Courting Her Highness

by Jean Plaidy

  When Marlborough realized that the Whigs would withdraw their support unless Sunderland received the appointment he was obliged to give his consent; and this letter Sarah sent to the Queen.

  It was the ultimatum. Anne needed Marlborough, and she could not endure the thought of Sarah’s leaving Court.

  She gave way, because there was nothing else to do. But she was resentful.

  She sat silently while Abigail poulticed her feet, and when Sarah’s name was mentioned her lips hardened, her fan went to her lips and stayed there.

  THE MASHAM MARRIAGE

  arley, watching events closely, was not sure how great a victory this was for the Churchills; indeed he was hoping that it might be turned to a defeat. Anne had been shown that she had not a free hand to choose her ministers. It was a blow for her. With the appointment of Sunderland the Tories were now out of the Privy Council; the Whigs were in power and the only Tories who remained in office were Robert Harley and Henry St. John, two men on whom Marlborough and Godolphin had believed they could rely.

  Sarah was triumphant. She was more arrogant than ever.

  But Abigail was aware of a great confidence which had come to Robert Harley; and she shared in it.

  She had told the Queen that Samuel Masham had asked her to marry him and Anne was delighted. She would give the marriage her blessing, which meant a handsome dowry as well; and she did not suggest that Sarah should be told.

  That was significant. The relationship between Mrs. Morley and Mrs. Freeman had not been strengthened by Mrs. Freeman’s victory.

  There seemed no reason why Abigail’s marriage should be delayed any longer. Samuel was eager for it and Abigail was willing.

  Dr. Arbuthnot, the Queen’s Scottish doctor, who had learned to admire and respect Abigail during their encounters in the sick room, was interested in the couple.

  “I would not care,” he had said, “to see Your Majesty bereft of Mrs. Hill. This is a marriage after my own heart, for the bride’s home will still be in Your Majesty’s bedchamber.”

  “I am pleased too,” agreed Anne, “for I could not do without Hill. And it is a great pleasure to me to see her happy. I have had the best husband in the world and my marriage would have been completely happy if it had been … fruitful.”

  “Well we’ll hope that Mrs. Hill enjoys both the felicity and the fruit, Madam.”

  “I shall pray that she does.”

  “And when is the ceremony to take place, Madam?”

  “You must consult Hill about that, Dr. Arbuthnot,” said the Queen benignly.

  So the doctor did. It was difficult, Abigail explained. She could scarcely expect to be married in the royal apartments, and she was anxious for the marriage to remain something of a secret for a time. She and Samuel wanted no hindrances.

  Dr. Arbuthnot nodded. Like Abigail he was thinking of the Duchess of Marlborough. She had no right to interfere with Abigail’s marriage, but she was not one to look for a right before interfering.

  This matter of Sunderland had in Arbuthnot’s opinion not helped the Queen’s health. He had said to his wife: “The more we keep that woman from the Court the better for Her Majesty.”

  “Mrs. Arbuthnot would take it an honour if you were wedded in our apartment,” he said.

  Abigail’s plain face was alight with pleasure.

  “Oh, doctor, that is kind of you and Mrs. Arbuthnot!”

  “Get away with ye,” said the doctor. “We’ll be glad to do a turn for you.”

  When Abigail went back to the Queen, Anne noticed that she was looking pleased and Abigail told her of Dr. Arbuthnot’s suggestion.

  “He is a good man,” said Anne. “I am pleased. Sit down, Hill. Oh dear, I shall have to learn to call you Masham. I shall come to the wedding to give you my blessing, my dear.”

  Abigail took the swollen hand and kissed it.

  “How can I ever thank Your Majesty.”

  “Hill, I have much for which to thank you. You are a comfort to me … a very great comfort.”

  There was silence for a few moments then Abigail said: “Madam, Masham and I thought that it might be better to keep our marriage a secret for a while. There might be some who, in the first place, might try to prevent it and, in the second, might grow angry because permission had not been asked. Have I your Majesty’s permission to avoid this … this inconvenience?”

