And I thought, you can teach a child anything. Persuade it into anything, can’t you? Killing pigs or killing men. Just kiss its soft little cheek and tell it why it has to be done.

‘We need meat when we are hungry. We need salted meat to last through the cold.’

It’s always cold here. They won’t suffer a winter without meat. They’re always hungry. And they all know what has to be done.

I don’t want my baby to be born here.

I don’t want to be here.

Do you understand what’s wrong now?

JAMES. You’re frightened.

JOAN. Yes. Yes. Yes!

I have no friends here and I’m frightened all the time. All the time!

JAMES. I’ve fixed it.

JOAN. What?

JAMES. Duke Murdac’s sons will be in prison before the morning and any rebellion will be locked up with them for good.

JOAN. You can’t…

JAMES. It’s already as good as done.

JOAN (wondering). She won’t dare hurt me if you have her sons.

JAMES. No one will.

JOAN. Is it true?

JAMES. Yes.

JOAN. Is it really true?

JAMES. Yes.

JOAN. I want to believe you…

JAMES. Believe me. It’s true. In the morning you’ll see it’s true. You’ll know you’re safe.

JOAN. Oh, I’d love that… so much…

He kisses her. She kisses him back for a moment then pulls away.

I’m sorry… I think it’s just the baby.

JAMES. It’s fine. It’s good. We’re safe now. We have all the time you want.

JOAN. Can I tell you what I do want?

I’d like to lie beside you in the bed. I’d like to lie on your shoulder, on my side, so the baby can rest against you. I’d like you to put both your arms around me until I fall asleep. I’d like you to hold me like that all night, so I feel safe the whole night. That’s what I want, that’ll make me happy.

JAMES. Yes.

JOAN. The arm I lie on top of will go to sleep.

JAMES. I don’t care.

JOAN. Good.

They get into bed. JOAN positions herself against him, he wraps his arms round her.

I’m going to sleep now.

JAMES. It will be alright.

JOAN. I’m asleep now.

You’re certain? You’re certain everything’s going to be alright? You believe that?

JAMES. Yes.

JOAN sighs in relaxation, they move closer into an embrace.

Song.

If my own love will love me best,

And do the things I mean,

I’ll buy or make her such a dress,

Her shape would match my dream.

Her slip would lie against her skin,

Soft, white and slipping free

As white as shame, as white as dread,

And perfect so to me.

A Tent in the Grounds of Falkland Palace

It’s ISABELLA’s and MURDAC’s tent. ISABELLA is drinking inside with the Stewart boys. MURDAC is outside or close to outside, watching the night. The song continues over this and under the following dialogue.

Song.

Her dress would so much match my dream

With style to turn all heads,