Princess Charlotte’s Choice
Princess Charlotte & Prince Leopold
Princess Charlotte’s wedding came bang smack in the middle of the Regency era, so what better event to write about, since the Regency is what I love.
Researching the wedding and the courtship was fascinating. I was struck most by how Charlotte and Leopold mirrored Victoria and Albert’s experience.
My story, set at the Brighton Pavilion and Carleton House, follows Isobelle and Count Count Nikkolae Grazinsky as they assist their royal employers on their path to matrimony.
Summary:
As Princess Charlotte prepares to marry Prince Leopold, one her most trusted ladies, Lady Isabelle Fenwick, must remain chaste and beyond scandal. Yet she has never forgotten darkly handsome Count Nikkolae Grazinsky and the kiss he stole – along with her heart!
She later discovered the Russian had only used her for a wager, so why does he still seek her company? And why does the air tingle with anticipation when they are together – surely this rake cannot be thinking of following Prince Leopold’s example and making a love-match?
The carriage turned into the mall. Masses of people lined the roadside cheering and waiving their hats.
“Bless me,” the Princess said, leaping up to waive back. She grinned. “What a crowd.” Her father certainly never received such a warm welcome and well she knew it.
“Sit down, Your Highness, please,” Mrs. Campbell said. “The Queen would never forgive me if you fell.”
The Princess sat, but continued to waive with great enthusiasm, to the delight of the people until they turned into the gates at Carlton House where a band played God Save the King with great gusto.
Princess Charlotte was directed to the royal closet where her bridegroom, the Prince of Wales and Duke and Duchess of Orleans were waiting. The Queen and other members of the royal family accompanied by selected attendants were accommodated in rooms adjacent to the throne room.
At just after nine o’clock, all the guests were ushered to the Crimson Salon. Women in gold or silver gowns superbly embroidered fanned themselves. Their feather plumes waived to and fro as they gossiped and admired each others’ gowns. Many of the English gentlemen present wore the uniform of the House of Windsor, a dark blue coat lavishly embroidered across the front and high standing collar with gold bullion. Some wore military uniforms, red or blue, and they flashed and glittered almost as much as the ladies. The ambassadors and ministers from every country in Europe had their own style of magnificent dress. On her way to her seat, Isabelle kept a careful eye out for the swords they wore on their hips.
