Courting Her Highness_ The Story of Queen Anne - Jean Plaidy [50]
Harley nodded. “I am entirely of your opinion.”
“I shall be out of the country fighting her battles. My Lord Treasurer is of my mind, but we have our enemies and we need the support of strong men.”
“A triumvirate of strong men,” put in Godolphin.
Harley smiled. He understood. He was being invited to share in their success. Being shrewd, he knew how important it was to win the Queen’s approval; in fact it was not possible to advance far without it, and the Queen was ruled by one woman: Sarah Churchill. So one might say that the Marlboroughs were the real rulers of the country. Marlborough was a wise man; he knew very well that he was surrounded by enemies; but Sarah could persuade the Queen to anything, and as the Queen’s ministers knew this it did not endear them to Marlborough who would have to watch every step he took; but what men among them would be able to stand up to a strong triumvirate such as would be made by himself, Godolphin and Harley.
“And you consider me worthy to be included?” asked Harley.
“You are a good Tory,” said Godolphin.
“That is a recommendation?” asked Harley. “A Tory today is a Whig tomorrow. One grows dizzy contemplating the turnabout. Why in your own family, my lord Marlborough, you have yourself—staunch Tory. And I have heard that your good lady is inclined to the Whigs; your brother Admiral Churchill is eager to have us all know what a good Tory he is and your son-in-law Sunderland equally anxious to show us he’s a regular Whig of a man. While Lady Marlborough’s own sister, so I’ve heard, is all for the Jacks, and Lady Marlborough herself surely the most intimate friend of Her Majesty ever had.”
Marlborough smiled coolly at Harley. He was known as Robin the Trickster, and one could never be sure what he was at; but he knew well enough that they needed him.
“Good men now and then find it necessary to turn their coats,” said Marlborough.
“I am in absolute agreement with my lord as usual,” replied Harley with a bow.
“Then,” replied Marlborough, “it would give me pleasure if you would visit us at St. Albans. My wife is anxious to make your closer acquaintance.”
Returning to London from St. Albans Robert Harley was congratulating himself. A triumvirate, he was thinking: Marlborough, Godolphin, Harley. It was well to be allied with the Marlboroughs, and when one met Sarah Churchill one understood why. The Queen was completely hers to command, he had heard; and although he had thought previously that statement a little exaggerated now that he had met the lady he no longer did. What fire and fury! Marlborough was, if not afraid of her, in bondage to her. A handsome woman, and an absolute virago.
Robin the Trickster was amused and intrigued. He was looking forward to travelling along with the Marlboroughs … for a while.
She was arrogant and quite vain. He was a man who knew how to pay a compliment and he had made her believe that he admired her every bit as much as he had intended that she should.
The Marlboroughs were delighted. They had angled for him and they believed they had him in the net. They needed him; they recognized him as a power in the House. And so he was. He had been elected Speaker because he had a greater knowledge of parliamentary procedure than any one living person, and it was understandable that they should want his support. With Marlborough conducting the war and Godolphin and Harley in charge at home, no one could stand against them.
At St. Albans he had been promised a grand appointment. Secretary of State in place of Nottingham whom they had decided must go. Nottingham should certainly go; Harley should decidedly take his place. But in this alliance Harley would be expected to remain contentedly in third place. They did not know Harley, who was already asking himself: What is Marlborough? A soldier with a forceful wife who in some unnatural way has managed to subdue the Queen! What is Godolphin? A timid man, easily disheartened, and obviously in awe of Marlborough’s wife. It seemed as though Madam Sarah ruled the roost. But she should not rule