  Anne’s lips tightened for a moment. Abigail without looking at her was aware of this and knew that she was thinking of the Duchess of Marlborough who had so recently scored the victory of Sunderland—at least she thought it was a victory.

  “I think it is good, Hill, always to avoid inconvenience when possible.”

  The matter was settled.

  Abigail Hill was to be married to Samuel Masham in the apartments of Dr. Arbuthnot. The Queen would be present—but the Duchess of Marlborough should be kept in ignorance of the event.

  Mrs. Danvers had been feeling unwell for a long time, and one morning she awoke and said to herself: “I believe I am dying.”

  She rose from her bed and tottered to her mirror. Her face looked yellow. Of course she was getting old. She had come to the Queen when Anne was a young girl and had been with her all through the reigns of Charles II, James II, William and Mary, and now Anne’s own. Not that they were long reigns, but still they represented a number of years.

  Life had been interesting, living close to great events; perquisites had been rewarding—at least they had until Her Grace of Marlborough had become so watchful of the wardrobe.

  And today Her Grace might be coming to visit her, on the invitation of Mrs. Danvers herself. On the other hand she might not come, for the Duchess of Marlborough could ignore what was almost a summons from one in Mrs. Danvers’ position.

  “Lord,” thought Mrs. Danvers, “I’d never dared have asked her but for the child.”

  The child was her daughter—not such a child either, for she was old enough to have a place in the Queen’s bedchamber. Of course she could have asked the Queen herself and been sure of a sympathetic hearing; but over the last years it had become a habit only to ask favours of the Queen through the Duchess. For if the Queen granted a favour and the Duchess thought it should not have been granted, she would find some means to prevent the benefit being bestowed.

  All those about the Queen had long ago realized that it was the Duchess who ruled.

  Nothing could change that, Mrs. Danvers told herself, nothing at all. That was why, in spite of the Duchess’s overbearing manner one continued to placate her, and realized that it was necessary to serve her.

  Lately there had been a change in the immediate royal circle. The Queen was clearly growing more and more incapacitated; but she did not seem to fret for the Duchess’s company as she once did. It was always: “Hill! Hill! Where is Hill?”

  One would have thought that Hill had been the servant who had been with her since she was a child, by the confidence she put into that young woman!

  Danvers did not like Hill. Hill was calm, never lost her temper, never answered back; but Mrs. Danvers was convinced that Hill was “deep.” When the Duchess was angry the whole Court knew it; she was frank and open, as she was fond of saying. With Hill it was another matter.

  One had to beware of Hill. Everyone should beware of Hill. Perhaps even the Duchess.

  Mrs. Danvers had been turning over in her mind for some time how to approach this matter, how to explain why she, the humble Danvers, had dared ask the mighty Duchess to visit her. She could not say: “I want you to look after my daughter when I am gone.” But she could say: “I think I should warn Your Grace that something strange is going on between the Queen and Abigail Hill.”

  She dressed slowly and rested, for the Queen had given her leave of absence from her duties and as she lay on her bed she rehearsed what she would say if and when the Duchess arrived.

  Sarah came to the Castle from the Lodge. She intended to see the Queen over the matter of a certain Mrs. Vain for w
hom she wanted a place in the bedchamber.

  The Queen had been piqued since the affair of Sunderland, but Sarah had made up her mind that she would not allow such nonsense to persist. There was no need for Anne to sulk because Sarah and her ministers had made her see that her duty to the country came before personal prejudice.

  It was for this reason doubtless that she had refused the appointment to Mrs. Vain. Godolphin had asked for it and Marl was in favour of it. The woman would be a friend to them and Godolphin and Marlborough believed they needed more friends in the bedchamber.

  “I have installed Hill there,” she had told them. “Hill will never forget what I have done for her.”

  “Hill is too dull and too servile. She scarcely sees anything,” was Godolphin’s answer.

  “No, but she is often with the Queen and I fancy no one would dare speak against me in Hill’s hearing knowing her to be my woman and that I should certainly be told.”

