The Florentine Quilt

9. Florence

9

FLORENCE

BALMORAL CASTLE, 1875

LAPIS LAZULI: Confront and express truth, take charge, release repressed inner voice

F lorence waited until the queen had retired before joining the men in the drawing room at Bertie’s invitation. Orlando’s welcoming smile spoke of a more intimate knowledge, and her lips curled in response. The evening had grown cool, and a fire was set in the hearth. Florence blanched at the force of the heat and dismissed the offer of the queen’s much-favoured Vin Mariani for a glass of barley water instead. The cigar smoke had quite unsettled her stomach.

‘ Ahh , you’re here, my dear,’ Bertie set his brandy aside, ‘have you heard about the latest drawing-room entertainment? It’s causing quite a stir. I thought you might appreciate it, Florence —it’s a science of sorts, so they say.’

‘ Do go on.’ Orlando blew a kiss over Bertie’s shoulder and Florence’s heart fluttered in her bosom.

‘ London hostesses are inviting so-called spiritualists to entertain their guests, unusual types who it is said have the ability to commune with the dead. Can you imagine conversing with our loved ones in the afterlife? Or heroes from the past….’ He stroked his beard thoughtfully.

‘ How extraordinary.’ Florence frowned. She imagined what she might ask her parents or Aunt Pauline , to find out if such a practice were possible. ‘ Indeed , what is involved?’

‘ Some employ a deck of painted cards called “tarot” to foretell the future. Egyptian in origin, I think. Have you heard of the practice on the continent, Vincenzi ?’

‘ Si , of course,’ Orlando interrupted. ‘ We call the cards tarocchi . Until the last century their use for divination was forbidden by the church. They began in popular use as playing cards.’

Florence pressed down on her knees with her fingers; the welcome advice from one of the Queen’s ladies to prevent her straining forward. ‘ What precisely do the cards do?’

‘ Each possesses a different meaning. A number are selected blindly then laid out, and the diviner analyses them to tell your future. My ancestors have trusted the art of cartomancy to advise them since the fifteenth century. When they prepared for battle, they consulted the gypsy who was part of the household to discern the elements in the cards and decide the best time to attack or retreat.’

‘ It sounds far more intriguing than cribbage or baccarat.’ Florence was enthralled.

Bertie reached for his evening brandy and signalled for a new box of cigars. ‘ A clever tactic to have in your arsenal, Vincenzi . I expect if old Boney had used a spiritualist he might have foreseen his own demise.’ Bertie chuckled, always one to enjoy a laugh at another’s expense. ‘ Perhaps I should suggest Mama consult her own private Merlin in the future.’ He grinned at Florence .

But the look on Orlando’s face was deadly serious. ‘ Our family relied on the outcome of the cards for hundreds of years, my friend. In fact, we believe our power and success was due to the implementation of such knowledge.’

‘ Do they continue to trust the cards now?’ Florence clasped her hands together.

‘ Si . And the secrets have been passed down. I learnt to read them as a child although my sister is the one gifted in the skill.’

Florence relaxed in her chair as the discussion moved on. The ability to see the future would be fascinating. Having been compelled on occasion to follow her instincts, she could relate to the belief in the influence of a stronger force.

What did the future hold for her and Orlando ? She longed for them to be together, as did he.

A few nights later, at Bertie’s request, Orlando laid a tarot spread on a silk-topped table under the eerie gauze of amber gaslight.

He gazed into Florence’s eyes with the seriousness of an expert. ‘ Miss Trevelyan , you will surround yourself with creative people from all walks of life—the kind and the wealthy, the learned and the talented.’ Florence nodded enthusiastically. ‘ The cards say you will live high on a hilltop, like a queen in a castle.’

Bertie let out such a loud guffaw from his comfortable chair that it brought on a coughing fit. ‘ Vincenzi , you rascal! That’s the ticket! Go on, then….’

Orlando ignored him. ‘ Nature will play an important part in your life, and you will find peace in your love of birds and animals.

‘ A prosperous and adventurous life is ahead of you. You care for the needy, the impoverished too—’ His warm gaze pressed hers.

‘ Here in Britain ?’ she teased.

His answering wink filled her stomach with butterflies.

