I sit in the card room at Sudeley, drinking a goblet of fine French wine and becoming gradually mellower. I look ahead and try to focus my eyes fully on the dark oak panelling on the wall ahead. It has been a very difficult few days and I have been sorely tried indeed. I have had word from one of my few friends on the Regency council informing me that my brother and his cronies are trying to curb my influence over the young king, whatever that might mean.
If it wasn"t bad enough receiving disturbing news about those f*****g knaves surrounding the king, I have had the additional worry of Katherine being very sick after giving birth to our child. She lies in her bed speaking jumbled words that make little sense, covered in perspiration and jabbering mostly. The physician says she needs lots
