by Ron Pearse
From yards away he hears her commanding voice and wonders what immediately is in store for him and is surprised to hear his sister mentioned:
"Mrs Lowther has approached me with a view to accompanying you on the return journey. You told me nothing of this, Tom."
Her servant was surprised himself knowing his sister lived and worked in London but having no idea until Lady Churchill mentioned the matter to him. "I have no objection, ma'am, if you are willing to allow it." She said abruptly: "If you'll have her sit beside you, Tom, I do have no objection."
Lady Churchill had scarcely spoken when Mrs Lowther appeared from the same direction being followed by Abigail Hill and upon their approach says: "Up you get, sister, upon the front seat with me. I'll show you a view of London you can tell your friends about hereafter."
Meanwhile Sarah, greeting her cousin, does not wait for Tom to open the carriage door but invites Abigail to enter: "After you cousin. Let's get up and make ourselves comfortable, shall we." Then she hands Abigail an etui telling her to stow it safely in the luggage rack and having got in and closed the door mentions to her companion in typical bombastic style the etui holds valuable papers. "They're promissory notes," she says grandly, adding:
"Present those at any bank and you can get banknotes in exchange." Sarah opined and still in boastful mood declares: "That's the way business is conducted these days. Soon we shall not need coin of the realm. We shall all have notes issued by the Bank of England."
Abigail received all this information meekly listening intently, venturing at last to say: "And his lordship will have more notes than anyone."
Sarah is puzzled: "How so, cousin?"
"Why, because he owns the bank!" Abigail answers and Sarah wonders whether she has said something in the past for her cousin to draw that conclusion, explaining:
"Not owns, my dear; his lordship is a director. He is one of many."
Sarah sticks her head from the coach to enquire of Tom about departure and is surprised the carriage is turning preparatory to departure, so pushes the window up and settles down for the journey thinking to explain to her cousin about his lordship's banking interests but deciding perhaps that an imperfect knowledge is almost worse than none at all.
After they had been some time on the road, the ladies in the coach hear a noise above and look up to see the hatch drawn back and hear Tom inviting them: "Listen to that noise."
Sarah, anxious to be on their way, responds: "Never mind about noise Tom. Know you the way home?" To which Tom retorts: "If I don't ma'am, Beauty and the Beast certainly do. You can trust them."
Abigail shyly speaks: "What is that racket, you spoke about, Tom?" And she is pleased to hear another voice echo her own question: "Yes, Tom. Tell us!"
"And to satisfy their curiosity, he himself had aroused, explained: "That there noise, sounds more like a rumble now. That be the Pall Mall Circus."
Sarah was displeased with all this crosstalk and told her coachman abruptly: "Close the hatch, Tom. This is not a sightseeing tour. Attend to the road and we shall be home faster!"
Abigail is disconcerted somewhat by Lady Churchill's lack of interest and is only too pleased when having gone yet further and the throb of London sounding louder, she hears Mrs Lowther's voice:
"What is that ahead, Tom? Do tell I!' hearing the answer that it was the Knightsbridge Crossing. Them's carriages you hear, like ours, hundreds of 'em. Wheels on cobblestones! We've got to make it across that big square." Then unintentionally making his sister even more fearful, says: "Looks frightful for the first time, old girl, but when you've crossed as many times as me, it's no more than a battle which I always win. Leastways, I 'ave so far."
Mrs Lowther eyed the approaching maelstrom of converging roads with apprehension as they proceeded slowly along the Haymarket. Fortunately, Tom's 'big circus' proved less of a hazard than she had anticipated and as she watched her brother occasionally flicking his enormous whip and uttering words of encouragement which both horses acknowledged by twitching their ears, she was so taken up by Tom's expert handling of all situations, there was no time for fear, and soon the maelstrom was behind them.
According to Tom they now found themselves in Pickadilly, so named after a successful tailor's shop specialising in dillies, trimmings for doublets much favoured by rakes and dandies which led the tailor to boast of his 'pick of the dillies'.
