Page 116 of The English Queen

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We are elated to announce the birth of our ninth grandchild, Her Royal Highness Princess Margaux Elise, Duchess of Brabant. She was born this morning to our daughter, HM Queen Bethany of the Belgians. It is the first child for The Queen and HM King Louis. The Princess is now the heir apparent to the Belgian throne. We were honoured she was named after The Duchess of Inverness and are most excited to meet her soon.

-The Duke and Duchess of Inverness

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Louis and Beth arrived in Scotland with their ten-day-old baby. Beth wanted to go home. Robbie told her that her mother declined fast, and scans showed the tumour had spread to her brain stem. Maggie was on borrowed time. So, they decided it was time to fly back to the little island. What was normally an easy trip was now complicated. Louis had to fly separately from his daughter. He flew over on his own before Beth and the baby followed with a little help from family. Duncan and Rebecca came the night before to pick them up and fly back. Beth was much more comfortable with this then flying commercially with a newborn at the height of flu season. And, to date, whatever pleased Beth was the way of going.

Louis was utterly in love with his daughter. Beth was beautiful with her. While they were tired, they were in love. Louis now understood what he had been told by others—you did not know love until you held your own child in your arms. Margaux could not have been a happier, sweeter baby. She was pure perfection. As Louis had spent the last eleven days within a few feet of Margie, getting on a plane and flying to Scotland by himself felt downright off-putting. He arrived at the house on the Balmoral Estate where they were staying. It was a gift from Maggie they would get to keep. Louis was tasked with assembling the travel crib and other things the baby needed.

As per usual, everything was handled impeccably by the staff on grounds. So, Louis napped. He felt guilty, but it felt good to sleep. Soon, Beth and the baby arrived with Duncan, Rebecca, and the baby nurse.

“She was an angel,” Rebecca confirmed, carrying the car seat. “Just perfect. Mum fell asleep in the car, so we are transferring everything else before we wake her.”

“She usually is and thanks. I took a nap myself.” Louis took the carrier and freed the baby from her harness.

She needed a change. Thankfully, he had sorted it out.

Beth was in the snug. Rebecca and Duncan had everyone tea by the time Louis returned to his wife with the baby.

“She’s hungry.” Louis handed the baby over.

Beth giggled and kissed the baby’s cheek. “Oh, don’t give me that face! Look at you!”

The baby shot Beth a look when she was desperate for some food. She was the definition of impatient and could be downright rageful. Duncan entered with tea and Beth groaned.

“I’m sorry. You’ll have to wait,” Beth’s uncle winced. “I can feed her a bottle if it is any help.”

“She won’t take it if Beth is anywhere in the vicinity. I have tried and tried. It is a fool’s errand. If she can smell Beth, she demands the real thing and nothing short.”

“Oh, that’s how Paul was for Vanna,” Rebecca said. “And he also took forever to wean so, best of luck.”

Beth’s phone vibrated on the table and Louis looked at it.

“It’s Robbie,” Louis paraphrased. “Your mother is up and ready for visitors. So, when we are ready, we can come up.”

“Okay,” Beth agreed. “Are you ready to meet your namesake, Margaux?”

The baby didn’t say anything, of course. She merely kicked her feet. After a sleepy nursing session and a cuppa, everyone headed to the castle. The baby went into the car seat, the car, and uphill. When they arrived, Robbie met them at the front door with Vanna who nearly devoured the baby. There were few people who loved babies the way Vanna did. No one could not have imagined a happier meeting than this one.

“Mum will be so happy to meet her,” Robbie said. “But, Beth… Mum isn’t herself. She’s often a bit out-of-sorts and she’s quite thin. I’m afraid to tell you, but it’s true.”

Beth nodded, taking the baby, almost protectively. “I got it. Mummy wants to see her, though, so she will.”

“Of course,” Robbie said. “This will make her day, bug. Pa is jumping out of his skin excited. And, no doubt, she’s downright precious.”

Louis watched Beth carry the baby down the hall, following, and knowing this would be a bittersweet day. It was wonderful to give Maggie this special moment, but it was hard to see her so down. Beth could not travel in late pregnancy, so she’d last been back in October. It had been a long time since they saw Maggie. And even in October, Maggie was much slower than in July. Back then, she’d seemed almost her best in years. The hope had been for Maggie and Keir to visit Brussels. Unfortunately, that never materialised. Maggie retreated to Scotland before Christmas, and she looked to be staying. If the mood was any indication, she might not stay much longer.

Maggie and Kier were in a big sitting room with an impressive roaring fireplace. Maggie was tucked in on a couch under several tartan blankets. Keir sat in a chair nearby but launched to his feet to greet the new family member.

Beth admonished her father. “Go on. Go back. I will bring her. Mummy wants to see her, and you are crowding, Papa!”

“Bring the wee bairn over, then.” Keir gave up his chair.

Beth thwarted the chair, and sat on the couch with her mother, handing the baby over gingerly.

“She’s beautiful, Bethy,” Maggie said, voice quiet and weak. “She is magnificent.”

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