Chère Tante Marie,
Today is unusually mild for the second of January. But there is a gale howling all around, uprooting some of the smaller trees and bushes. The crows, which usually perch on the tall oaks to the east, are fluttering about menacingly as if they cannot settle. I used to hate their harsh caws, but I have come so used to their noise outside my chamber, I am almost fond now of their coarse, scratchy calls. If I did not hear them, I might wonder what had gone awry.
I hope your sore legs and hands continue to improve. It is astonishing what traditional remedies can do. It seems as if, though the willow bark is not a cure, it might have helped alleviate the pain. In your last letter, you wrote that you were overjoyed to hear the news of the new royal prince, Queen Mary’s grandson, a welcome second heir to the throne. King James is not perhaps the monarch his mother was (you yourself said she was feisty and spirited, if sometimes a little highly strung), but I believe he uses his education well and indeed is a loyal patron of the arts. My husband also says he sometimes has an almost overrated opinion of himself but then again, he is the King; and I must say, Alexander is really not one to judge. He says His Majesty can also be a little impulsive, but so, I believe, was his mother?
While I mention Queen Mary, can you remind me please, Marie, where she was imprisoned first of all, in Scotland, with you by her side of course? I know you told me about your time in England, at Carlisle, Bolton and some other castles until Tutbury where I think you said you took the decision to leave for Fyvie and then France. But we never talked of your time soon after King James’s father Lord 99 Darnley was killed, when you and the Queen were on some island castle. I wasn’t even born when you were there and so I am, as usual, probably wrong, but was it Loch Leven in Fife?
My husband is taking me on a journey in a day or two and I have to say I am rather delighted about it. He has also been far more pleasant to me lately and not as critical of my every move, as I have described to you before. So, we leave tomorrow for Loch Leven Castle in Fife, which will be a long journey, but it should be enjoyable when we arrive. We are to be guests of William Douglas, the Earl of Morton. I know little of this family, but I believe they also have a connection with Aberdour Castle. Alexander has promised to tell me more of the Douglases on our journey. I imagine that he is looking forward to comparing the splendour of Fyvie to Loch Leven Castle.
The children are all well and they bring me such joy. The new baby, Sophia, continues to be a happy and chubby little thing. Though, typically, the few occasions when Alexander visits the nursery she seems to be lying in her crib, kicking her legs in frustration and bawling. But that is possibly because she is awaiting her next meal; for one so tiny, she really is rather greedy.
Marie, this letter is briefer than usual, for I must go now and instruct my maid what to pack for me for the trip; if I do not, she will put in my bags clothes suitable only for the summer heat. Jeannie is loyal and cheerful, but has little common sense, though I admit I’m sad she’s not permitted to accompany me on the trip. I am going to pack your parure in my personal baggage too as I think this visit will be a wonderful opportunity, given the distinguished company, to exhibit its beauty.
And so I leave you now and look forward to telling you in my next letter about our visit to Loch Leven Castle. I do hope you continue to stay fit.
Your truly loving friend and niece,
Lilias 100
“Jeannie, can you try to tie plaits in my hair then entwine some pearls through them?”
I was keen to have my hair set now, on the morning we left Fyvie, so that they might remain in place for our arrival at Loch Leven Castle.
She bobbed and went to pick out a long string of pearls from the jewellery box. “Will these do, My Lady?”
I nodded and sat on the chair in front of the mirror while she plaited then interwove the pearls, before re-plaiting the braids. It was never quite as neat as when Aunt Marie did it, and indeed she always pulled my hair so tight I invariably got a headache, but the end result was passable; and a tighter plait would hopefully last three days.
“Tell me what gowns you have packed.”
“The pink, the lavender and the yellow brocade one. Oh, and I’ll add in the green dress as it so becomes you.”
“I don’t think it will fit yet, after the baby; it always was a tighter fit.” I prodded at my still plump waistline and sighed. I could not believe Alexander had not scolded me more for my shape; he had been extremely critical after I struggled to regain my shape after the other babies. But I suppose he hardly looked at me these days.
“You look beautiful in that colour, My Lady,” she said, folding it and placing it at the top of the bag.
I made a mental note to remove the green dress once she had left.
“That is fine, thank you, Jeannie.” I turned this way and that, admiring my pearl-entwined hair in the mirror. She really was becoming more adept at hair. It was a shame Alexander had chosen none of my own servants to accompany us, but hopefully one of those in attendance might prove capable of dressing my hair. 101
I patted her on the arm.
“Thank you, Jeannie. Have the luggage fetched, please. Now I need some time with the children, then we hope to be gone by dawn.”
She curtsied and exited, and I took a look round my chamber in case I had missed anything, then followed out the door, heading for the nursery.
On the way I called in to kiss Anne and Isobel goodbye, tucking their blankets around them and whispering that I would see them soon. In the nursery, Margaret was already up and being fed by Nurse who glowered at me as usual. I crept over to the crib and bent over little Sophia to kiss her, then went to wrap my arms around Margaret who beamed up at me. Her face was smeared with grey sludge. She thrust a doll at me.
“Kiss Doll goodbye, Mama.”
And I did, then gave her a kiss on her soft cheek before heading for the door.
“It won’t be too long until I see the children again, Mistress Black. Look after them well in our absence, please.”
“I always do, My Lady,” Nurse muttered and continued to coax Margaret with her porridge.