CHAPTER ONE ~ 1875

Driving to the Goodwood Races the Duke of Wydeminster thought with satisfaction that his team of horses was the most outstanding that he had ever owned.

Once again, he told himself, he had been proved right, having bought them as foals at a sale held by one of his friends, when the majority of buyers had not considered them worth a second glance.

The Duke, however, with his expert eye had sensed the possibilities in them and they were now the envy of everybody who saw them.

He looked forward to the congratulations he would receive when he reached the Races not only from the Duke of Richmond but also from the other leading owners who would undoubtedly be present.

Goodwood, the Duke was thinking, was not only the most beautiful Racecourse in England but also one of the most enjoyable.

Set overlooking the wide lush green coastal plain from which one could see with the naked eye the English Channel, the Isle of Wight, and Chichester Cathedral, it was unique with its breathtaking view over the Downs.

It was also, which was something the Duke particularly enjoyed, redolent with history.

Whenever he went to Goodwood, he found himself thinking of its romantic origin, the first Duke of Richmond having been the son of Charles II and the ‘Fair Maid of France’, Louise de Kérouaille.

Unlike some of the King’s other mistresses who were of low birth, Louise, a Breton, was the daughter of a French Nobleman and was Lady-in-Waiting to Charles II’s favourite sister, the Duchess of Orleans.

It was always said that Charles’s love for Louise was different from the love he had for any of his other mistresses and in 1673 he created her Duchess of Portsmouth.

From that time until the end of the King’s reign twelve years later she exercised a special influence over him that undoubtedly affected the nation’s relationship with France.

Her son by the King was three years old when he was given the titles of Duke of Richmond, Earl of March and Baron Settrington.

But the Duke of Wydeminster was thinking more of Charles II, to whom he often thought that in many ways, although not particularly in appearance, he had a close resemblance.

Certainly Charles II had excelled in sports as he did and was vitally concerned with the development and prudent management of the nation, as the Duke was with his vast estates.

What was more they undoubtedly had a close affinity in their appreciation of female beauty, although regrettably neither the King’s nor the Duke’s affairs lasted very long.

At the same time, the Duke thought to himself, women made life very enjoyable.

He was looking ahead now with almost a feeling of excitement to the beauty who he knew would be waiting for him when he arrived at Berkhampton House.

It was a departure from the usual that he was not staying at Goodwood with the Duke of Richmond

He had, of course, received His Grace’s invitation with the assumption that he would be the principal guest at Goodwood House and on the Racecourse.

But the Duke of Richmond had at the same time received a pressing note from the Marchioness of Berkhampton begging him to honour her by his presence.

He was just about to refuse when he realised that Lady Newbury would also be a guest of the Marchioness.<