As the Pickadilly road ran its course the carriage approached another busy intersection across which they must go in order to gain the circular road around Hyde Park, yet here again, Mrs Lowther, perched high up on the carriage, aware of seemingly horrendous sights and sounds, inwardly thanked her favourite angels and her brother's skill, that brought them through unscathed. She looked sideways at her unflappable brother amidst the loud whinnying of other horses, the raucous shouted commands of other coachmen, the seemingly suicidal antics of pedestrians dodging the carriages and up-flung mud in order to traverse from one side of the carriageway to the other, seemingly unconcerned for their personal safety.
In Hyde Park itself her eyes darted from one form of carriage to another. Unknown to her by name, yet she was witnessing a cavalcade of different vehicles which went by the name of barouche, landau, phaeton, chaise, gig - and she gaped amazed at two brave footmen carrying a sedan whose occupant sat unperturbed on his chair reading a newspaper while his hired carriers were constantly splashed by all manner of vehicles and their horses and ponies which raced past them.
Inside the carriage the uncurious Lady Churchill dozed, feeling, by the varying vibrations coming through the suspension and the general ambient noise, where they were. Abigail, on the other hand, it being her first journey into central London, was more curious though unlike Mrs Lowther, could see little beyond the vehicles which raced past them in both directions, so the vibrations of the carriage comforted her too into a form of lethargy, and in this doze she fell to reflection upon her recent visit inside St James Palace and that all-important and joyful reconciliation with her brother.
For the first time in his life, she perceived, he was feeling lonely, even lost, as his new position as page to his highness, Prince George, estranged him from most of the other servants. Yet, Jack was not well liked by his fellow pages especially Samuel Masham, son of an army officer. Masham regarded her brother as his social inferior. Yet, in a curious way, Abigail had been treated well and she got to musing that perhaps Masham's regard for her might in time ameliorate his attitude towards her brother.
It seemed Masham was ambitious to follow his father into the army and he spoke of the day when he would join the colours as an ensign, the lowest ranking officer, yet, in conversation with her, on the occasions when her brother had been called back for various duties, he had spoken of many famous officers who had started their careers in that lowly rank.
Abigail half-opened an eye and caught her cousin's but no word was spoken. Sarah speculated by the lessening hubbub of the traffic they were approaching Bayswater and soon she would be able to say something which until then would be a waste of time, unless she was forced into an unladylike shout. She knew enough of the route to realise that Tom soon would have to make a sharp turn to their left taking the carriage into Watling Street, and having done so, she spotted a familiar milestone which comfortingly gave the distance to Edgeware.
Sarah took her cousin by surprise, commenting:
"Lord! Doesn't your brother tower over Masham?" Abigail noted she said this with some satisfaction to which her bland response was: "They say he's tall for his age."
"He'd look a fine figure in uniform, cousin." returned Sarah, evidently thinking of Masham's ambition, adding: "If only I could purchase him a commission." It was a wistful, and it seemed to Abigail, a sincere observation and she told Sarah: "I understand that is Mister Masham's wish. He tells me his father has applied to go on the list. It seems the army has only places for a few." Then leaning forward in her seat, asked in all innocence: "How much must his father pay for such a co
mmission."
Sarah did not know but hated to admit her ignorance: "My lord tells me the lowest officer rank would cost a thousand pounds." She also leant forward anxious Abigail should hear her words over the clatter of hooves outside: "That is one reason why door-opener Masham looks down upon your brother." Abigail winced at her cousin's description but listened intently to Sarah who went on: "He has the influence of his distinguished father. It is very wrong. Do you not believe, cousin, your brother would make just as good an officer, if not better, than Masham."
Abigail was emollient: "Like you said, cousin, they might both be good officers." As if she had not heard her reply, Sarah said: "When my lord returns to the army, mayhap we shall do something for cousin Jack. It shall be a matter of honour."
From the driving seat of the carriage came the sound of a man's voice and a familiar tune and Sarah rapped the back of the coach which provoked Tom to open the hatch and Sarah called out loudly:
"I've heard that tune afore, Tom." And at first there's no response until the voice comes to the end of the refrain, then he shouts: "Ever heard of the Lilibolero, ma'am. It be an Irish tune about King Billy's campaigns in Ireland."