  “All the same it would be good to have Mrs. Vain there.”

  “I will speak to her this very day,” Sarah promised.

  She scarcely waited to greet the Queen before she brought up the matter of Mrs. Vain.

  “Such an excellent woman, Mrs. Morley. I can vouch for her. I know that she would give you good service.”

  “I am sure anyone recommended by Mrs. Freeman would be excellent.”

  “Then I shall send her to you without delay.”

  “But,” said Anne, “I do not want a bedchamber woman.”

  “Mrs. Vain is a most agreeable creature.”

  “I am sure she is all that Mrs. Freeman says she is.”

  “Danvers has not been looking well lately.”

  “Poor Danvers, I fear she is getting old.”

  “She should be sent away for a holiday. With Mrs. Vain in attendance she would not be missed.”

  “We could manage very well without Danvers for a while.”

  “There would be no need to manage. With Mrs. Vain …”

  “But I do not want a bedchamber woman,” said Anne. “And when I have one, she will not be a married woman.”

  “My dear Mrs. Morley must take greater care of her health.”

  “I am very well served and Mrs. Freeman need have no fears on that account.”

  “But with Danvers’ health failing …”

  “Hill and the others manage very well.”

  “I will send Mrs. Vain to you and then Your Majesty will see for yourself.”

  Anne’s fan came up to her lips and stayed there.

  “I do not want a bedchamber woman,” she said. “And when I do I shall choose an unmarried woman.”

  Really, thought Sarah, this was becoming too tiresome when there had to be a battle over the installation of a new bedchamber woman! But it was no use talking to Anne when she was in that mood.

  Sarah took her leave and went to keep her appointment with Mrs. Danvers.

  The woman certainly looked ill.

  “It was good of Your Grace to come,” she said, curtseying with great respect.

  “What’s the matter, Danvers?”

  “I am getting old, Your Grace and I fancy I haven’t long for this world. I have something on my mind … and I felt it was my duty to put this before Your Grace.”

  “Well, what is it?”

  “It is not easy to say it, but I’m anxious on account of my daughter. If I should die I should like to know that Your Grace would … keep an eye on her.”

  “Oh,” said the Duchess.

  “Yes, Your Grace. She’s a good girl and would be most grateful to Your Grace, and you will understand a mother’s anxiety.”

  “I understand,” said the Duchess, “and if an opportunity should arise I will see that your daughter is not forgotten.”

  “She would serve you well and would not be like some.… It is on this matter that I asked Your Grace to call.”

  The Duchess’s brilliant blue eyes opened wider and she cried: “What’s that?”

  “Well, Your Grace, I was thinking of Abigail Hill.”

  “What of Abigail Hill?”

  “Your Grace did everything for her but she has not repaid you well. I meant that my daughter would …”

  “Not repaid me well! What does that mean?”

  “Your Grace knows that it is her most earnest endeavour to take your place with Her Majesty.”

  “Take my place! Are you mad, Danvers? That … insect!”

  “She is sly, Madam.”

  “Sly! She’s … insignificant.”

  “The Queen does not find her so.”

  “The Queen says she makes a good poultice. That is the limit of Madam Abigail’s abilities.”

  “No, Your Grace …”

  The Duchess was speechless. That this bedchamber woman should have the effrontery to contradict her! It was incredible!

  “Danvers, allow me to know best.”

  “Certainly, Your Grace.”

  “You’re wandering in your mind, Danvers.”

  “I think … my mind is clear, Your Grace, and my only intention was to tell you what I thought you ought to know.”

  “Well, go on. Don’t sit spluttering there.”

  “She spends hours alone with the Queen … in the green closet … playing the harpsichord and singing.”

  “Well, there’s no harm in that.”

  “She entertains the Queen with her mimicry. Your Grace would be surprised to see the insolence of that. I have heard her imitation of my Lord Treasurer, the Duke and … Your Grace.”

  “If I believed that I would box the slut’s ears.”