The cards vowed she would live bordered by water and mountains on land as scenic as the Garden of Eden itself. Florence would become a great woman and her passion for life and concern for nature would continue well into the next century. Orlando saw her in a place where the sky was the colour of sapphires all year round and where the people would remember her kindness and generosity.

Florence’s heart burst with joy.

I n the last days of summer, the Princess of Wales made haste to Scotland and arrived without a word of warning on a morning as frosty as her piercing glare. Informed by her spies in the household of an indelicate matter, she appraised the ladies in the drawing room with the contempt of a spider with a fly trapped in its web.

Unaware of the impromptu visit, Florence swallowed down her nausea from dressing the soil and made her way to her room from the garden feeling generally unsettled. Louisa was waiting by her door and drew her inside.

‘ Lady Ely asked me to report to her. She said Her Majesty seeks news of her “little cousin”. Those were her exact words.’

From the housemaid to the laundress, a hint of an irregularity had spread via a lady’s maid and filtered through the bowels of the castle until it reached the queen’s closest confidante.

‘ It’s a matter to be discussed with the utmost discretion,’ Louisa whispered nervously.

There was nothing discreet about living in the queen’s shadow. One could barely blow her nose without talk of a lurgy sweeping the halls. The court was full to the brim with advisers and ladies-in-waiting or equerries hiding in dark corners. Everyone knew your business. Particularly Lady Ely , the Lady of the Bedchamber .

‘ I informed Lady Ely that we often account for our delicate linens in private,’ Louisa continued, a flash of red darkening her cheeks. ‘ Is that not the case, dearest?’ Her wrinkled nose refused any accusation of her cousin’s failings.

‘ Of course, Louisa . Quite so.’ Florence hid her crossed fingers in the folds of her gown. She despised the necessary mistruth. The look of relief on her cousin’s face added to her shame. With no sign of intimate monthly cloths to launder, Florence had indeed been foolish.

‘ The queen has asked for you at once. I’m afraid she is in quite the mood. Please tread carefully.’

What precisely should Florence divulge? She and Orlando had been careless in their lovemaking; it had been naive to have behaved so lasciviously, so recklessly, and to have expected no further consequence. But was it fair to ask Louisa to share the burden of such knowledge? Her cousin was her closest friend, yet Florence was loath to reveal any flaw that would lower her esteem in Louisa’s eyes.

‘ I expect, dearest, when you chose to stay behind instead of joining the hunting party last week, it raised suspicion. Her Majesty asked how frequently you had been resting. I cannot abide such an inference!’ She averted her gaze to the door for signs of intrusion.

Florence glanced out the window. ‘ You know I detest the sport, as do you.’

While serving as prime minister, Louisa’s Perceval grandfather had been assassinated in the lobby of the House of Commons . As a result, many family members were ardently gun-averse.

Louisa crossed the room and picked up a framed drawing in her likeness. ‘ Indeed . Her Majesty made mention that Bertie had remained far too long at Balmoral this season. I did warn you….’

It seemed Louisa was blind to what had happened in plain view.

Hadn’t she noticed Florence’s delight in Orlando’s company? Even now, her face sparkled with the glow of love. Orlando assured Florence she was his one true love, and he would find a way to convince his family of his intentions. They would be together soon. Florence did not doubt it as truth.

However , an uncomfortable churn of uncertainty remained, concerning how they might overcome the obstacles in their relationship. The matter of religion for one—her cousin Reginald was the current Bishop of Newcastle , while Orlando was a papist.

Florence was pragmatic as she prepared for the inevitable. Her family held an esteemed lineage in history, service and loyalty to the Crown , yet she had been received into the royal household and behaved dishonourably. It would bring shame and embarrassment to the Trevelyan name.

To be accused of a liaison was one thing, but a pregnancy was quite another.

Requiring an ally to help keep her secret, Florence went to Bertie , aware that in the asking, as well as her reputation, she risked losing the prince’s friendship. What she needed was time.

They met by the stables after dark, Florence’s apprehension moderately calmed by the scent of the country and refreshed by a cool breeze. She took a deep breath and revealed her concerns.

‘ This is a complication you can ill afford, dear girl. While some might turn a blind eye to a dalliance with a foreigner, doors will close to you as an unmarried woman with a child. He may have the backing of wealth, and come from of a highborn family, but provincial contes are a dime a dozen—as the Americans say. I imagine you have a plan?’

