I fancied a certain radiance had touched her too. It was rather charming to see the effect those two had on each other.
I talked to Margaret about them.
“I think there is no doubt that James is falling in love with Jane…or, more likely, has already fallen.”
“I trust that is not so.”
“But why, Margaret? I should like to see James happy. Poor young man! Think of his being a prisoner for nineteen years.”
“It has been a very comfortable prison.”
“If Jane married him, she would be Queen of Scotland.”
“A queen without a crown…a queen without a throne.”
“If the ransom were paid, he would return to Scotland.”
“They say it is a barbaric land, and the ransom will never be paid.”
“James does not seem barbaric, and the ransom will surely be paid one day.”
“He has been brought up in England.”
“Margaret, I thought you would rejoice. I think it is wonderful to see two young people so happy. If they are in love, they should be allowed to marry.”
“Well,” said Margaret. “It has not yet come to that.”
I watched the courtship grow. This was love…true love. It was something I had missed. Henry had never been like that.
I could see it all clearly now. He had been kind to me…gentle…loving…but it was not love such as the King of Scotland had for Jane Beaufort. I felt envious. I would have given a great deal to be loved like that.
They talked to me about it.
“We are going to marry,” James said firmly.
“Then I wish you all the happiness in the world,” I told them.
Jane embraced me. “Nothing will change our minds,” she said. “They can forbid us as much as they like…we will marry. We have made up our minds.”
“You will,” I said. “But do not do anything rash just yet. Surely soon the King’s ransom must be paid.”
“Surely soon,” said James.
Margaret was less optimistic.
“Will they pay his ransom after all these years? It must be nearly twenty now…just because he has fallen in love with an English girl?”
“They must want their king back.”
“After all these years? You can depend upon it—for every one who wants him back, there will be two against it.”
“Why are you so pessimistic, Margaret? Let us hope.”
And so the golden days slipped by.
Trouble with Burgundy through Humphrey’s marriage continued to hold the attention of those who might otherwise turn it to the education of my son, which was a blessing to me. And here in Windsor I had Henry to love and to cherish and I could watch the growing love and courtship of Jane Beaufort and the King of Scotland. And there was Owen.
Happy days when I could forget the shadow hanging over me.
The summer was passing. I lived through the golden days treasuring each one as though it might be the last. I watched with mixed emotions the progress of my son. Each day he seemed to change; he would soon pass out of babyhood. They would be made aware of that passing and they would take him from me. He was now taking a few uncertain steps. Guillemote and I would stand him on the floor, a few paces from each of us, and he would take his tottering steps before stumbling into our arms. We clapped our hands in rapturous applause and he would clap with us, his face a picture of delight. There were happy moments like that to be treasured and I knew I should remember them forever.
Humphrey of Gloucester remained in conflict with the Duke of Burgundy, much to the chagrin of the Duke of Bedford. But I was not thinking very much of that at this stage. I was immersed in my happy days at Windsor, watching the ever-growing love between James and Jane—and envying them.
James was becoming an impatient lover. There was nothing he wanted so much as marriage with Jane. I was deeply aware of his single-mindedness. For him there was one goal. How lucky Jane was to be loved like that!
He talked to me about it.
“I must be recalled to my kingdom,” he said. “I must have a home to offer Jane.”
“I am sure Jane would be happy to marry a poor prisoner,” I replied.
“I know. It is so with us both. There is nothing…nothing but each other.”
I said: “Such love is rare with kings.”
“A king can love as wholeheartedly as a shepherd.”
“I know, James. You have shown me that. I wish I could help you.”
“I have an idea.”
“Tell me.”
“My countrymen have always been a thorn in the flesh of the English. Now some of them are in France…and of course they are fighting with the French.”
“Well?”
“What if I promised to withdraw them all if they would send me back to Scotland?”
“Could you?”
“I could try.”
“They would still demand the ransom.”
“Perhaps my countrymen would agree to that.”
“You are of an age now to govern. Do you think they will like you? You have been here so long that you are more English than Scot.”
“I can play the Scot at a moment’s notice.”
I laughed at him. “What do you propose to do?” I asked.
“Offer to recall all Scotsmen from France, for one thing.”
“Try it.”
It was about a week later when he came to me in triumph.
“Thomas of Myrton has left for Scotland,” he told me.
“They have sent your chaplain.”
“He seemed a good man to send.”
“And you think he will succeed in making terms for your release?”
“I have told him he must. I want to go back…with Jane as my Queen, and that is what I am going to do, Katherine.”
“I shall pray for you, James.”
“And your prayers will be answered, I know.”
“There are some times when I am sure that if one believes fervently that something will come…it does.”
A few months elapsed before Thomas of Myrton returned from Scotland, but when he did, it became clear that his journey had not been in vain.
James was beside himself with joy.
“It is going to be!” he shouted.
Jane was with him and they both hugged me. All my ladies gathered around, ceremony forgotten. Everyone was kissing everyone else.
“Listen to me,” said James. “It is true. The treaty has been signed. It was done in York between the Scots and the English. The English drove a hard bargain, but my countrymen accepted it. Sixty thousand marks paid in installments of 10,000 over six years. Am I worth it, do you think?”
Jane smiled at him, her eyes shining with joy. “Every mark,” she assured him, “and more.”
“Assuredly so,” he cried. “And the Scots are prepared to pay it! Oh, yes, I repeat, your country drives a hard bargain, Jane. All the Scottish troops are to be withdrawn from France. So that we must try to do. And here is the best part. It is hoped that I will marry an English lady of noble birth.”
Everyone laughed and clapped their hands.
“And what did you reply to that?” I asked him.
“I replied that I would do so with the utmost pleasure. And…here she is. I have already found her. I am determined to take her, and no one else in the world will do for me.”
It was a solemn moment as the lovers clasped hands and gazed soulfully at each other. We were all silent, watching them.
Then the laughter rang out.
“This,” said James, “is the happiest moment of my life. But…there is better to come.”
Oh, to be happy like that! To be loved for oneself…and not for a crown. How I envied those lovers!
I thought that everyone in the castle must.
I went into the wardrobe room. Owen was sitting at a table writing.
“Have you heard the news about the King of Scotland?” I asked.