'Yes.' Mary breathed, her eyes fixed on Bash. He gazed back at her, before slowly climbing to his feet. He leant in, gently brushing his lips against hers, then pulling her to him and kissing her more firmly. Mary's arms went around Bash's shoulders, his hand resting on her cheek. They stayed like that, their bodies molded together like they were born to be forever pressed together, until the door swung open and Greer walked in.
'Mary! Where have you been, I've so much to tell you - Oh my. I'm sorry, your majesty. I didn't realize.' Greer blushed, looking ashamed as she quickly started to back out of the room.
'Greer! No, thats quite alright. I was just leaving.' Bash smiled over at Greer, before turning back to Mary. He kissed her hand quickly and strode from the room. Greer curtsied quickly as he went past, shooting Mary a bemused look.
'What news did you have, Greer?' Mary asked, a small smile dancing on her lips as she moved over to her handmaiden.
'What? Oh.. Nothing, I suppose. Leith was just being wonderfully sweet and we had the most wonderful time down by the river and - Oh Mary, you do know what you're doing, don't you?' Greer asked, reaching out to take Mary's hand.
'Whatever do you mean?' Mary looked at Greer, surprise written on her face.
'I just.. Francis loved you so, and I know you loved him too. Are you ready for this… whatever this is, with Bash?'
'Oh Greer. Everything is so dreadfully complicated, is it not? I loved Francis, perhaps I love Francis still but it is impossible to hope for a future with him. No, Bash is what's best for everyone involved and, although at the beginning this was merely a way to keep Henry happy and save Francis - I think I may be falling in love with him too. Does that make me sound foolish?'
'Oh, my lady. No, it doesn't.' Greer squeezed the Queens hand again, smiling reassuringly.
'Thank you, Greer. Now… I have news. Would you gather the other ladies and return here?'
'I will, Mary, but I'm afraid it will be just Kenna… I have no idea where Lola has gotten too.'
'Not to worry.' Mary smiled as Greer curtsied, and left the room.
Mary turned, walking slowly towards the window, her mind full of Bash, and her wedding, and her ladies and… Francis. Oh, Francis. She gazed, unseeingly, out to the grounds below. Was it possible to love them both? Did she really, at her core, love either of them? She had no way of being certain. In a way, Mary was thankful that she had to marry for duty. Matters of the heart were far too complicated for her to cope with. Sighing, she dropped into a chair to await the arrival of Kenna and Greer.