you that I am not such a bad fellow after all. I shall respect your wishes in every way. There! Does that satisfy you?”

“If I could believe you ...”

“You can. On my honour.”

“I was not aware that you were overburdened with such a quality.”

“Then that is something else I have to prove to you. Let us go soon. The streets will be impossible as the day wears on. Get into your riding habit at once and we’ll leave.”

“Jonathan,” I began uncertainly.

“I swear to you nothing shall be done against your wishes.”

“I did not seek this.”

“It was thrust upon you. There. I understand everything. Go on ... change. This is going to be a day to remember.”

As we rode out into the streets the bells were ringing and the guns were booming from the park and the Tower. Carriages were making their way to St. James’s and people were shouting loyal slogans.

“Nothing like a royal wedding to bring out the patriotism,” said Jonathan.

“Who would believe now that people in this country-serious politicians-such a short time ago feared we should follow the example of the French.”

“They still fear,” said Jonathan. “Don’t be deceived by the flag-waving and the loyal shouts.”

We turned into Hyde Park and rode along by the Serpentine.

“Is it true,” I asked, “that the Prince is going into this marriage reluctantly?”

“I’m sorry for him. She appears to be rather an unattractive creature.”

“I feel sorry for her.”

“You support your own sex, of course.”

“Naturally when the man is said to flaunt his mistress before his bride, and, by the way, has already gone through a form of marriage with a good and virtuous lady.”

“Life can be cruel,” sighed Jonathan. “I thought we’d get out of London. Let’s get down to the river. I know of an inn where we can get a good meal, and as many people will be coming into the city for the wedding, it will not be too crowded.”

We rode down to the river and beside it for some distance.

It was true that the farther we rode, the more peaceful it became.

“Where are you taking me?” I asked.

“To the Dog and Whistle. It’s an old inn I know. They serve the most excellent roast beef.”

“I shall not want to be too late in returning.”

“Have I not told you that you may trust me to deliver you safely and in perfect order to your dear mama? Don’t forget, I am proving myself ... winning my spurs, I think they call it. I expect to emerge from this day with a shining halo. You are going to say: I misjudged bun. He is not the villain I thought him.”

“I think I shall wait until the end of the day before passing judgment.”

I thought how handsome he was with his fair hair and those deep blue eyes. I was glad that wigs were out of fashion. One scarcely ever saw them now. They had gone with powder-another fashion eliminated by the revolution. My mother said that men were becoming care- less of thek dress, led by people like Charles James Fox. Dickon explained that they did it to show their sympathy for the revolution, while Pitt and the Tories refused to comply with the new ways and wore splendid scarlet waistcoats to show thek loyalty to the monarchy.

It was a beautifully warm April-one of the loveliest months of the year with the birds in full song and the trees in bud, and I could not help feeling happy on that morning. For one day I was going to forget my past sins; I was going to take my mind off my guilt; I was going to be completely happy ... just for today.

“April showers bring forth May flowers,” I quoted irrelevantly.

“Pray that the showers will keep off until we reach the Dog and Whistle.”

It came into view, standing apart from the few houses which formed the hamlet. The sign swayed gently in the light breeze. The dog was brown and the whistle a bright red.

“Follow me,” said Jonathan. “We’ll take our horses round to the stables. They’ll look after them while we eat.”