The Forgotten Queen by D. L. Bogdan Page B

bed and burying my head in my folded arms. All the tears I tried so hard to quell throughout the long progress into Scotland freed themselves; the floodgates of my soul were torn asunder and I sobbed great gulping gasping sobs. I counted my losses . . . Arthur, baby Catherine, Mother, home, and all that was familiar.... Now my loyal horses, the beautiful dear horses Father gave me, were gone. It was as though I were allowed to keep nothing from England. I would be all Scot. I would have Scottish palfreys, Scottish gowns, Scottish maids. I was not to be reminded of home, not even in the smallest sense.
    The servant departed and it was not long before I was surrounded by the Ladies Surrey, Guildford, and Morton, who petted me and cooed to me as though I were a wee babe. All meant well, but it was of no use. I could not be consoled.
    “I want my mother,” I sobbed as Lady Surrey collected me in her arms, swaying gently from side to side.
    “Oh, darling,” she murmured. “Oh, Your poor little Grace, how much you have endured!”
    My ladies slept beside me all night, comforting me when I awoke crying for Mother and Arthur, my little palfreys, and a childhood long gone.
     
    The king himself arrived at dawn and admitted himself into my chambers after I donned a green velvet dressing gown.
    He gathered me in his strong arms and I buried my head against his ribs, for I was so small that I did not even reach his breast. He stroked my hair as my tears mingled with the black velvet of his doublet.
    “My precious Maggie,” he said, and I warmed to the new pet name. “Dearest little girl, dinna cry. Please dinna cry. Your Jamie’s going to move you to Newbottle, how would that suit you? Then you will not have to look upon where such tragedy befell you. And I am going to buy you all new palfreys, how about that? White and shining, just as good as your old ones, and they’ll be outfitted in the prettiest you’ve ever seen.”
    I nodded, hiccoughing and shuddering with renewed sobs.
    “Now, now, dinna cry, love. Think about all the entertainments! I canna wait to see you dance and hear you play the lute—it is rumored you are of great talent.” He kissed the top of my head. “We’ll sing together, won’t we? Hmm? You can sing, can you not? Why, I know you can, your speaking voice is such a delight.”
    “Oh, Your Grace—”
    “Jamie,” he corrected me. “Your Jamie.”
    I tried to smile, but my lips quivered so much it was a feeble attempt. “Jamie, I’m so tired,” I murmured. “Everything has been so wonderful, but I long so much to sleep all day long.”
    At this request, Jamie lifted me in his arms and carried me to the bed. When he settled me on the mattress he pulled off one slipper, then the other, then drew the coverlet over my body. “And so you shall. Sleep till you can sleep no more and when you awaken I shall have you carried to Newbottle, where I will arrange the most magnificent entertainment in your honor. How does that sound?”
    “Wonderful.” I yawned.
    He leaned down and kissed my forehead. “Till then, sweetheart,” he said as he bowed.
    “Till then, Jamie,” I echoed, casting adoring eyes at his beautiful face.
    Oh, but he made me feel better! He was so handsome and chivalrous! Truly he was the incarnation of Lancelot himself!

5
    Mistress Stewart
    M y honorable knight was as good as his word and made certain my residence was moved to Newbottle, where I danced and feasted and was treated to the finest spectacles he could arrange. He sent me white palfreys almost as fine as those from my father. I cooed in delight at my new pets as I stroked the velvet saddles, fingering the gold harnesses. Oh, the splendor of it all, oh, the sweetness of my king!
    The next day I donned a new cloth of gold gown trimmed in ermine. Again my throat was encircled in jeweled collars of gold and my hands were heavy with the weight of rings. I would be removing to Edinburgh, my new home, at last. Composed and