1585
After the baptism, I noticed Mama talking for a long time to the Master of Rothes and indeed there was laughter as well as Mama’s well-rehearsed looks of compassion and sympathy.
As he was leaving that afternoon with the baby and his older children, she said, “I look forward to welcoming you to Drummond Castle, whenever I am back. That should be in the next day or two.”
I stared at her in astonishment; I realised she’d gone ahead and proposed to this recently widowed gentleman that he marry my older sister, Catherine.
As we waved them away, I turned on Mama. “His wife’s only just died. Is it not rather soon?”
Mama tickled my chin in that way she did and smiled. “It’s never too soon, my child. Your sister is already nearly seventeen, which is almost too old for a first-time bride. Now, let’s go to our chamber. You can wear my pearl necklace at supper. The pearls will go well with that green. I think the gown is really rather plain, without brocade or embroidery around the neckline, but I was talking to Marie Seton and she told me how much she admired the dress. I think she is already fond of you.” Mama gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Keep that friendship alive, Lilias. When the Queen is released, you may be asked to become a lady-in-waiting in her place; you know Marie Seton is going soon to France, don’t you?”
“Do you actually think the Queen will be let go, Mama? Papa says her cousin the English queen wants rid of her. Once and for all.” 41
Mama shivered. “Do not say such things, Lilias Drummond. Our Queen will return to the throne, just you wait and see.”
She flounced off upstairs and I ran to catch her up.
At supper, I was seated beside Alexander while Mama sat near enough to ensure I gave him full attention. I tried to be good company for my future husband who, I now saw by the flickering candlelight, was in fact not as bad looking as I had first thought; indeed he was rather handsome. He was telling me his plans for the continuing renovation of the castle. Most of the outside work and glazing were complete, as was much of the interior decoration. But his focus was also on converting the grounds into gardens that would rival the Loire châteaux, with elegant terraces surrounded by balustrades.
His eyes lit up as he explained that there were already knot gardens in front of the castle’s south entrance, but he planned to enhance these with stone statues and arbours with entwined branches. I was entranced as he became more animated, sharing with me what obviously was his passion. He was even hoping to have peacocks in the enclosed gardens. Fortunately, Mama had briefed me on some of this – even on the oddity of a peacock surviving a winter in Aberdeenshire – and so I hoped I conversed with him in an interesting manner. He was such a worldly-wise man, having travelled so much in Europe. In comparison, I knew nothing, yet I found myself enthralled by him and knew I was willing to learn. I kept looking over to Mama, but she was so busy speaking to Marie Seton that she didn’t notice how hard I was trying.
After supper, as Alexander led me away from the table, Marie Seton came towards us and took my arm.
“Alexander, if you don’t mind, I have something to show your betrothed.”
He inclined his head and turned towards the door. 42
“Let us go over to the window seat,” she said. “I have something I want you to see.”
We sat on the cushions under the window and I pulled my shawl around me as a bitter draught swirled in from around the panes.
“The colour of your dress reminded me of something, Lilias, and I remembered what it was when I was in my chamber. And I wanted to show you.”
She tilted her head and put her hand behind her ear lobe so that I could see her earring. It was the most wonderful piece of jewellery I had ever seen. They were droplets of pearls with two rubies at the base. Surrounding the two large pearls were circles of emeralds, which twinkled and glittered by the candlelight. I was mesmerised.
“Do you like them, Lilias?”
I beamed. “I have never seen anything as beautiful, Lady Seton.”
“Since you are about to marry my nephew, you must call me Marie – or Aunt Marie, if you must.”
I was dazzled by the earrings and kept staring at them.
“Do you see why I wanted to show you them? The emeralds are the same colour as your dress. They would look wonderful on you. And there is also a brooch – though that does not have emeralds – and the most exquisite necklace you have ever seen. It has the pearls – large and small – and also many rubies and these same circles of emeralds.”
She leant back. “Where do you think I got such beautiful things?”
I shook my head, feigning ignorance. Surely there was only one person who could own such jewels.
“They were a gift from the Queen. Not many people know, of course. Well, why would I tell any of the other Maries – that’s what she called us, her ladies-in-waiting – they’d only be jealous.” She 43 laughed. “The Queen gave me all three pieces in the parure as thanks for my service over so many years.”
Her smile faded and she looked wistful.
“I should of course still be with her, by her side. Sometimes I think I was wrong to have left her. But it is with her blessing that I go – in only a few weeks – to the convent in France to pass the rest of my days. My health was truly suffering in those dank, musty castles in England. Fyvie Castle can be a little chilly, but is certainly not nearly as damp. Your future husband has done some marvellous renovations.”
She took a deep breath. “I feel so much better up here in Aberdeenshire, being able to walk outside in the fresh air at leisure, and I am sure I’ll feel as healthy in France.”
I nodded. I could not think what to say and I was beginning to feel so sleepy after the long journey earlier that morning.
“Is there anything you would like as a wedding gift, Lilias? Do please think about this and let me know. You will be married shortly after I leave for the convent and so I’d like to discuss this now before I go.”
She grabbed my hand. “I feel so lucky to have some time left here at Fyvie with you though, my dear. We can get to know each other better. Let us take a walk in the grounds together tomorrow.”
She stood up, arching her back and wincing. “I often have such pains down my back and in my joints.”
I could not help thinking that convent life would also be beset with icy draughts and cold floors, but what did I know about both the weather of northern France and the comfort of a French convent?
“Good night, Aunt Marie,” I said as we parted on the stairs. “I look forward to your company tomorrow.” And I watched as she swept past me, those fabulous emeralds sparkling and glittering in the candlelight.