As I look back on my life, I can see it as if it were not my life, but a rich tapestry woven with many colours. The rich threads of my life and companionship with the Queen are so obvious to me, and I know that they have been the focal point of all my life’s journey. I close my eyes and think back to when that thread was strongest; when she and I had no one else in the world but each other, and the cousin she had believed would help her had done nothing of the sort.

It was a long time for us in England; nineteen long years, spent at the mercy of Elizabeth, who made no secret of her mistrust of her cousin.

We had left Carlisle Castle, which was fairly comfortable, and had been moved to Tutbury, which was less pleasant. A gilded cage is still a cage, but at least at Carlisle...

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