“It was a good game, and you, my dear Mrs. Freeman, played very badly.”
“I know. My mind was on more important matters.”
“Oh?” said Anne, her eyes shining. “Do explain.”
“There is news from your father. He is delighted that you are with those who are ready to show him friendship.”
“My poor father. Do you know, Mrs. Freeman, I have been haunted ever since the morning of the Coronation. That letter! To be cursed by one’s father. And all the babies I have lost. And my little Gloucester … sometimes my heart almost fails me when I look at him. He is such a clever little boy, so alert, so brilliant … oh, but dear Mrs. Freeman, so frail.”
“I know, I know. If you had your father’s forgiveness everything would be better, for it is not a good thing that there should be enmity between a father and daughter.”
“What can I do, Mrs. Freeman?”
“Well, I believe that if you were to write a letter to him and tell him how sorry you are, he would be ready and willing to forget the past and be friends again.”
“How I wish that could be.”
“We will write that letter and see what happens. It can do no harm. Now … pen and paper and to work.”
Sarah bustled about the apartment, laid out writing materials, and helped Anne to the table.
“Now … what do you think? Something like this. ‘I have been very desirous of some safe opportunity to make you a sincere and humble offer of my duty and submission to you; and to beg you will be assured that I am both truly concerned for the misfortune of your condition and sensible, as I ought to be, of my own unhappiness …’ ”
“That is wonderful.”
“Well write that down.”
Anne obeyed.
Sarah went on: “ ‘As to what you may think I have contributed to it, if wishes could recall what is past, I had long since redeemed my fault …’ ”
Sarah went on dictating; Anne went on writing; and in the anteroom Barbara Fitzharding’s ear was pressed against the keyhole that she might not miss a word.
* * *
Elizabeth Villiers made William lie on her bed and rest, for she said that when he came to her he must, for a short time, forget his troubles.
She smiled down at him and he regarded her with affection—the face which so many failed to appreciate, that fascinating cast in the eyes which had endeared her to him in the first place, and the clear alert mind which she devoted to his interests. He was blessed in his mistress as he was with his male friends. He was a man who was loved by few, but those few gave him wholehearted devotion.
Wife, mistress, and friend. He could rely on them all—though perhaps not his wife because, for all that she was the meekest of the three, her exalted position and the power she could wield if she wished meant that he could never be completely sure of her.
“My sister reports disturbing news from the Cockpit,” she said. “Anne is writing to her father.”
William raised himself on his elbow and stared at her.
“It is so. No suggestions … yet. A little contrition; the dutiful daughter is haunted by the wrong she has done her father and asks his forgiveness.”
William was silent; then he said. “The Marlborough woman.”
Elizabeth nodded. “She dictates all.”
“Marlborough will be aware of it.”
“I am sure of it,” said Elizabeth. “That woman continually abuses you, but I do not think she would take this step without Marlborough’s being aware of it.”
“He’s a good soldier but his ambitions run ahead of his achievement,” said William. “I wonder how far this has gone.”
“I think that James is too tired for action and the French have refused him the army which he needs to invade. The Marlboroughs are intent on mischief. They don’t want James back.”
“No,” said William, “they want Anne on the throne so that the Churchills can rule the country. Anne, being the most foolish of women, does not see this.”
“Barbara declares that it is quite sickening to listen to them. Dear Mrs. Freeman and poor silly Mrs. Morley! Anne looks upon it all as a girlish game, but Sarah is no girl. She’s the most ambitious woman at Court—and since she is married to the most ambitious man, they are a pair to be watched.”
“He could be taken up for treason.”
“He could be,” admitted Elizabeth, “but I am sure you would consider that unwise at this stage.”
“At this stage,” agreed William. “I think, though, that we could well dispense with their services. I can bring a charge against Marlborough. He has been talking seditiously in the Army, complaining that foreigners are favored. He is very fond of money and having little is always seeking ways of finding it. On account of his position in the Army he has posts to dispose of. He could be dismissed for bribery and extortion.”
Elizabeth nodded slowly and leaning toward William kissed him.
He took her wrist and said: “It is a pleasure to me to talk of these matters with you. There are times when a woman’s wit is … agreeable.”
Elizabeth was well pleased. The rivalry between herself and Bentinck was never forgotten. Bentinck was devoted; but his mind worked along similar lines to William’s; the viewpoint of a woman was invaluable, particularly when that woman was his devoted mistress.
* * *
He went from Elizabeth to the Queen’s apartments. Her women disappeared as he entered. Mary came to him, arms outstretched, delighted, as always, when he sought her out.
“I wish to speak to you,” he told her. “The matter is urgent and concerns your sister.”
“Oh, dear William, I trust Anne has not been causing you anxiety again.”
“It is what we must expect. She is a constant anxiety.”
“What now, William?”
“She is writing to your father.”
“No!”
