Wilhelm and I returned to court as November dawned, leaving my mother and father in charge of the nursery at Rosings Park. We fully intended to seek out Victoria's and His Serene Highness's advice when it came to a proper governess for Willy and Toria, knowing full well that it would be a far more appropriate arrangement to make. The carriage collected us outside the manor, and we were able to return to Buckingham Palace in the next couple of hours, arriving soon before supper. Although he did not wish to be apart from her too often, His Serene Highness did make it a point to greet us when we arrived.

The carriage came quickly to the staircase of the palace, and Wilhelm promptly opened the door on his own, stepping down the stairs and turning about almost immediately then, holding out a hand to me. I gripped my skirts and Flight with one hand and stepped down myself, meeting his eyes briefly as we approached the prince, who stood at the base of the stairs, and I lowered Flight down; she almost immediately when to greet the prince, who seemed quite amused. We immediately curtsied and bowed to him respectively, and he lowered his head in that quiet, respectful dignity I'd come to see Victoria loving so well.

"You are welcome back to court, Earl and Countess Marquardt," he said eloquently to the pair of us, motioning for us to follow him inside. "I am quite sure the queen will be pleased."

"We thank you," Wilhelm said, sharing a smile with his old friend before taking my hand and leading me up the stairs.

"And Her Majesty is well, Your Royal Highness?" I asked, hoping that he will not think me impertinent as we step inside. "I am sure you know that she has written to me, but that was some time before our return. I quite think that you would be a responsible and honest judge of her character, sir."

The prince smiled, clearly touched by my words. "I have that gift, my lady countess, I do," he says carefully.

"No, no," I say quickly, and he looks shocked at my negative reply as we stand in the corridor. "I do apologize, sir, but please, you must call me 'Lady Felicity' while in a public setting, and just 'Felicity' when we are alone. I may be a countess, sir, but when my dearest friend thinks so highly of you, I shall not allow myself such airs, for such things are inappropriate next to a royal prince."

The prince considers for a moment. "You refer to the baroness?"

I lower my eyes. "Her Majesty would never forgive me if I spoke honestly about such a thing, sir."

Clearly amused, Prince Albert turns to Wilhelm. "Has your wife shared her opinion with you about the baroness?"

Wilhelm looked around before catching my eye, nipping the insides of his cheeks to keep from laughing. "My wife has mentioned it, sir, yes."

The prince clearly looks amused by this before turning again to look at me. "I will ask you, Lady Felicity. What is your opinion on the baroness?"

I flush red then, knowing that there is no right answer. "My opinion, sir, is immaterial, as it only matters what Her Majesty thinks, as it is her court, and her kingdom," I reply, lowering myself into a curtsy. "Now, if you will excuse me, I shall go to her and make it known that I am returned to court." I rise myself up then and catch the prince's eye, and I see he admires me for my cleverness as I swiftly kiss Wilhelm on the cheek and depart.

I turn from them and make my way down the corridor then, turning down one way and then another, before finding my way to Victoria's chambers. I know she will likely be at her desk signing something, Dash at her side. I turned around to be sure that Flight was still beside me, and she was, gazing up at me with her trusting black eyes as we approached the hallway. I walked down it briefly before making the proper turn, removing my bonnet and my cape, hoping that there would be a maid about to take them as I stepped inside. As I did so, Dash let out an excited bark, as did Flight, and Victoria raised her eyes from her desk, a smile overtaking her serious expression as she got to her feet.

"Felicity!" she cried out, dashing forward.

"Careful there!" I say, embracing her as Dash and Flight do the canine equivalent of the same thing. "Look at you!" I say. "You truly are a radiant queen, Victoria, for never have I seen a prettier sight!"

Victoria grins. "The physicians don't like me wandering about, but I cannot allow myself to neglect the kingdom," she admonishes herself gently, and nods towards the impressive stacks of paperwork upon her desk. "But do tell me," she says, and takes me by the hands and into some of her finely upholstered chairs by the window, "how is motherhood for you?"

