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Chapters (54)
  1. Cover
  2. The Summer Queen
  3. Dedication Page
  4. Family Tree of King George III
  5. Family Tree of Queen Victoria
  6. PART ONE
  7. Chapter One
  8. Chapter Two
  9. Chapter Three
  10. Chapter Four
  11. Chapter Five
  12. Chapter Six
  13. Chapter Seven
  14. Chapter Eight
  15. Chapter Nine
  16. Chapter Ten
  17. Chapter Eleven
  18. Chapter Twelve
  19. Chapter Thirteen
  20. PART TWO
  21. Chapter Fourteen
  22. Chapter Fifteen
  23. Chapter Sixteen
  24. Chapter Seventeen
  25. Chapter Eighteen
  26. Chapter Nineteen
  27. Chapter Twenty
  28. Chapter Twenty-One
  29. Chapter Twenty-Two
  30. Chapter Twenty-Three
  31. Chapter Twenty-Four
  32. PART THREE
  33. Chapter Twenty-Five
  34. Chapter Twenty-Six
  35. Chapter Twenty-Seven
  36. Chapter Twenty-Eight
  37. Chapter Twenty-Nine
  38. Chapter Thirty
  39. Chapter Thirty-One
  40. Chapter Thirty-Two
  41. PART FOUR
  42. Chapter Thirty-Three
  43. Chapter Thirty-Four
  44. Chapter Thirty-Five
  45. Chapter Thirty-Six
  46. Chapter Thirty-Seven
  47. Chapter Thirty-Eight
  48. Chapter Thirty-Nine
  49. Chapter Forty
  50. Chapter Forty-One
  51. Acknowledgements
  52. Select Bibliography
  53. The Summer Queen
  54. By Margaret Pemberton

Missy smiled serenely. ‘Ah, but Nando will be the King of Romania one day and, when he is and I’m his queen, I’m not going to mind about his sticky-out ears.’ She uncrossed her legs and, pulling her knees up to her chest, hugged them with her arms. ‘And it’s all a done deal. Nando has officially offered for my hand and, on my behalf, Papa has accepted. The only fly in the ointment at the moment is Granny Queen. She doesn’t think Nando is good enough for me. She’s still hoping Mama will change her mind and consent to me marrying Georgie-Porgie.’

Alicky, who didn’t often have the opportunity to share in such interesting girl-talk, was riveted.

She said, ‘Once your engagement to Nando is announced, will the wedding follow quickly?’

Missy’s pansy-dark eyes were thoughtful. ‘Probably not. Probably not until at least a year afterwards. One doesn’t like to look too keen.’

‘Personally, I wish you’d marry him as soon as possible.’ Ducky was always blunt. ‘I want to know all about IT, and I’ve never found anyone willing to tell me. Mama tells me I’ll find out soon enough, and that into every life a little rain must fall – and what she means by that is anyone’s guess. You have three married sisters, Alicky. Have you ever got any of them to spill the beans as to what actually happens on the wedding night?’

Alicky shook her head. The IT-thing was something never spoken of to unmarried young girls. It was as if, if you were told, nothing on God’s earth would ever get you down the aisle.

‘Well, whatever it is, I’m quite looking forward to it.’ Missy reached for another biscuit. ‘I like new experiences and I enjoy being kissed and touched. Cousin Christle is a great kisser and toucher. It’s odd, isn’t it, how you wouldn’t mind at all some men taking liberties. Eddy Wales, for instance. Hélène of Orleans is still absolutely potty about him and, with those gold-flecked eyes and slow, sensual smile, I can quite see why. All I can say is: lucky May Teck. For a semi-royal with an embarrassing family past, she’s scooped the jackpot.’