Bedford was one of Cecil’s closest allies and particularly susceptible to his views. He was to talk privately to Mary during the baptism celebrations and persuade her to pardon Morton and the rest, allowing them to come home. In return, Cecil would not hinder the reconciliation of the queens. This does not mean that Cecil had changed his attitude toward Mary. His move was deeply cynical. He was double-crossing Mary, because he was well aware that as soon as the pardoned Douglases returned to Scotland, they would demand their revenge on Darnley, and the resulting feud would put more on Mary’s
...more
