The Drunken Feathers

Scene VII

(Suspicious)

A promise?

HON. BOUVERIE

The Prince of Wales is adamant that he cannot be induced to live until you accept his offer of marriage.

MRS. FITZHERBERT

The circumstances surrounding the law make that impossible.

LORD ONSLOW

The circumstances have put His Royal Highness' life in danger. You must accept his proposal if he is to live.

MRS. FITZHERBERT

What a cruel trick you gentlemen are practicing, not only against myself, but also the Prince. He is too delirious to make rational decisions.

LORD SOUTHAMPTON

As servants of the Prince of Wales, and thereby the King, we have a constitutional duty to protect His Royal Highness' life via any necessary means. An unconstitutional marriage may or may not preserve his place in the line of succession, but it will preserve his life.

DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE

Mrs. Fitzherbert? The Prince wishes to share an audience with you.

(MRS. FITZHERBERT hesitates for a moment, glares at the gentlemen, and ultimately joins the DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE in the bedchamber. Being careful not to look at the PRINCE OF WALES too long, she sits in the chair at his bedside but looks down into her lap.)

PRINCE OF WALES

(Weakly)

I never imagined you would call at Carlton tonight.

MRS. FITZHERBERT

Nor did I, sir.

PRINCE OF WALES

It is a welcome surprise, I assure you.

(Beat)

I am sorry to see you in this condition, as well as my own. I fear I have upset you.

MRS. FITZHERBERT

You are not at fault, sir, though it pains me to see the extent of your self-inflicted wounds.

PRINCE OF WALES

I've only stabbed my breast tonight; the other wounds are older. I have a terrible habit of cutting and bleeding myself, I'm afraid. It alleviates my nerves, but my surgeon fears I shall slash open an artery and expire; don't you, Keate?

KEATE

(Cleaning up bloody cloths and bandages)

There is always a risk of that, sir.

MRS. FITZHERBERT

I shall pray for Your Royal Highness' swift recovery.

PRINCE OF WALES

You are an angel, madam, thank you.

(Beat)

Might I still hope to be your husband in the near future?

MRS. FITZHERBERT

Is our union truly the only thing that can dissuade you from suicide?

PRINCE OF WALES

Upon my life, I shall never again consider it if we are to be married.

MRS. FITZHERBERT

(Pause, contemplating)

Then I promise myself to you.

PRINCE OF WALES

Oh, Maria! Only an hour ago I was the most melancholic creature on Earth, but now I am the happiest. Would you give me your hand?

(MRS. FITZHERBERT stretches out her hand. He winces as he sits up and takes her hand gently, and she winces at the feeling of his blood on her hands.)

PRINCE OF WALES (cont.)

Georgiana, might I make use of one of your rings?

(The DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE removes a ring from her hand and gives it to the PRINCE OF WALES, who delicately places it on MRS. FITZHERBERT's finger and kisses her hand.)

PRINCE OF WALES (cont.)

Once I am recovered, I will look for a clergyman and witnesses. Until then, let me reassure you of my constant loyalty and everlasting love. Henceforth, I shall look upon myself as married... I have no doubt I can expect the same from you.

MRS. FITZHERBERT

Indeed, sir. You...are very much loved.

(The PRINCE OF WALES smiles; he is not told this often. MRS. FITZHERBERT gently pulls her hand away and is troubled by both the blood and the ring. She stands.)

MRS. FITZHERBERT (cont.)

I must bid Your Royal Highness goodnight; I am much exhausted by the events of this evening.

PRINCE OF WALES

Very well. Goodnight, my love. I shall write to you soon.

(MRS. FITZHERBERT curtseys and turns to leave.)

PRINCE OF WALES (cont.)

Oh, Maria?

(She turns toward him)

Please address me by my Christian name from now on.

MRS. FITZHERBERT

Very well. Goodnight...George.

(The PRINCE OF WALES smiles and settles contently back into bed so KEATE can continue to treat him. MRS. FITZHERBERT turns back around and leaves the bedchamber. The DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE follows, and the door is closed behind them. They faced with LORD SOUTHAMPTON, HON. BOUVERIE, and LORD ONSLOW, who look satisfied with themselves.)

LORD SOUTHAMPTON

See? Now everybody is content.

LORD ONSLOW

And alive.

LORD SOUTHAMPTON

The Prince has your love, and you are betrothed to the most eligible bachelor in the world.

MRS. FITZHERBERT

Send for a carriage. I wish to leave.

LORD SOUTHAMPTON

Certainly, madam. The Duchess shall escort you back to Mayfair. I have no doubt we shall see you again at Carlton before long.

(The gentlemen exit, leaving MRS. FITZHERBERT and the DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE alone.)

DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE

Come, dear. I shall see you home.

(The DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE begins to exit. MRS. FITZHERBERT remains behind for a moment, still pondering the Prince.)

MRS. FITZHERBERT

(Whispering to herself)

Forgive me, George, for what I must do.

(She exits. Cut to SCENE VIII.)