Cupid Diaires Blog Carnival Today - Royal Pretender

My story in the Cupid Diaries is one that is close to my heart – that of George II and Caroline of Ansbach. It's one of the first historical romances I've ever read and it really inspired the love I have for historical fiction.

I discovered this interesting couple back in 1988 when someone sent me a book called "Queen in Waiting" by Jean Plaidy in a care package. While I was waiting to take the Duty Train to Berlin, I sat down at a German Café and decided to give the story a try.

I loved it!

Jean Plaidy is a pen name for Victoria Holt and Victoria Holt was one of my favorite Romantic Gothic authors. I had no idea she did historical fiction, but she totally enthralled me with George and Caroline's story.

Historically, George and Caroline were a love match – a love match during a time when love matches were frowned upon.

George's father was George I of England, but before he ascended to the kingship, he was Elector of Hanover and his marriage was arranged. He couldn't stand his bride, Sophia Dorethra of Celle. He did his duty by her, had two children, then ignored her. She said what was good for the goose was good for the gander and CHEATED ON HIM. Well, George would not be cuckolded. He sent a young and vivacious woman to the tower. She grew old and died in that tower. George II was only a boy when it happened, but it left a mark on him.

When it came time for his son to marry, George I wanted George II to be in love with his wife. Surprising considering the times, but not so surprising considering what he went through in his marriage. His mother, The Dowager Electress Sophia suggested Caroline of Ansbach.

Caroline grew up in the small Baravian town of Ansbach. She was orphaned by ten and went to live with her mother's friend, Sophia Charlotte, the Electress of Prussia. Sophia Charlotte was the Dowager Electress's daughter. Caroline loved living with Sophia Charlotte. She grew up in a sophisticated court and one of her best friends was a philosopher, Liebnez.

Sophia Charlotte was on her way to Hanover to arrange the marriage of Caroline and George II when she died. George and Caroline seemed destined to never met.
The Dowager Electress whispered into her son's ear. Why not have George II marry Caroline? George I liked the idea, but wanted his son to be in love with his wife. He sent George II to Ansbach in disguise to meet Caroline and to see if a love match could be made. After all, his son had faults. He was short, short tempered, and a nag. Caroline was reputed to be beautiful, mild mannered, and quick-witted.

George was honored to be courting Caroline – even in secret. After all, she had refused the heir to the Spanish throne. If she was good enough for a king, well, she was a prize to have indeed. When he met her, the sparks flew on both sides and he realized it was more than pride – it was love.

They went on to marry and had 9 children. George I was offered the British throne and he accepted. George and Caroline became the Prince and Princess of Wales. Caroline was the FIRST Princess of Wales since Katherine of Aragon back in 1501.

Eventually, George II took mistresses. Initially Caroline was distressed. Wasn't she enough for him? They were a love match. Then she learned he only did it because he thought it was expected him to have a mistress. With that mind, she picked the mistresses out for him. Still, George loved her until the day she died. On her deathbed Caroline told him to marry again. He said he wouldn't. And he didn't.

Again, it was a story I admired because in a time when arranged marriages were the norm, George and Caroline were in love and then got married.

I hope you enjoy "Royal Pretender" in The Cupid Diaries.

Here's a buy link for the Anthology. Currently, it is available as an Ebook

Excerpt Monday - Royal Pretender

"Royal Pretender" is a historical fiction and recounts how George II met his wife, Caroline of Ansbach. In this excerpt, George escorts Caroline to her room.

*****
“We should go in. Night will come soon. Can I show you to your rooms?” William asked.

“May I escort the princess to her room before she retires?” asked George, standing up. “I promise to be an upstanding gentleman.”

“If my brother has no objections,” Caroline said, lowering her eyes.

“I trust you, Monsieur de Busch, to keep your word,” said William, the tone of his voice firm, brooking no debate.

“I will.”

George stood up and held out his hand. Caroline took it and rose. They dropped hands and walked side by side into the castle, in front of William and von Eltz.

George was now nervous as Caroline walked up the staircase to her room. She was beyond every expectation he had. His grandmother would be delighted by his choice.


She paused at her door and he almost ran into her. They both stumbled back and hit the wall. Caroline softly laughed and George put one hand on her upper arm; with the other he grabbed her wrist and pulled her against his body so they were chest to chest. The smoldering embers of desire in her eyes had erupted into heavy flames. His breathing became ragged as did hers.

“Would you allow this humble pilgrim the softest caress of your rich, full lips?”

“It would be a sin to do so.”

“The sweetest sin, Princess,” he confirmed.

“I’ve never been kissed before.”

“Then I ask for humble permission to be the first.”

