Courting Her Highness_ The Story of Queen Anne - Jean Plaidy [149]
“Your Majesty is so good,” said Mrs. Abrahal, tears in her eyes.
“I like to see good service rewarded,” said Anne kindly. “But what I do not like is to see you looking so pale. You should drink a little wine each day. I remember the dear Prince’s saying that a little wine, taken regularly, was very good for the health.”
“Your Majesty …”
Anne held up a hand. “I shall order a bottle of wine to be sent to you every day. I want you to go on washing my lace-heads for many years to come.”
Mrs. Abrahal, murmuring her thanks, was ushered out of the apartment by Mrs. Masham. When she had recovered from her surprise and pleasure a little, she remarked to Mrs. Danvers that there was no doubt whom one had to please now if one hoped to advance one’s fortunes at Court. The Duchess of Marlborough was on the way out; Abigail Masham was undoubtedly in.
Although the Queen had no wish to see Sarah, Sarah clung tenaciously to her duties. Always at the back of her mind was the thought that she could not fail eventually to win her way back to her old position at Court.
Looking through the accounts one day she saw that a bottle of wine was going to one of the laundresses. “A bottle of wine a day!” cried Sarah. “I did not order this. And what would a laundress want with a bottle of wine a day?”
She summoned Mrs. Abrahal, the recipient of the wine, and demanded to know what was meant by it.
“It was ordered by Her Majesty,” said Mrs. Abrahal.
“Ordered by Her Majesty … and no reference made to me! But did you not know, Abrahal, that such expenditure has to be sanctioned by me!”
“No, Your Grace, not when it was an order of Her Majesty.”
“Then you had better learn quickly to the contrary.”
“Your Grace, after I attended Mrs. Masham’s confinement …”
“Don’t speak to me of that chambermaid who has nothing to do with this case.”
“Excuse me, Your Grace, but it was because I had nursed Mrs. Masham that the Queen raised my allowance and ordered me to take a bottle of wine each day.”
Sarah turned pale with rage.
This was too much. Not only was Masham usurping her place in the Queen’s affection, but taking her duties from her while they still belonged to her.
This was too much to be borne. Marl treated as though he were a common adventurer! Herself treated as though she were of no account!
She simply would not hear of it.
She stormed her way to the green closet.
“Her Majesty does not wish to be disturbed,” she was told.
“Get out of my way,” cried the Duchess. “Whether she wishes it or not she is going to be disturbed.”
Abigail was seated at the Queen’s feet and they were smiling together. Sarah threw a look of hatred at Abigail and then turned her gaze on the Queen.
“I did not hear you announced,” said Anne coldly.
“I was not announced,” retorted Sarah. “I would speak with you alone.”
Abigail rose and looked to the Queen for orders. Anne bowed her head slightly, signing for Abigail to go. Abigail obeyed and went into the ante-room, out of sight but not out of earshot—and, as she thought later, it would not have been easy to do that for the back stairs pages must have heard Sarah’s tirade.
“What have you to say?” asked Anne coldly.
“This, I have to say. I hold the Privy Purse under Your Majesty and I expect at least to be consulted on expenditure.”
The Queen sighed and looked at her fan.
Sarah went on: “It now comes to my ears that a laundress has been given a rise in her allowance and, if you please, a bottle of wine every day!”
“It does please me,” said Anne.
“A bottle of wine … for a laundress! And without consulting me.”
“She shall have her wine,” said Anne.
“And I say this is a matter on which my opinion should be asked. Who ever heard of laundresses being given bottles of wine every day? We shall soon have them making merry in the laundries.”
“She shall have the wine,” said Anne, putting the fan to her lips.
“Madam, I shall not allow this to pass. I shall go to Lord Godolphin. He is your Lord Treasurer. We shall see what he will