He looked at her with mild contempt. How different from Elizabeth! Elizabeth made it her business to have a spy established in the Cockpit who could report to him, yet Mary, who had so much more power and opportunity, had failed to do this.
“At the moment it is merely, ‘Please forgive me.’ But that is of course a preliminary. You will know of course who is at the bottom of this.”
“Not that odious woman!”
“Who else?”
“I loathe her. The airs! Really, my sister is a fool. How can she so far forget her royalty as to grovel at the feet of that woman.”
Mary felt a twinge of conscience. She had remembered suddenly the humble letters she used to write to Frances Apsley. Anne was no more humble to Sarah Churchill. She could well understand Anne’s devotion to Sarah as she had once entertained a similar feeling toward Frances. Perhaps Frances wondered now why she was never invited to see the Queen. Mary was determined not to become enslaved to a woman as Anne was to Sarah Churchill.
“These Churchills seem to have some unnatural power over her. We have to be rid of them. You must start. Try to persuade your sister to get rid of the woman.”
“But William, she never will.”
“You must talk to her. I want them out of Court.”
“You have only to order them to go.”
He looked at her in exasperation. How obtuse she could be! One of the more dangerous occupations of the Marlboroughs in recent weeks had been to increase the popularity of Anne. She had been appearing in public, smiling at the people, distributing alms, visiting the playhouse, laughing when the people laughed, being one of them.
In any case, of all the royal family she was the favorite; she was the mother of the heir to the throne and when she appeared with him in public, playing the fond mother to perfection—not that she had to act in that role; for she always had been devoted to her children—the people applauded her. They knew of her quarrels with her sister and brother-in-law and they were ready to believe the worst of Dutch William.
“Anne will refuse. Don’t you see that this time we cannot afford to up
set Anne. She is too popular. We have to be wary. You must speak to Anne and try to make her see what harm this woman is doing. I will deal with Marlborough if you will deal with his wife.”
“I will do my best of course, William, but …”
“Do it then … and without delay.”
* * *
The two sisters faced each other. It was rarely that the Queen came to the Cockpit. She would visit her nephew frequently, take him toys and if she was prevented from visiting him, send to inquire for his health; but she was not on such good terms with his mother.
Mary looked with distaste at her sister who was growing so fat. Mary herself was a big woman and getting fatter every week, but Anne had had a start of her, and she was becoming enormous.
Mary’s eyes went to the dishes of sweetmeats in the apartments. Her own mouth watered for she dearly loved them; but what a temptation to have them always before one! She supposed Sarah Churchill encouraged the habit; the fatter Anne became, the more lazy she was—and therefore the more ready to do as she was told.
“Anne,” she said, “I want to talk seriously to you.”
Anne looked mildly interested.
“There is one woman in your suite who, I am sure, is a bad influence. I’m going to advise you to consider ridding yourself of her.”
“I know of no such woman.”
“You must be aware that Sarah Churchill attempts to govern your life.”
“Govern my life. How?”
“Does she not tell you what you must do and are you not inclined always to do it?”
“Sarah Churchill is my friend … my greatest friend … the friend I trust more than anyone in the world.”
“Then I am sorry for you.”
“I know of course that you hate her. You haven’t a great friend now, have you? I am sorry. You must have forgotten how once Frances Apsley was your great friend. She is still mine, but not such a great friend as Sarah, of course. I see no harm in having friends. Nor did you once. I suppose William has asked you to do this.”
“I am asking you because I believe you would be better without Sarah Churchill.”
“I think I should be allowed to choose my own household.”
“I am advising you.”
“I could advise you.”
“Do not be so foolish, Anne. If you are not careful I shall take away half of your income.”
“You couldn’t do it,” retorted Anne. “The Parliament has voted me my income … although I know you and William tried to deprive me of it.”
“And how much do you allow the Marlboroughs?”
“That is my own affair.”
“Anne! You forget …”
“That you are the Queen? I do not. You won’t allow me. You come to talk to me like a sister, you say, and then you are reminding me that you are the Queen. Well, I am the Princess Anne—our father’s daughter no less than you, and the heiress to the throne, for you and William have no children—nor ever will have. So I and my little Gloucester are entitled to some consideration.”
Mary interrupted her. “You give the Marlboroughs a thousand a year. That is ridiculous and extravagant. Why should they have this money. Are they not paid for their services … he in the Army and for his Court duties … she for her duties here at the Cockpit? Why these extravagant gifts? Shall I remind you that your income has to come out of the royal purse and if it is so large that you can afford to give rich gifts of one thousand a year—to those who don’t deserve them—then I think it high time your income was reconsidered.”
“This is monstrous,” cried Anne, wiping her eyes. “To think that you come here … and me in my present state …”
“I do not mean to upset you, merely to make you see a little good sense.”
“Which in your opinion is to rid myself of my best friends.”
“Your friends are the King and myself.”
“I have yet to see any signs of your friendship.”
