Guest Room

Upon my return to Scotland I decided to come and visit the Duke and Duchess of Westmoreland it was nice not to be so alone out here now and I looked forward to their company and what adventures they had been up to together. Opening my trunk I started to lay out my dresses so they would not crease the only great advantage about being sent to France was the lovely dresses I had now enquired.

Hearing that familiar kind voice I dropped my dress on the bed and went to open the door I had not seen Royce in a very long time. Royce! It has been such a long time since I last saw you but I see that you have not changed which is a comfort. I wondered if he minded all my dresses being flung about on the bed as this was his estate. Please come in I was just unpacking I was never one for tidiness how is Mary Rose.

I embraced him back not even my own brother would even bother to hug me. Has it really been that long James sent me to France. I rolled my eyes picking up my dresses placing them back onto the bed his news caught me by surprise he was now a farther that was wonderful news. Twin boys now that is a blessing I hope her labour was not horrendous I am really happy for you both. As for my brother James he is not so happy with our cousin Henry my brother is a devout catholic and he has started to burn people of the new reformation faith. Recently an English Ambassador advised James to close the monasteries and take their revenue, so that he would not have to keep sheep like a mean subject. James replied that he had no sheep, he could depend on his god-father the King of France, and it was against reason to close the abbeys which, "stand these many years, and God's service maintained and kept in the same, and I might have anything I require of them." Ralph Sadler the English Ambassador must know that my brother keeps sheep on his lands. I sat on the edge of the bed and sighed. That is not all my brothers treasurerJames Kirkcaldy of Grange would like in the near future for James to meet with Henry about the persecution of Protestants. Does this mean that in the eyes of my cousin Henry I am a traitor because of my brothers actions. I felt lost and torn I would gladly bury my head in the sand from this.

Along time ago I had realized that only a small few of people truly cared the rest of them were just cowards trying to save their own skin of their back. It seemed that I would be better of back in France away from all this madness of reforming faith just so the king could bed his whore. I never came here to ask for your help Royce I was merely replying to the question you had ask me. Along the way of your journey to becoming a reformist Royce I hope that you do not forget where you come from. I stood placing my dresses back into my trunk people had changed and it did not fit well with me.

I looked at him through slanted eyes taking such a risk could cost him his head. That is also dangerous as well. I find the world very much changed Royce everyone seems to be at war fighting over religion who do you trust these days.

I sincerely hoped that he was right about the king. I think I shall stay here until it is safe to test the waters so they say. Their is no one else back at home so I would grow very lonely and bored ooh I can keep an eye on the babies whilst you two are busy elsewhere. I could not wait ti meet the bonnie babies I wonder whom they look like.

Marriage? I had not thought about that question in a very long time and James had certainly not mentioned it I feared he would be using me as a candidate for marriage to smooth over some unholy war. No we do not speak of it he has other important things on his mind I would like to find a husband but I would like to stay in Scotland I have been far from my homeland for so long. Why do you ask Royce do you have someone in mind for me. I wondered if he was planning to marry me of to his brother it would make perfect sense.

I recalled the memory of me with plaited hair and shaked my head in disagreement the dresses I was made to wear were awful but I was happy. People see beautiful things differently others and they are a lot harsher the courting ways are different for us ladies we get sized up like some piece of meat. In the middle eastern part of this world kings worship women in all different shapes and sizes I actually prayed that my ship would be blown in that direction I could use some adoration. I laughed sitting back on the bed holding a necklace in my hands. Actually would you like to hear something funnier and I know that what I am about to say can happen but I share this only with you for now.... You can tell Mary Rose if you think it will help my cause. When kings have a mistress it becomes public knowledge and if they bare them a child sometimes they get sent away or given some lands but what about a secret mistress? What happens to them if they bore a child to a king can you tell me what happens to them Royce I met someone in France she claimed to be my sister and I am not to sure what I should do. I felt like a little girl on the bed revealing a secret that was never to be mentioned but this was Royce brave and gallant like he always was when we were little.

Her name is Janet Stuart she is a Duchess I can't even remember if James had a mistress but it's all so discreet. This new revelation had me questioning my own lineage and myself. She can't claim the throne as only as she would have to get through James his children and then me and William and his children but Royce I have some doubt and it grows more stronger by the minute what if I am not of Royal blood! This sort of thing doesn't really happen although it probably does happen but it's dealt with in secret.

I looked at his expression was he trying to give me a hint to something an usurper I had never met one before. Something has sprang to my mind but I would have to call upon the help of a foreign Prince. Is it really worth all the hassle Royce but I need answers I thought of inviting her to Scotland but if you fear that they could be a usurper that has put me of. I turned my hand around and gently gave his a squeeze before letting go I was a grown up young lady I would have to deal with this myself.

His smile was soft I noticed in truth I never wanted him to let go of my hand I was an alone duck at the moment with the weight of a monarchy on my shoulders until my brother came back.. I shall invite her but this is your own sanctuary Royce maybe it would be wise for me to invite her elsewhere you can of course come with me if you wish. Pull your hand away Madeline he is not yours.

I looked at him with disapproval why was he saying such things about himself in order to make me feel happier I turned my face away from him. You are more than my brother's bestfriend Royce! You have a wife and two baby boys you have much to be happy for. Scotland is our home town and I need to protect it will you still be here if I went away again. This was a wildest moment it gave me great joy to be holding his hand even though it was very wrong indeed. I stood up my hand still within his halting I was about to take a step further towards him yet this was unfair to Royce.