Chapter 19
1600
The pains arrived in the middle of the night. I managed to hobble over to the door and shout for the maid to alert the midwife who had been staying with us for a few days.
“Mistress Reid, should Jeannie go and wake my mother?”
“I would prefer her presence only towards the end, My Lady. Otherwise too many women standing around doing nothing get in the way.” She turned to Jeannie and gestured to the door. “Go and fetch the other maids and set the water to boil.”
She had a pleasant way about her, this new midwife. The old one, Mistress Anderson, who had attended my four previous deliveries, was terrifying. I was so relieved when I heard she had injured her hip and was unable to leave her house. This younger woman seemed far less of a bully.
“Right, let’s see how far on you are,” she said, rolling up her sleeves.
Some four or possibly five hours later, as I was still writhing in agony, the grey dawn began to lighten the leaden sky outside.
“Jeannie, run along and fetch Lady Fyvie’s mother now. It won’t be long till the baby’s here.”
In between me thrashing about the bed in pain, I was praying. I kept asking God to please spare me from the shame of producing yet another daughter. Please God let me have a son. I was muttering to myself but Mistress Reid heard me at one stage and leant down to whisper.
“My Lady, the baby won’t come easily if you are anxious. Whether it be male or female, God will smile upon his gift. What you must pray for is a healthy child.” 90
And before I could speak, the door flung open and Mama rushed in.
“Sweetheart, how are you? Why did they not call me sooner?” She scowled at the midwife, who ignored her and nodded vigorously at me.
“Push now, push! The baby’s coming!”
Some time later, I sat up in the newly made bed, my little girl’s warm head against my cheek, inhaling the unmistakably intoxicating smell of a new baby. The midwife had gone to have some food and I was now alone with Mama and the baby. I kissed the downy head and looked up through the tears streaming down my cheeks.
“Mama, must we send news to Alexander immediately?”
“Of course, Lilias.” She was aghast. “A message must be sent to your husband in Dunfermline today. It is for him to approve a name.”
“I want to call the baby Marie, after his aunt.”
Mama shrugged. “He may not want that, Lilias. He is fond of her, of course, but now perhaps she has too many connections with his royal godmother. And as we know, his only concern now is with King James and Queen Anne.”
I took the handkerchief Mama handed me and tried to stop sniffling. “I think you are right. He will not want any name associated with the Seton family, as we’ve had for our other daughters. I have no idea what he will chose.”
She leaned over to tuck the blanket around the baby’s feet. “Isn’t she a beautiful baby? You have done well, Lilias.”
“Well? My husband only wants sons, you know that.”
“There is time, sweetheart,” she said, tickling my chin and smiling. “You are still only thirty. There is plenty of time to bear him sons.”
I leant over to kiss the soft, peachy cheek of my little one, but even the warm, sweet smell of my baby’s head could not stop that constant feeling of dismay and trepidation filling my bones. 91
The letter arrived well over a week later. I waited until the servant had shut the door behind her until I opened it. My hands were trembling.
Lilias,
Thank you for the news that you have been safely delivered of a baby girl. After much thought, I have decided she shall be called Sophia.
Sophia? I had never heard of this name before. It is neither a Seton name nor even Scottish.
It is a name from Queen Anne’s own Danish family and, according to your sister Jean, one of Her Majesty’s favourite names for girls. And so it is a great honour that she permits me to use it for our fifth daughter. I do not think the name Marie – or indeed Mary – suitable. As you know the King has nothing to do with his mother’s old ladies-in-waiting, even though the only one still alive is the aunt of his legal advisor and confidant.
He had to reiterate his closeness with Their Majesties to me of course.
I am still busy here at Dunfermline Palace with Their Majesties. The Court shall be moving soon to Dalkeith Palace for a while and at that stage, I shall return to Fyvie. Hopefully in time for Christmas.
Alexander 92
I am sure he used to write “Your Loving Husband, Alexander” at the end of a letter. And he does not even say that he is looking forward to meeting his new baby. And now as I re-scanned these few lines, I could read only disappointment and despair. If I had borne him a son, I would not have been surprised if he had called for his horse at once and galloped north to meet him. But a mere daughter? Well, why bother?
“Catherine is here to see you, Lilias,” Mama said as she knocked on the door and swept in. “She is just having some refreshment and will be up shortly. Comb your hair, sweetheart, it’s a mess.”
It is always all about appearance with Mama. I sighed and as usual did what I was told.
Soon my sister arrived and as she hugged me, I could feel tears prick my eyes.
“Lilias, how are you? I have just seen the baby. She is beautiful – and so plump. What a joy to behold.”
I nodded and tried to smile.
“I have just heard from Alexander. He wishes to name her Sophia.”
“Oh.” She frowned. “Well, that is a pretty name, though not commonplace. It makes her sound like a grand European princess.” My sister chuckled.
We talked for a while, then, just as Mama left the chamber, she leant in. “I don’t know if you are aware, but your husband has been in touch with mine, Lilias. Just three days ago.”
I could barely conceal my amazement. “Obviously the Master of Rothes is more important than his wife. I have only had one letter – and it arrived today.”
“Oh, yours was probably delayed. The weather has been inclement.”
I twiddled with the edge of the linen sheet. “Why was he writing to your husband?” 93
“It was to ask about the family in general,” she said, unconvincingly.
That did not sound like Alexander. Catherine glanced at my face then looked down at her hands, which were clasped together. “And he enquired about Grizel.”
I clenched the sheet tight. “What about her?”
“My husband would not say exactly. I think he regretted telling me it was about Grizel and then he said it did not concern me.” She shrugged. “But I think it was probably to suggest she is soon to be presented at Court and to join our sister Jean as lady-in-waiting to the Queen.” She beamed. “Isn’t that wonderful? My husband will be so delighted. I didn’t want Mama to hear as she would not be pleased another girl might have the Queen’s ear alongside Jean.”
I said nothing but mulled over the likelihood of Grizel as a lady-in-waiting. And I soon realised that I did not agree with Catherine’s conjecture, not at all. But I could not bear to think of alternative explanations. Even the sight of Mama walking into the room with Nurse carrying my precious baby could not raise my spirits from the depths of despond.