(A carriage containing MRS. FITZHERBERT, LORD SOUTHAMPTON, LORD ONSLOW, HON. BOUVERIE, and KEATE pulls up in front of Devonshire House.)
MRS. FITZHERBERT
Why have we stopped at Devonshire House?
LORD SOUTHAMPTON
I'll only be a moment, gentlemen... and madam.
(LORD SOUTHAMPTON hastily leaves the carriage. Inside the mansion, the DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE is seen wearing extravagant clothing while playing a game of hazards at her ball. She rolls some dice that procure an unfavorable number. The small crowd around her table reacts accordingly. The DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE approaches her with LORD SOUTHAMPTON.)
DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE
Your Grace...
DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE
(Still focusing on the game)
Hm?
DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE
(Annoyed, suspicious)
This gentleman here requests your immediate presence at Carlton House on behalf of the Prince of Wales, though I cannot imagine why, and he refuses to relay the reason.
DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE
Whatever it is, Your Grace, I am sure it is perfectly innocent—and it can wait till morning.
LORD SOUTHAMPTON
(In a low voice)
On the contrary, madam; it is a matter of life and death!
DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE
But I'm winning!
(Someone else in the game suddenly wins and is cheered. The person collects their winnings from the table. The DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE looks embarrassed.)
(Outside, LORD SOUTHAMPTON and the DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE enter the carriage, surprising MRS. FITZHERBERT. The carriage drives away.)
LORD SOUTHAMPTON
Mrs. Fitzherbert, may I present to you Her Grace the Duchess of Devonshire, who has so graciously offered to serve as your escort tonight.
DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE
'Tis a pleasure, madam, although I do wish we might have met under more cheerful circumstances.
(Beat)
Poor George! I have always known him to be a romantic, but this is entirely unlike him, or so I had presumed.
MRS. FITZHERBERT
(Slightly jealous)
Are you and the Prince... well-acquainted?
DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE
Oh! He is like a brother to me, madam, I assure you.
(In a lower voice, cheeky)
Besides, I have no need for another lover. One is enough.
MRS. FITZHERBERT
(Repulsed)
Quite.
(Cut to SCENE VII.)
YOU ARE READING
The Drunken Feathers
HistoryczneIn this biographical series that begins in 1784, twenty-one-year-old George, Prince of Wales-- the eldest son of King George III and heir to the British throne-- spends his youth idly by keeping countless mistresses, drinking profusely, and making f...