She opened her mouth, just barely, but no protest came out. His lips fell onto hers, basking in how firm and sweet she tasted. He delivered a feathery kiss, and as quickly as he touched her, he jerked away, afraid of the sudden hunger to have more.

“You are the fairest princess in Germany,” he huskily whispered. With that, he spun around on his heels and quickly departed to find his old governor.

********

Link to buy the Cupid Diaries: http://www.classicromancerevival.com/the-cupid-diaries.html

Excerpt Monday - Royal Pretender

My story in the Cupid Diaries is called "Royal Pretender." It's a historical fiction about how George II met his wife, Caroline of Ansbach. In this excerpt, George mets Caroline for the first time.

****

As soon as George saw her, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. She walked into the room and everything brightened. He felt his lips curve into a daring smile. Her soft blonde hair shined in the rays of the lowering sun through the large bay window. The warm velvet of her dress heightened the translucence of her face and neck. His eyes lingered on her firm breasts. Perfectly shaped, perfectly round. Such curvy hips. The stories of her beauty had not been exaggerated. His body quickly reacted to the stunning princess. He blushed, hoping the princess would not notice.

When their stares met, he sensed a mix of emotions from her – sadness, curiosity, and excitement? Had he managed to affect her? Despite his lack of inches? Was she as nervous about meeting him as he was of her?

“Monsieur Pierre de Busch, my sister, Caroline Wilhelmina,” said William, smoothly.

Caroline curtsied and George felt shivers race down his spine at her grace. He waited for her to recover before he bowed.

Caroline swallowed, then smiled. When he stood up, she held out her hand, as was custom. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Monsieur de Busch.”

The minute he took her hand in his, a pulsing jolt of pleasure went rippling through him. By the sudden gleam in her eye, he knew she felt the same from their touch. With the softest kiss he could provide, his lips brushed against her knuckles. “The pleasure is mine, Princess Caroline,” his thick, deep voice purred. “It is an honor to meet you. This is a great moment for both of us.”

Caroline blushed before him and turned slightly away. “You’re welcome, kind de Busch. I’m delighted to see anyone from Hanover. Perhaps you have news of the Electress Sophia?”

“Perhaps I do,” said George, teasingly. Even now he longed to tell her that the Electress was his grandmother. Still, he had a part to play, and he could barely take his eyes away from her. George admired her more than any other woman he’d known. He had always favored blonde hair, blue eyes, and a curvy body, but she was the living fulfillment of everything he wanted in a woman. Now, if only she was pleasant and sweet. She must have a nice personality. He wouldn’t be married to a shrew that made his life miserable. Oh, he said a silent prayer that she was just as his grandmother described.

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Buy Link:
http://www.classicromancerevival.com/the-cupid-diaries.html

Beyond the Story - Royal Pretender

I'm very excited to announce that my historical romantic fiction, "Royal Pretender" is available in The Cupid Diaries, released by Classic Romance Revival this month. History has given us some inspiring romances from Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browing, to the turbolent Charles and Diana, love has endured, love has failed. Love brought a man to ruin with Henry VIII and love endured through to paint a shining example of its positive power with George VI and his Queen, Elizabeth (in World War II)

Surprisingly, in a time were arranged marriages were the norm, George II and Caroline of Ansbach were allowed to fall in love before they were married. It was a story I discovered over 20 years ago, but it is a story that has deeply resonated with me.

I was stationed in Germany in 1988. In July 1988, I won a trip to go to Berlin. While I was waiting at the train station in Bremerhaven I had brought a book with me. It was a book I had received in a care package and it was called, "Queen in Waiting," by Jean Plaidy. Jean Plaidy was a pen name for Victoria Holt and I grew on Holt's Gothic Romances. I thought I'd give the book a try.

I devoured it. I also discovered the world of historical fiction was fascinating. I went out and bought every book Jean Plaidy ever wrote.

Plaidy, of course, wrote historical fiction. While the events are true, she took literary license to paint the scenes. No one really knows how George acted when he first saw Caroline, but it's so much fun as a writer to picture the scene, to write it, to enjoy it – to paint it to the accuracy you believed it happened.

The history behind George II's story and Caroline is unique. George I wanted his son to be in love with the woman he married. He didn't want his son to suffer through an unbearable marriage as his had been. When his mother suggested Caroline of Ansbach, George I sent his son to Ansbach in disguise to meet the woman to see if he could fall in love.

Caroline was beautiful and enchanting. (If not a little melancholy) George II fell in love immediately and eventually sought her hand in marriage. She accepted of course.

I wanted to give their story my own romantic treatment so I wrote Royal Pretender. I hope you enjoy it!


