Blood Royal (10 page)

Accordingly, Hanbury and I were in our seats in good time, with our eyes and our ears wide open and very well pleased with our stalls, which gave us an excellent view of the royal box.

The theatre was not very large. Its less expensive parts were already full, the white linen clothing of the peasants contrasting strangely with their neighbours’ attire. A constant stream was filling the rest of the house, and a better opportunity of observing the burghers of Vigil I cannot conceive.

The women were mostly handsome and very smart, but few wore jewels of any value, and I do not remember one vulgar or copious display. The men, though courtly, were not very well turned out: but they were a shrewd-looking lot, reserved, slow alike to laughter and wrath and not at all of the kind that is carried away. There were several officers present, all of them wearing full dress: quite a third of these were clad in the black and gold of the Black Hussars – a fact which mildly surprised me, for I had imagined that bodyguard duty permitted but little leave and that all the regiment was as good as confined to barracks until that duty was done.

This opinion was swiftly confirmed.

“Half the Body Guard’s here,” said a man who was seated behind me. “That comes of a colonel who has the ear of the Prince.”

“It’s irregular,” said his companion, “But Johann is a law to himself.”

“He fears the Prince,” said the other.

“Soon he will have no one to fear,” was the dark reply.

Here I missed a sentence or two, for George and I had to rise to allow some newcomers to pass.

As we sat down—

“He is not popular enough,” said the man who had spoken first. “The people’s darling can take his neighbour’s wife, and the world will dance at his wedding: but anyone else will have to change his café.”

“My friend,” said the other, “I think you employ seven clerks. Because there are fireworks at the palace, are you going to give them a holiday that they may go and throw stones?”

I could not hear the answer, but I could guess what it was.

“A hundred years ago,” said the other, “the throne touched every shepherd that sleeps on the hills: but now a penny stamp costs three half pence, no matter whose image it bears.”

Here the orchestra began to tune up, and a rustle of expectation ran through the house. Everyone’s face was turned to the royal box, and a little knot of people that had not taken their seats was held by an attendant in a doorway against its will.

I heard the conductor’s baton strike on his music-stand.

Then the footlights went up, the music burst out and everyone got to their feet.

The Grand Duchess was in all her glory. A diamond tiara adorned her beautiful head, diamonds flashed from her throat and a heavy diamond bracelet was blazing upon her left arm. Over her white silk frock the crimson sash of some order hung from bare shoulder to waist.

As she came to her place, the cheering broke out, but, instead of bowing, she turned at once to Duke Paul who had followed her in. As he took his place, she made him a reverence – this very slowly and with infinite grace, and I am glad to say that he bowed low in return. Then they turned to the house and bowed their thanks, she making it very clear that the homage rendered was his and falling back a little to point her argument.

The Duke was in uniform and bore himself well enough.

In the midst of the scene, which was very cordial, a man stepped out of the background to stand between the Duke and my lady in the front of the box.

It was Duke Johann – come to share a triumph he could not prevent.

I saw the Grand Duchess observe him and I saw her start of surprise. The next instant her little gold bag fell into the aisle below.

As a voice cried ‘Hurray for Johann,’ she addressed Johann and pointed, and I saw him look down.

With her hand still pointing to the gangway, she smiled and spoke again and looked him full in the face.

The gesture was unmistakable. She was requesting him to send someone to recover her bag.

I never saw her look so charming, so gracious and so royal.

Johann was gravelled.

Obey, and he was her servant: refuse, and he was no gentleman.

For a moment the fellow wavered. Then he turned to the back of the box.

As the cheering died suddenly down, the Grand Duchess took her seat, and the Duke took his. An instant later the lights in the house were lowered, and the overture was begun.

“And so to bed,” murmured George. “I’ll bet a ducat that Johann has sent for his car. And I don’t envy his chauffeur – or his ox or his ass or anything that is his. I’ve seen styles cramped before: but that was a permanent wave.”

The first act was over, and we had just risen and passed to the end of our row, when a servant of the theatre was beside us and was asking very respectfully if we would show him the counterfoils of the tickets which had vouched for our seats.

