Oh my gosh, I am overwhelmed by the positive response to this story! Thank you all for the positive reviews! I hope the following chapters don't let you down!
Author's Note: I own no claim over anything but the story line, and realize I am taking a great liberty with history (but that's what fanfic is for, right!) =) And yes, in case you were wondering, the title of this story is in reference to the wonderful 1966 movie starring Paul Scofield as Sir Thomas More.
Chapter 2 Music: Drumming Song by Florence + The Machine
There's a drumming noise inside my head / That starts when you're around
I swear that you could hear it / It makes such an all mighty sound
Louder than sirens / Louder than bells
Sweeter than heaven / And hotter than hell
As I move my feet towards your body / I can hear this beat it fills my head up
And gets louder and louder / It fills my head up and gets louder and louder
Michaelmas was one of Mary's favorite times of celebration. The harvest was over and Autumn was arriving. Everyone was in generally good spirits. Once they had arrived back at the castle, Mary bid goodbye to Sebastian, reminding him that she would save him two dances. By the time she arrived at her chamber, her ladies were already bustling about. Fabrics in various hues of orange, pink, yellow, purple, green, white and brown appeared to be floating across her room. Not only were they prepared for the Michaelmas celebration and feast, but Mary and her ladies had spent several late nights choreographing a special dance just for the Michaelmas celebration. They would perform at the end of the feast in the Great Hall.
"Mary! Where have you been? It is nearly time!" Aylee exclaimed, flitting around the room like a tiny hummingbird.
"I was out riding. I will be ready in plenty of time." Mary motioned for Kenna to start unlacing her riding dress. Kenna's fingers quickly worked the laces of the dress, and she helped Mary step out of the stiff material. Mary was greatly looking forward to the lightweight ethereal green and blue dress she would wear as part of their special dance. Kenna brought the new dress in front of Mary, steadying her as she stepped into the waist, pulling the thin straps over her shoulders. Once again, Kenna's fingers worked the laces of Mary's dress. Stopping halfway, Kenna whispered in Mary's ear, "Were you out riding with Sebastian again?"
"Yes, and what of it?" Mary realized her defensive tone would only stir the pot with Kenna.
"You would not want anyone to get the wrong idea, Mary." She said softly, resuming the threading of the silky laces.
"There is nothing untoward going on between us." Mary quickly replied.
"I do not doubt that, Mary. But let me tell you one thing, not one of us would think badly of you if something did happen. You deserve to be happy, and you have been happier since spending time with Bash." Kenna had finished the laces of Mary's dress several minutes previously, but she stayed close to whisper these words in Mary's ears.
The temperature in the room felt increasingly warm to Mary, and she slipped away from Kenna to sit down. What Kenna suggested was treasonous. And yet, Mary felt a small thrill at the possibility. Especially after Sebastian's emotional confession earlier.
"Kenna, please do not mention your suggestion ever again." Mary tried to sound Queenly, and firm, stressing that this was not a frivolous issue to be mentioned lightly.
"Of course, Your Grace." She gave a small curtesy, a bit mockingly. "But if you change your mind, I can tell you how to be discreet."
"Because you and King Henry are epitome of discreetness." Kenna frowned, and shrugged her shoulders.
"Let us fix that wind-blown hair of yours." Mary let the issue drop, and turned around so Kenna and Lola could begin twisting her hair into ringlets.
Mary, Kenna, Aylee, Lola, and Greer enjoyed their portion of the Michaelmas feast in Mary's chambers. They were remaining hidden, so as not to give away their identities. While dancing, each had gold masks they would wear to cover their face, and they accented their hair with multiple flowers and ribbons.
Mary palmed the silky fabric of her dress, enjoying the way the layers of silk and sheer cascaded the length of her body. Mary was representing Mother Nature. The blues and greens of her dress were indicative of the earth and sky. She hoped the court would enjoy their dance, and especially hoped Francis might take notice. Or Sebastian. Or anyone.
"Your Grace?" The head court musician stood cautiously in the doorway. "Are you ready?"
"Thank you, yes. Ladies?" Mary looked around at their eager faces and smiled. "Let us put on a celebration they will never forget." Each girl nodded, giggling and grasping each others hand.
They followed the musician down the hall, stopping before the archway entrance to the Great Hall. Three resounding knocks echoed across the room, as their escort proceeded to rein in everyone's attention.
"Hear ye, hear ye. Mother Nature, and her Season Fairies, would like to celebrate this Michaelmas with a special dance in your honor." With his announcement, he scurried over to the band of musicians seated in the corner of the hall. Mary and her ladies glided into the center of the hall. Mary noticed the hall had gone silent, with only a few gasps of exclamation at the beauty of their dresses. Mary bent her head, her arms bending to form a slight oval. Her ladies sat on their knees around her, arms bent as if in prayer.