“Oh, you are the most ungrateful wretch!”
“Should you talk of ingratitude?”
Anne’s lips were pursed together, for she was remembering the letter she had written to her father. How much happier she had felt since writing that! Mary had asked no forgiveness. How could she, tied as she was to Dutch William? The only way she could repent was to go back to Holland and take her Dutchman with her.
How much more pleasant for Anne; all she had to do was write her penitent letter and continue to live at the Cockpit with Gloucester nearby and perhaps another little one soon, and dear Sarah her constant companion.
Her constant companion—that was the point at issue.
“Sarah shall remain with me,” she said stubbornly. “No one shall take her away from me.”
* * *
The Earl of Marlborough, one of the lords of the bedchamber, arrived at the King’s apartment to perform his duties as usual.
William, wigless, in bed, was not a handsome sight; but all his attendants were accustomed to that by now.
The ceremony was never a very pleasant one. Charles II had made of it a very merry occasion, with his quips and jokes and the King’s wit was something worth listening to. James’s rising ceremony had not been amusing, but it had been dignified and there had been conversation, although it was almost always confined to horses and women. William’s was silent and was merely the grim purpose of dressing the King.
It was Marlborough’s duty to put on William’s shirt. He did this as usual, and if the King looked at him as though he did not exist, that was not unusual.
The duty over, Marlborough was leaving the apartment when Lord Nottingham approached him.
“My Lord Marlborough, a word with you.”
Marlborough and several of the bedchamber people halted to listen, for there was something grave—even ominous—in Nottingham’s tone.
“The King has asked me to inform you that he has no further use for your services.”
“What!”
Nottingham nodded. “All your employments should be sold or disposed of, for neither the King nor the Queen wish to see you at Court.”
Marlborough was stunned. This could mean discovery. Then why not imprisonment? Dismissal. Banishment. How could he possibly go forward with his schemes if he were forbidden the Court?
Curious glances were directed toward him. He must pull himself together. He lifted his shoulders, smiled and went quickly on his way.
* * *
There was gossip all through the Court. What is Marlborough’s sin? What a disgrace! To tell him in that way with so many looking on! And after his campaign in Ireland! Why, if Marlborough had not deserted James when he did, William would not have had it so easy.
It was circulated that he was accused of taking bribes. Well, that was true enough. But if everyone who took bribes was going to be driven from Court there wouldn’t be many left.
Ah, here was the real reason. He had spread infection in the Army by complaining of the privileges given to the Dutch and denied the English.
Dutch William did not like that.
So … that was the end of Marlborough.
* * *
Sarah was stricken between sorrow and rage. That this should happen to her John, to the most brilliant commander in the Army, was unthinkable! If ever she had disliked William and Mary she hated them now. Loathed them! Detested them! And she was determined that they should pay to the full for this.
She went at once to her husband.
He took her into his arms and tried to soothe her for he had never seen her in such a state of rage and excitement.
“My dear, be calm,” he begged.
“Calm! When you have been insulted … by that monstrosity, that gorilla, that abortion! How dare he!”
“He has discovered that I am writing to James.”
“No!”
“I think so.”
“He has not said …”
“No, he is too clever. He knows that if it were said half the country would rise u
p behind me. They do not want him here.”
“And a good thing if they did.”
“No, Sarah. Bring back James … and the Prince of Wales? What are you thinking of?”
“It would not do, of course.”
“No. Remember it, my dearest, and be calm.”
“They want to drive me away too.”
He nodded. “They will not feel safe while you are at the Cockpit.”
“But I am staying at the Cockpit.”
“I fancy they won’t allow it.”
“We shall see. We shall see.”
There was nothing for him to do but retire to St. Albans.
“Not for long,” said Sarah fiercely.
* * *
She went to Anne for comfort and it was one of the rare occasions when Anne saw Sarah weep.
“My dearest, dearest Mrs. Freeman,” cried Anne, the tears flowing down her plump red cheeks. “I beg of you, do not weep so. You distress me. I cannot bear to see my proud Mrs. Freeman thus.”
“I think of what he has done. But for him they would not be here. He could have prevented them. He has helped to subdue Ireland; he has fought for them bravely and this is how they reward him. Dismissed the Court! Banished … and all on trumped-up charges!”
“They must not be allowed to do this,” said Anne ineffectually.
“They have done it; and what is more they have only just begun. You know what they will do next. They will separate us.”
Anne was fierce suddenly. “Never!” she cried.
She threw her arms about Sarah and clung to her.
* * *
Sarah remained quietly at the Cockpit; Marlborough was at St. Albans; and three weeks had passed.
On February 6th, which was Anne’s birthday, Anne was invited to Kensington Palace to celebrate the occasion.
“I shall accompany you,” announced Sarah.
“Of course, dear Mrs. Freeman.”
Royal Sisters: The Story of the Daughters of James II Page 24