Courting Her Highness_ The Story of Queen Anne - Jean Plaidy [106]
Meanwhile the Queen was worried about the Prince’s asthma, and consulted Abigail.
“I’m afraid the air here is not as good for him, Hill. His wheeze was terrible last night. I could not sleep for it … and nor could my poor angel.”
Abigail suggested that a visit to Kensington might be beneficial. It was nearer London than Hampton and she was sure that the air was very good indeed there. Did the Queen remember how well the Prince had been there during their last sojourn?
“Now that you remind me, Hill, I do. We will go to Kensington.”
George was delighted. Kensington had always been one of his favourite palaces. Anne smiled to herself, remembering how as soon as William was dead George had said: “Now we haf Kensington.” And he had taken possession of the palace without much delay. It was good to see him in a place he so loved. She herself found it delightful and there was the additional interest of seeing how the gardens were progressing. She kept a hundred gardeners at work on it and the result of their labours was beginning to be obvious. The banqueting hall which she had had built was magnificent with its Corinthian pillars and niches in which were branches chandeliers. How pleasant it would be to give concerts and balls there; the public so enjoyed being admitted to the gardens.
“Yes,” she murmured, “we will go to Kensington.”
So they went to Kensington, and when Hill explained that if Her Majesty did not object she would take possession of the apartments which led by a stairway into the Queen’s own, Anne agreed that she should. Previously these apartments had been occupied by Sarah and they were consequently more magnificent than Abigail had ever used before. She was delighted therefore with Anne’s consent and installed herself there.
Mrs. Danvers expressed surprise that she occupied them.
“The Queen wishes me to be close in case I am needed,” said Abigail.
“But those are Her Grace’s apartments.”
“I can see no objection to using them while Her Grace is not at Court … providing Her Majesty has none.”
Mrs. Danvers went away to grumble to Mrs. Abrahal that Hill was giving herself airs and she’d like to know what she would be getting up to next.
The Queen was happy to have Abigail in constant attention. The unfortunate affair of Sunderland seemed to have been forgotten and Anne did not seem to be greatly disturbed because the Duchess of Marlborough stayed away from Court.
She gave entertainments and the people were delighted to be admitted to the royal gardens. It was the fashion to attend gloriously clad; and to the sound of music Anne’s subjects wandered about, as one of the court writers said, in brocaded robes, hoops, fly-caps and fans.
D’Urfey, the court lyrist, wrote special verses and songs for the occasions and from all over London Anne’s subjects flocked to see their Queen.
“Such pleasant days and evenings!” sighed Anne, when she retired to her apartments for the ministrations of Hill.
Sarah meanwhile was consulting with Godolphin as to the next step she should take with regard to Sunderland’s appointment; she was also writing at great length to her son-in-law. She wrote to Marlborough, too, and told him that he simply must join his voice to hers, for as the victor of Blenheim the Queen could simply not deny him anything.
She visited Kensington to talk to the Queen once more and coming unexpectedly to her apartments there found them in use.
She stood in the centre of the room staring at the bed on which lay a robe. She picked it up and frowned at it, and while she stood there, on her face that expression of one enduring an unpleasant smell, Abigail came into the room, as she told herself later—much later—gaily, brazenly, with a smile on her lips.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded.
“I … I … thought as these rooms were not being used.”
“You thought what?”
“That as the Queen needs me constantly …”
“You thought that you might use my apartments … without