Courting Her Highness_ The Story of Queen Anne - Jean Plaidy [91]
And now there was Mary. She remained sullen and on bad terms with her mother. Really the girl should be whipped. And, Sarah told herself and Mary, if I had more time I might be tempted to do so.
Mary’s lips curled in contemptuous disregard and it was all Sarah could do to prevent herself striking the girl.
In any case she knew that she must get her married quickly.
There were suitors in plenty. In the first place who would not want to mate with the Marlboroughs? And in the second, in spite of her present sullenness, Mary was a very attractive girl.
Lord Tullibardine had tentatively approached Sarah and she was by no means averse to such a match. The Earl of Peterborough’s heir was clearly attracted by the girl; and Lord Huntingdon had hinted that he was interested. Besides these there were others whom Sarah could not consider, but it was obvious that it would be the simplest matter to get Mary married.
But every time Sarah approached the girl she was sullen.
“I have no wish to marry any man you may choose for me.”
“So you intend to die unmarried?” demanded Sarah.
“I did not say that.”
“You will marry whom I choose for you or not at all.”
“Then there is no alternative but to die unmarried,” retorted the insolent creature.
“Lord Huntingdon is the son of the Earl of Cromartie,” Sarah reminded her daughter.
“I am aware of it.”
“So you consider he is not good enough?”
“I consider I am too young to marry—as you told me recently.”
“Too young for an unsuitable marriage.”
“I cannot see how suitability affects age.”
“I can see how your insolence is affecting me.”
That was how it was. Perpetual strife; and now Lord Monthermer, son of the Earl of Montague, was expressing interest.
“Lord Monthermer is a very worthy young man,” said Sarah.
“Being the future Earl of Montague?” asked Mary.
“Those who turn away the best prizes often have to accept something less valuable later on.”
“I am still too young, Mamma, to be interested in these glittering prizes.”
Who would have daughters!
And thus it was. Taking Mary to St. Albans in the hope that a sojourn from Court would enable her energetic mother to instill a little sense into her foolish young head; going down to Woodstock, having meetings with John Vanbrugh. It took so much time so she could not be with Anne as much as the latter would have liked.
Mrs. Morley must realize how busy I am with my affairs, Sarah told herself. In any case there is Abigail Hill to make sure that everything runs smoothly in my absence. That is exactly why she was put where she is.
So during those weeks when Harley was planning his strategy, Sarah, immersed in her own affairs, left the fort wide open to her enemies.
The Queen was preparing to go into the green closet. George had come to her apartment to accompany her there and was at the moment standing at the window commenting on the passers-by. His remarks were malicious; he enjoyed poking fun at the oddities of others, although, thought Abigail, his own obesity was scarcely attractive; but perhaps this was the reason for his delight in the physical disabilities of others.
“We are ready now, my dearest,” said Anne.
George turned reluctantly from the window and yawned.
“You’ll have your nap, my dear, in the green closet. Hill will make some bohea after a little while and that will revive you.”
“The sucking pig was goot,” said George. “But I think I haf ate too much of it.”
“Dearest, you always eat too much sucking pig—and then there was the wild fowls and fricasse. You’ll sleep it off, never fear. Hill, who will be in the closet today?”
“Mr. Harley, Madam, and Mr. St. John … among others.”
“Pleasant creatures, both,” said Anne; and they went to the green closet.
Abigail, while waiting on the Queen, was conscious of Mr. Harley’s interest. Every time she lifted her eyes it seemed that she met his. His smile was warm and friendly; and she wondered what had happened to arouse his interest in her. She did not imagine that he was attracted by her, for she was not an attractive woman, except to perhaps Samuel Masham who was clearly