Chapter 57: The Eldest Son

This was their first child. In the memoirs of their children, it would later be written: "Our father always loved our mother deeply, and he poured the greatest affection upon us as well." William Cavendish was a good father, although he would sneakily pinch his son's cheeks when Alicia wasn't looking. At first, the little wrinkled creature – his son, whom he declared looked exactly like him in his initial ugliness (a private, internal assessment, of course) – reminded him of a monkey. His Ally, naturally, was nothing of the sort. But the elders all said it was perfectly normal for newborns to look a bit…odd, and that he would improve in a few days. Cavendish, having done his research, knew how to hold the baby; his technique was deemed "textbook." Among the female relatives present, only Aunt Georgiana took a truly hands-on approach to the child's care. The others, even Alicia's own mother, entrusted the infant to wet nurses, nannies, and maids, as was common among noblewomen. The extent of William Cavendish's involvement in his family life would have been utterly unbelievable to outsiders. Did the man have no affairs of his own? But in truth, he was deeply content. He felt as though he had found his purpose in life. Family was not merely a responsibility; it brought him the most profound and fundamental happiness. Cavendish's parents had cut short their travels and returned to England to be with the new parents. The Duchess held her daughter's hand, the Duke breathing a sigh of relief amidst his worries. Alicia's maternal grandfather, the Marquess of Stafford, kissed his granddaughter's forehead. Alicia was surrounded by her family. They inquired after her health, offered their blessings, and then went to admire the healthy little infant. He was a good baby, quickly calming, strong, with bright, flashing blue eyes, a shade darker than his mother's. Alicia extended her hand, and the baby suckled her finger, gurgling with laughter. He was named William Cavendish, without a middle name. The long-awaited heir to both families had finally arrived, ensuring the continuation of titles and lands that stretched back centuries. Little Willie, born into such a family, was remarkably fortunate. He would be the next Duke of Devonshire after his father. The family gave the mother and child ample space. Alicia breastfed the baby. This was a task often delegated to wet nurses; few ladies of her station would do so themselves. The late Dowager Duchess of Devonshire had been something of an anomaly in that regard. Alicia, it seemed, would follow in her grandmother's footsteps, raising her child in her own way. Time flew by. Alicia was now twenty-two. Cavendish, too, had become a father after the age of thirty. Their shared focus on this child undoubtedly deepened their bond. A host of relatives and friends attended little Willie's christening, officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury. He now had an official birth certificate. As agreed upon before the marriage, and witnessed by notaries and lawyers, the Duke of Devonshire transferred the inheritance rights to his lands to his grandson. His daughter, as trustee of the will, would enjoy the income from the estate for her lifetime. The other members of the Cavendish family raised no objections; as long as it remained within the family, William Cavendish himself would still inherit the title of Duke of Devonshire. The marriage had achieved its initial purpose – and far surpassed it, blossoming into a degree of affection neither party had ever anticipated. Their heads close together, their families and friends confirmed it: they were deeply in love. The relationship between this couple – arguably the most prominent, powerful, and illustrious of their time – became a subject of fascination for later historians, who pored over their letters, memoirs, and biographies. Their lifestyle, so at odds with the prevailing norms of aristocratic society, their mutual support of each other's endeavors, their strict adherence to morality, yet their embrace of innovation and progress – it was an inexhaustible well of study. Their bloodline flowed into numerous prominent families, each generation leaving its mark on history, excelling in various fields. The Cavendish name shone brightly for centuries to come. Within days, little Willie shed his initial "unattractive" appearance, transforming into the plump, fair-skinned infant his father had envisioned. He smiled often, possessing a naturally optimistic disposition. In his later years, he would become known for his generosity, supporting public works and befriending numerous scientists and artists. In 1837, while traveling in Europe, he met Princess Amalia of Hesse-Darmstadt. Born in 1821, she was five years his junior. Rumor had it she was the child of the Grand Duchess, Princess Wilhelmina of Baden, and her lover, but she was acknowledged by the Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine, and given the title of Princess, along with her siblings. The two young people quickly fell in love. The