Courting Her Highness_ The Story of Queen Anne - Jean Plaidy [88]
“I was referring to us, Mrs. Morley, for I think it only right and fitting that I should accompany you to St. Paul’s. I am sure Mr. Freeman would wish it. You will remember it was to me that he sent the first news of the victory.”
“But of course, dear Mrs. Freeman should ride with her unfortunate Morley.”
“I do not think the King of France is calling you unfortunate at this moment!” laughed Sarah. “Well, I shall choose our jewels and I think we should have the service as soon as possible.”
“I am in entire agreement,” said Anne.
So Sarah and Anne returned to London with Abigail—now relegated to be the chambermaid once more—and in her post as Mistress of the Robes, Sarah chose what the Queen should wear.
Such splendour she could never match, and as she was not one to take second place she decided to attract attention by the very simplicity of her own attire.
They rode from St. James’s Palace to St. Paul’s—Anne resplendent, Sarah simply clad; but Anne’s jewels could not compete with Sarah’s beauty; and in any case she was the wife of the hero of the day.
Anne was elated as she was always by her visits to church, and a thanksgiving service for a great victory must be doubly inspiring.
When they returned and Sarah had dismissed the Queen’s attendants, Anne said to her, “I and the nation will never cease to be grateful to Mr. Freeman.”
Sarah bowed her head graciously.
“And I have been thinking,” went on the Queen, “that it is only fitting that we should show our gratitude, and how better than by bestowing on Mr. Freeman and yourself some fine estate.”
Sarah’s eyes had begun to shine.
“It would be a magnificent gesture,” she agreed, “if we could persuade Mr. Freeman to accept it.”
“I am sure,” said Anne, with the glint of a smile, “that if it is Mrs. Freeman’s wish it will be Mr. Freeman’s.”
“I may endeavour to persuade him,” agreed Sarah. “What has Mrs. Morley in mind?”
“I was thinking of the Manor of Woodstock, a delightful place in a charming setting. It is my plan that that site might be used to build a house … a palace … for nothing else would be worthy to celebrate this great event … for the use of Mr. and Mrs. Freeman and their heirs.”
“Woodstock,” murmured Sarah, subdued for once. “It is an excellent spot.”
“Yes, a palace,” went on the Queen, “which you and Mr. Freeman should plan together.”
Sarah’s eyes were shining now. A palace! A pile of stones, gracious and imposing, which in the centuries to come should be the home of the Marlboroughs.
“No expense should be spared in the building of this palace,” went on the Queen, seeing how excited her beloved Mrs. Freeman was becoming. “It should be the gift of a grateful nation to its greatest general. I should only ask one concession.”
“Concession?” said Sarah.
“Yes, Mrs. Freeman, I would ask that it be called Blenheim Palace so that none should ever forget this famous victory and the man who was responsible for it.”
“Blenheim Palace,” repeated Sarah. “I like it. I like it very much.”
INTRIGUE IN THE GREEN CLOSET
obert Harley sat in his favourite spot at the Apollo Club, indulging his favourite pastime—drinking. Harley enjoyed the night-life of London. He liked the atmosphere of the clubs which were springing up all over the City. He even visited the coffee houses and taverns in order to exchange conversation with literary acquaintances who frequented them. Next to drinking he enjoyed talking, and when Harley talked others enjoyed listening; for he was witty, brilliant and persuasive, in spite of his discordant voice and hesitant delivery.
Since his new appointment—he had recently replaced Nottingham and become Secretary of State for the Northern Department—he still found time to mingle with his literary friends and if he was not at the Apollo he would be at the Rota, invariably accompanied by his friend and disciple, Henry St. John, who, naturally enough, had received an appointment at the same time as Harley and was the new Secretary at