July 15, 1554

René the Florentine has arrived and brought my perfume! It is perfect. And unlike the Queen I plan to share mine with the four Marys and not simply covet it. I dabbed some on a handkerchief and passed it amongst them, and they all grew misty-eyed. These four girls have come so far from their homeland for so long simply to be with me in my little court, how can I deprive them of this bit of Scotland?

Michel Nostradamus has also arrived to do the astrological charts and predictions for Queen Catherine’s new babe.