match was initially disapproved of, as the young man was not of royal birth. However, three years later, it received the blessing of both sets of parents. Amalia's younger sister, Princess Marie, married the Tsarevich of Russia, the future Alexander II. In 1840, Alicia and William Cavendish attended their eldest son's wedding. They were then forty-five and fifty-one, respectively. Time, as it always does, marched on, and their own parents passed away in the following years. Lord Cavendish died of an illness in 1842. Lady Diana withdrew from all social engagements. She passed away four years later. The Duchess of Devonshire died peacefully in her sleep in 1849, at the age of seventy-five. The Duke, in his grief, refused all food and drink, and followed her four days later. They were buried together. "The first time I saw your mother, Ally," he had once said, "was in 1785. I was only nine years old." She was two years his senior and had shown him nothing but kindness. He had always adored his cousin. He had confessed his love to her when he was fifteen or sixteen, only to see her betrothed to another. Later, she eloped to France, and returned a year later, a widow. He had stood by her side, unwavering. He loved her, and he always would. "My dearest Ann..." he wrote in letter after letter. The Duke, after a long and full life, closed his eyes with a smile. They had lost their fathers and mothers; aside from their children, they had only each other. He was already past sixty, and began to worry about his health. He wanted to be with her, for as long as possible. After a month of bed rest, Alicia resumed her daily life. Holding her child, she and her husband sat for a family portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence. For the next century, it would hang in the center of the main hall of Devonshire House. Alicia wore a red velvet gown, her golden hair elegantly styled, while Cavendish looked down at her with tender affection. Little Willie had grown dark hair, much to William Cavendish's slight dismay. The child truly resembled him – in fact, he was the spitting image. Lady Diana and Lady Burlington both declared that he was the very picture of William as a child. His wife's golden hair had been completely overshadowed by his own raven locks. Cavendish fretted, worrying that all their future children would be the same. They watched him crawl, babble, walk, and call out, "Mama, Papa!" Noble children typically addressed their fathers as "Lord," or, if they held a military rank, "General" – a formality devoid of warmth. It was highly unusual for such a grand aristocratic family to be so close. The eighth Duke of Devonshire would later write in his memoirs, "The education and care my parents provided me laid the foundation for my entire life." He and his wife, Princess Amalia, shared a deep affection, and his observation of his parents' relationship profoundly influenced his own conduct. Willie was a beautiful boy, beloved by all as the youngest grandchild in the family. Princess Charlotte of Wales became his godmother. The Princess Royal, pregnant in late April, eagerly anticipated the arrival of her own child. Her marriage, unlike that of her estranged parents, was a happy one. The couple, along with nannies and maids, would take their son for walks in Hyde Park, enjoying the fresh air. Taking advantage of the excitement of the social season, the Cavendish family hosted a series of banquets to celebrate the birth of their heir. This, along with the news of Princess Charlotte's pregnancy, became the talk of the spring. Alicia kept the Princess company; they had grown up together and were quite close. Princess Charlotte had suffered a miscarriage the previous August, and her renewed pregnancy was naturally a source of some anxiety. The public was particularly invested in the topic, with bets being placed on whether the Princess Royal would give birth to a princess or a prince. The betting on the gender of Alicia's eldest child had already concluded, after being open for six months in the clubs. Princess Charlotte rested quietly, eating a great deal and exercising very little. However, influenced by Alicia, they began to take daily walks together. She had always trusted her implicitly. In the summer, they went to Brighton for a holiday. Willie was old enough to enjoy a bit of sea bathing. Princess Charlotte, taking Alicia's precautions over the past year as a guide, refused the medical team's recommendation of a strict diet during her pregnancy. She insisted on exercising, maintaining her health, and placed her faith in the specialized obstetrician Alicia had recommended. Finally, in November, the Princess went into labor. Her labor was not as smooth as Alicia's had been. After a full day of agonizing pain, Dr. John Sims made the decisive decision to use forceps, delivering a healthy male infant. In the hours of observation that followed, Princess Charlotte was very weak, but showed no signs of hemorrhaging. The nation rejoiced. The newly born prince was named George. When Alicia visited, the awakened Princess