Sarah thanks her coachman and the hatch closes and she turns to Abigail once again: "After you've settled into the Palace I should like news of you and your doings. Mrs Danvers will advise you how to send a letter. I'll be right pleased to hear from you."
Abigail was astonished but outwardly betrayed only mild surprise:
"Be the menial doings of servants of any interest to your ladyship?"
Sarah had come to expect sharp rejoinders from her cousin and only smiled, saying: "Perhaps not the menial tasks, as you put it, but I should like to know when Masham gets his commission."
Now the two women were mentally at cross purposes for to Abigail, Masham's leaving for the army would give her brother some peace from his mockery, whereas Sarah thought only of the supposed dishonour of a Hill not being able to keep up with a Masham. Thinking to impress her cousin, Sarah said: “Perhaps I can approach my lord on your brother's behalf. Mayhap we can buy him a lieutenant's commission. What think you of that?"
Abigail reasoned that this was a higher rank, yet Masham might already have gone had there been a vacancy for an ensign. Might that also apply to lieutenants though she did not speak of this. Instead she said:
"What thought you, cousin, of my letters from the Ferrers’ household. Is that the sort of news you wish to receive?"
Again her cousin's response caused her some inner amusement, though Sarah was blithely unaware of it, saying: "If it were not for the Ferrers having so many commoners visit them. No lords or ladies, marquis or other noblemen?"
"Was not Mr Harley a distinguished enough person?" asked the serious Abigail, adding: "After all, he is an elected member of the House of Commons."
But Sarah was dismissive: "Methinks he would claim importance. Yet I think to be more interested in such as sit in the House of Lords."
Abigail decided to play a game on her cousin and it was not too difficult to initiate it. She began: "Surely, cousin, you are interested in the comings and goings of friends and family whether they be lords and ladies or not."
Lady Churchill could not believe the import of her cousin's words. She was virtually accusing her of snobbery yet she must not get angry as she needed her cousin's goodwill, but was rather acerbic, all the same, saying:
"That will be the very first thing you will learn, cousin. Lady Churchill has no friends. There is envy of my advancement. About your letters, I need to know things I cannot learn of myself. The laundry was ever a place for tittle-tattle, so I am told. And the like for the pantry, kitchen, cellar, dairy, and, of course, the bedchamber."
Sarah leaned forward almost whispering: "You can do a lot for me cos. As you know I get to town, infrequently." Then she confided: "I have enemies in the Palace cos; important news about the princess may not reach me. In you I shall ever have a good friend."
Abigail's thoughts returned to the princess and her cousin in conversation. She was certain the princess regarded Sarah as a good friend. But was the reverse true? Was her cousin asking her to spy on the princess?"
No time was spent on this gloomy assessment as suddenly the hatch was opened and Tom's voice called:
"Beg pardon, ma'am to disturb you. We shall soon be at Brockley Hill. It be a bit steep for the horses. Will you mind setting down?"
The carriage proceeded for another mile and then Tom halted the horses and both Sarah and Abigail alighted, the latter helping Mrs Lowther down. They start walking on the nearside of the carriage, Tom allowing them room by moving the team into the middle of the road. Ahead is the open road with a wide grass verge rutted with having run over by many vehicles but it is dry so they have no complaints about getting their footwear too muddy.
Ahead is a clump of trees about halfway up the hill and as they approach they become aware they will not be alone for long for they hear the snorting of horses and can see their front legs, the rest hidden by the trees, but as they get approach, two horses emerge.
Abigail, bringing up the rear, looks behind her at the slope curving away and is not able to spot a soul or hear another carriage. All she hears is Tom shouting to the horses coaxing them up the steep incline and occasionally squinting his eyes against the evening sun but, inwardly, is feeling alarmed but says nothing so as not to alarm the women.
But as the knot of trees is reached, two riders spur their mounts in front of the carriage about three carriage lengths away and one of the men shouts, roughly:
"Stand! Don't move or by heaven, I'll drill you."
