alliance with England; and, because France and England were perennial enemies, that put Scotland in the enviable position of being of great importance to both these countries.
Louis had written that he was sending an embassy to Scotland which would bring certain plans to lay before the King.
James had left the Court to go on a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Ninian; this was becoming a habit and, although it was known that St. Ninian was the King's favorite saint, it was also known that he made a habit of combining this practice with a visit to Janet Kennedy.
Margaret was delighted to find that she was pregnant again; at the same time her being in such a state meant that she saw less of the King, which did not please her.
It was while she was with her women, listening to their chatter but picturing all the time what James and Janet Kennedy were doing, that a messenger came to tell her a certain English gentleman, who had come from her father, was below and asking if he might have audience with her.
Margaret, always eager to have news from home, commanded that the man be brought to her without delay.
The Englishman accordingly appeared, and Margaret dismissed her attendants because she felt that what he had to tell her might be of some secrecy.
“I am Dr. Nicholas West, Your Grace,” she was told when they were alone. “I come on instructions from your most noble father.”
“To see me?”
“To see Your Grace and the King. Alas, I have been waiting long at Berwick for a safe conduct, but since this was not granted me I have taken the risk of coming to Edinburgh and presenting myself to you.”
“The King has had much to occupy him,” said Margaret. “It may be that your plea has not reached him.”
Dr. West bowed his head. He did not believe that. He knew that the French were sending an embassy to Scotland and that the King of Scotland was eager to welcome it.
“My master, your most noble father, is not pleased with the way in which matters stand between this country and his.”
“Is that so?” said Margaret, who had never bothered herself with political matters.
“Your Grace will know that His Grace, your royal father, arrested the Earl of Arran and his brother, Sir Patrick Hamilton, when they attempted to pass through England on their way to France without first having obtained a safe conduct.”
“I did not know,” said Margaret.
“This matter has incensed the King of Scotland.”
Margaret thought resentfully: He never tells me anything. Am I not the Queen? He treats me as he does one of his mistresses. He forgets that I am the daughter of the King of England.
“But,” went on Dr. West, “there was naught else to be done. When these gentlemen passed through our country without first having asked for a safe conduct, and we knew they were on their way to France, naturally we arrested them. If I could have an audience with the King and explain this matter to him, I feel sure I could make him see the justice of what we have done.”
“I am sure the King would understand.”
“But, Your Grace, I cannot obtain an audience with the King. I come to ask you to plead my cause—and that of your royal father—for me. Your father has asked me to tell you that he knows you will remember you are his daughter and do all in your power to work for the good of your native land, and seek to dissuade your husband from accepting the friendship of your father's enemies.”
This was a new role for Margaret—political adviser to the King. Why not? She was after all the Queen. She must show James that she was not as one of his light-o'-loves—there to enjoy a night or two of passion. She was the Queen.
She said: “You may tell my father when you see him that he can trust me to remember that I am an English Princess and the daughter of the King of England.”
Dr. West looked about him a little uneasily.
“Speak low,” said Margaret. “I understand what you have to say is for my ears alone.”
“It
Louis had written that he was sending an embassy to Scotland which would bring certain plans to lay before the King.
James had left the Court to go on a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Ninian; this was becoming a habit and, although it was known that St. Ninian was the King's favorite saint, it was also known that he made a habit of combining this practice with a visit to Janet Kennedy.
Margaret was delighted to find that she was pregnant again; at the same time her being in such a state meant that she saw less of the King, which did not please her.
It was while she was with her women, listening to their chatter but picturing all the time what James and Janet Kennedy were doing, that a messenger came to tell her a certain English gentleman, who had come from her father, was below and asking if he might have audience with her.
Margaret, always eager to have news from home, commanded that the man be brought to her without delay.
The Englishman accordingly appeared, and Margaret dismissed her attendants because she felt that what he had to tell her might be of some secrecy.
“I am Dr. Nicholas West, Your Grace,” she was told when they were alone. “I come on instructions from your most noble father.”
“To see me?”
“To see Your Grace and the King. Alas, I have been waiting long at Berwick for a safe conduct, but since this was not granted me I have taken the risk of coming to Edinburgh and presenting myself to you.”
“The King has had much to occupy him,” said Margaret. “It may be that your plea has not reached him.”
Dr. West bowed his head. He did not believe that. He knew that the French were sending an embassy to Scotland and that the King of Scotland was eager to welcome it.
“My master, your most noble father, is not pleased with the way in which matters stand between this country and his.”
“Is that so?” said Margaret, who had never bothered herself with political matters.
“Your Grace will know that His Grace, your royal father, arrested the Earl of Arran and his brother, Sir Patrick Hamilton, when they attempted to pass through England on their way to France without first having obtained a safe conduct.”
“I did not know,” said Margaret.
“This matter has incensed the King of Scotland.”
Margaret thought resentfully: He never tells me anything. Am I not the Queen? He treats me as he does one of his mistresses. He forgets that I am the daughter of the King of England.
“But,” went on Dr. West, “there was naught else to be done. When these gentlemen passed through our country without first having asked for a safe conduct, and we knew they were on their way to France, naturally we arrested them. If I could have an audience with the King and explain this matter to him, I feel sure I could make him see the justice of what we have done.”
“I am sure the King would understand.”
“But, Your Grace, I cannot obtain an audience with the King. I come to ask you to plead my cause—and that of your royal father—for me. Your father has asked me to tell you that he knows you will remember you are his daughter and do all in your power to work for the good of your native land, and seek to dissuade your husband from accepting the friendship of your father's enemies.”
This was a new role for Margaret—political adviser to the King. Why not? She was after all the Queen. She must show James that she was not as one of his light-o'-loves—there to enjoy a night or two of passion. She was the Queen.
She said: “You may tell my father when you see him that he can trust me to remember that I am an English Princess and the daughter of the King of England.”
Dr. West looked about him a little uneasily.
“Speak low,” said Margaret. “I understand what you have to say is for my ears alone.”
“It
Similar Books