I feel myself flush instantly with pride. "Toria and Willy are absolutely wonderful babies—spitting images of their father, of course," I say.

"Victoria Henrietta and Albert Wilhelm?" she says. "I want to make sure I've got the names right, for they will come to court one day."

I nod. "Yes, that's right." I look around then, attempting to remember every little detail of the court. "I've made something for the baby," I say softly, and Victoria seems touched by this notion. "I've planned to be in chapel all day during the birth, and shall come to you the moment you give me permission to do so."

"Chapel?" Victoria asks.

"To pray," I reply.

"For me?"

I lower my eyes. "I shall not subject you to hearing of—"

"Please," Victoria replies, her voice suddenly higher, and she sounds like a little girl at Kensington Palace then. "Please. I would know."

I lean forward then, gripping her hands in mine. "I don't want you to have to go through as I did," I whispered. "It was terrible, Victoria, truly..."

"What happened?" she whispered.

"All day and night," I said quietly. "It was frightening—not knowing when the pain would end. The midwife said I would not stop bleeding," I whisper, my eyes filling with tears that would not fall. "And when I realized there would be two babies instead of one..."

"You must have been horrified," Victoria said softly.

I nodded. "Beyond words," I replied. "I never suspected anything of that nature would happen to me..."

Victoria clasped my hand tightly. "I'll not let you out of my sight again," she told me firmly. "Now that you have given Wilhelm his precious son and heir, plus a daughter to marry off where you please, you've no need to return to his bosom. I should think some permanent apartments could be set up, here, at court for you. I shall have Lehzen arrange it directly."

"If you wish it, I am at your command whenever possible, Victoria," I said, patting her hand and smiling at her. "I know you will come through this childbirth well—better than I did—and I know it shall be healthy."

"And a son?" Victoria asked.

I shook my head. "Even I cannot answer that," I reply.

. . .

I sat with Harriet one afternoon, while Victoria and Prince Albert went into town to take the air. We stitched our needlepoint and spoke quietly to one another, every so often setting our work aside to sip tea and nibble at the provided scones. I raised my eyes to the window at one point; although the day was cold and gray, there was no rain, so Victoria thought it best to journey out that day. I knew Lehzen was off somewhere muttering to herself, at the notion that the prince had accompanied Victoria, as opposed to herself.

"Is it true?" I asked, responding to the statement Harriet had made only a few moments ago. "Does the baroness truly walk into the queen's chambers without knocking, whilst she is abed with the prince?"

Harriet smiled, forcing herself not to laugh. "Quite true," she assured me. "The prince himself is not fond of the baroness. There was quite a row between them when it was decided that Baroness Lehzen would be put in charge of the nursery and the royal children."

"Surely not!" I cry out, shaking my head. "The queen and Prince Albert could not have argued!"

Harriet nodded. "Truly," she said, all humor gone when we spoke of the potential marital problems between our mistress and her lord husband. "I do hope he does not turn sour, should the worst happen..." She said, her voice tapering off then as she raises her dark eyes from her needlework, a sad glow about her face then as she considered the unthinkable.

"The worst?" I ask quietly. "Surely, you don't mean..."

Harriet turned to look at me, her dark eyes silencing me. "Oh, but of course I do, Felicity," she said softly. "It can happen to anyone."

I lowered my head then, remembering the news being whispered about the court, a year and five months previously. "I was much aggrieved at the loss of little Victoria, Harriet. That could not have been easy for you..."

"No," she replied, shaking her head. "What's more, I was needed by Her Majesty, so I was not permitted to return home to bid her farewell."

"Surely the queen did not mean to be so thoughtless," I say softly, not wishing the baroness or someone else to hear my words.

"She was merely feeling shaky in her early reign," Harriet replied, quick to defend our mistress of any wrongdoing. "She still merely has you, I, the prince, the baroness, and Lord Melbourne for such personal affairs. And now that Lord Melbourne is no longer Prime Minister..." Harriet shrugged. "I would not wish to paint Her Majesty in a negative light, Felicity. I would not."

