Nancy describes herself as a "Widow" despite the fact her husband, James Macelhose, is still very much alive.

​

They had become estranged due to his extreme cruelty and erratic behaviour. For a short while he was in debtor's prison and when released, travelled to Jamaica, the place to go for those looking for a quick buck.

​

James writes a half-hearted letter to Nancy offering the possibility of reconciliation. Instead, she pursues a new life in Edinburgh, attending poetry readings, where she meets Burns. She's social active, inquisitive and confident.

​

For Nancy, Burns is everything James isn't: intuitive, sensitive and handsome. But Nancy is as pious as Burns is red-blooded.

​

Their platonic affair and their love letters as Sylvander and Clarinda tell a tale of adultery narrowly avoided.

​

Nancy has flown too close to the sun and fears getting burned. She travels to Jamaica to be reconciled with James, only to discover he has lost patience and taken a slave girl to his marriage bed. Nancy immediately returns to Edinburgh and devotes herself exclusively to her religious duties, never again speaking to either man.