A soft drumbeat started, and Mary went into motion. Raising her arms, she easily glided around her ladies. A collective gasp and applause filtered through the hall when she twirled, the layered skirts of her dress danced tantalizingly in the candlelight. Stepping back into the circle, Mary knelt before Lola, pretending to raise her up. Dressed in all white, Lola looked to be the embodiment of a Winter fairy. As she floated across the room, Mary realized how becoming Lola appeared in her white dress, as it hugged her curvier figure. Mary also noticed a few male eyes following her as she spun lightly. As Lola approached the circle again, the added surprise of snowflakes, fell from the rafters. Mary had handsomely paid a local farmer for a small bit of cotton, and after painstakingly reducing it to small pieces, it looked very much like snow.
And the court loved it. Mary repeated the dance with Aylee, raising her from the circle. Aylee represented Spring, and shone in hues of pinks and golds. She took an opposite path around the hall than Lola, and many appreciative gazes followed her dance steps. As she returned toward the circle, flower petals replaced the cotton snowflakes floating from the ceiling.
Kenna danced next, representing the vibrancy of Summer. Mary thought she was the perfect expression of Summer, with her joyous demeanor and vibrant attitude. Though the masks were supposed to hide their faces, hoping to promote an air of mystery, Mary was sure King Henry knew it was Kenna dancing. He immediately sat taller in his seat, swaying ever so slightly as she twirled, yellow and orange hues swaying around her legs.
Greer was last since this was a Michaelmas celebration, as she represented Autumn. Her dress of red and brown mimicked the fire in the hearths around the hall. The light from the fire glistened in her eyes as she spun around, stopping to gently tap unsuspecting court members on their shoulders. She finished her part, returning to the circle as various Autumn leaves began to fall.
Mary joined the rest of them, finishing the dance with a flurry of steps and twirls, all in time with her ladies. When the music stopped, and their dresses finished swaying around their hips, the hall erupted. Many applauded loudly, even standing to their feet to do so. Even rough Queen Catherine was standing with a smile on her face as she clapped.
Mary's heart sank as she looked expectantly at Francis. He was applauding with the rest of court, but he was engaged in conversation with the young lady next to him. Mary knew her name to be Alice, and she was ashamed to see the her obvious flirtation, as she held herself slightly forward, arms pressed in such a way to enhance his viewing of her chest.
Tears threatened to spill from Mary's eyes, and with the continuous applause, she did not want to fall apart. Glancing past King Henry on his right, she found Sebastian, next to his mother, Diane de Poitiers. He was laughing heartily with his mother, who looked extremely pleased with the girls' performance.
"Come now, young nymphs!" Cried King Henry. "As is tradition in these sorts of displays, you must reveal your true identities after a dance with a gentleman of choice. Please, make your choices and then honor us with your revelations! Maestro, the galliard when ready!"
"As you wish, Your Majesty. Winter, please make your choice!" Mary nodded toward Lola, who chose a young man seated near the back. Mary had seen Lola speaking with him at previously gatherings.
"Spring?" Aylee turned around chose the young man seated behind her, someone who, like Lola's choice, Mary had seen before, but did not know his name.
"Summer, please make your choice." Kenna teasingly twirled around the room, before stopping in front of King Henry. Yes, she knows all about discreetness, Mary thought.
"Autumn?" Greer disappeared to the very back of the hall, coming back with a very flustered looking Leith, whom Mary had met before.
"I believe it is now your choice, Mother Nature." King Henry gestured around. All eyes fell on Mary. She knew the most appropriate person to choose was Francis. She glanced at him again, noting she was still not paying a bit of attention to her or the ongoing celebration. With that, Mary decided not to chose Francis. Instead, she started her small dance, twirling around the center of the hall.
Gracefully stopping, Mary knelt on one knee in front of Sebastian, spreading her arms wide and bending her head.
"You would me a great honor, Sir, to share this dance with me."
All eyes focused on Mary, including now those of Francis and Alice. Sebastian stood from his seat, and bowed to Mary in return.
"Mother Nature grants me a great honor."
Sebastian joined Mary as they lined up for the dance that would now start the Michaelmas celebration. As the beginning notes began to play, he held his hand out the Mary, who grasped it firmly.
"Does this count as one of the two dances?" Sebastian whispered, as they started with the familiar steps.
"You, sir, are not supposed to know my identify." Mary said in mock frustration.
"I would know you anywhere, mask or not." He replied softly. Mary squeezed his hand gently and smiled.
"Then no, this does not count."
Mary let go of her earlier anger, frustration, and sadness over Francis. Smiling up at Sebastian, who smiled heartily back, Mary thought, this will be a wonderful celebration after all.