Following the success of his trade negotiations, Orlando dared not lose the lucrative warrant forthwith. He was expected to strengthen the fortunes of his province and his merchant family. A scandal involving the heir to the Count of Prato and a member of the household of the British queen would not bode well—nor would it flatter Orlando’s political aspirations.

Orlando convinced Florence that his family were proud but passionate about family and would understand the depth of their love. The shame of a child born out of wedlock would be avoided without embarrassment, and their marriage approved as soon as possible.

‘ I will conceal my condition and travel for a time, until we gain consent,’ Florence assured Bertie .

Bertie tapped his chin thoughtfully and took out a cigar before he made his reply. He suggested in order to protect and support his friends that a small deception would prove more prudent than the truth. However , sacrifices were required by all.

‘ Let me shoulder this burden. Vincenzi is the best of men and saved my hide many a time at Cambridge . Churlish to bring it up of course, but he also softened the fall with the press through the wretched Mordaunt business in ’71. I promised recompense if ever the day came. This is the perfect opportunity.

‘ Allow me to make arrangements with the queen. I will insist we keep it between us and that Alix need not be informed. I expect dear Mama will not blame you for long—after all, she loves you like a daughter. However , it’s somewhat par for the course she takes umbrage with the Prince of Wales .’ He chuckled and drew back on his cigar.

Florence ran her hands down the nose of a gentle mare in a stall and breathed out a sigh of relief.

‘ It will die down eventually, my dear. In the meantime, I will see to it the child is comfortably taken care of, far away from court…’

Florence assured him such a measure was unnecessary.

Orlando exited Balmoral without a farewell. In a note written to the queen, he spoke of a concern within his family and that he was regretful the matter required his immediate return. While desolate, Florence knew it was for the best.

The personal sacrifice of the Prince of Wales marked her own exile. However , if it were believed she was carrying the heir to the throne’s bastard, there would be challenges.

Florence felt the full force of the queen’s wrath. Seducing the heir under the roof of the royal household was a betrayal more deceitful than the queen could bear.

Despite the grain of truth at its heart, Florence was vexed by the accusation. It rankled how swiftly the blame of seduction was laid solely at her feet. No one thought to consider she was not Bertie’s type. Or that Florence had never fallen foul of the queen before.

‘ Out of our sight,’ was the phrase Queen Victoria used, her dark eyes filled with distaste. ‘ Take Miss Perceval and be away with you. We care not where— Far East India like your cousin Trevelyan or beyond the Empire . We will not welcome your return until this…problem…is resolved.’ Her cold dismissal marked Florence’s fall from grace as complete.

When Florence returned to her room she took Louisa by the hand. Then she lowered her to the window seat and confessed to a dalliance with Bertie . The pain etched on her cousin’s face drew a lump in her throat. Poor Louisa .

Her experience of love was narrow, but Cousin Louisa’s was non-existent. Whilst a fine companion, her antiquated views regarding the roles of women often did not align with Florence’s own.

‘ No , Florence ! For shame. My nerves will never recover.’ Louisa slumped with a hand to her forehead like a player on the stage. ‘ How could you stoop to such an impropriety? I cannot believe you, of all people, were deceived by the prince. Whatever will become of you?’

Florence advised Louisa of her exile and instructed her to gather her possessions.

‘ I’m to go abroad, post-haste.’ She tilted her head to the side. ‘ Nevertheless , for some time, I’ve yearned to navigate my own version of the Grand Tour . I’m determined to see more than Shakespeare’s Verona , or the antiquities of Rome . I shall explore the world at last.’

Though uncomfortable with the deception, advising Louisa of the pregnancy was a step Florence was not prepared to take. She had no wish to incite an episode of nervous hysteria and have that on her conscience. Her loss of chastity was shock enough.

‘ While I may not share your thirst for adventure, I shan’t miss Balmoral for a second.’ Louisa dabbed at her nose. ‘ Our rooms remain as unwelcoming as the queen’s demeanour. But you have been sorely used, dearest. It is indeed a travesty.’

Florence’s lips twitched. ‘ I shall miss Scotland . It’s as dear to me as my home in the north ever was.’

‘ It would be lovely to see Hallington Hall in the autumn once more…,’ Louisa exaggerated a sigh.

