The Duchess of Drury Lane

Twenty-One




‘Mrs Jordan never has been to me the least cause of expense’

‘Would you believe the King has offered me a post as ranger of Bushy Park?’ William said to me at the end of a particularly tiring week. I smiled at him fondly, thinking this would be a new enthusiasm, which always did his spirits good, particularly since he still had been given no proper role in the war. ‘I am delighted for you, my love. What does that involve, exactly?’

‘Dearest, you do not understand. Seeing how cramped we are here at Clarence House, particularly when the older girls come to stay, and how contented you and I are together, the King has offered us a fine new home.’ He was grinning from ear to ear, and I found a broad smile of delight breaking out on my own face.

‘Oh, how very kind of His Majesty. What kind of home?’

‘It is a beautiful mansion in Teddington, set in more than a thousand acres. It’s part of the Hampton Court estate, on the opposite side of the bank from Richmond. No more than two hours by coach from St James’s, and would not lengthen your own journey to Drury Lane.’

‘Oh, my love, can this be true?’

‘The King seems to think that I have presented myself well, serving as an example of domestic decorum by comparison with the way George has behaved with Mrs Fitzherbert, Lady Jersey and the Princess Caroline. Better one established mistress than two unsuitable wives, eh?’ he said with a laugh.

It didn’t seem appropriate for me to comment so I kept on smiling, waiting for more.

‘I wish you all to see the house and tell me if you like it. Then if you do, we shall arrange to move in as quickly as possible.’

Like the proud family man he had become, the very next day he took us all, myself, three-year-old George and two-year-old Sophy, to view the property, as if their opinions too were of value. It was a cold January day, the lime and chestnut trees stark and bare of leaf, the ground hard with frost, an ornamental pond frozen over, but I loved it on sight. How could I not?

‘It is beautiful, my love. Can it really be ours? Can we afford such splendour?’ I was already beginning to estimate the cost of maintaining such a grand mansion.

‘Most certainly we can, the King has decreed it,’ William said, with perhaps more confidence than certainty. He began to expound his plans for developing the estate. ‘I shall become a farmer. There are deer and pheasant in the woods, and I shall increase the flock of sheep, grow vegetables, plant peach trees and perhaps install an orangery.’

‘May we have a pleasure garden?’ I asked, beginning to catch his enthusiasm.

‘But of course. Absolutely essential. And ponies for the children. Dogs and lots of animals for them to grow up with.’

‘I have some savings, were you to be in need of a loan to get you started,’ I offered. This was meant for my older girls as they would each require a dowry, and once I left the stage I would also need a pension for myself, but I did some rapid calculations and decided I could afford to offer some assistance.

‘I would pay you back,’ William assured me.

‘Of course you would, dearest, but there is really no hurry to do so. It will, after all, be my home too.’ And was he not the love of my life?

The Duke trotted us briskly along a seemingly endless array of open colonnades, taking little account of the fact I was again pregnant, seven months in my estimation, and this time progressing well. ‘The perfect place for entertaining, do you not think?’

‘And for children to run,’ I said with a smile, not quite seeing myself playing hostess for the society ladies here, any more than I did at Clarence House.

‘It was once the home of George Montagu, Earl of Halifax. And more recently the late Lord North, Earl of Guildford and erstwhile Prime Minister. His lady wife sadly has also recently died, and so the post of ranger fell vacant. I have offered my condolences to her daughter, and use of the Keeper’s Lodge on the estate. Now do come and see the bedrooms, of which there are more than enough for a growing family, dearest Dora.’

I laughed, for this was exactly what he needed, a new role and purpose in his life. And who was I to question his dream? For my part, I would welcome any change which was good for the children, so long as we truly could cope with the expense of such a fine property. The Duke set about resolving that problem by writing numerous letters to Coutts about his plans, and his need for a loan on the basis that it could easily be repaid when the farms and woodland began to pay their way. ‘There is equipment to buy, and farm stock, cattle and sheep.’ I, of course, insisted on lending him £2,400, which I told him to repay when he thought proper.

‘It is most generous of her,’ he told Coutts, and much to my amusement went on, ‘I freely admit Mrs Jordan never has been to me the least cause of expense.’

I sincerely hoped I never would be.

Coutts agreed to lend him £2,000, but, like the Prince of Wales, he could not resist making considerable changes to the property, although he fully intended them to be both practical and suited to a family, not at all like the pavilion at Brighton. The Duke, believing himself to be far more sensible than his brother, began to make comprehensive plans for refurbishment, holding no fears about financing it.

‘After all, the mansion belongs to the nation,’ he said. ‘So why should not the public purse help fund it?’

‘I doubt Pitt can supply all the money you’ll need, as the country’s finances must already be stretched to the limit by having to pay for this seemingly endless war. And I’m afraid there is also the question of a number of accounts having been sent in by the shopkeepers of Richmond, my love, once they learned of our proposed move.’

‘I have no wish for you to fret about such matters, dearest, not in your condition. All will be attended to,’ William promised, the very slightest edge to his tone.

‘Forgive me for fussing but following my experience with Daly, I determined never to allow myself to fall into debt again. Nor must you, dearest. But I shall certainly do my part to earn what I can to help.’

