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The Thistle and the Rose
“She held out her hand, which he took because there was nothing else he could have done; she drew him toward her so that he was standing close to her seductive body; he could see by the rise and fall of her breast that she was a little agitated. ‘You are thinking that I am the Queen,’ she said. ‘Pray, my lord, forget that.’ ‘It is impossible to forget,’ he said quietly. ‘Nay. I am a woman and you are a man.’ She took his other hand and drew him closer. She lifted her face to his and there was nothing else to do but kiss her. The passion which he met overwhelmed him. She clung to him, her body pressed against his, her kisses fierce, demanding. She was beautiful; she was desirable, and they were both young; it was not difficult to respond. At last she withdrew herself, her eyes half closed; she looked as though she were fainting with ecstasy. ‘Angus . . .‘ she murmured. ‘My dearest Angus. Nothing shall keep us apart, I swear it.’ ‘Your Grace . . .’ She held up a hand. ‘I have sworn it. I have thought of this matter for a long time. They will attempt to stop us, of course, but we’ll not allow it. My dearest love, you must not think of me as your Queen. There shall be no formality between us two. How I long for you! The marriage must take place at once.’ ‘Your Grace, there is something I must tell you.’ ‘Not
“Your Grace.” Say “Margaret.” I am Margaret to you now and henceforth.” Princess Margaret Tudor is but 12 years of age when she is married to King James IV of Scotland. Margaret is 2 years older than her brother, the future Henry VIII. Despite the 16 years difference in their ages, Margaret and James have a love match. But James cannot be faithful. When they married he already had several children from his various mistresses and he could not resist one special woman whom he continues to visit, More women were added and another child born after their marriage. This hurts Margaret deeply, but in time she handles it far more maturely, unable to stop James from being any other way. Besides, the passion they share and his attentiveness when he is with her, soothes her hurt pride. But James decides to go to war against England and then is killed and defeated in battle after he has foolishly dawdled with a beautiful woman while the English amassed troops. After his death, it isn’t long before Margaret marries again – a younger man who already loves another woman whom he has had a child with. Margaret has had a few children die early and each childbirth has been difficult on her, but two strong sons survive before their father is killed, Young James is but a child when his father dies and so a regent is named until he comes of age. This man, half Scottish, has lived most of his life in France and so this alarms Henry VIII. A girl child is born of Margaret and Angus, her second husband, but Angus deserts her in her hour of need out of political fear. Tremendous story, although I criticize the author a little for all the details not included. Many times I wondered how many years had passed and what Margaret’s age was now. This woman was a foolish one in her pick of husbands and with many of her decisions. This is interesting, dramatic, and often a sad tale. |
by
Jean Plaidy.