kissed her cheek, saying she had almost believed she would die. Prince George and Willie grew up together, forging a deep friendship. Later historians would claim that the continued prominence of the Cavendish family for a century was due to their early support of Princess Charlotte, the future Queen Charlotte. In the month of Prince George's birth, three men plotting to overthrow the government were executed. The unrest within the country would continue for decades to come. Alicia and her husband had a very good relationship. They practiced contraception and slept together without concern. She loved his body, its elasticity and smooth skin, and remained as enamored with him as she had been five years earlier. The two were inseparable, always holding hands, watching Willie grow strong and tall, his dark hair flying in the wind as he ran towards them across the grass. William Cavendish would scoop him up with a laugh, spinning him around. Alicia watched the two, their faces so alike, reflecting each other. He would stop, a gentle smile curving his lips, and give her a tender kiss. Alicia's research never ceased. During Cavendish's trip to Europe in 1814, their period of separation, she had continued her observations and recordings. Later, during his recovery and travels after his injury, although she was away from the giant telescope, she took the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with scientists across the Continent, observing from different coordinates. After their return to England, during her pregnancy, this remained her passion. Princess Charlotte was astonished by her voluminous research notes. Her children's recollections of her would be inseparable from these. "Our mother was a noble woman, whom we loved, respected, and admired. She made significant contributions to science and public service, possessing unimaginable wisdom and talent. She instilled rational thinking into our very souls..." Thus, they would speak of her: Lady Alicia Anne Cavendish, Duchess of Sutherland, Baroness Clifford, social reformer, philanthropist, astronomer, mathematician, chemist. In the legislative safeguards and key historical moments of later years – the Factory Acts, the calls for the abolition of slavery, the Married Women's Property Act, the Custody of Infants Act – her and her husband's influence could always be seen. William Cavendish wrote proudly in his memoirs, "I am my wife's eternal supporter. Perhaps some will say I am a lawyer, politician, diplomat – I have served as an ambassador, held positions in the Cabinet, and I am also a writer, as I enjoy writing – but this is the one, the only, irreplaceable honor I wish to list separately." Alicia's hypothesis was confirmed. In late 1817, after five years of observation and calculation, she published a paper on a newly discovered planet. Her formal signature as a woman, and the scientific community's confirmation, caused a sensation. She did not shy away from her high profile, paving the way for future generations of women. Alicia named the small planet after her grandmother. This was the beginning of a lifetime of scientific research. She accomplished what would be considered, even in later eras, a monumental achievement. "Do you remember the story you told me, Cousin?" she asked quietly, gazing at a distant star. When she was eleven, he had fabricated a tale that her grandmother had become a star after she died, so that if she missed her, she could look up at the sky. She had made it a reality. She looked at him. They kissed, and he held her close. Beside them, little Willie babbled, breaking the silence. Cavendish chuckled, picking him up. "You little rascal, Willie." They had been living in England for the past two years. Alicia briefly served as a Lady of the Bedchamber to Princess Charlotte. On August 16, 1819, the Peterloo Massacre shocked the nation. Radicals demanding electoral reform, the repeal of the Corn Laws, and the lifting of restrictions on workers' associations held a peaceful rally and petition in St. Peter's Square, Manchester. The army was sent to suppress it. Soldiers and cavalry, wielding blades, attacked the unarmed crowd, killing eleven people (including two women) and injuring over four hundred. Afterward, Henry Hunt and other leaders were imprisoned for two years on charges of sedition. In November of the same year, the government passed the Six Acts, prohibiting meetings and demonstrations, and restricting freedom of the press. William Cavendish was deeply disappointed by these events. Alicia, influenced by her parents, was also a Whig. They decided to travel abroad with their child to take a break. They took Willie to visit his great-grandfather, who was wintering in France. The Marquess had already transferred the majority of his stocks to his great-grandson. Although he couldn't see any resemblance to his granddaughter or daughter in the child's face, he was still delighted by this continuation of his bloodline. During this long journey, which extended to Athens and Constantinople, their second son, George Augustus, was conceived.