Royal Sisters: The Story of the Daughters of James II

Gloucester was preparing to visit the Queen; he had recovered from the ague and was as full of vitality as ever. He looked like an odd little man in his white camlet suit with the silver thread decorations and he was pleased now because Mr. Hughes had taken most of the stiffness out of his stays.

His mother put a blue ribbon over his shoulders and stood back to admire the effect.

“But what is that?” he asked.

“Do you not like it?”

“Soldiers don’t wear them.”

“Ah, yes they do, if they are honored enough.”

“I have never seen a soldier in a blue ribbon.”

“It is the ribbon of the Garter.”

“A garter, worn there …”

“They have a garter too.”

“Where is it?”

“You haven’t got that yet. It has to be given by the Queen. Perhaps when she sees how that blue ribbon becomes you she will give you one.”

Gloucester was not greatly impressed, but was always pleased to visit his aunt; and when he was with her he forgot about the blue ribbon for she did not mention it either.

Mary had noticed it though and understood the implication. Anne wanted her to bestow the Garter on her nephew.

She would have liked to do so, for nothing pleased her better than bestowing honors on the little boy; but she had already made up her mind who was to have the vacant Garter.

A Dukedom was not enough for one whom she admired, as she did Shrewsbury; and the Garter should be his.

“So it is the Garter for Shrewsbury!” cried Sarah. “A Dukedom and the Garter!”

“She knew that I wanted the Garter for my boy.”

“You can want all you like. She can’t do enough for that man. You can guess why, Mrs. Morley.”

“You don’t mean …”

“What else? I have heard that she starts and blushes every time he comes into the room. Well, you can’t wonder at it when you consider Caliban. And what of the Villiers woman too! Naturally the Queen wants a little fun.”

“As you say considering Caliban …”

They laughed together, Anne a little bitterly because she was furious that Gloucester had been denied the Garter.

“You know what Jack Howe says …” went on Sarah.

“Pray tell me.”

“You know, Mrs. Morley, that Jack Howe was dismissed from the Queen’s service, but he knew much of what went on there and he said that if William died she would go so far as to marry Shrewsbury.”

“He is supposed to be handsome, Mrs. Freeman, but that eye of his is so repulsive.”

“William has Squint-eyed Betty and you know the Queen thinks William has such good taste.”

It was like Sarah to be able to make her laugh when she was feeling so miserable about the loss of Gloucester’s Garter.

“Oh, Mrs. Freeman, do you believe this?”

“I do,” said Sarah.

More than that she was determined that others were going to believe it too.

Mary wondered whether the child had expected to have the Garter; she guessed that there would be a good deal of light chatter when his mother was about; and his ears were alert for everything that was said. She feared he might be disappointed and therefore decided that she would give him a present instead.

She had a beautiful bird in a cage brought to her; it was of a rare species and the same blue colors as the Garter.

Surely a bird would be more exciting to a child who could not understand the honor implied.

When Gloucester next came to see her she received him with great affection, complimented him on his glowing looks and asked how the army was progressing. He delighted to tell her that his men were shaping well and when they were ready he intended to offer them to the King.

Mary assured him that the King would be delighted.

“And now I have a present for you,” she said.