Chapter 315: Hellfire
July, 1754
John slammed his cup down. “I’m telling you, we should’ve had a say over who Princess Caroline married.”
“And I’m telling you, such a thing is most improper.” John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich replied.
John blinked, the ale was starting to get to him, or was it the gin? He couldn’t bloody remember which one he’d had more of. “Why?” He asked.
“Because Her Royal Highness is a Royal Highness and it is not our business to discuss who she marries.” Sandwich replied.
“I disagree.” John said, lifting his cup up and downing the remaining contents, and then sticking it out to the side to demand more. “It is exactly because she is a Princess that we must know who she marries.”
“Why?” Sandwich demanded, almost angrily.
“Because as a member of the Royal Family, the Princess Caroline of Cambridge is a member of the state, and as such, as subjects of that state we should have a say over who she marries.” John said.
“Now you want a say over who she marries?!” Sandwich cried. “I thought you were mad enough when you said you just wanted to discuss it.”
“What is so wrong with that?” John asked. “I am a voter; my money is going toward paying for her dowry. It is only right that I get a say.”
Sandwich downed his cup of ale and slammed it down on the table. “I’m sorry, John, but that is going too far.”
“Why?” John replied. “Is anything I’ve said wrong? Hell, below, Sandwich, the King’s own favourite Voltaire has written a piece for The Guardian talking about the need for some popular will for policies. In the bloody Guardian?!”
“Still, that is one thing and this is another.” Sandwich replied. “You would not like it if the King had a direct say over your marriage, now would you?”
“I have to pay a fine if I don’t register the marriage with his Sheriff, so technically he does.” John snapped back.
“A fine. He doesn’t sit there discussing the marriage with you, or telling you who to marry.” Sandwich replied.
“I still think this is the right course.” John said.
“Then you are pushing us all down a dangerous path.” Sandwich said.
“What dangerous path?” John demanded.
“You are taking us down a path not seen since the Civil War. And I do not think you quite realise that.” Sandwich said.
John laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous. The King won’t suddenly go tyrannical because I’ve asked for this. I’m talking amongst friends, not mentioning it in Parliament.” Though he had every intention of doing so.
Sandwich shook his head and said. “Be careful what you wish for, John.”
John laughed. “Don’t be so dramatic.”