I shake my head. "No, of course not. Although my lord husband informs me that His Royal Highness wishes to mend the rift between Her Majesty and the Duchess of Kent."

Harriet nods. "Mayhap he has attempted to do so since they were proclaimed man and wife," she says. "Although, methinks he would shut the baroness out on a permanent basis if he does so."

"And what are your opinions on the baroness, Harriet?" I ask.

"Well, she is Her Majesty's most close confident, second only to the prince, so I do believe the queen believes her to be—"

"Not the queen's opinion," I say, hoping that I don't sound impatient with her. "I was referring to yours, Harriet. Don't allow your opinion to be swayed by the queen's, nor your lord husband's. Her Majesty knows her own mind, why can we not?" I want to know.

Harriet pursed her lips. "Sometimes I believe Her Majesty is too easily influenced by the baroness, but that is not for me to say."

I sigh. "You did not live with her at Kensington Palace, Harriet," I reply, and her dark eyes snap to mine, "and yet, that is all I can say."

There was a flurry of commotion from outside then, and Harriet and I were almost immediately upon our feet and dashing over to the window. The carriage was in full view at the gates of Buckingham Palace, and Harriet and I hesitated, standing in front of the window. The horses were coming at the run, the carriage driver snapping his whip to keep them in line, as we heard the palace doors open from below and Baroness Lehzen immediately coming down the stairs and dashing over to the carriage.

"Dear me, what has gone on now?" Harriet asked.

"I expect we shall find out shortly," I reply.

Victoria was barely sitting in the carriage, merely hovering there, her face pale and blank with shock. Prince Albert was immediately on his feet, shouting orders and looking down at his wife for a moment before he immediately came to a decision as he bent ever so slightly. Quickly, he lifted Victoria in his arms, holding her aloft and carrying her from the carriage and up the stone steps of the palace.

I noticed that Wilhelm, who was riding one of the horses beside the carriage that day, was covering his arm, and, once the royal couple had ventured inside the palace, he managed to stiffly come down from his mount, looking as if he was in a great deal of pain. Several other gentleman rushed forward to help him, and, my heart in my throat, I wanted more than anything to go to him. I felt Harriet grip my hand from beside me then, and I knew my first duty was to my monarch, for we two had to know if she was all right as well.

Victoria was promptly brought in through the sitting room where Harriet and I stood, Prince Albert carrying her and Baroness Lehzen quickly moving after the pair of them. Like the darkness of night or disease, the baroness was never far behind the queen, feeling as if she could not breathe unless she was right beside her at all times. Such a thing made me ill, and once Victoria was made to rest, the physician was called and Prince Albert was shown from the room, and yet the baroness was permitted to stay.

"Störende hexe," Prince Albert murmured under his breath, as the Duchess of Kent entered the chamber and was permitted in the queen's inner rooms. The prince looked up as King Leopold of Belgium stepped inside, and they spoke for a few moments before the prince caught sight of me. Excusing himself from the uncle he shared with Victoria, he quickly came towards me. "Lady Felicity, you must go to Wilhelm at once."

"Pray, Your Royal Highness, what happened?" I whispered, finding that I was barely able to contain myself, due to my nerves. "Please... Sir, please. Tell me what happened."

The prince hesitated for a moment before looking up at me with his kind brown eyes as he mulled it over. "A man shot at us," Prince Albert replied, and King Leopold swore under his breath as Harriet gasped beside me. "We don't know who it is yet—Sir Robert Peel is investigating it."

"Yes?" I whisper, feeling for Harriet's hand and seizing it once I managed to find it beside me. "With all due respect, sir, but I don't care about the Prime Minister at the moment," I say, and fight to keep my voice under control. "My husband—I know he went out with you today, sir. I saw him in pain from the window..." My voice broke as my knees knocked together in fright. "Tell me, please, is he all right? I must know, sir, please..." I begged.

