Courting Her Highness_ The Story of Queen Anne - Jean Plaidy [47]
A banquet always had a certain charm for her; however tired she was she could always show appreciation for good food. At her left hand at the table sat George, benign and uxorious; his little eyes, embedded in fat, glistening at the sight of all the good things on the table.
It would have been a pleasant ending to the ceremonies if she were not so tired.
Dymoke made his appearance and no one accepted his challenge, and the faint embarrassment which memories of the previous coronation had provoked was ended.
It had been an inspiring and invigorating day but she was glad it was over. Anne was divested of her coronation robes at the Court of Wards and helped into the chair in which she would be carried back to St. James’s Palace. Back she thought to Abigail’s soothing ministrations. Oh, to be lying on her bed with that good woman within call!
There were bonfires in the streets; the sounds of music drifted along the river; and as she entered the Palace Anne heard sounds of revelry in the state apartments. Her attendants were preparing to give her a royal welcome.
She heard the shouts: “God save Queen Anne.”
There were toasts to be drunk and George’s eyes gleamed at the prospect, for much as he loved food he loved wine better.
Anne’s heart sank, for she had believed it would be possible to go straight to her bed. Lord Lindsay, the Chamberlain, noticed how tired she was and leaning towards Prince George said: “Perhaps Your Highness would propose going to bed.”
George looked like a child who was in danger of losing a toy he has hoped for. Then he said: “I cannot propose. I am Her Majesty’s subject. I can do nought but what she proposes.”
Anne overhearing this laughed and: “Well then, George, as I am so very tired I command you to come to bed.”
She held out her hand. George took it; and they retired to the royal bedchamber.
A DEATH IN THE FAMILY
hile the Queen was sleeping Sarah left the bedchamber in charge of Abigail Hill and went to seek her husband. She found him in their apartment waiting for her and she flew triumphantly into his arms.
“So, at last it has come!” she cried.
“ ’Tis so. But this, my love, is the beginning.”
“Never fear. I shall tell her what she must do.”
“That you will, but we must not forget that she has a Parliament. We have to go carefully. Rochester is after the office of Lord Treasurer. He must not get it, Sarah. If he does that is the end of our hopes.”
“Rochester! He shall not have office! I shall forbid Morley to consider it for a moment.”
“Two things you have forgotten, dearest. He is her uncle and she is the Queen.”
“I forget nothing. Uncle or no, he shall not have the post. And Queen or not, she shall obey me.”
“For God’s sake, my love, do not let our success go to your head.”
“Marl, I could find it in my heart to be angry with you.”
He took her hand and kissed it. “Nay,” he said, “never. You and I are as one, Sarah, and you know it. I am too cautious and you are too quick. Listen, love, let us stand together and with your speed and my caution we cannot fail.”
“Well,” she said with a grudging smile, “let us hear what you plan.”
“To keep Rochester out. He will vote against war and that will be the ruin of our country. We have to stop the French from commanding Europe. And I am going to do it.”
“Well, you are the commander of the Army.”
“Of what use if the chief minister were against me? Even if I succeeded in prosecuting the war I should be denied the necessary supplies. No. I want a Lord Treasurer who is completely with me and there is one man for the job: Godolphin.”
“Godolphin it shall be. Was it not for this purpose that we allowed Henrietta to marry his boy?”
“I have spoken to him, Sarah, and he tells me he has no love for the job.”
“No love for the job. Then Master Godolphin will have to change his views.”
“I have tried to persuade him.”
“You leave Godolphin to me. I will make him see his duty.”
John smiled. She was fierce; she was forthright; and he fancied Godolphin was a little afraid of her.
“There would be no harm, my dear,” he said, “in adding your