Matt Ford

Two hours later, in her private chamber, Mary watches the last of her auburn curls fall to the floor.

It is done, your majesty.

Mary's hand trembles as she raises her hand mirror, gasps at her own reflection.

Where there were once thick locks of hair, there are now barely enough wisps to cover her pale scalp.

One of her ladies enters, holding a man's riding doublet and breeches, as chants from outside the castle walls grow louder.

Minutes later, in the moonlight of the grounds, Mary creeps out of the castle gates, dressed in men's clothes.

She pulls herself atop a horse.

Adrenaline courses through her veins as she squeezes her knees into the beast's flanks, urging him forward.

She feels the wind rush against her scalp.

Against her chest, Elizabeth's diamond hangs from its thick gold chain.

Mary fixes her eyes on the distant walls as she gallops under the portcullis and out into the darkness.

Because if she can escape across the border, she will ride south to England and plead with her cousin Elizabeth.

Win her round, get her help, and raise an army to avenge and destroy every man that has ever wronged her in Scotland.

Starting with Lord Bothwell.

From Audible and Samistat Audio, this is the second episode in our series, The Warring Queens.

If you'd like to know more about the story, you can read The True Life of Mary Stuart by John Guy, Rival Queens by Kate Williams, or listen to The Rest Is History, Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I.

British Scandal is hosted by me, Matt Ford.

Written by Wendy Granditer.

Additional writing by Alice Levine and Matt Ford.

I was tears.