Prince Albert—who momentarily looked slightly affronted that I seemed not to care about the investigation of the shooting of both himself and Victoria—almost immediately softened when I expressed worry for Wilhelm. "Yes, of course," he said softly, "of course you would wish to know. He was caught in the arm—he stopped one of the bullets from doing potential serious damage to the queen, myself, and our unborn child."

"Where is he?" I demand then, fighting to keep my voice quiet. "You've not taken him to a rat-infested sick bay, have you?"

The prince shakes his head. "Of course not, Lady Felicity."

"Has he been taken to our chambers, then?" I ask, forcing myself to keep my voice from shaking. "He is all right?"

"I don't know," the prince admitted. "We sent one of the physicians to him right away, Lady Felicity. He shall be well looked-after—"

"May I go, sir?" I whispered, walking towards him then. "Please."

He turned ever so slightly, towards Victoria's room behind him. "Since you are the lady-in-waiting of my wife, I could hardly presume to—"

"Your Royal Highness," I say, immediately falling to my knees before him and gripping his hand, "I beg you. For the love you bear my husband and for the love your wife bears me, please. Please, allow me to make sure my husband is all right, as you must do so your wife."

"I think, because the baroness is with her—"

"The baroness is not her husband!" I cry out then, rising to my feet and looking past the prince and into the eyes of King Leopold. "Surely, Your Majesty, you can see that your nephew should be with his wife!"

The king hesitated for but a moment before he spoke. "Perhaps, Albert, the duchess is correct," he said, and the prince turned at once to his uncle. "Perhaps your wife has allowed herself to be persuaded to accept that the baroness is her only companion, when in fact she has these two duchesses, and yourself, to help in looking after her. I think, it would be right, for you to attend your wife, as it would be for Lady Felicity to attend her husband."

Immediately, I cross the room and take one of the hands of the King of the Belgians into my own, before kissing it. "God bless you, Your Majesty!" I cried out, and his smile reached his eyes as I ran from Victoria's presence chamber and down the corridor towards my own. My heart thundered in my chest as I drew near, whereupon I threw open the door and saw a flurry of activity behind it, and dashed to the inner rooms. "Wilhelm!" I found myself screaming, tears clouding my vision as I entered our bedchamber. "Wilhelm!"

He was propped up in our bed by numerous bolsters, his livery torn up at his arm and that part of it removed entirely. He looked up as I entered, shock in his face as I immediately came to his side and stood next to the bed. Wilhelm offered me his good hand, and I immediately took it, my eyes not leaving his. "Meine geliebte, you must not overexert yourself—"

"Fie on me!" I whisper passionately, leaning down and kissing his forehead before I looked up at the physician provided for him. "How is my husband the earl?" I asked, wanting to be sure that he remembered Wilhelm's station as one of the prince's closest companions and, therefore, should be well looked-after. "I want to ensure that he is doing well."

"The skin only broke a little, my lady duchess," the physician assured me, "and, if we are to keep a keen eye upon it, it shall not be infected."

"And he shall not lose his arm?" I whisper, not wanting my husband to be chopped to pieces under any circumstances.

The physician chuckled. "No, he shall not. While the Prime Minister will soon report that the gun was filled with blanks, there was one rubber bullet in the chamber, and it was that bullet which your husband stopped."

I immediately turned to my husband with a shout, before throwing myself upon him and kissing him again and again. "Now I am reluctant to let you out of my sight," I said, pressing my cheek to his.

The physician chuckled again, snapping his fingers at his assistance. "We shall take our leave of the couple now," he ordered, and they began gathering up his things. "I have left bandages and sterilization treatments in the bedside drawer, my lady duchess," he informed me, and I looked up to fully catch his words. "He may require some relief from the pain that shall inevitably follow, so administer an occasional glass of whisky. Change the bandage three times a day for the next week, and I shall have my associates return with more bandages and sterilization equipment before the week is out. Then, peter down to twice a day, and by a fortnight, only once a day. Then, the earl should be healed," he said, and offered his hand to Wilhelm, who shook it. "Get some rest—both of you," he said. "And I recommend you dining in your chambers this evening. Rest is the most important thing you can do for yourself," he said, taking his leave with his associates, who were waiting in our presence chamber.

