Chapter 251: A Catholic Marriage
March, 1737
Charles of York, newly created Earl of Kendal and Ross, Baron Pontefract and Lord Ardmannoch smiled at the woman sat next to him. That woman was Marie Victoire, the most beautiful woman in the world, in his view, and his wife. They had been married earlier that morning in a ceremony attended by the great and good of the Kingdom, in the chapel of Windsor Castle. There had been an Anglican ceremony and then a Catholic ceremony. Charles felt his heart quicken when Marie smiled back at him.
“What are you thinking about?” Marie asked him, his bride had learned English during the course of their correspondence, and she spoke it better than half the people at their wedding.
“You, us, what we’re going to do later.” Charles replied raising an eyebrow suggestively.
Marie blushed a delightful shade of pink. “You have no shame, Charles.” She replied teasingly.
“When it comes to you, my love, I definitely do not.” Charles said, and when his wife’s smile widened he felt as though his heart might fall out of his chest. How he had longed to see that smile again. He had first met Marie whilst out on campaign with his father and brother. She had been helping with some letter or the other, and they’d started talking. He had been in love with her from that moment on.
There had been some complications, mainly the fact that he was an Anglican and she a Catholic, but he had pointed out that the Duke of Cambridge had married a French Princess, and the French had until recently been their enemies, whilst Marie came from a family who had long been their allies. And the Archduke of Flanders had spoken very favourably of her. Eventually father had relented and they had gone to the King who had agreed at once.
Marie placed her hand on his arm then and asked. “After this meal, what is to happen?”
Charles thought on what his wife-he would never stop feeling excited by that word- meant. “Well obviously there’s the dancing and other festivities, the King wants that to happen for a while. And then there’s the bedding,” he grinned at her then. “and from there, well we can do what we want.”
“And what do you want to do?” Marie asked.
Charles felt his grin grow. “You, of course.”
Marie gasped and hit him on the arm. “Charles, please!” But she was laughing as well. “Apart from the obvious.” She added.
“Well, I need to show you the beautiful Lochs in Scotland, and of course we need to visit York.” Charles said. His father would be returning to Edinburgh soon enough, whilst James was heading off to Ireland to serve as Deputy Lieutenant for the Duke of Ormonde. The King and Charles’ father still hadn’t made up for whatever falling out they’d had and their conversation was oddly stilted. It was sad, but Charles decided to push that thought down and focus on the joyous moment before him. “And of course I need to show you Urquhart Castle and Eilean Donan Castle, both of which are going to be our homes.” As a wedding gift the King had bought both castles from their respective owners and gifted them to Charles and Marie, something that Charles was grateful for.
“I’ve heard that York is supposed to be very beautiful at this time of year?” Marie asked.
Charles nodded, he assumed his wife had heard of that from his cousin who was the Archduke of Flanders’ heir’s wife. “Yes, it’s very beautiful and the people are exceedingly kind.”
Marie smiled. “And you did always say how the Highlands was your favourite place.”
Charles smiled. “It is.” He had loved the Highlands from the moment he was old enough to understand what they were. They were filled with life, but also peaceful and there was a way of life there that most others did not appreciate. At least not here in Windsor or in London.
“Then I look forward to seeing what it is about them that has you so enchanted, my love.” Marie replied smiling.
Charles grinned. “I look forward to showing you.” He wanted to kiss her, but he was aware that there would be quite a scandal if he did so just now. Even if they were married, there were still protocols that needed to be followed.
Marie laced their fingers together then and whispered. “You know we could always sneak away. Nobody would notice.” She nodded to where the King was talking animatedly with the Queen and Robert Walpole, whilst his own father was talking with the Duke of Norfolk about something or the other. Throughout the hall people were talking and nobody was really looking at them.
Charles looked at his wife and asked. “You’re sure?”
Marie nodded. “Yes, I’d rather we did things our way.”
Charles grinned, then looked around, catching his brother’s eye he nodded, and his brother nodded back. Charles turned back to his wife and said. “Come on let’s go.” With that he stood up, pushed his chair back, helped Marie out of her chair and walked away, at the exact moment he heard James shout something which caused everyone to laugh. They slipped away just as people were returning to normal.
