Courting Her Highness_ The Story of Queen Anne - Jean Plaidy [130]
“Nonsense, Mrs. Morley. You have led a good life. The past is done with.”
“I often think of that brother of mine over the water.”
“The King of France does not flaunt his acceptance of the King of England so much since Mr. Freeman gave him something else to think about.”
“Dear Mr. Freeman! What should we do without him?”
“Well, you could so easily lose his services, and came near to it … not so long ago.”
“Oh, these squabbles!”
“Squabbles, Mrs. Morley? You call the concern of your ministers for the country’s good, squabbles? In fact, Mrs. Morley, the Court has changed so much and Mrs. Morley herself has changed so much that I am wondering whether my presence is needed here any longer.”
“But of course I shall always need you here.”
“Surely Masham is sufficient for Your Majesty?”
“Masham does very well, but I should be sad to lose my dearest Mrs. Freeman.”
“But for the presence of Masham, Mrs. Freeman would be in constant attendance on Mrs. Morley.”
The Queen said: “Dr. Arbuthnot was saying Masham is the best nurse in the kingdom.”
So that was the answer, thought Sarah. Very well. She chooses Masham.
“I have daughters all married into the most noble families. I would take it as a favour if they might share between them the posts Mrs. Morley was once so happy to bestow on me.”
The Queen was silent and Sarah went on, “You would have three to serve you where you once had one and I would see that you had nothing of which to complain.”
The Queen still said nothing and Sarah asked harshly: “Well, what has Mrs. Morley to say? Do not tell Mrs. Freeman that you regret parting with her. You have shown so clearly that you prefer Masham.”
“I cannot agree to this suggestion,” said the Queen.
“Mrs. Morley does not think that my children would serve her well?”
“I am sure that being Mrs. Freeman’s children they would perform their duties most excellently. But it is inconceivable that Mrs. Freeman and Mrs. Morley should be parted while they live.”
Sarah was exultant. Here was a return to the old standing. The Queen was merely temporarily piqued. All right. Sarah would soon be back.
“Mrs. Morley is gracious to her poor Freeman. Now as to Mrs. Masham …”
“Dr. Arbuthnot says she is the best nurse in the kingdom.”
So there was nothing to be done in that quarter while the Prince lived; but Sarah was not going to let Anne think that she merely had to beckon Sarah Churchill and she would come hurrying back.
Sarah settled down to make arrangements about the town house she intended to have. She had had her eyes on it for some time when it had been occupied by Catherine of Braganza. It was on the south side of Pall Mall and King Charles II had planted an acorn in its gardens, and this acorn came from the oak tree which had hidden him at Boscobel.
Sarah planned to build in place of that old house a much grander one which should be her family’s town residence; she had decided it should be called Marlborough House.
Now she reminded Anne of an old promise to give her this house; and Anne, happy to turn the conversation away from Mrs. Masham and the replacement of Sarah by her daughters, agreed that the site should be Sarah’s.
Sarah emerged triumphant from that interview; and thoughout the Court it was said that not only had Godolphin and Marlborough scored over Harley, but Sarah would soon be putting Mrs. Masham in her place.
Anne was disturbed. There was alarming news. The King of France having been so often defeated by Marlborough in Europe was seeking to attack the Queen of England in a way most calculated to alarm her.
Her ministers had informed her that her half brother, whom the French King openly called James III, King of England, was being given the aid he would need to land in Scotland where they were ready to rise in his favour and come against her.
Marlborough came in all haste to St. James’s.
How fortunate that he was in England! There was a strength about the man. A genius which she could not fail to recognize. What should I do without dear Mr. Freeman! she asked George who, poor dear