"I was so afraid, Wilhelm," I said softly, just as the door closed behind them. "I did not want to think—"

"I am quite well, meine geliebte, I assure you," he informed me patiently, attempting to get into a more comfortable position.

"Are you in pain?" I asked. "Can I get you some whisky, my love?"

Wilhelm nodded, while I reached behind him and propped up his bolsters more efficiently, before crossing the room and pouring him some in the crystal glass and returning to his side. Wilhelm took the glass from me and gently pulled me to him, kissing me before lifting the glass to his lips. "That helps a little," he said, after he saw my gaze of concern.

I smiled at him, waiting until he finished his whisky before I took the glass from him and set it down upon the bedside table. Crossing to the other side of the bed, I lay down beside him, automatically entwining his uninjured hand in mine. "I cannot bear the thought of losing you, Wilhelm. I cannot. Today, when I spotted you from the window with Harriet... I could not think," I say, hating myself as my voice shook. I turned my body towards him, so as our eyes met and we could speak in a more proper manner. "All I could think of was a life without you, and how I would have to care for Toria and Willy, all on my own... It is not the burden that I fear, my darling," I assured him, "but I could not bear to have our babies grow up without a father, nor me without the man I love."

Wilhelm breaks into a grin, tears barely managing to escape his eyes. "I love you, Felicity," he stated, untangling his hand from mine and brushing my own falling tears from my eyes as I lean into his touch. "You'll not lose me by a rubber bullet to the arm, I assure you."

"I love you, too, Wilhelm," I whisper, setting my head down upon his shoulder, a feeling of excitement rippling through me as he brushed his lips to my forehead. "I have come to a decision..."

"Yes?" he asked. "Shall the children learn German as well?"

I giggle. "Well, considering their Mama and Papa already know it quite well, there is no reason why not," I reply, pushing myself upwards upon the mattress and leaning my cheek upon my shoulder. "But no, my decision has nothing to do with Toria and Willy, although it shall affect them eventually..."

"What have you decided, meine geliebte?" asked Wilhelm.

I purse my lips, lowering my eyes as I fight the urge for the automatic response to escape through into the chamber, but know that I have no choice. "I think I was wrong, at the birth of Toria and Willy," I say quietly, finally permitting my eyes to raise to Wilhelm's. "Wrong about not wanting more children..."

Wilhelm raised his eyebrows. "Wrong about...? Felicity..."

I find I am smiling down upon him then, and I cannot stop smiling at the prospect of what I am proposing. "As soon as you're well enough, I would like to attempt to have another child," I reply.

"It is not a month since the twins were born," Wilhelm says quietly. "Are you quite sure you wish to consider such a thing?"

"Quite sure," I reply. "I love the twins, and I look forward to spending more time with them—perhaps when the queen does not need me so often, nor the prince needing you..."

"The queen!" Wilhelm suddenly shouted then, attempting to raise himself up then and looking towards the chamber door. "His Royal Highness—! They left so quickly, and I was escorted to my chambers that I did not..."

There is the telltale sound of a door opening then and, once narrowing my eyes at Wilhelm to get him to stay abed, I get to my feet. Shaking out my skirts and crossing the room, I walk through the open door and step out into our presence chamber, where I see Victoria and the prince standing there. Quickly, I fall to my knees then, waiting for the queen to speak.

"Is he all right?" Prince Albert asks, inexplicably speaking first. "Is Wilhelm improving at all?"

Slowly getting to my feet, I nod. "Yes, Your Royal Highness," I reply with a small smile his way. "I am sure he would benefit from a light conversation with you, if I may say so, sir. Events happened so quickly..."

"Of course, my lady duchess," the prince replied, crossing to me, before taking up my hand and kissing it. "Your husband is my dear friend and a hero, Lady Felicity, I assure you. His actions shall not be forgotten," he tells me, kissing my hand one last time before slipping into our bedchamber to see Wilhelm.

