1610
I was sitting up in bed, gazing at the new baby in my arms, when the door swung open. Jeannie jumped to her feet and pulled a chair across to the bed. She gestured to me that she should take the baby but I shook my head.
“Margaret, here I am,” Alexander said, sweeping in. “I thought the child would be in the nursery, but I see she is up here with you. Is that advisable?”
“Of course, dear husband. Nurse has the other little ones to tend to in the nursery. And I find that I am quite capable.” I pointed to the chair for him to sit but he came towards me and bent down to kiss my forehead. Then he stared at the baby and stroked her downy cheek. “She has the Seton colouring. I am pleased we decided on the name Marie.”
“I am delighted. Marie Seton will grow to be a wonderful woman, I can tell,” I said, kissing her perfect little fingers. “Tell me about the trip. I hope your meeting with your merchants went well. And your visit to the bell foundry in Flanders? How is Aunt Marie?”
He told me at length about his time away, ending up by describing how Marie looked well, considering her age.
“How old is she?”
“Sixty-five, I believe. She is frailer than before, of course, but still sprightly of mind.”
Little Marie began to cry and so I called Jeannie over. “It’s time for her to feed. Please take her to the wet nurse.”
She scooped up the warm bundle from my arms and I smiled. 296 “Was Aunt Marie pleased when you told her this little one was to be named after her?”
He nodded and took my hand. “It made her very happy. I believe it brought her joy that will comfort her in her final years.”
He reached down to the floor where he had deposited a package.
“This is from her. She said to open it and to read the letter when you are on your own. There’s something in there that she possibly doesn’t want anyone else to see – probably some crucifix you’ll have to dispose of before the minister sees it,” he said, chuckling.
I smiled and took the package in my hands.
“Do you mind if I go downstairs, Margaret dear? I’m sure there is plenty to be done in the Charter Room.”
“I dealt with as much as I could before the baby arrived, Alexander. There shouldn’t be too much work for you.”
“Thank you, my dear. What would I do without you?” he said as he rose and headed for the door. He turned and smiled. “You have done well.”
“What, even though I delivered another girl?”
“That matters not,” he said, shutting the door quietly behind him.
I turned down to the package in my lap and unravelled the fine cloth. There was a letter on top, so I opened this and began to read.
Chère Margaret,
My nephew’s visit brought me both joy and sorrow. The sadness came as I realised how very old I am and how perhaps I shall not have much longer on this earth. He and I spoke of many things, and by the end I sensed we understood each other a little better. I feel that as he too is now heading towards old age, he deserves atonement for his past sins. And I shall continue to pray that God will, in his grace, forgive him. 297
The gift that you gave me was too kind. I appreciate it so very much. The Queen gave it to me in 1575. It was the most splendid thing I had ever been given and it still is very precious to me.
But I now pass the parure on to you, dear Margaret. Lilias wore it for many years and I believe Grizel must have done too. It is for you now to wear and to remember me by.
Thank you for naming your new baby girl after me. I am both honoured and touched and to my dying day, though I shall never meet her, little Marie Seton shall be precious to me.
With all of God’s blessing,
Marie
I lifted the lid on the black velvet box and marvelled once more at the beauty of the parure, given by a Queen to her friend; and now entrusted to me. I sat there for some time, contemplating what to do with it. I wondered whether, if I told my husband about it, he would want me to wear it, though his wishes were not always executed exactly as he might desire.
Later that afternoon, when Jeannie came back into the bedroom with little Marie, I was still gazing down at the open box.
She handed the warm bundle to me and I nuzzled in to kiss the perfect little cheek.
Jeannie gasped and pointed to the parure.
“My Lady, I thought you said it had gone back to its rightful owner.”
“And now it is back at Fyvie and it shall go to its rightful owner when she is old enough to wear it.” I picked up an earring and held it up above the sleeping baby. “But until Marie comes of age, we shall keep it hidden once more, over there where we found it. If you could please pull out the dressing table and hide it away.”
Jeannie frowned. “Are you sure, My Lady? What if, God forbid, something happens to you and…” 298
I smiled. “After you have done this, I want you to fetch me a quill and some ink. I shall write my own will declaring that, should I die before my daughter Marie comes of age, then the parure can be retrieved from its hiding place in my room. I shall explain exactly where it is. I shall put this decree alongside my husband’s in the Charter Room, for as you know, I now deal with such affairs for him.”
I shut the case and handed it to her. “And Jeannie, do not worry. I intend to live many years yet. I know I shall see my daughter wear it when she comes of age and I will tell her about her great aunt Marie, whose gift came from the Queen herself.”