Her Majesty's Gold Read online

  Her Majesty’s gold

  KOPP CHRONICLES

  By Gregory Kopp

  Copyright © 2020 Gregory Kopp

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events, with the exception of some well-known historical figures, are products of the author’s imagination or purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN:9798623427366

  Printed in the United States of America

  BY GREGORY KOPP

  KOPP CHRONICLES

  AN IMMIGRANT AMERICAN (English edition)

  A TRACE OF ROYALTY (English edition)

  THE JOURNEY TO DELPHOS (English edition)

  A CHILD’S BREATH (English edition)

  THE HEIRESS IN KENT (English edition)

  CRÓNICAS DE KOPP

  UN INMIGRANTE AMERICANO (Spanish edition)

  UN RASTRO DE LA REALEZA (Spanish edition)

  EL VIAJE A DELPHOS (Spanish edition)

  EL ALIENTO DE UN NIÑO (Spanish edition)

  LA HEREDERA EN KENT (Spanish edition)

  KOPP CHRONIKEN

  EIN IMMIGRANT AMERIKANER (German edition)

  EINE SPUR VON KÖNIGSHAUS (German edition)

  DIE REISE NACH DELPHOS (German edition)

  EIN ATEM DES KINDES (German edition)

  DIE ERBIN IN KENT (German edition)

  CHRONIQUES DE KOPP

  UN IMMIGRANT AMÉRICAIN (French edition)

  UNE TRACE DE LA ROYAUTÉ (French edition)

  LE VOYAGE À DELPHOS (French edition)

  LE SOUFFLE D'UN ENFANT (French edition)

  L'HERITIERE DANS LE KENT (French edition)

  This book is dedicated to my cousins who have shared my life’s journey.

  Cover Images courtesy of https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:For_Success_in_Art_MET_DP-180-106.jpg

  AN IMMIGRANT AMERICAN

  A TRACE OF ROYALTY

  THE JOURNEY TO DELPHOS

  A CHILD’S BREATH

  THE HEIRESS IN KENT

  HER MAJESTY’S GOLD

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Afterword

  Appendix One – Europe’s Great Powers

  Appendix Two – United States Census & Presidential Election

  Appendix Three – The Draft

  Appendix Four – New York City Draft Riots

  Appendix Five – New York City Tenements

  Chapter One

  July 14, 1863, New York City

  Marguerite looked up and saw a fiery glow in the distance as she stepped out her front door. Billowing black smoke could be seen from several burning buildings in lower Manhattan. She walked down the wooden steps from the front porch to the street.

  Behind her a large mob of drunken dockworkers carrying torches was marching up to her street chanting:

  “Hell no, down with the draft. We ain't going to fight for no Coloreds.”

  Marguerite, a young and attractive black woman from New Orleans was frightened. She had traveled to New York City to find the father of her two children. Now she found herself in the middle of a draft riot and her son was missing. She began running down the street before the mob could see her.

  “Now, where is my son?” she wondered aloud as she went down the street to the nearest corner. “He was supposed to meet me on this corner after work, but he’s not here.”

  She became more anxious. Marguerite crossed the street, looking down the adjoining intersection, but he was nowhere to be seen. She shouted at the top of her voice:

  “Michel! Where are you?” Her son did not answer. She shouted again, only more urgently. “Michel, show yourself. I’m over here.”

  From behind a building, a young black boy peered out at her, dressed in dirty overalls. He had been hiding in an alleyway waiting for his mother to arrive.

  “Michel, good heavens, it’s you. We must go quickly!”

  Marguerite looked behind her and saw the frightening mob coming closer. At that same moment, a shout came from one of the men marching in front. He had spotted Marguerite and her son.

  “Hey, there are some Coloreds. Hurry up, let’s catch them!” He said with a sneer as he pointed at the black woman and her son. Several younger men began running toward them brandishing their clubs in the air.

  “Run!” Marguerite cried to Michel as she gripped his hand. They ran down the nearest darkened alley. She began trying the door handles on each of the tenement buildings as they passed.

  “Please let us in!” she cried out. But the doors were all locked and the windows barred. She could barely see the frightened occupants hiding inside through dimly lit windows. Marguerite stopped when she reached the end of the alley and began pounding on the door of the last building.

  “Please, for God’s sake, let us in!” She shouted. Her son turned and saw the drunken dockworkers were gaining on them. “Hurry, Mama, they are coming! “

  Michel began pounding on the door with her. The leader of the anti-draft mob pointed down the alley and shouted, “There they are. Let’s hang them! We ain’t going to fight for Coloreds!”

  Several men began running down the alley towards Marguerite and her son. Marguerite turned around to see how close they were but when she turned back, she realized her son was gone!