I bite my lip, hearing the door shut behind me, and notice then that Victoria and Prince Albert had shut our chamber's main door. "Please forgive me, Victoria," I said softly, "but when I saw what had befallen Wilhelm, and when the prince gave his account of what had happened..."

Victoria raised her hand and gave me a small smile before extending her hands towards me and immediately I crossed to her. She held my hands for a moment before pulling me into an embrace. "The child is safe," she whispered in my ear in a relieved manner, her cheek becoming wet, "the heir to the throne of England is safe, and it is all because of many heroic guards, but mostly because of your lord husband, Felicity," she said, pulling back from me and keeping her firm grip steady upon my hands. However, one of her hands slips from the elevated grasp and she reaches out then, taking my curled hand and fanning it out before placing it upon her midsection. "It is alive and well, Felicity."

I feel new tears pricking at my eyes at the prospect of it all. "The next one shall be a most handsome prince, Your Majesty," I tell her, "but something tells me that this shall be a truly gifted princess."

Victoria tries to hide her smile. "Are you betting, Felicity?" she asks.

I shake my head. "Such a thing would be inappropriate for a queen's lady to do, Victoria, as you well know," I reply. "Any well-bred lady knows that the concept of betting is a men's habit and a cheeky one at that."

Victoria laughed at that. "Quite right," she informed me. "Well, be it boy or girl, my husband and I are young and can certainly attempt for a boy, if this child proves to be a princess." She hesitated for a moment, before continuing, "I have decided to make Wilhelm a Knight of the Garter, which is what Albert is informing of at this moment."

I shake my head before falling to my knees amid Victoria's laughs and demands for me to rise up. "I cannot, for you have given so much to me and to my family, Victoria," I whispered, kissing her ring and trembling then at the notion of all she had done for me.

"You shall be Duchess of Marquardt, as well as a Lady of the Garter, my dear friend," Victoria said patiently, managing to pull me upwards and back onto my feet, smiling at me. "Can you say nothing?"

I shake my head, kissing her hand again. "You have done so much and more, Your Majesty, I cannot believe—"

"And you shall have ten thousand pounds a year," Victoria says with a laugh. "I quite think Sir Robert Peel can persuade parliament to permit such an expense for the saviors of the royal couple."

"Saviors?" I whisper. "Shall the other members of your guard be rewarded in a sufficient manner, Victoria?" I ask.

Victoria smiled. "Yes, of course, but I was speaking of you, Felicity."

"Me?" I whispered. "What did I do?"

Victoria could not keep from smiling then and, as she did so, slipped one of the rings from her finger and put it upon my corresponding one. "Other than being the wife of the most-admired man in the kingdom, Felicity, you became a true beacon of light in my life in the final months where I had no one but Lehzen and dear Dash with me. It was truly you, Felicity, who saved me from the darkness that had become my teenage years, and I know full well that without you and Dash and Lehzen beside me, I would have been truly, truly lost."

I bite my lip, lowering my eyes then, the mention of myself and Lehzen so closely together in a sentence leaving a bad taste in my mouth. "Might I speak freely, Victoria?" I ask.

She nods. "Of course, Felicity."

I raise my eyes to hers then, not wanting to seem cowardly. "Ever since Sir—I mean, O Hum—has left court, I find that your mother is much-changed."

Victoria tore her hands from mine and dashed across the room, towards the window, fingering the pendant of the necklace which swung from her neck, her other hand upon her swollen belly. "My mother permitted that man so many liberties, Felicity. I cannot think why you would even propose that her manners towards me have—"

"She is alone, Victoria," I say quietly, stepping up behind her. "What with O Hum gone from court to Ireland and Lady Flora Hastings dead..."

"Don't say her name," Victoria replied.

I nodded. "Of course not," I say quietly. "Without her friends and servants around her from the old days, I find her much-changed."

Victoria turned to peek at me. "Do you?" she asked.

I reach out then, brushing my hand next to hers and, to my relief, she clasps it. "I do—find her changed," I say. "I have spoken to her since my return from court and she told me that any animosity I incurred by her at Kensington was by influence of O Hum," I report. "She told me that she knew of his treatment of me after I arrived at court and, although O Hum attempted to dissuade her otherwise, she always knew in her heart that it was true."

