Queens Gambit

Prologue

1798

William Douglass the Duke of Queensberry, and George Spencer-Churchill Duke of Marlborough stood watching as the solicitor notarized the document joining their two families. Williams's daughter Sheena, and George's second-born son Adam were now officially married. Well at least on paper. Adam, five looked down at the baby in the cradle who they kept calling his bride. He did not know what that meant, nor would it matter for over twenty years at least not to him. Perhaps he should ask his brother Aaron he was smarter about these things. He wandered around the room looking at the trinkets that lined the shelves. At his eye level, he met something. A music box. He would later learn was a gift from the Queen. He turned the key to hear it play a German lullaby Haidl Bubaidl. It was the one his mother used to sing to them when they were little. The box was two birds in a cage singing to each other. It was beautiful and delicate. Once the music box lost his interest, he silently left the room to find his older brother.

1818

Sheena was in Paris readying herself to attend tonight's party when there was a knock on the door. Nessie answered the door for her mistress. She was immediately handed a letter. She brought the letter to Sheena. Upon opening the letter, Sheena saw it was from Othello her contact from the home office. It was to the point just like Othello. "Return home immediately. A carriage is waiting" She folded the paper and turned to Nessie and smiled.

"I am sorry all your hard work to make me look beautiful was in vain. I am unhappy to say there will be no party tonight. I must return home to England. We must hurry and pack. This letter states a carriage is waiting."

"It is about time we go home it's been two years since we have set foot on English soil. I think you are avoiding your duty as the Duchess of Marlborough."

"Hush you, I am not avoiding anything. If my wayward husband wanted a wife, he would come and retrieve me. I have not kept my where about's a secret. Besides from what I hear he is not ready to settle down yet. Last I heard he was having a grand time with his new mistress. "

Nessie made her way to her ladies' closet and began to pack. She knew she had touched a nerve with her mistress. She knew her and she knew her heart broke when the man her father married her to when she was born did not want her. It wasn't like her mistress was homely she was beautiful with her mahogany hair a color that was a rich brown with heavy read highlights. Her eyes were as green as the hills of Ireland, and her smile could light up a room. Nessie never understood how her father had bonded her to his childhood friend's son without knowing when the contract would be enforced. Nessie knew her Lady was comfortable being an independently wealthy woman. She did not need to accept a husband in name only was fine for her.

Sheena and Nessie arrived at The Douglass family townhome in London. She refused to go to Adam's home. Even if that is what would be expected. She refused to kowtow to society's archaic thinking. "A woman's place was in the home." She had been given the rare gift of freedom when she turned fifteen, for all intense purposes she was a married woman. She served at court for a year, then she was asked to join the home office because of her language skills. Since then, she had traveled the world. She did not need Adam Spencer-Churchill to make her notable in society she could do it herself.

At the noon hours, a messenger for the queen arrived. Sheena was to go to the queen who was apparently on her deathbed. She remembered the time while at court the queen and she had become close. This was due to the fact Sheena could converse with her in German the queen's native tongue. She did not change into a more fitting dress she rushed out of the house in her day dress.

Upon reaching Dutch House Sheena was taken directly to the Queen's chamber. Instead of finding all the queen's family, she found Prinny and Sir Herbert Taylor. It was sad to see since the Queen had thirteen children and only one was present. As soon as the Queen saw Sheena she dismissed Sir Herbert Taylor and beckoned her over. She took her hand into hers and gave Sheena a weak smile.

"Danke, dass Sie gekommen sind, mein Freund."

"Ich fühle mich geehrt von Ihrer Bitte, Ihre Majestät."

The queen motioned for Sheena to take the chair next to her on the opposite side of the prince. She motioned to her son, and he got up and retrieved something. He handed a pouch to his mother and she in turn handed it to Sheena.

"This was my mother's; she gave it to me just before her death and my marriage to George. I want you to have it. It was the only bit of Germany I took with me."

Sheena opened the pouch she was handed and found a broach in the shape of two silver doves with a bright green heart in the center. It was simple and beautiful.

"I do not know what to say this is something you should give to one of your daughters, not me. I am truly not worthy your majesty."

Queen Charlotte patted Sheena's hand and smiled.

"My mother gave this broach to me instead of my sisters because I was the one who needed it. I was just seventeen and going off to a new world. Away from everything I knew. She did not know how I would get along with George and so she gave me this to aid in my happiness."

"I do not understand?"

"The heart is made of the chrysoprase stone, and it is said to have the properties to promote love to the wearer. It brings forgiveness to the wearer's heart. It is said it will fill you with a sense of compassion, joy, and happiness. My mother believed chrysoprase had the ability to attract new love. It will aid you in attracting that husband of yours. It will also aid in mending your broken heart. You see it was meant just for your situation. I need to atone for my interference in your life. I encouraged the king to accept the arrangement between your fathers. It was a woman's fancy to think love would conquer all. Before I die, I want to know you are taken care of. I would like your wayward husband to finally see the wonderful woman I see. Adam is a fool, my dear. He just needs a little nudge."

When the Queen saw Sheena's tears she opened her arms to embrace her. She turned to her son.

"Promise me, George, Adam will do right by Shenna do you understand?"

"I promise mother. I will make sure this is taken care of personally."

"Thank you, now I need to rest."

Sheena, and The Prince sat at the queen's side waiting for the end. She died sitting in her favorite armchair holding the hand of her son. The funeral was held fifteen days later at Windsor Castle where Sheena and the Prince met again. He was happy to see her wearing the broach his mother had given her. It was the color to her ensemble he noticed it matched her eyes. At the end of the service, she stood over the grave and placed a note with a rose on top of the coffin. George overheard her say her goodbyes in German.