‘What a fine woman you are,’ William said. ‘Ever practical, loyal and generous-hearted.’

In March, I presented him with a second fine healthy son, named Henry, a joy to behold after our recent disappointments. ‘Perhaps I took more care with this one,’ I ruefully remarked as I lovingly cradled my child to my breast. ‘Finding the right balance between my career and motherhood is not always easy.’

‘You need more assistance, my love, and I shall provide it.’

William took on more nursemaids, including a Miss Sketchley, who would be something between nurse and governess. And also the Reverend Thomas Lloyd, as chaplain and general mentor and assistant for me and the children. He was a tactful, amiable man, willing and able to assist us in any way. This included taking the daily prayers, baptizing the dear children and somehow managing to maintain the requirements of his faith with a pragmatic realism. The Duke was determined that his own offspring would be provided with a loving home, doting parents, and yet be instilled with the necessary manners and education.

‘Can we afford all these wages?’ I asked. Lloyd alone was to be paid £400 per annum, and the costs of the refurbishment seemed to be escalating by the day.

‘We can and we must. I will not have you overtaxed.’

‘Yet we must watch our expenditure carefully.’

‘I do watch it,’ the Duke snapped, and I said no more, knowing when to hold my tongue.

‘These builders will send in their account twice if you don’t watch out,’ the Prince of Wales warned him, no doubt speaking from experience. ‘You must keep a close eye on your debts, Billy boy.’

Irritated that not only I, but his own brother should be nagging him, the Duke’s reply was somewhat tetchy. ‘It is all very well for you to talk, having had your debts settled.’

George smoothed the silk of his new neckcloth, looking momentarily glum. ‘Sadly, they are rising yet again, like the phoenix.’

It was May and William had recently attended the marriage of the Princess Royal to the Prince of Wurttemberg at St James’s. All the family were present, for once including the four princesses, but again I was excluded. Afterwards the Duke told me how he’d boasted of my being an excellent manager, and that he meant to hire an architect to assist with the building project.

‘Would you believe George remarked how fortunate I was to have your capacity to add to the coffers.’ His expression darkened, clearly hating the inference behind this remark. ‘I told him quite bluntly that I do not view you in those terms.’

‘I am glad to hear it,’ I said, not sure whether to be amused or insulted by this charge. ‘And what else did you say?’

‘That I may be permitted to be partial but cannot help thinking you are one of the most perfect women in this world. “Is she not a champion for the independent woman?” I said. “I dare say she is, Billy Boy,” George replied. “And no one can deny the good lady is a worker.” He has apparently seen you most days being driven in and out of London in your new carriage, or in mine on occasion with its royal crest. “And a most excellent mother,” I replied, with some pride. “Our children will grow up cheerful, independent and happy. What more can a father ask?” “A win on the state lottery?” my brother quipped, and even suggested that I might feel unmanned by you.’

‘And are you?’ I asked, holding my breath.

‘Of course not! What utter tosh! Why should I? I told George in no uncertain terms that I like minding my children, and supervising the work at Bushy, and shall enjoy running my farm. Although it’s true I would still relish serving my country.’

Soon after being made ranger William had heard of Nelson’s arrival in the country, and having once been instrumental in procuring him HMS Agamemnon back in 1793, he at once abandoned supervising the work at Bushy House to hurry to his old friend’s side. Nelson’s arm had been shattered by a cannon ball at the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, necessitating amputation. William was only too happy to welcome him home and offer sympathy. ‘I envy Nelson’s adventurous life, and long to be more involved in the war. Failing that, the wish dearest to my heart is to be Marine Minister.’

‘You would make a good one,’ I agreed, my heart going out to him, knowing how he ached for a more active role.

‘My sister, the Princess Augusta, however, doubts my capability. She claims that I have many good parts, but am far too indolent to do any role justice.’

‘Did she indeed?’ I asked, hiding a smile.

‘“You are a man so fond of his ease you let everything take its course,” she said. What think you of that?’

He sounded so infuriated that I felt bound to console him, even though I thought the Princess might well have a point. ‘I’m quite sure that given a position of proper merit and importance, you would exert yourself to the utmost.’

‘That is exactly what I said. Augusta’s response was that I try too hard, and the long worthy speeches in the Lords count against me. How can that be?’ he protested. ‘Did I not speak up against the fragile position of women following a divorce, and oppose efforts to bar them from remarriage? I also helped abolish laws against dissenting Christians.’

‘Of course you did, dearest,’ I concurred, and refrained from saying how he did not always see the hypocrisy in such a stand, and even if he did, I should think most of the Lords would be asleep by the time he’d made his point. But I felt sorry for him. Despite his regular attendance at the House of Lords, and keeping himself in touch by corresponding with Nelson and other officer friends, I knew my dear Billy felt deeply frustrated at being so overlooked and denied any opportunity to serve his country. Now it seemed even his own family could not recognize this important need in him.

‘I say only what needs to be said,’ he went on, growing ever more heated over this sense of injustice. ‘Otherwise Pitt would have it all his own way. I am not simply a family man, and a man of economy, I do have considerable experience in naval affairs. But of course George must always have the final word. “And how long did you say your good lady has been acting in London? Five years is it, or ten?”’

