Royal Sisters: The Story of the Daughters of James II Read Online Free PDF Page B

consequently he was liked, by all who came into contact with him. He was under thirty, already far too plump, but his smile, without which he was rarely seen, was disarming.
    Christiern had advised him to do all in his power to bring off the marriage, because it would be excellent for Denmark if ties between the two countries could be strengthened; and George must remember that a Danish princess had married the great grandfather of his prospective bride, so there was even a family connection. Most important of all—there was little for George in Sweden, so it was up to him to seek his fortune overseas.
    George knew a great deal about England, through an excellent English friend who would be ready to help him with the language and explain the customs. He had visited England in the company of this friend some years before and had liked what he had seen.
    When King Christiern had gone to England to join the celebrations for the Restoration, he had noticed a bright boy of thirteen at the Court and had offered to take him into his service as page. This boy’s name was George Churchill, brother of John and Arabella. Like most of his family, George Churchill was ambitious and he had seen more likelihood, of advancement in Sweden than in England; so to Sweden he went, and Christiern had offered the page to his brother George when he had paid his first visit to England.
    “George Churchill will act as your interpreter,” he said. “More than that he will be at your elbow to explain the English customs.”
    So useful had George Churchill become that Prince George was eager to keep him in his service.
    Thus the two became friends, and when Prince George came to England as suitor to the Princess Anne, it was natural that he should bring George Churchill with him.

    Charles smiled at his brother James. “Well, what do you think of our bridegroom? An improvement on the Orange, eh?”
    “He is more genial certainly.”
    “Who could be less genial than our nephew William? This George looks a man of good temper; and think what he will have in common with our Anne. They will be able to discuss the virtues of marzipan versus chocolate which should prove, to them, an absorbing subject.”
    “I do not want to have to break the news to Anne as I did to Mary.”
    “Anne is two years older than her sister was when we married her to Orange.”
    “All the same I should like to warn her that she should look on Prince George as a possible husband.”
    “Is there need to warn her? The whole Court knows the purpose of his visit, so why shouldn’t Anne?”
    “I shall tell her,” said James firmly.
    The King nodded. “And do not look so sad, brother. Why, according to news from Holland, Mary is now devoted to the husband whom she wept so bitterly to accept.”
    “I shall never believe she truly loves him. He is a monster, that Dutchman. He keeps her almost a prisoner, my friends tell me, and she is afraid to voice an opinion. She dare do nothing but agree with everything he says and pretend to the world that she adores him.”
    “Our nephew is a man of many parts, brother. We always underrated him. He knows how to rule a wife as well as a country.”
    “And he keeps a mistress.”
    “Well, James, it would seem to me that neither you nor I are in a position to complain of such a natural failing. How that man creeps into our conversation! I confess I am a little weary of the Prince of Orange. I find the Prince of Denmark a happier subject. Go and speak to your daughter now, James. Tell her to consider the young man from Denmark. Tell her I favor him—and I have no doubt that she will soon do the same.”

    The Churchills were a devoted family and as soon as he arrived at the Court, George sought out his brother John, and there was much animated conversation concerning George’s adventures in Denmark and John’s at home.
    With pride John introduced his brother to his wife and George soon realized what an unusual woman he had for a