I hope you visit Classic Romance Revivial and check out the Cupid Diaries - there are some lovely stories in there which capture the essense of romance and love. Here's a link to the site: http://www.classicromancerevival.com

Smiles
Steph

Excerpt Monday - Royal Pretender

Here's an excerpt of a short story I submitted to CRR's "The Cupid Diaries." The story is Royal Pretender and it is about how George II of England met his wife. The Cupid Diaries is coming soon from CRR.

*********

Caroline Wilhelmina, Princess of Ansbach, stared listlessly out of the window of her apartments and watched as a strange, yet royal carriage slowly approached. She was mildly curious. They rarely received visitors in small Ansbach and not at the summer residence where it was barely staffed.

Caroline sighed and ran a hand through her fine, blonde hair. If only she weren’t so melancholy over losing her mother figure, Sophia Charlotte. Her own mother had died when she was eleven and Sophia Charlotte had raised her until her own death a couple of months ago. She missed Berlin, Sophia Charlotte’s court, Leibniz, the great court recorder, and the gaiety Sophia Charlotte brought to her life. Caroline left Berlin in sadness after her death to join her brother in Ansbach, but nothing seemed to help her mood. Even taking a short holiday at Triesdorf with her brother made her long for happier times.

She noticed the carriage stop. Two men and a valet got out. Noblemen? One was old, and one was…very young. Her inquisitive eyes came to rest on the young nobleman. How confident he must be in himself that he didn’t wear a wig. She liked that about a man. He was a little short, her height, she guessed, still, that didn’t deter her from staring at him. His neat, tapered haircut and his immaculate clothes caught her attention. He took pride in himself and his appearance. Soft shaped almond eyes spoke of his kindness. His cheeks were full of color and his lively expression hinted at his vitality. Even his lips seemed full and pouty. Lips fine enough to kiss. Caroline felt her heart flutter as she realized he was a very good-looking young man.

Get hold of yourself, Caroline!

She reached out and put her hand on her window sill to brace her now unsteady feet.

From her spot, she saw her brother go out to meet the travelers. They talked for several minutes and the men followed her brother inside. Nervous trepidation filled her. Did William seriously expect to entertain? Their staff consisted only of a butler, maid, and cook here at the summer residence!

She walked over to her washbasin and filled a bowl with water, washing her face. Within minutes there was a knock at the door.

********

A Nip o' History Saturday - Queen in Waiting

I'd always been a little interested in History growing up the book that ignited my passion was called "Queen In Waiting" by Jean Plaidy. Jean Plaidy was a pen name for one of my favorite authors, Victoria Holt.

I discovered this book back in 1988 when I was waiting for the Berlin Duty Train in Bremerhaven in July. I sat in front of the Bahnhof, reading my book, so involved in the story, I hardly noticed the buzz around me.

Queen in Waiting is about George II and his romance with his wife, Caroline of Ansbach. It is the early 1700's and George Augustus is a young man in his early 20's and the Crown Prince of the Electorship of Hanover. George Augustus's father, George Lewis, the current Elector, is set to inherit the British throne since Anne Stewart has no heirs (And that's another fascinating story I can't wait to tell, but it's for another Saturday.)

George Lewis had a miserable marriage to George Augustus's mother, Sophia Doreathera. It was so miserable, he divorced her and put her up in Ahlen Tower where she lived a long life and died there. Because of this experience, he wanted his son, George Augustus to make a love match.

Personally speaking, that was RARE for royality and it was rare for a father to want his son to make a love match. That said George Lewis "pumped" his aged mother, the Dowager Electress Sophia for who might make a good match. She suggested Caroline of Ansbach. Ansbach was a small German city in southern Germany. Caroline was a noble lady and George Lewis thought she might work out for his son.

He dispatched George Augustus with his old governor to Ansbach. But there was a catch. George Augustus went in disguise. This way if he didn't like Caroline, he could refuse to marry her and no one would no the better.

When George Augustus met Caroline, who was his age, blonde, blue eyed and totally HOT he fell half way off the cliff. As he got to know her, he fell completely off. She was drop dead gorgeous and had a sweet, charming personality to boot. In haste, he left her, traveled to Hanover and told his father he wanted to marry her.

Immediately George Lewis dispatched a formal party to ask for her marriage. When Caroline was told the dashing young nobleman named Monsieur deBusch was really George Augustus, the crown prince of Hanover she said "yes!" to the marriage proposal. She had fallen completely in love with the young, dashing man herself.

If you want to read my historical fiction account of the "Royal Pretender," it will be in the upcoming Cupid Diaries put out through CRR.

Isn't love romantic?
Steph