‘Did you tell him that I came in 1785?’

‘I most certainly did, but he wouldn’t have it. “I’ll stake five hundred pounds it was long before that,” he insisted. Done, said I, seeing an easy profit, and the Prince at once burst out laughing, so full of arrogance he couldn’t contemplate losing.’

I groaned. ‘Will you two never learn? Where is the point in transferring five hundred pounds from the Prince of Wales’s debt to your own? Man of economy indeed!’

‘What is it, what have I said?’

‘I believe the Prince has proved his point, that you are not a man of economy at all.’

William flushed, realizing he’d been duped by his clever brother yet again. Sadly, his siblings had too often proved how much sharper their brains were.

Shamed by my scorn, and conceding that I made a fair point, William withdrew his bet. But economy remained a problem for him. The architect was not always present to superintend the work, and neither was I, so this task was left largely to William’s steward and the builders’ own discretion. Nor did he ever question the price of materials and labour on any of the accounts he forwarded to Coutts. Budgets, after all, were not generally the concern of princes.

Walls were taken down, new rooms formed, doors and windows moved, the stables extended and the gardens redesigned. While work progressed, he chose to rent a house in Dover, being intolerant of the mess and disorder created, and quite unthinking of the extra expense. I joined him for a while after Drury Lane closed for the season, but then moved into Bushy with the children in order to hurry things along and make the house presentable as quickly as possible. This proved to be an excellent plan, as I was by then performing in a short season in Richmond.

Hester was with me, and Fanny and Dodee too. They were to live nearby at Gifford Lodge, so that I could visit them more easily, and already they were keen to help with the harvest and the gardening.

‘The children are going to love living here, and it will make my life so much easier.’

‘And considerably more expensive,’ Hester said. It was ever her wont to see the worst in things.

‘You really have no call to criticize the Duke on that score. Are you and the children not amply provided for?’

‘But who supplies the funds?’

I flushed angrily. Why did my dear sister always manage to spot the flaws, and raise my hackles with her complaining? ‘The Duke is most generous, but we share many of the expenses, as we do everything else, whether it be caring for the children or working on this house. As should all couples, I might add.’ Hester seemed to be rapidly turning into a crabby old maid.

I had intended to keep a better eye myself on the legions of workmen who milled about the place, but in reality I was far too busy. Even when William finally joined me, he too was often occupied elsewhere.

When not at the Lords he consoled himself for his lack of a proper role by forming a guard of yeomanry. This comprised local farmers and other worthies in Spelthorne, and he was nothing if not rigorous with their drills. Young as they were, he declared he would have been happy to take them into action, and I know he longed to do so. At least putting these men through their paces gave him a purpose.

After Richmond I moved on to Margate, an engagement that could not be declined as it was particularly well paid at £50 a night. I regularly dispatched what money I could to the Duke, as promised, and of course took the youngest children with me.

‘Why not put a kiss in this note to Papa,’ I suggested to little George, when writing one of my many letters to him. Giggling with excitement he put his mouth to the paper and spat on it. I laughed out loud, for he was such an imp, and felt obliged to add a sentence or two to explain the wet marks on the page to his father. I expect William would laugh too, for he adores his children, and they could do no wrong in his eyes.

At the start of the new season at Drury Lane in September I played Miranda in The Tempest, and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, the latter very much a part which suited me, and surprisingly easy to learn. We also performed The Count of Narbonne, and The Castle Spectre, very gothic and hugely popular.

I became very involved in charity work, not only providing layettes for poor mothers, but also performing in many benefits to support lying-in hospitals. Did I not understand what it was to be poor and not to be able to afford to pay a doctor to attend at this most dangerous time in a woman’s life? I endowed a free school for girls locally in Richmond because a good education, my mother always said, is so very important. Like all parents she did what she could for her children, and naturally gave preference to the boys. But girls need educating too, and I was determined to help in this respect, since I could afford to do so.

My own eldest daughters were by this time very nearly full grown, then in December 1798 I gave birth to Mary, followed almost exactly a year later with another boy, Frederick, who kept me from work until the following April. This resulted in my not being paid for the entire winter. I was compelled to have strong words with Sheridan on the subject.

‘Perhaps if you could reduce your pregnancies,’ was his caustic reply, which infuriated me all the more.

The money was most definitely owed to me and I had no wish to be a burden to the Duke, since he had enough to contend with refurbishing our beloved Bushy. I was obliged to write to Coutts to explain the delay in payment of their allowance to Hester and my older girls, and asked for him to subsidize me until the money came through.

‘I shall get my money from Mr Sheridan, make no doubt, but not time enough to prevent the distress and discredit that must be the result of his remissness.’

These minor irritations aside I had never been happier in my life. My dear Billy and I were the most contented of couples. The papers published a cartoon of the Duke wheeling a perambulator packed with children in the park, which he so loved to do. It showed him with a doll hanging from his pocket, and me walking alongside, book in hand, learning my lines. I think he was rather flattered by it. But then he was the very best of fathers.