When I produced mine, he immediately handed me a note upon which was written in pencil the number of my stall.

That this was from the Grand Duchess I had little doubt, for I had told Bell how to find me in case any need should arise.

The servant did not wait for an answer, but left at once.

I opened the note quickly.

Anger has been burned to the ground. May I have the car to drive there this very night?

I thrust the note into my pocket and turned to George.

“Come to the hall,” I said.

George told me later that I was trembling with rage. I daresay it is true. For I knew that Anger had been burned, not by accident, but by design.

No matter whose hand had done it, Johann was the fountain of malice from which this horror had sprung.

The Grand Duchess was dangerous. The burning of Anger would distract her – draw her away from the scene. More. A woman of less precious metal
could not have appeared at the theatre
, with her ears singing from such a barbarous blow. Besides, maybe it would teach her to keep her hand out of the pie.

George read the note and caught his lip in his teeth.

“Poor lady,” he said quietly. “That’s a hell of a price to pay for backing a rotten horse.”

“I shall go with her,” I said. “In Rowley’s place.” He nodded. “But promise me this – that, until I get back, you’ll never go out alone. Our score’s more heavy than hers. St Martin, Barabbas, Grieg and the use of the Rolls. Johann’s got it in for us red-hot.”

“I’ll hold the fort,” said George. “But for heaven’s sake don’t be long. If the Prince dies while she’s away – well, it’ll be a walk-over for Johann. And, in view of this ‘frightfulness’ – because that is what it is – he ought to have to put up a fight.”

Be sure I agreed with him.

A girl’s home lay in ashes: a blackened ruin smoked where an aged castle had lifted its lovely head. That a man who could approve, if not order, so harsh a wickedness should not only go unpunished but actually profit thereby was not to be borne.

I was powerless and a stranger. Unless he played into my hands, Duke Johann of Riechtenburg had no more to fear from me than from the trout that lay in the mountain streams. It was as likely that he would play into my hands as that those mountain trout would rise at a rubber doll: yet, if he could have known how the deed would move me, I think he would have spared Anger – by no means for love of me, but because one does not sow the seed of sheer hatred, however barren the soil.

Rowley was standing by himself on the farther side of the street, and, as soon as he saw that I saw him, he led the way to the Rolls.

After a moment’s reflection I bade them drive me back to the flat. There I gave them their orders and changed my clothes: as luck would have it, Rowley’s peaked cap and greatcoat fitted me fairly well. Whilst I was changing, Bell put up a small bundle and a little hamper of food; then we went out to the car and I took the driver’s seat.

I turned to Rowley, who was wearing my coat and hat.

“Wait for Mr Hanbury,” I said, “at the door of the house. He will be looking for you. Never let him out of your sight until we return. And don’t let her Highness see you as she comes out.”

“Very good, sir,” said Rowley.

I turned to Bell.

“Her Highness will ask you for my answer to the note which she sent. The answer is ‘Yes’. Stand between her and me as much as you can. She is to think it is Rowley driving the car.”

We took in fuel at a garage, and I drove to where the Rolls had been standing when I had come out of the house. And there I sat by myself for an hour and a half, with Bell patrolling a corner twenty-five paces away.

I think I shall remember that street, its depth and its breadth and its shadows, until I die. Its silence and emptiness faithfully reflected the inaction to which I was miserably condemned, than which I would have suffered more gladly the most gruelling toil. I could not sleep for thinking: and, when I would have thought to some purpose, my fancies raged together, as the heathen, and I imagined vain things. I have seldom found time so slow, so heavy-laden and so unprofitable, and when at length other cars began to arrive and Bell advised me to approach the opera-house, the fever of rage had left me and I was sick at heart.

Johann might play his cards badly, and the Grand Duchess play hers well: but, play she never so wisely, she could not win, for the cards themselves were against her and she had nothing to play.

Bell lifted his hand again, and the police made room for me to bring the car to the steps…

All was now bustle and excitement.

