Plaidy, Jean - Royal Sisters - The Story of the Daughters of James II

No, Anne’s income must certainly not be cut for that would mean less gifts for the Churchills.

“One thing I will not endure,” said Sarah, “and that is to see my dear Mrs. Morley treated in this way. Where would they be if it were not for you? Who was it who kept them supplied with information? Who was it who made the way easy for them?”

“You, dear Mrs. Freeman.”

“Oh, no, no! It was my dear good kind Mrs. Morley. And how do they repay her? Have they forgotten that she stood aside to give him the sovereignty he was greedily demanding? Yes, they have forgotten. Depend upon it, Mrs. Morley, unless you stand firm, William will cut your income and that is something which I shall not allow you to accept.”

“Indeed not. My father was so good to me, was he not? Do you remember how when I was in debt he never failed to help me.”

“I remember.”

Anne looked tearfully at her friend. Life had really been more comfortable when her father had been on the throne. Mary and William were not nearly so affectionate. When Anne thought of the letter her father had sent to Mary which she had received on Coronation day and in which he had talked of curses, she wanted to weep, not so much with remorse but with terror, for she felt herself to be included in those curses. A father’s curse was a frightening thing to have hanging over one—particularly when one was expecting a child.

She began to wish that she had been a more dutiful daughter, that she had not allowed her fondness for gossip to embroil her in this affair which, from its beginnings as an exciting topic of conversation, had grown into a revolution.

Sarah following Anne’s thoughts put a stop to them immediately.

“All will be well as long as you stand up for your rights. They must not browbeat you, which is what they will do if they can.”

“Mary has changed so. She talks so much and I have nothing … simply nothing … to say to her.”

“I have thought of something you can say to her. This place is unfit for an heiress to the crown—and whatever they say you are that.”

“Unless they should have a child.”

Sarah gave a coarse laugh. “My dear Mrs. Morley expects the impossible. William would if he could but he can’t. That is why he pretends to spend so much time with his mistress. I tell you this, Bentinck is more to his taste than even Squint-eyed Betty, and between her and Bentinck he has no strength left for the Queen.”

Anne laughed. Sarah could always amuse.

“But Mrs. Morley, let us get back to important affairs. Is it right that the heiress to the throne should be housed in … squalor!”

Anne looked surprised. The Cockpit was a delightful place and she had always loved it; but for Sarah she would have gone on living contentedly there, never wanting to change.

“No, there are some wonderful apartments in Whitehall; those which your Uncle Charles had rebuilt for the Duchess of Portsmouth. They are the most magnificent in the palace, and if Charles thought only them good enough for Portsmouth, then I say that only they are good enough for the heiress to the Crown.”

“I know the apartments you mean, Mrs. Freeman. They are beautiful.”

“Then you must ask your sister for them without delay. This will show them that you are aware of your position, of all you have sacrificed for them, and that it is time they began to treat you with due respect. This will make them see that they cannot begin fiddle-faddling with the accounts.”

“I believe you are right, Sarah dear.”

“I know I am.”

The Queen looked coldly at her sister. How enormous she was! It must be a large child. Mary hoped it would be a boy for she longed to see a child who would one day carry on the line.

Anne ate too many sweets. Mary admitted that she herself was inclined to corpulence; it was a trait they had both inherited from their mother. Mary dearly loved a cup of chocolate and although she knew she was putting on weight every day, she could not resist that and other delicacies. But Anne was even fatter and even more devoted to her food.

Anne was a disappointment. That absurd infatuation with Sarah Churchill meant that Sarah Churchill was making important decisions which she should never have had the power to do. If they were not careful, these Churchills would be running the country. William had said that it was a matter they must watch and William was naturally right.

Even a foolish creature like Anne could have a great effect on the country’s affairs; it was a sobering thought.

We have grown far away from each other, thought Mary; although I always thought her foolish and greedy. She imitated me in everything; I wish she would now devote more of her time to George—though I have to admit he is a fool and not in the least like William—instead of giving way all the time to that Churchill woman.

“I wish to leave the Cockpit,” said Anne.

“Leave the Cockpit! But I thought you were so comfortable there.”

“Perhaps not leave it entirely but I believe that in view of my position I should have apartments in Whitehall.”

“If you wish … but being so close …”

“I think that the heiress to the throne is entitled to very fine apartments in Whitehall and I have made my choice.”

Sometimes, thought Mary, when Anne asserted herself it was as though Sarah Churchill were speaking.

“Oh, and which are these.”

“Those which were once the Duchess of Portsmouth’s.”

“It is strange that you should ask for these,” said Mary, “for the Earl of Devonshire had asked me for them and I have promised that he shall have them.”

“So then I must stand aside for Devonshire?”

“You know that is not so. But having promised him I must speak to him on this matter.”

Anne bowed her head. “I pray Your Majesty to give me leave to retire.”

Back to Sarah went Anne.

“So you must wait on Devonshire?”

“She had promised him.”

“And when the heiress to the throne asks for apartments she is denied them because Master Devonshire has put in a prior claim? I never heard the like!”

“Doubtless he will give them up when he knows I want them.”

“And so the heiress to the throne is to wait on his leavings? You must write at once to your sister and tell her this. It is the only way in which you can uphold your dignity.”

Mary was so disturbed by Anne’s letter that she went to William. He listened coldly to the problem.

“You see, William,” went on Mary, “I had promised them to Devonshire, and I find it difficult to withdraw that promise now.”

William narrowed his eyes. “Her income is enormous,” he said. “I have been looking into these matters. Why does she need so much money? Why should she keep a separate table? The royal family should eat together. We need money for more serious matters than cards and favorites. Anne will have to reform her way of life; and that very soon. But in the meantime let her have the apartments she covets and retain the Cockpit. Then I shall go into the subject of her income.”

“But Devonshire, William.…”

William looked surprised. “Naturally you will tell him to stand aside.”

Mary bowed her head. She would, as usual, do exactly as William ordered.