  Chapter Two

  3 years earlier, February 1, 1860, Delphos, Ohio

  Karolina noticed the headline in the worn copy of the New-York Times newspaper lying on a table in the General Store. She could not believe her eyes. It read:

  We regret to announce the death of the Grand Duchess STEPHANIE of Baden, which event took place at Nice on Sunday afternoon, at 1 1/2 o'clock... the Princess MARY, her daughter, suffering from grave indisposition, was not able to join her... Gen. ROGUET. Aide-de-Camp to the Emperor has left Paris to accompany the mortal remains of the Grand Duchess through France to the frontier of Baden.

  “Stéphanie de Beauharnais, the Grand Duchess of Baden is dead!” Karolina realized as a tear began falling down her cheek. She reached up with her gloved hand and brushed the tear away. She picked up the paper to read it. The Grand Duchess had been a close friend of her deceased mother and promised her she would care for Karolina. When Karolina and her family first arrived in Delphos, the Grand Duchess arranged a significant letter of credit for her from the Bank of France. It allowed Karolina and her husband Stanislaus to buy their farm and build a cabin for their family.

  “This is sad news.” Karolina thought as she wiped away a few more tears. Karolina wondered about her beloved friend, the Grand Duchess’s daughter, Princess Marie. Karolina reread t
he newspaper article again as it described Princess Marie was suffering from an illness. Karolina met Princess Marie as a young girl accompanying her mother in her many visits to the Mannheim Palace to visit the Grand Duchess. She even attended the Princess’s wedding to the son of Scotland’s Duke of Hamilton.

  Karolina and Princess Marie had corresponded over the years, but recently the Princess’s letters became fewer and far between. “The death of her mother would devastate her.” Karolina sighed.

  Karolina wished the Princess would answer her last letter. “But Anna might have heard from her!” Karolina realized.

  Anna her close friend lived in New York City and also attended the Princess’s wedding. She was a fervent abolitionist and would keep Karolina informed of the latest news from New York City in her letters. Now and then, Anna would additionally offer a tidbit of information about the whereabouts of their mutual friend Johannes. Karolina met him at Princess Marie’s wedding and fell head over heels in love. But Johannes desired to focus on his military career and could not marry her. Karolina was heartbroken and married another man instead.

  As she laid down the newspaper, Karolina longed to return to New York City and visit Anna. “Perhaps I might also see Johannes once again.” She thought.

  Karolina recalled the stolen kiss they exchanged in her last encounter with him in Anna’s apartment. But now she set those thoughts behind her as she hurried out of the General Store to collect her children from school. She needed to return home before darkness fell.

  Chapter Three

  Unbeknownst to Karolina, Princess Marie was becoming quite influential among European Society. She was now known as the Duchess of Hamilton after her husband had inherited his title. She was welcomed not only in the German and French royal courts, but in Queen Victoria’s as well. In fact, she became quite close with her cousin French Emperor Napoleon III upon the death of her mother which had devastated him. As a result, Princess Marie also became a close friend and confidant of Empress Eugénie, his wife.

  One bright spring morning, she was toiling in her rose garden at Hamilton Palace in Scotland. Her daughter Mary was playing with the carriage that her godmother, Queen Victoria had given her. One of the Duchess’s servants came up to her and whispered in her ear:

  “Your Grace, Her Majesty Queen Victoria is arriving at the front gates with His Royal Highness Prince Albert.”

  Princess Marie was startled. She called to her daughter to return to her while she put down her gardening tools. Princess Marie rubbed her hands on her skirt and went quickly inside Hamilton Palace with her daughter to change clothes for the royal’s visit.

  As it happened, her husband the Duke of Hamilton was not at home. He had been summoned to the House of Lords in London for an urgent session of Parliament. The French Army had defeated the Austrian-Hungarian Empire in Italy, and it dramatically shifted the balance of power in Europe. Princess Marie wondered why the Queen would visit her at this time of crisis.

  Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were ushered into the main parlor of the Hamilton Palace. Princess Marie curtsied and suggested they sit down for tea.

  “We were out riding and enjoying the pleasant weather.” Queen Victoria remarked as she sat down in an overstuffed chair. “We wanted to stop by and see your beautiful gardens and visit my goddaughter!”

  Queen Victoria turned and smiled at Mary sitting quietly in a corner of the parlor. Princess Marie blushed and said nothing. She wondered about the real intended purpose of their visit.

  A servant offered the Queen and her Consort a small cup of tea and pastry. Prince Albert said nothing until the servant left the room, but then remarked in his slight German accent:

  “How pretty are your gardens and how big your daughter has grown since I have last seen her. It would be a shame if something were to happen to them.” Said Prince Albert staring at Princess Marie as he took a sip of tea. Princess Marie grew uncomfortable from his stare and wondered what about his meaning.

  Queen Victoria noticed her discomfort and stood up. “Dearest, will you show me your rose gardens?” She asked.

  Princess Marie jumped to her feet and escorted Queen Victoria out to the Hamilton Palace rose gardens. Meanwhile, Prince Albert entered the Duke of Hamilton’s library and began examining his books on Scotland’s government and politics.

  When Princess Marie and Queen Victoria returned from touring the gardens, Prince Albert rejoined them in the parlor. Princess Marie ordered her servants to prepare a light lunch for them.