Tom shouts 'whoa' to the horses and applies the brake but he has some difficulty holding it steady on the slope. Meanwhile one of the men yells to his accomplice: "I'll cover you with the pistol, Dick. Search 'im first. In case he 'as a weapon." Then turning to the women, calls out: "Ladies! Throw your purses over. Quick abaht it! Or I'll drill your eyes, so help me, I will."
Abigail watches as Mrs Lowther opens her bag and throws her purse over, followed by her cousin. She carries nothing so cannot follow suit. For some reason she feels left out. By this time Tom shouts to the men about his brakes and has put the carriage athwart the road accompanied by threats, much waving of pistols by Dick’s accomplice and coarse mouthing of oaths.
"Where's yours?" Dick shouts to Abigail meaning her purse. She throws up her hands, saying she has none. Dick in reply tells his mate: "Harry, get off that blasted nag and strip them." What he meant was rings, necklaces, jewelery, bracelets.
Harry tackled Mrs Lowther by holding her roughly, gripping her left hand and forcibly removing a ring. Next he took the other hand. Then he looked at her neck and she thinking he meant to strip her, told the brute to tackle that hussy, referring to Abigail: "She gotta purse. I seen it."
Harry to Dick: "Get in that coach and search for her purse, Dick. Put one gun down man. They aren't going to attack you." Harry pushed Lowther aside roughly telling her to stay put while he pulled Sarah roughly to him took her hands to forcibly remove her rings.
Meanwhile Dick was inside the coach and had found the etui bringing it outside. "Come here you!" Dick told Abigail and on his knees poked his hand inside and strewed Sarah's promissory notes on the ground, then demanded:
"What's this?" And Abigail said: "Them's my indentures. To this lady here!" She pointed to Sarah, and Dick said: "Shall I tear 'em up, then you're free." Abigail suddenly had an idea, she said: "My purse has money in it. It's inside the coach. Take it and leave us be. That's all the money I have in the world. Just take it, but let us go!"
The thief's eyes glinted with avarice. "Come on, show me! Or I'll cut your liver out, so help me." and roughly dragging Abigail to the door of the carriage. "Open it!" he snarled and she obeyed. Still holding her with his right hand, he moves to enter the carriage and for a moment his pistol hand is between door and jamb.
At that moment Abigail pushed the door violently against
his pistol arm. There was a report as the pistol dropped, shoots a ball into the woodwork, followed by a yelp of pain and oaths. Harry was distracted and Sarah kicked out at him. At the same time, Abigail snatched up the pistol Dick had laid down earlier, shouting to Harry:
"Let her go! Or I'll shoot you." She had raced towards the front to threaten him. "Take his gun!" Abigail commanded Sarah who snatched at the weapon stuffed into his belt.
"Take your horses and go." She ordered them and Dick nursing a bruised arm, gave them a wide berth as he, with difficulty, tried to unhitch his horse from the wheel. He shouted to his mate: "Help me, 'arry!"
Then they were gone.
As the sound of galloping hooves disappeared, Sarah and Abigail rushed into each other's arms until they heard Tom's voice. "They're coming back, listen."
All stopped and listened and indeed they could hear a horse coming nearer. Mrs Lowther screams and shouts: "Rescue! Rescue!"
Tom says: "Hush! There's just one horse. It''s from down the hill. It's someone on their own."
Suddenly Sarah gives a whoop of joy, and shouts: "It's his lordship. I know it." Then screaming excitedly forgetting she is Lady Churchill, she dances and shouts: "It's my John. It's my John!" Then more soberly:
"Heaven be praised. It's his lordship come to our rescue."
But Tom calls to her from his seat:
“Did you say rescue, ma'am. We be already rescued," and focussing upon Abigail, adds: "and she be the one who rescued us."
But Abigail has collapsed against the wheel, exhausted, to be joined by Sarah, who said to her: "I shall never forget this cos. Never, never, never."
The galloping is nearer and they can clearly hear a labouring horse as he is spurred up the incline, then Sarah looking down the hill, waves at the approaching horseman and to everyone's great delight, the horseman stands in his stirrups and waves back. Even from a distance, all can see that it is indeed Sarah's husband, the Earl of Marlborough, Lord Churchill, catching up with them.
