Chapter 12: George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham

Summary

     This chapter is brief again, since it just chronicles the meeting between the Duke and the Queen. Madame Bonacieux leads the Duke to a private antechamber in the Louvre, where he waits for Queen Anne. George Villiers, the Duke of Buckingham, is proclaimed to be the handsomest man in France and England. He lives a charmed existence, as he is powerful, rich, and admired. He also loves the beautiful Queen Anne passionately. Waiting for her arrival, he looks in the mirror nearby, and fixes the waves in his hair, squished from being under a hat. Excited to see the Queen, he smiles at his reflection. Queen Anne bursts into the room at this rather awkward moment, startling the poor Duke and making him cry out with surprise – and admiration. Queen Anne looks especially beautiful right now. She is wearing a plain white gown, and has her brown hair plainly curled. She is wearing maybe a bit too much blush, but she looks lovely and regal. The Duke is struck dumb and literally falls at her feet. It turns out that this is only the fourth time he has ever met her, and only once before did they have any special moments together.  He fell in love at first sight and calls her cruel to not reciprocate his feelings.

     He talks about how much he loves her for a while, and it is clear that he genuinely cares for her. However, Queen Anne is obviously in a difficult spot. She is the Queen and thus must protect her reputation – also, she does not deserve to feel guilty for not loving someone. However the Duke refuses to accept her rejection, and thanks her profusely for ‘admitting’ that she would love him if not for her rank. She tells him he has misinterpreted her words, but he ignores her and continues to express gratitude. He then guilt-trips her even more, mentioning that he has had premonitions that he will die soon. Queen Anne is frightened for him, especially since she has also had dreams of the sort – both of their visions proclaim he will die of a knife wound to his left. Thoroughly panicked, she makes him promise to return to England quickly and safely, and then come later when he is under protection. He agrees to leave only if she gives him a token to remember her by. She gives him a rosewood casket and bids him leave. He finally does so, after kissing her hand.

Reaction

     Well! While I don’t immediately like Queen Anne as much as Madame Bonacieux, I pity her for her treatment by her supposed lover. Ugh. Did all the men in France in the 17^th century behave like this? Guilt-trips and hysterics. Charming.

     My favorite line was this little exchange:

Duke - “Thousands of men, it is true, will have to pay for my happiness with their lives; but what is that to me, provided I see you again! All this is perhaps folly--perhaps insanity; but tell me what woman has a lover more truly in love; what queen a servant more ardent?”

Queen Anne - "My Lord, my Lord, you invoke in your defense things which accuse you more strongly. All these proofs of love which you would give me are almost crimes."

That part made me laugh. Queen Anne is completely right. He sounds like an amorous serial killer!