01-11-2012, 07:19 PM
I've just realized the story of Francine and her baron "lover" must have been inspired by crown prince Rudolph of Austria and Maria Vetsera. They were found dead in the hunting lodge in Mayerling and most people believe they committed suicide. Victoria Holt chose to have her lovers killed for political reasons, which makes much more sense. Yesterday I watched Kronprinz Rudolph (TV 2006) and tonight Mayerling (1968) and found them equally boring. What is the story with Maria Vetsera? Which lively 17 year old will agree to have herself killed over the dubious love of a spoiled prince? The other theory - political murder - seems much more likely, although why wouldn't the royal family have admitted to this and not have to worry about dispensation from the church to have Rudolph buried in the family plot?
I would like to add a theory of my own: why not have Maria Vetsera be the evil one? Rudolph has been heard making remarks like he was obsessed by her. Couldn't it be so that she had some hold over him, or was blackmailing him? Then Maria's death might have been a crime passionnel, followed by Rudolph's own suicide because he couldn't face the consequences of having murdered someone. Ah, if only I were a writer myself...
I would like to add a theory of my own: why not have Maria Vetsera be the evil one? Rudolph has been heard making remarks like he was obsessed by her. Couldn't it be so that she had some hold over him, or was blackmailing him? Then Maria's death might have been a crime passionnel, followed by Rudolph's own suicide because he couldn't face the consequences of having murdered someone. Ah, if only I were a writer myself...
