Not everyone in the Kingdom of Naples was equally fond of their Austrian-born Queen Maria-Carolina. Some, in fact, downright loathed the woman. But even those who disliked her would grudgingly admit that she worked very hard running the kingdom.

You see, her husband, King Ferdinand, was not terribly enthused about anything more intellectually demanding than deciding which horse to ride on that days hunt. So it fell to Her Majesty and the Englishman Sir John Acton -- who functioned essentially as her prime minister -- to carry out the administration of the lands that included most of southern Italy.

In essence, while the King cheerfully went about his days activities of hunting and acquiring new antiquities for his collections, the real power in the Kingdom was exercised by the Queen and her favorite -- Sir John Acton -- from her study in the Royal Palace in Naples.

On this particular day, Sir John was presenting a series of documents for Maria Carolinas consideration, most of which were dealing with relatively routine matters. Finally, he came to something that was a bit out of the ordinary.

Your Majesty?

The Queen looked up from the silk factory plans she was studying.

Yes, Sir John?

Sadly, it is time to do something about that island.

The Queen sighed and put down the silk factory plans.

Ah, yes. Prince Elswitt still has not been found, I take it?

No, Your Majesty, he has not. And although there is no body or other remains that have been identified, it has now been over two years. The conclusion is that the unfortunate gentleman perished at the hands of the natives in California.

There are no legal heirs?

No, Your Majesty. The Princess was estranged from Prince Elswitt long before he left for New Spain, and he had specifically made arrangements that she could not inherit the principality under the provisions of his will. Likewise, both of his sons were induced to renounce any hereditary rights in return for financial security. And at any rate, the elder son is unlikely to survive very long due to the multiple and advanced forms of

The Queen was looking at her favorite minster with an arched eyebrow. He coughed and then continued.

...theumsocial diseases he has contracted.

Maria Carolina frowned.

This is all very unusual. How did things come to this state of affairs?

"It is, replied Sir John, a very long story.

Then spare me, answered the Queen dryly.

She looked thoughtful for a moment and then went on.

It is a tragedy, certainly. Prince Elswitt was a brilliant, if thoroughly unconventional sort of gentleman. He and I shared some viewpoints about social and scientific matters, and we hada few other things in common as well. I had the pleasure to meet and speak with him a few times, but I do regret that I shall not have another chance to do soin this world, at least.

Sir John nodded. He was very aware that both the Prince of Melioria and the Queen were involved with Freemasonry. The Queens interest in the Freemasons had been a key aspect of the differences that led to the downfall of the once powerful prime minister of the kingdom, Bernardo Tanucci. Well differences over Freemasonry and Tanuccis close ties to the Spanish court and Spanish policies. Removing him had made it possible for The Kingdom of Naples to have much closer relations with both Austria and Great Britain.

So what is to be done? asked the Queen. "The title is extinguished with the Princes death, and the island reverts to the Kingdom, I believe?

Exactly, Your Majesty.

Very well, then. If you will draw up the necessary documents

Sir John smiled slightly as he slid some papers in front of the Queen.

I have taken the liberty of doing so.

The Queen was not displeased. This was part of why Sir John Acton was her favorite. He was efficient; he didnt dither and he didnt waste her time. As she looked at the papers she furrowed her brow.

The name of the place is different in these papersRocca Sorrentina?

Yes, Your Majesty. Melioria was a name applied to the principality by the Elswitts. Its traditional name is Rocca Sorrentina. In fact it is still identified as such on navigational charts. It would avoid confusion

Maria Carolina shrugged slightly and began signing the various decrees. When she had finished, the Principality of Melioria no longer existed. The Island of Rocca Sorrentina would now be administered directly by a Royal governor, appointed by the privy council in Naples.

As the secretary sprinkled sand on the Queens signature to dry the ink and prevent smearing, and Sir John shuffled his various papers, the Queen suddenly spoke.

Any ideas on who should be Governor?

Oh I have a list for you to consider. But unless Your Majesty is inclined to be finished with the matter, I think there is no rush. The island has been very capably administered by a council of regents since the Prince disappeared, and it would be perfectly sensible to appoint those regents as the new council of local magistrates to work with the Governor. It is my considered opinion that they would do very well in the role.

The Queen smiled an odd little smile.

Something tells me you already know these peopleor at least some of them?

Sir Johns expression did not change.

In fact, Your Majesty I do indeed. One of the council of regents is Sir Geoffrey Edwardstone, whom I know very well through various business and social contacts.

Another Englishman, eh?

Yesbut more importantly he is a banker, working with a certain financial association which has its headquarters in the Netherlands, as well as affiliates in London, Milan and ViennaSir Geoffrey was, in fact, appointed to this council by the Princes bankers, who had the responsiblity to see that the conditions of the will were carried out.

The Queen nodded. She knew exactly which banking group Sir John was speaking about. Nothing more needed to be said. This Sir Geoffrey Edwardstone was involved with people who were not to be trifled with. If they ultimately had a hand in shaping the situation, it was best to leave their representative in place until they decided it was time to move him to other projects.

Who else is on this council of regents? asked the Queen.

"Besides the knighted banker, Sir Geoffrey, there is his niece, a Miss Timelessalso English, of course, and possessed of a very independent frame of mind.

Ah, the Queen arched an eyebrow, a bluestocking?

Not at all, Your Majesty. Miss Timeless is much more gifted in terms of fashion sense and taste than your average over-educated English Lady. But yes, she is very well-read...with an interest and some skill in architecture and viticulture.

Interesting. And are there others with whom Our governor must contend?

Well, yes...there is a woman who is a bit of a mystery an artist of considerable talentwe dont know much about her, but she has a French nameshe may be a refugee from the former colonies of New France, judging by her accent. And there are two widowed ladies, from minor German nobility. One is a rather exceptional fencer and provides instruction in that skill. The other is a Baroness whose husband was a cavalry officer in Prussian servicewon the Pour leMerite and all thatshe travels a good bit and as best as my informants can tell, is probably an intelligence agent working for the Hohenzollerns. Then there is a former Jesuit and law professor from Torino, with a past history of working in the diplomatic services of Austria and the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmontwe think that he may still have some activities he carries out on behalf of the House of Savoy...Oh, and there is Prince Elswitts half-sister.rather quiet, but possessed of a very good head for business, it seems.

Maria Carolina, Queen of Naples and sister of Marie Antoinette sat stonily looking at Sir John Acton as he rattled off this cosmopolitan list of oddities. Even when he had finished speaking, she continued sitting there, gazing at him for a few silent moments, her exquisite face a sort of blank mask.

Finally, she spoke in a flat tone.

Very well. Sounds like a perfectly normal group under the circumstances. Please convey to them Our greetings and request that they remain in service as the council of local magistrates for the Island of Rocca Sorrentina.

As you wish, Your Majesty. I shall attend to the matter at once.

Sir John stood and bowed, and then withdrew. The Queen thought about Prince Elswitt once more, sighed again, and rubbed her eyes. The world, she reflected, is a strange and forever changing place.

~