  “I assure Your Grace that it is true. Would I, a dying woman, make such a charge if it were not?”

  “You bedchamber women are all alike. You’re all jealous of each other. It is not so long ago that I found it necessary to reprove you, Danvers, for helping yourself to the Queen’s mantuas.”

  “Your Grace, I took what was due to me.”

  “I trust you have not again been helping yourself to what you considered your dues.”

  “Since Your Grace’s orders I have touched nothing … although …”

  The Duchess looked haughty. There was some underhand business here. Danvers wanted to get her girl into the bedchamber, that was certain. So perhaps that was why she wanted to get Abigail Hill out. Abigail playing the harpsichord, making poultices, emptying the slops … what did it matter. Sarah had no desire to do such things. But mimicry, that was a different matter. But not demure, deprecating Hill! She would never believe that of her. No, Danvers was jealous for some reason.

  “I am glad to hear you have filched nothing,” said the Duchess. “While I am here I will examine the wardrobe to assure myself that everything is in order.”

  Mrs. Danvers said desperately: “Your Grace, I overheard Mrs. Hill speaking of Mrs. Vain to the Queen.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Mrs. Hill does not wish Mrs. Vain to be brought into the bedchamber.”

  “Not wish … But what concern is that of hers?”

  “That is a question I should like to ask her, Your Grace, but I swear I heard her speaking to the Queen and telling Her Majesty why they did not need her.”

  This made sense. Hill did not want Vain. Hill had spoken to the Queen on this matter and persuaded Anne to agree with her. And for this reason Anne had set herself against employing Vain in the bedchamber.

  Impossible! Anne would never listen to Hill when Sarah expressed a wish. But it was strange. Anne had been so … stubborn, and about such a minor matter. One could understand the Sunderland affair. But a bedchamber woman was somewhat different from a Secretary of State.

  Mrs. Danvers saw that she had succeeded in making the Duchess uneasy, so at least the visit had not been wasted. She would do what she could for Mrs. Danvers’ daughter and at the same time she was uneasy about Hill.

  The Duchess rose to go. “Don’t worry about your girl,” she said. “I’ll keep an eye on her.”

  “I th
ank Your Grace with all my heart and I trust you do not take amiss what I have said of Abigail Hill. I know she is a kinswoman of Your Grace.”

  “You were right to tell me,” said the Duchess.

  Her first impulse was to go to the Queen and demand corroboration of what Danvers had told her. But in a moment of rare hesitation she decided she would ponder this matter for a while; and perhaps in the meantime sound Abigail.

  “It is a pleasure, George,” said the Queen as she lay beside her husband in the big connubial bed, “to know that Hill and Masham are so close to us. I am sure they will be happy.”

  “You haf been kind to them, my angel.”

  “George, dear, you’re lying too flat. It’ll bring on the wheeze.”

  George hoisted himself up a little. “The fish was goot,” he said, “but it repeats.”

  “George, you should drink a little less. Dr. Arbuthnot says so.”

  “It makes no difference, my angel.”

  “Dear George, this romance. It takes me back so.… Do you remember the first years? How happy we were!”

  “I remember, my love. I am the happiest man.…”

  “Yes, we fell in love at sight and that is a rare thing in royal marriages. Now Hill has become Masham. I shall never get used to calling her Masham, but of course just now it is as well, for the marriage remains a secret. I am pleased about that. And it is such a pleasure to see how Masham adores her. I am sure he realizes her good qualities and holds himself the luckiest man alive … which is how it should be. I have told Hill that I hope she will soon be bringing her first-born to me. I shall take a very particular interest in Hill’s first-born, George, and I hope you will too. You know, George, I believe you were the first to notice how taken Masham was with Hill. You pointed it out to me. It is so delightful to see young people in love and when marriages are so suitable … I think you are rather fond of Masham, George … just as I am of Hill, and is it not a pleasure to think of them together in their apartment within easy call should we need them. Eh, George?”

  But George was fast asleep. In a few moments he would begin to snore.