The Ballad of the Five Marys by Donald Smith

Author:Donald Smith [Smith, Donald]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical fiction
Publisher: Luath Press Ltd
Published: 2013-09-17T04:00:00+00:00

Mary

SHE HAS RED hair like me. We are sisters. Her hair though is straighter then mine, which would curl more were it not tied back like Elizabeth’s. I wonder who dresses her hair. The face is thinner, more austere than mine – a ruler’s face – but her eyes are withdrawn and reserved.

This portrait means that she has given me her trust and friendship, in return for mine. Maitland has done well.

‘Who then should your cousin of Scotland marry, Majesty?’

‘Robert Dudley is the handsomest and finest of my nobles.’

She jokes, but Maitland has quick wits.

‘Truly, a proper man, should you not scoop him up yourself?’

I am widowed and she unmarried, so our counsellors would have us both wed. No mere woman can govern without a consort, or give birth to an heir, which is nearer the mark. Elizabeth is strong and will not bend her will to their importuning. She and I should be allies, sister queens.

But I cannot wait on England forever. Despite all Moray and Maitland’s efforts, neither the English Council nor Parliament will recognise my right. They hate Scotland, fear a Catholic alliance, and will do anything to blacken my name. It is Cecil’s doing, Cecil and his henchman Walsingham, who are always in correspondence with Knox and the godly.

I have spoken privately with Maitland to engage him as my chief adviser in all matters, not least the marriage. He is close to me now, and has eyes only for Fleming. She loves him in turn but knows her duty and is discreet.

Lord James, Moray as we must learn to call him, will no longer provide sole direction of my Council. I am appointing Morton as Chancellor in Huntly’s stead, and Athol will have his place. None more faithful, as a loyal Stewart and son of the Church. Athol has given good service in the recent troubles in the north.

Maitland has my instructions to negotiate an English alliance, while formally protesting if Parliament in London denies my place in their succession. At the same time we will approach the Spanish ambassador about a match with Don Carlos. It is time to cast our net wider. Uncle Charles will consult the Holy Father about my marriage and that private meeting will be reported to every court in Europe. If Elizabeth will not befriend my right, then I must press claim on England by other means. I shall be politic in all things, as I was taught, and learn the craft of government.

Above all I will not be dependent on the Scottish lords alone, or captive to their favour. I remember how they dealt with my mother. Though I love Scotland as my own country, it will not become my prison. Let Huntly’s fall be a lesson to the rest.

Why should I require a husband when I have my Marys? This Court revolves around our pleasures. Together we lead the dance and when we tire of music, poetry, and plays, we take to hills and woods in pursuit of other game.

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