Part 26 (1/2)
”But, Madam, the d.u.c.h.ess must hate to disappoint you.”
The Queen was silent as a memory of Sarah's flushed and angry face floated before her.
”The d.u.c.h.ess left in a hurry,” said Hill, speaking more boldly than she usually did, for it was rarely that she offered an opinion or an observation. ”She seemed angry. She must be so ... with herself ... for having offended Your Majesty.”
Anne pressed the small freckled hand of her attendant. Dear Hill! So tactful! So different.
”I do not like the man's temper, Hill,” she said firmly, ”and I should never have a friendly relations.h.i.+p with him.”
Abigail Hill put on a cloak which concealed her from top to toe and coming out of the Palace sped across the park.
She paused before a mansion in Albermarle Street, knocked, and when she was admitted asked that Mr. Harley be told Mrs. Abigail Hill wished to speak to him without delay.
She did not have to wait long. She was taken into a drawing room and there was joined after a few minutes by Harley himself.
As ever she was excited by his presence. He was like a different person in his own home-less formal-and she could not help picturing herself as the mistress of such a home.
His eyes were a trifle gla.s.sy and as he came into the room even before he approached her she could smell the wine on his breath. But he was by no means intoxicated. She realized that the smell of wine or spirits was always with him; yet never did he appear influenced by it in the slightest way.
”My dear cousin,” he said; coming to her and taking her hands; as he did so the hood fell back from her head and he smiled into her eyes; and in that moment he conveyed nothing but his pleasure to see her, completely hiding the urgent desire to know why she had taken this unusual step.
She did not keep him in suspense.
”The Queen is agitated and even angry I suspect with the d.u.c.h.ess who has suggested that Sunderland replace Hedges.”
He was alert at once.
”Sunderland!” he said. ”What a position! We must not let that happen, cousin.”
”So I thought.”
”And the Queen ... she is at least angry.”
Abigail nodded. ”She keeps repeating that she doesn't like him and would never be friends with him. Sarah has left in a huff.”
”What a fool she is. Thank G.o.d! She has left Court?”
”I think so.”
”Make sure of that. She must not have any idea that we enjoy those friendly little sessions in the green closet. If she does that will be an end to them, for she is not such a fool as to allow them to go on.”
”She has no suspicion.”
”We must keep her in ignorance, but I should see the Queen without delay. Dear clever little cousin, find some means of conveying a message to me when you are sure Sarah is well away, and try to get the Queen alone in the closet.”
Abigail nodded. ”The Prince ...”
”Does not count, dear coz, providing he sleeps-and he is almost certain to do that. Hot chocolate is very soothing. Suggest it and get him well asleep. He is inclined to favour the Marlboroughs and might have a favourable word to say for them.”
”He fancies himself as a great soldier and therefore admires the Duke.”
”Now is the time, cousin, to work swiftly and in secret. Sunderland must not have the post. We must prevent it.”
”I will let you know as soon as I am sure Sarah has left Court. Then ... the green closet meeting.”
”My sweet cousin. It is good, is it not that we can work together thus?”
”It gives me great pleasure to do as you wish,” answered Abigail.
He smiled at her and lifting her hood pulled it up over her head.
”Go now,” he said. ”It would not be good for it to be known you had come here.”
She nodded, excited as always by the conspiracy between them, by the secret allure of this man.
He conducted her down the beautiful curved staircase. She saw an open door and in the room beyond a woman was seated at a table.
She knew who that woman was. His wife!
She hurried down the stairs and out into the air.
How ridiculous it was to dream! And of what did she dream?
She should be content with what was hers, for she had a great deal. She, who had lived in poverty in this City which she now saw straggling out before her, who had been a maid in the house of Lady Rivers, was now a friend of the Queen of England-yes, she was a friend; no one was going to say she was not. Anne was fond of her. Perhaps more fond than she realized. Only at present she was bemused by Sarah Churchill-perhaps in much the same way in which Abigail Hill was bemused by Robert Harley. Such enchantments gave no satisfaction. There was pleasure in reality. Anne found more ease and comfort with plain quiet Abigail Hill than she ever would with brilliant Sarah Churchill; and Abigail Hill would never find lasting happiness if she looked to Robert Harley for it.
Abigail made a decision as she walked briskly across the Park.
The next time Samuel Masham asked her to marry him she would accept.
The Queen was seated in her chair sipping hot chocolate. So pleasant and Hill made it deliciously. The Prince in spite of his heavy dinner at three o'clock when he had partaken a little too much of the sucking pig, was ready for his chocolate, and as Hill had suggested it, she had had some too.
Hill was at the harpsichord and it was a long time since the Queen had been so contented.
A scratching at the door! How lightly and quickly Hill sped across a room!
Now she was back at the Queen's chair.
”Mr. Harley, Your Majesty. He humbly begs to be admitted.”
”Dear Mr. Harley. Such a pleasure to see him!”
Harley came in; he bowed; he took the white hand-a little swollen at the moment, but still beautiful-and kissed it.
”Your Majesty is so gracious to receive me thus.”
”My dear Mr. Harley I was just thinking what pleasant times we have had here.”
”Your Majesty's goodness overwhelms me.”
”Perhaps Mr. Harley would care to take some chocolate, Hill.”