‘ No , I shan’t return. The estate manager refers matters of my household to our uncle. Besides , I imagine my presence would take some explanation. I dare not be forced to deny rumours pertaining to my fall from grace if he asks me. I shall avoid the empire for a time.’

An overwhelming wave of fatigue swept her body. Florence closed her eyes.

How grateful she was for Bertie’s intervention. And his insistence that Queen Victoria provide her with an allowance. Together with the personal income from her estates, the stipend was sufficient to manage on until her marriage to Orlando —although not to live the comfortable life she was currently accustomed to.

Louisa interrupted her thoughts. ‘ I expect it best I join them at Henbury . However , I cannot help but feel I’m abandoning you.’ She picked at imaginary threads on the sleeve of her Prussian blue jacket. The cuff’s crimson trim perfectly matched the bloom of her cheeks.

Her cousin’s devotion was undeniable.

‘ Do not concern yourself, Louisa . I’m not the first young woman to be caught in a scandal, nor will I be the last. I will endure my banishment abroad with good grace.’

‘ There is very little choice in matters of compromise.’ She pursed her lips.

Florence was relieved Louisa could not read her thoughts. Her body filled with heat, recalling a more recent amorous rendezvous. A woman of fine breeding would never reveal the details.

‘ And how fortunate you escaped the clutches of that libertine without any further…disgrace!’

‘ Quite .’ Florence relaxed the set of her expression, the way Victoria taught her when playing cribbage. Never let the players read your hand.

The queen would never forgive her—and if the stony-faced Princess of Wales discovered the extent of Bertie’s subterfuge? No . Nevertheless , Florence would have preferred not to have her name added to the number whose presence was met with glacial Danish distaste.

Florence felt Louisa’s soft touch on her hand. ‘ I expect, given the circumstances, Her Majesty is obliged to provide your passage.’

‘ Indeed . Her Majesty is eager to see the last of me.’

‘ You were forced against your will, Florence . He is the Prince of Wales —there is no shame in the naivety of the innocent.’

‘ Thank you, dear cousin. It seems we women are required to be obedient, well read and polite, attentive and charming.’ Florence tilted her chin. ‘ We must be knowledgeable in the ways of the world, but not so worldly as to appear ambitious or lacking in femininity.’

Louisa stood and began pacing, ‘ And may God help us if a man of higher station desires the use of you as an instrument for his own gratification!’

Florence ought not to have spoken so plainly. She felt wretched for being the cause of Louisa’s discomfort. But in a few months, she would make it up to her.

From the comfort of the window seat, Florence stared towards the blossoming fruit trees with an ache in her heart that weighed heavily upon her.

How long would it be until she and Orlando were together again?

U nder the light of the moon, Florence wrapped her arms around the collies for the last time and tearfully stroked their soft coats in farewell. Two pairs of trusting brown eyes stared back at her as the dogs wagged their tails.

She breathed in the last of the woodlands of Scotland —the earthy, masculine scents of sycamore and oak and pine, her favourite, always strongest in the spring, as well as the last of the rose blossoms that left a hint of sweet fragrance in a cool breeze.

She would dearly miss the dogs—and Balmoral . The natural beauty of her beloved Northumbria too: memories of the call of the cock o’ the north, of stocky bramblings with ginger-flecked wings atop snowy white bellies, the rugged briars that spread through the woodlands beyond the demesne. Uncertain times were ahead, but, finally, her future was within her grasp.

The next morning, Florence’s brougham passed through the gates of Balmoral Castle well before sunrise. To leave the queen’s company in disgrace was one thing; to be seen doing it another. Yet as the carriage careened down the well-travelled path, each jagged stone served as a punishment, however necessary the measure.

She gazed past Louisa , seated beside her. Louisa’s frostiness hid both her fragility and the depth of her sincerity. She would dearly miss her cousin’s companionship. The sun was rising on the hills beyond the village of Braemar , which awakened before them. Prisms of cool light touched the silver sheen of frost on the grassy undergrowth. Scotland would soon become a shimmering wonderland. She put the last sight of it behind her. An uncomfortable ache settled deep in her chest. No longer would she rally to the bagpipes that typified every element of royal life, from official strains that announced the queen’s procession to the haunting melody of ‘ Flora MacDonald’s Fancy ’ and the stirring tones that accompanied the thrill of an invitation to dance a reel.

Yet exile was a price Florence would gladly pay, with no regrets.