Victoria sighs. "Did she?" she wanted to know.

I find myself smiling ever so slightly then. "She did."

Victoria's shoulders went slack then as she considered it. "Perhaps I may think upon mending fences with her..."

I smile. "Good," I reply. "For when this baby arrives, and before the doors close, your final choice of who shall attend you is crucial. Do not find yourself compelled make the obvious choice, Victoria," I whisper as the door to my bedchamber opens from behind me then, "for sometimes, the obvious choice is not the only decision to be made."

It is when Prince Albert crosses the room that towards us that there is a knock upon the main door of the chamber. The prince immediately crosses and opens it, and the maid standing there immediately bobs a curtsy. She tells him that the letter she holds is addressed to me, and the prince takes it and pays her a few gold coins before he sends her on her way. He then re-enters the chamber fully then and hands over the letter, and I notice that it is my mother's handwriting.

"I do hope the viscount is well," Victoria puts in.

"Wilhelm!" I call lightly into the bedchamber. "We've a letter from my mother from Rosings Park!" I turn at the sound of Wilhelm entering our main chamber again, and he stands beside the prince while Victoria remains at my side and watches as I break the seal. "Father is well," I tell Victoria after a moment, and she, the prince, and Wilhelm all sigh with relief.

My dearest Felicity,

I am writing to give you the news of Rosings Park, where I have remained in order to ensure the good treatment of little Victoria Henrietta and Albert Wilhelm. May I inform you quickly and assuredly that your father is well, and spends much of his time with the children? He bids me to inform you that he loves both you and Wilhelm very much and sends his greetings.

I must inform you, urgently, however, that little Willy is not well. According to the physician, he has influenza. The physician has requested that we keep Victoria Henrietta away from her brother. Your father is taking her to Pemberley so as she cannot take sick. We cannot wait for your refusal or acceptance of such an arrangement, but I have not left little Willy's side, and I shall not. He is not well, my love, and I am sorry for the black mood of this letter.

Your mother,

Viscountess Pemberley

I had stopped reading after the first paragraph, and found that my lips could not form the necessary words to communicate what was happening. I found I was trembling then at the prospect of it all—I could lose my son. As I raised my eyes to Wilhelm then, I let out the wail of a dying animal and let go of the letter, which would have fallen to the floor had not Prince Albert snatched it up. I vaguely heard him reading it in his thick accent as I wailed in Wilhelm's arms, knowing that he would barely be able to decipher it himself.

"We must go to Rosings," Wilhelm said, through his teeth, as he did not wish to be seen crying in front of our monarchs. "Please, Your Majesty. May we not be excused from court to say goodbye?"

"Go," the prince said before Victoria could answer. "I know what it is like, not being able to say goodbye, as you know of as well, Wilhelm. I know I cannot allow the both of you to remain at court. You will want to go home and to help in the nursing of your son."

"Yes," Victoria whispered, "do go. I shall send servants to come up and assist you with packing at once—mayhap you shall make it there before dark."

"I'll send to the kitchens and have them prepare food for your journey," Prince Albert said quickly. "Come, Victoria," he said, taking her arm. "We must leave them to prepare."

I barely heard them leave; all the sounds around me were drowned out by my wailing, and the fact that Wilhelm's arms were wound tightly around me did not help my hearing much either. As I continued to sob into Wilhelm's shirt, I vaguely heard the maids coming and going, before I was mechanically helped into a traveling cape and bonnet and carried by Wilhelm—who never complained about his arm hurting—down to the provided carriage.

I bade a stiff farewell to Victoria and Prince Albert before Wilhelm took the basket of food from the prince and we climbed into the carriage. I pulled the chords of the curtains of the carriage shut then, not wanting to look out at the world as we cleared the gates of Buckingham Palace. All I could think of was my perfect Baby Willy, and how on earth this misfortune had befallen all of us.