Page 106 of A Queen's Match
“Thank you,” Hélène said fervently. How wondrous of Victoria, to know exactly what Hélène needed and provideit.
The queen gave a slight, enigmatic smile. “Speaking of yourbrother, how is he? I keep hearing good reports from Lord Roberts, his commander in chief.”
For the past four years, Philippe had been stationed with the Royal Rifle Corps in Bombay.
“You may not have heard, but he is leaving Your Majesty’s service,” Hélène admitted. “He and my father are going on a tour of the United States. You know my father fought in the American Civil War, as part of the Union Army? He wanted to show Philippe all his old battle sites, introduce himaround.”
They were also going to Canada, to quietly muster up support for the Orléans cause among the French inhabitants of Montréal and Québec. But Victoria didn’t need to know that.
“A trip to America! I cannot wait to hear about it.” The queen’s eyes danced as she added, “Does Philippe have any plans to marry?”
Hélène was almost amused; the queen was incorrigible. “Who were you thinking to match him with? Maud?”
“Not Maud! She needs someone quieter—one of the Danish princes, perhaps. I was thinking of Thora. She could use someone adventurous, and of course it would help Philippe greatly if he married into this family—” Victoria broke off, shaking her head. “I said I would swear off matchmaking, and here I am, doing it again. Old habits die hard, I’m afraid.” She smiled sadly. “In any case, I don’t need Philippe to marry into my family. I have you.”
Hélène looked at the queen, startled.
“You may not have been able to marry Eddy, as the two of you so ardently desired, but I will always consider you one of my own,” Victoria said fiercely.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. That means the world to me.” Hélène stood and curtsied again—but the queen held out a hand, stopping her mid-motion.
“Don’t bother with the formalities, please. And I would be honored if you stopped calling me Your Majesty. You must address me as Grandmother, the way you would have if you and Eddy had wed.”
“I shall say it in French, if that’s all right with you.” Hélène paused before saying, “Grand-mère.”
Then, to Hélène’s utter shock, Victoria stood and pulled her into a hug. Her arms wrapped around Hélène’s torso and she held her close, as if she was pouring all her love for her late grandson—all the affection she had failed to express in his lifetime—into this single gesture.
When they pulled apart, both women’s faces were wet with tears.
Victoria took a moment to compose herself, then nodded to Hélène. “This is farewell, my dear, but I hope not goodbye. Or as you would say, au revoir.”Until we meet again.
When the queen had left, Hélène remained standing for a long while, holding Eddy’s gold wedding ring to her chest. She needed to find a ribbon, so she could wear it close to her heart.
And then she would go to France.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
May
Once upon a time, Maywould have been thrilled at a private summons to Buckingham Palace. Now she just viewed it with a sinking sense of dread. She was so sick of acting like a melancholy national mascot, wrapping herself in funereal black crêpe, only invited to parties as an object of maudlin curiosity. Queen Victoria would probably want to talk about Eddy, and May would have no choice but to nod along as if she had, in fact, been in love with him.
As if she didn’t love his brother, who was very much alive.
When she reached the palace, May followed a footman into a sitting room. He offered her a cup of tea, which she accepted, mainly for the simple joy of holding the mug. It was so beautiful and delicate, painted with snowdrops and winter thistles.
What a pleasure it would be to have beautiful things like this. To offer your guests snowdrop mugs in the winter and bright floral ones in the summer.
“Hello, May.”
The queen glided into the room, wearing her signature black gown and a black lace coif. May hurried to sink into a curtsy.
Victoria sat, gesturing for May to take the seat opposite her. “I would ask how you are doing, but I’m sure the answer isnot well.”
May bowed her head in dutiful agreement. “It has been a tragic time indeed.”
“We are all deeply aggrieved.” The queen perched on the edge of her sofa, straight-backed and alert. “However, I did not ask you here to talk about Eddy. We are here to discuss your future.”
“My future?” May repeated. No one had spoken of her future since Eddy died, as if she had been buried alive right alongside him.