So far as the traffic was concerned, the police maintained no order, and cars were approaching the building from every side. As may be believed, the confusion was very soon shocking, but at last, to my great relief, I saw a way being cleared for the royal car. This at a cost of convenience which I cannot compute, for the vehicles were massed together, and, if one was to move, then twenty or more must first move to give it place. To make matters worse, the police essayed at this juncture to take control, but, since they did not act in concert, they only aggravated the disorder which had to be seen to be believed. Indeed, I heard later that many of the audience walked home and that others awaited their cars for more than two hours.

When I first arrived, the steps were alive with officials, but no one else: almost at once, however, a crowd began to collect, and within a few moments people were standing ten deep to see the Grand Duchess go by.

I dared not look, but I saw the press sway and scramble and Bell’s hand go up to his hat.

As I uncovered—

“Where’s Johann?” cried a voice.

“Gone to his kennel,” laughed someone, and the cheering broke out.

“Leonie! Leonie!” bawled the crowd, and one or two shouted “Paul!”

The goodwill towards the Grand Duchess was manifest, but, had he appeared without her, I think the Duke’s welcome would have been very cold. Indeed, as they entered the car—

“Every couple’s not a pair,” said a man two paces away.

The door was slammed, and Bell took his seat by my side. As I let in the clutch—

“Leonie!” roared the crowd. “Leonie!”

And somebody cried “When’s the wedding?” and two or three women “Sleep well.”

When we were clear of the cars, Bell told me which way to take, and five minutes later we came to the fine, old mansion in which the Duke was lodged.

As we stopped, the house door was opened, and I saw the servants within…

The Grand Duchess was speaking in English…

“Please say ‘Good night’ and go.”

“I’m damned if I will,” said the Duke. “You’ve had your show and this is where I come in. Why shouldn’t you sup with me?”

“Think it over,” said the Grand Duchess.

“But, damn it, we’re engaged,” snarled the Duke.

“What of that?”

“Oh, don’t be so sticky,” said the Duke. “I’m sick of this play-acting business. Let’s be ourselves.”

“I’m not play-acting,” said the girl. “I never play-act with you except on parade.”

“Oh, put it away,” said the Duke. “As my fiancée you get a hell of a show. If I liked, I could get in your way. But I don’t – I let you have it. Look at tonight. Well, now it’s my turn. I’ve a right to ask you to supper—”

“And I’ve a right to refuse. Please say ‘Good night’ and go.”

“Not so fast,” said the Duke.

“I’m tired,” said the Grand Duchess.

I heard the Duke suck in his breath.

“If I were you,” he said, “I should mind your step. I know you’ve a supper-party, and I know who’s going to be there.”

He got to his feet and descended heavily.

Then he addressed himself to Bell.

“You can tell your employers that her Highness has no further use for their car.”

“Paul,” said the Grand Duchess quickly.

I heard the fellow turn.

“Don’t be foolish, Paul. We can’t sup together alone, as you very well know. And, indeed, I haven’t a party. You can come, if you like, and see.”

There was a little silence.

The Grand Duchess had risen and was standing behind me by the open door of the Rolls.

“Why couldn’t they lend
me
the car?” said the Duke sullenly.

“Well, you weren’t very civil, Paul. I know you were very worried, but—”

“I don’t know what the hell they expect – I’m not their class. Any way I’m getting tired. Fed up, Leonie. I’m sick of the sight of the house and I’m sick of parades. You have the — car, you have the show – I let you, and—”

“If you’re patient, it’ll soon be your show. I won’t interfere – then.”

“Good night,” said the Duke suddenly.

She gave him her fingers to kiss, and he jerked her out of the car and into his arms.

I heard him kiss her soundly, but she made no noise.

Suddenly she was back in the Rolls, and its door was shut.

As the car slid forward, I heard the Duke’s horse laughter offending the night.

With Bell for guide, I drove at once to the house at which Hanbury and I had dined three nights before.

As the Grand Duchess alighted—

“My note,” she said tremulously. “What is the reply to my note?”