She decided then to leave Edinburgh and go to her Castle of Newark in Ettrick Forest and there quietly plan her next move.

She believed that, with Angus to help her, she could regain the Regency and the right to be the guardian of her own child.

She wanted to confide in Angus but something in herself prevented her from doing this. Since she had been back in Scotland their life together had been very uneasy. He made excuses to absent himself from her for long periods. He had his estates to look after, he told her; and he was constantly engaged in the work of the Council.

She realized that he had grown up during the year she had been away. He had made a niche for himself in the affairs of Scotland, and was quite clearly recognized to be a figure of importance. Arran’s hatred of him was enough to show that, if nothing else.

She must be reasonable. They must work together, for then they would have a good chance of success.

An event occurred which gave her an idea that she might put an important post in the way of Angus. That should please him and show him that he could lose nothing by confiding in and working with his wife.

The post of Warden of the Marches had been bestowed on his good friend the Sieur de la Bastie by Albany before leaving for France; a reward to a friend who had rendered him good service more than once.

Albany — and de la Bastie — could have had little knowledge of the wild Bordermen; otherwise the former might have thought twice before offering such a gift, and the latter before accepting it.

Lord Home and his brother William had mortally offended Albany and, although he had forgiven them again and again, at length he had decided to do so no more, and had ordered them to be executed. It was thus that the post of Warden of the Marches had fallen vacant.

Home was a turncoat, a wild and arrogant man; but he was a Borderer and, although the Border barons fought each other, they did not care to see one whom they considered a foreigner pass the death sentence on one of their kind. Moreover the Home clan considered it a duty to avenge their leader. Thus when de la Bastie went to the Border to carry out his duties he was set upon and murdered.

This meant that the post of Deputy Governor which had been de la Bastie’s was vacant.

Why should not Angus fill it? Margaret asked herself. Then, with Angus as Deputy Governor, it would not be difficult for her to regain her old influence, for her husband would surely support her.

She laid this suggestion before the Parliament.

They would not consider it for a moment.

Disconsolate and lonely — Angus was away, engaged on one of his numerous duties — Margaret brooded on the estate to which she was reduced. She was too impulsive where her emotions were involved. She knew this but she could not restrain herself. How could she sit alone at Newark, brooding on the fact that she was not allowed to direct the upbringing of her own son; that when she — the Queen — suggested a post should be bestowed, she was ignored?

As always at such times she found pleasure in making wild plans.

James was the center of these plans.

He was back in Edinburgh Castle and it was going to be difficult to get him out of that fortress, but she was not one to consider impossible that which was difficult.

Then she remembered that one of her husband’s brothers, George Douglas, was the Warden of the Castle.

Now the days had some meaning. George Douglas was eager to serve his Queen and sister-in-law.

He wrote to her. Yes, as Warden he had a certain power within the Castle. He had access of course to David’s Tower, and could give her news from time to time of the King. He implied that he knew it was more than news she wanted; and he was ready to help give her that too.

“Dear George Douglas!” she murmured.

She was determined to be careful. She would take no one into her confidence, and was rather glad that Angus was away because it would have been difficult to keep this secret from him.

She might do what she had intended to do before she went into England. That had been a good enough plan. If only Lord Home had been able to divert the attention of the guards he would have rescued the two princes.

Then, she thought angrily, I should have had two sons today, for I am sure my little Alexander would not have died if he had been with his mother.

It was pleasant there at Newark, making plans, waiting for the secret messenger from George Douglas, assuring herself that she could not be unlucky this time.

Perhaps they could substitute another child for James. It would not be discovered until they were away… almost at the Border. Henry would be eager to welcome his dear sister and her little son who was so like himself. Perhaps James would marry the little Princess Mary; then Henry could be relied on to send an army to Scotland, subdue her enemies and place James securely on the throne, there to rule, when he was of an age to do so, with Mary beside him; but in the meantime his mother would be the Regent of Scotland and the guardian of her son.

It was a pleasant dream. To make it come true she would need all the money on which she could lay her hands.

The forest of Ettrick itself yielded four hundred marks a year, which was no mean sum. She wondered how much of it had come in, and sent for her steward.

When the man stood before her and she made known the reason she had sent for him, he seemed surprised.

“Your Grace,” he said, “the rents have been collected and given to my lord Angus in accordance with his instructions.”

She studied the papers which he had given her, and all the time her anger was rising. How dared Angus appropriate this money! There should have been a goodly sum accumulated by now and she needed it badly.

“I see,” she said; and dismissed her steward.

When she was alone she paced up and down the room. Where was Angus? He must come to her at once. She needed an explanation.

She sent for a man who had been in attendance on her husband.

“Urgent business has arisen,” she told him. “I need the immediate presence of my lord Angus. Do you know where he is?”

The man hesitated and his furtive looks alarmed Margaret.

“Come,” she said testily, “where is he?”

“Your Grace… I cannot say. I do not know… ”

She thought: He knows and he is lying.

She wanted to command him to answer, to threaten him with a whipping if he did not speak.

But no, she thought. Let it wait. I will think on this; and I shall discover all in good time.

That very day news was brought to her which made her forget temporarily Angus’s perfidy over the rents of Ettrick.

A messenger had arrived from Edinburgh and asked to be taken immediately to the Queen.

He fell at her feet breathless, travel-stained from the journey.

“Your Grace, the Warden of Edinburgh Castle has been arrested and thrown into prison.”

She stood still, her eyes half closed. Another scheme foiled!

She said quietly: “Why so?”

“Sir Patrick Crichton declared he could not hold himself responsible for the King’s safety unless the Warden was removed. He had discovered an intrigue… ”

She did not need to ask what. She knew.

“So he is no longer at the Castle, Your Grace, and the Earl of Arran has been set up in his place.”

Margaret did not speak. She was thinking: Did ever a woman have such ill luck as I?

Where was Angus? Never with me, she thought, when I need him.

No wonder he seemed guilty. How dared he appropriate the rents which were hers? Because she had married him, did he think he could rule her… the Queen!

She sent for the servant to whom she had spoken before. “I believe you know the whereabouts of my lord Angus,” she said. “I command you to tell me what you know.”

“Y-Your Grace… ” stammered the man. “I know nothing.”

“I will have the truth!”

The man had turned pale but he did not speak.

Wearily she studied him. What was the use of venting her anger on one who was merely trying to be loyal to his master?

She dismissed the man and for some days she was sunk in despair. Her plot with George Douglas was known — to his cost, and to hers most likely. They would watch her more closely than ever. They would probably prevent her from seeing her son.

She felt desperate and alone.

Then Angus returned. As soon as he came into her presence she opened her attack.

“You have been long absent, my lord.”

“I had business to attend to.”

He came to her and placing his hands on her shoulders, drew her toward him, but she withdrew herself impatiently.

“There are certain matters I wish to discuss with you. First… the rents of Ettrick.”

A faint color showed under his skin. “What of these?”

“I think you are aware of my meaning. I have discovered that these have been passing to you.”

“And why should they not?”

“Because they do not belong to you.”

“You once said that you would give me all I desired.”

She laughed bitterly. “That was long ago. You once said that you would always be faithful to me.”

Had she not been so angry she would have noticed the apprehension leap into his eyes.

“And,” she went on, “I shall never forget how you deserted me when you believed me to be dying, how you ran as hard as you could to make sure of a welcome in the opposite camp. And now I discover that during my absence you have appropriated money which belongs to me.”

“I am sure you gave me Ettrick in those early days,” he mumbled.