Courting Her Highness_ The Story of Queen Anne - Jean Plaidy [110]
“My doctors must be sent to her at once, Hill.”
“Yes, Madam. I will pass on your orders.”
“Thank you, Hill. I don’t know what I should do without you. And even you … I owe to her.”
Yes, thought Abigail, that was the irony of the situation. The more devoted Anne became to Abigail, the more grateful she must be to Sarah.
Before the thanksgiving service Sarah had recovered. She came to the Court, only a little paler than usual and certainly not in the least subdued.
The Queen embraced her warmly. “My dearest, dearest Mrs. Freeman, what anxieties I have suffered on your behalf.”
“I am recovered now. You did not think I would stay away from the thanksgiving to Marlborough, did you?”
Anne did not remind her that it was a thanksgiving to God; Sarah could not see it that way; and in any case she was really quite irreligious.
“I am so happy to see you here,” said Anne sincerely.
“I must of course decide what jewels you will wear.”
“Hill has already put them ready. We thought to save you trouble, Mrs. Freeman.”
“A chambermaid putting out your jewels! What do you expect her to choose? No, Mrs. Morley, that will not do. Those rubies. Ridiculous! They shall all be taken away and I shall make up my mind what will best become the occasion.”
“I thought Hill made a good choice.”
Sarah blew her lips, dismissing Hill and her choice. She was smiling. “I have written to Mr. Freeman. Poor man, they had told him of my illness. I would not have had him disturbed. He threatens to leave everything and come back to me.”
“Such a devoted husband! How fortunate we are … both of us. Not many women have husbands like ours.”
Sarah’s lips curled in disdain. This comparing of fat stupid George with Marl was more than she could stomach.
She went on: “I told him I should soon be well. It was the anxiety of the battle and then of course this affair at Ramillies when I might so easily have lost him. There are so many anxieties at home. I am not sure that Vanbrugh is the man for Blenheim. I don’t get on with him at all. Then of course those from whom I would expect friendship will not listen to my advice.”
Anne’s lips set sternly. In a moment, Sarah thought, she will be telling me that she can’t endure his temper and won’t have a good relationship with him. In which case I shall scream to her to stop or she’ll send me into another fit.
Sunderland shall most certainly have the post but this is perhaps not the time.
So Sarah busied herself with choosing the Queen’s jewels while Anne told her how worried she was about George’s asthma which was undoubtedly getting worse.
“He is so bad during the night, Mrs. Freeman, it breaks my heart to watch him. He worries about me. He says it is too much for me to help him, but I remind him that he is my very dear husband and that it is my privilege.”
“You should have one of his pages sleep on a pallet in the room while you have a chamber to yourself and get your rest.”
“We have shared the same bed for so many years, and he admits that he would not rest without me beside him. And nor should I without him. But do not concern yourself, dearest Mrs. Freeman. Your unfortunate Morley is well served. I have Hill sleep on a pallet in the antechamber so that I can call her at a moment’s notice. She is such a good creature. I never have to call her twice. There she is … so ready … so willing. Neither the Prince nor I know what we should do without her. And I always remember I have to thank you for her.”
“I took her from a broom, as you know, and she is eager to show me her gratitude. I have told her that she can best please me by pleasing you.”
“Dearest Mrs. Freeman, how can I ever repay you?”
Sunderland? thought Sarah. No perhaps not yet. After the ceremony. That would be the time.
Anne, dressed in a splendid gown