Виктория Холт: The Queen's Devotion: The Story of Queen Mary II

The other, and perhaps more to be feared, was Lady Fitzharding, who was one of the Villiers sisters. The closeness of that family was legendary; the advantages acquired by one were shared by all. They stood together, as they always had.

I had no doubt that Lady Fitzharding kept her sister well informed of what occurred at the Cockpit, and of course Elizabeth would pass this information on to William.

Lady Fitzharding’s position as governess to little William could not be more convenient for Elizabeth and my husband.

She would have to tread very warily, no doubt, for Sarah was too shrewd not to realize the inevitability of the outcome. It occurred to me that Sarah would be desperately seeking an excuse to be rid of her, but she could not expect an easy victory against the Villiers family, as she — and Anne — had discovered over the controversy of Richmond Palace.

William did not pass on to me the information he received from Elizabeth by way of Lady Fitzharding, but I had my own source which gave me a good idea of what went on there.

It was obvious that Sarah remained incensed by what she called the lack of appreciation of her husband’s genius, and through Mrs. Pack I heard of the constant railing against “Caliban’s ingratitude” and the treatment of Prince George. According to Mrs. Pack, it was Sarah’s view that Caliban was jealous of Anne and of Marlborough.

This was no news to me. I could have told Mrs. Pack that was exactly what they would say. I had heard something like it from Anne herself.

Mrs. Pack was grateful to me. In my turn I was grateful to her, for I was convinced that she had saved little William’s life. I agreed with her methods. Although William was a delicate child, she never coddled him. She would insist on his going out in all weathers, although she always made sure that he was well wrapped up.

I had arranged for her husband to have a job with the Customs Office; and although she was actually in Anne’s service, she believed that her loyalty should be to me. A sensible, down-to-earth woman, she would have little patience with Anne. She found the relationship between Anne and Sarah Churchill quite incomprehensible and, of course, there was the antipathy between herself and Sarah. She knew that Sarah would have done everything in her power to have her removed, and that Anne would have been easily persuaded but for little William.

She came to see me at Kensington Palace because she had news which she thought was important and I should know.

When I was alone with her, she said: “The Princess Anne and the Churchills are writing to King James.”

“The Churchills! That can’t be true!!”

“I have heard them talking. The Earl of Marlborough is concerned in this. I heard Lady Marlborough telling the Princess what she should say to him. The Princess is writing to tell him that she is filled with remorse. She made a bitter mistake and craves his forgiveness. They want him to come back.”

“My sister ... I understand her remorse. I know how she feels. But Marlborough . . .”

“They have been angry, Your Majesty. They say Lord Marlborough is not appreciated, that the Dutch get all the best posts. They do not want to be ruled by Dutchmen. They say they want to bring King James back.”

I was astounded. I could not believe this. She had not heard correctly. How could she know this merely by listening at doors? If it were so, Lady Fitzharding would have discovered it. Then William would know.

“It seems,” said Mrs. Pack, “that their, plan is to bring back King James, although they would not let him reign. They would set the Princess Anne on the throne — and then, as you can guess, the Marlboroughs would rule through her.”

This amazed me, but I could see the reasoning behind it. It would be typical of the Marlboroughs.

But when Mrs. Pack had gone, I wondered again if it were plausible. Had she heard aright? I could not be sure.

But the Marlboroughs were disgruntled, and Anne was in leading strings. Marlborough might have decided that there was no hope for him under William. Here was one of the most ambitious men alive. He was not one to be set aside by anyone, even a monarch he had helped to the throne. My father had trusted him and it was in a large measure due to Marlborough that he had fallen, for when Marlborough had defected, he had taken a large part of the army with him. Surely he would never trust Marlborough again?

No, they would not want my father back. But Anne, that was a different matter. Sarah had Anne in thrall. Yes, it was reasonable. They would rule England through Anne because there was no hope of doing so through James.

Before I could speak to William of Mrs. Pack’s discovery, he came to me. He looked very grave.

He said: “I want that Churchill woman out of the Cockpit.”

“You have heard?” I asked.

He nodded. “And I want her out of the Princess Anne’s service without delay.”

“You have heard then of Marlborough’s plans?”

He looked startled, and I could not help saying that I was sure Lady Fitzharding would have passed on the news to her sister.

William looked faintly embarrassed. It was rarely that I spoke up so frankly. The approval of the people and their expression of it had made me bold.

I went on quickly: “The nurse, Mrs. Pack, does not like Lady Marlborough. She has told me what she believes to have overheard.”

He nodded again, not wishing, I was sure, to reveal the source of his information.

“You must talk with your sister,” he said. “Tell her that Lady Marlborough must leave her service.”

“And Marlborough?”

“I will deal with Marlborough.”

“Do you believe it is true that they are in communication with my father?”

“Yes.”

“He surely would not trust Marlborough.”

“He would be a fool if he did, but then he has done some foolish things. I think, though, he would see through this. The plan is to set Anne on the throne.”

I said: “The people like her and they love young William.”

“I believe they do not dislike you.”

I wished that I could say the same of him, but I could not. I was silent for a while, and then I said: “I cannot believe she will listen to me.”

“You are the Queen,” he said.

She will never give up Sarah Churchill.”

“Then she will be forced to. But explain to her. Talk to her. You are her sister.”

“It will be useless.”

“Try,” he said.

It was like a command.

IT WAS SOME TIME since I had been to the Cockpit. When I did go, it was usually to see little William.

Anne received me with some surprise.

“This is an honor, Your Majesty,” she said with mock respect. “I wonder to what I owe it?”

“I trust you are well,” I said.

“As I see you are, sister,” replied Anne.

She was lying back in her chair, and every time I saw her I thought she had added to her weight. I suppose I had done so too, but always beside Anne I felt almost slender.

“I have come to see you on a very important matter,” I went on.

“I guessed that was so. You rarely see me now.”

“And dear little William?”

Anne’s face softened. “He is adorable. He was in the park this morning, watching the soldiers. He saluted when they passed and they saluted him in return. He crowed with joy and you should have heard the people cheering.”

“He is very bright,” I said, and wished I could have gone on talking about the charm of our darling.

I said: “I have come to talk to you about Lady Marlborough.”

Anne looked a little startled — not exactly alert, but wary and less placid.

“I think it would be an advantage if she left your service.”