  “We request your help, my dear,” replied the Queen. Prince Albert suddenly took a keen interest in his wife’s conversation with the princess. “My government is concerned about your cousin Louis Napoleon’s plans after his victory over the Austrians. Will he conquer all Italy like his uncle Bonaparte? Or possibly Germany? We cannot afford a war with France now.” Queen Victoria looked grim as she spoke.

  She continued. “While we were visiting the Emperor in Paris, he took us to Cherbourg to show us his French navy.” Her Majesty continued. “After the visit, I told my admiralty to build more warships for our navy but the Prime Minister claimed it is too expensive.” She sighed and took a sip from her cup of tea.

  Prince Albert joined the conversation. “We need you to discover what Emperor Napoleon III's plans are?” He continued to stare at Princess Marie for emphasis. Princess Marie was startled at the abrupt manner of his request.

  “My Brother Ernst is equally concerned, as are all the other princes in the German Confederation. A war at this time would be disastrous. Our people are restless, and Austria is on its knees after their defeat by the French. We are concerned that your cousin may take advantage of the situation in Europe and seize more territory.”

  Prince Albert maintained a somber look on his face as he spoke while Queen Victoria patted his arm. Princess Marie grew alarmed as she realized her cousin’s actions might lead to war in Europe!

  But while Princess Marie was vaguely aware of the events happening in Europe now, she was still in mourning from the death of her mother. She had fits of depression and had not corresponded with her cousin in months. Even now she was still wearing a black dress and had not left her home in ages.

  “Yes, Your Majesty I will meet with my cousin.” She addressed Queen Victoria with apprehension in her voice. “But how will I be able to discover his plans?”

  The Queen smiled once more and said, “You will find a way, my dear.” Emperor Napoleon III was well known to have a weakness for attractive women, and Princess Marie had regained her figure after the birth of her child.

  “Now we must be off. The Prince of Wales will be joining us at Balmoral this evening. I will ask Scotland Yard to dispatch their best man to go with you and provide you with any help you may need. It is possible you have heard of him. His name is Richard Cordwell.” She said as she stood and adjusted her scarf.

  Princess Marie smiled at the mention of his name. They had met in Scotland when her husband invited him to stay in Hamilton Palace after a hunting party. She had not seen or heard of him since she extended an invitation to Christmas dinner several years ago. But he had declined her invitation before heading off on a secret mission to America.

  Chapter Four

  After the Queen’s visit, Princess Marie arranged to travel to Paris to visit her friend Empress Eugénie. One sunny spring day the Empress invited her along to take a stroll through the Tuileries Gardens with her husband. Empress Eugénie proudly pointed out to the Emperor and Princess Marie her prize red rose recently exhibited in a French Exposition. The Emperor deep in thought merely smiled and kept walking.

  “How am I going to ensure peace between France and Germany?” He asked the two women while walking and swinging his cane. Emperor Napoleon III flush from victory over the Austrian-Hungarian empire desired peace with Germany. He was seeking to expand France’s trade and influence on the world stage, and a war would be catastrophic now. He shuddered to think it may even cause the overthrow of his reg
ime however remote that may be.

  Princess Marie sensing an opportunity stopped and turned toward the Emperor and his wife. “Your Imperial Highness may I arrange a meeting for you with the Prussian Crown Prince and the other German princes in Baden? You would not have to travel very far, and the German princes would be more comfortable in familiar surroundings.”

  The Emperor smiled at his wife. “I accept your offer!” He said dramatically. “I knew Marie would be able to help me.” Empress Eugénie nodded her head in agreement and continued to look out over the Tuileries Palace gardens.

  Beforehand, Empress Eugénie suggested to her husband that Princess Marie help arrange a peace conference between France and Germany to prove her loyalty to France. The Emperor had received disturbing reports from French Military Intelligence about the Duchess’s secret meetings with Queen Victoria. Empress Eugénie wanted to dispel any doubts her husband had about his cousin’s sincere loyalty to him. Therefore, satisfied Princess Marie was not a spy, Emperor Napoleon III bowed low to the two women and went back into the Tuileries Palace.

  Princess Marie suddenly became nervous about the consequences of failure to arrange the peace conference to her standing in the French Imperial Court. But as she resumed walking, she devised a plan for how to inform her British Intelligence contacts in Scotland Yard in order for them to help her.

  As the Emperor suspected, Princess Marie had been secretly reporting her conversations with the French Emperor and his wife to British Intelligence for quite a while. She would request Richard Cordwell attend the peace conference as a diplomat representing Queen Victoria’s government. She would then be able to pass any French secret plans to him immediately to relay to London. She smiled to herself as she finished her stroll through the Tuileries Palace Gardens with the Empress.

  Princess Marie was no longer the meek princess that Karolina fondly recalled, so long ago. In fact, she was now able to spy on the Imperial Courts in Europe with ease under the guise of serving them tea.