Chapter III
May, 1540
"Kat!" said Elizabeth, bouncing to her governess excitedly as if she was a child of three or four instead of seven. "I have a letter from Mary!"
"Do you?" said Kat indulgently. "Why don't you read it out?"
"To my dearest Bessie," read Elizabeth clearly. "I have missed you since my departure from England two months ago. If only you could come with me and my darling Philip, but you must study hard and be a good girl for me in England. Perhaps when you are older, you are allowed to travel with us. I have met Philip's family and they are all pleasant and kind to me. Philip's older brother and co-ruler, the Elector Palatinate Otto Henry and his wife, Princess Susanna of Bavaria are full of charm and wit and seemed happy to help me learn German. His younger brother Prince Rupert, has the ability to be a great warrior, and is contracted to marry a Danish Princess. The Bavarians are cheery and seems to have accepted me as their Duchess Consort, even though I am a Catholic. It won't be long before we return to England. Can you keep a secret for me?" Her voice trailed off.
Kat looked up from her sewing.
"What is it?" she said curiously.
"Mary is pregnant!" Elizabeth said in wonder. "She said she is three months with child! She wishes it to be a secret between us! She will have a baby?"
"Yes," said Kat, deeply happy for the long-depressed Princess. "The Princess Royal has a Prince of Bavaria in her womb! She must be pleased! I understand the need of secrecy! The Princess must wish to tell the King herself when she returns to England!"
Elizabeth nodded, wondering what it was like to be pregnant.
"Will Mary to fat?" she asked.
"I'm sorry?" said Kat, taken back.
"Mary will be having a baby," said Elizabeth innocently. "I remember when mama was pregnant, and her stomach was huge! Will Mary be that big?"
Kat was speechless!
"You will see when she returns from Bavaria," she said, returning to her sewing. "Go and put that in the box that held all your letters and come back with your sewing kit. Didn't you say you want to sew a small purse for Mary? It won't sew by itself!"
Elizabeth giggled and ran off, almost tripping over her long skirts of red. Kat watched her run, thinking of the days when Lady Bryan was governess to Elizabeth, and the letters to the King, begging him to send money and material for her ordinary dresses.
She knew she owed a great deal to Mary.
If it wasn't for the Princess Royal, my Elizabeth will be still in tatters, thought Kat, grateful for Mary's interest and care in Elizabeth. I am pleased both Mary and Elizabeth show affection to one another instead of burning hatred that the Princess Royal may still have for Anne Boleyn. If she wishes for the news of her pregnancy to be a secret, so be it.
Elizabeth returned with silky purple material and a needle and thread.
"I hate sewing," she grumbled. "Why can't I go to the gardens?"
"It is raining," said Kat patiently. "It will be terrible if you catch a cold! Mary will be devastated if she learns you are ill upon her return. At least Lady Jane Grey is here."
Elizabeth glanced at the quiet, plain companion beside her with a slight disdain. She liked her cousin, but hated her for her lack of energy and spirit.
Everything was "yes Elizabeth", "I don't know Elizabeth' and "very well Elizabeth."
Lady Jane Grey was like a simpering, perfect maid.
"Do not take advantage of your cousin," warned Kat, as she saw Elizabeth glance slyly at Lady Jane. "If you do, I shall tell the King."
"Not fair," said Elizabeth, sticking out her lower lip. "The King loves Lady Jane just because she is his great niece. I am his daughter!"
"Elizabeth!" reprimanded Kat. "What have I told you vanity and abuse of power? Lady Jane as aspects you must learn. She is a good model of ladies of her rank. You may be a Princess, but you must learn to hold more dignity to your position. Yes, you are a spirited young girl, but you cannot be like that forever, my dear! You have to be a proper lady!"
"I will not!"
"Oh, Elizabeth! We've been through this before! You have to be a good Princess and a role model to other young ladies!"
"It's no fun sewing and gossiping about other people! I want to go and practise archery with Robert and the other boys! They have more interesting activities to do!"
"Elizabeth!"
Elizabeth shook her fiery mane of red hair defiantly and glared at the piece of silk in front of her, vehemently full of hate and irritation.
"Your sewing is lovely, Princess Elizabeth," chirped Lady Jane. "Such beautiful needlework!"
"Oh be quiet!" snapped Elizabeth as if she was twice her current age. "If you have nothing better to say, don't annoy me with your simpering tone and be silent! Go back to your sewing if you are that bored with nothing good to say to me!"
Kat shook her head with a sigh.
"You will be a lady one day," she said, smiling at her stubborn charge. "Princess Mary was like you once, but she changed into a proper Princess."
The people cheered when Mary stepped from the royal barge onto English soil. Their cheers rose as Philip followed, and ignoring all protocol rules, Elizabeth raced from her position and embraced Mary tightly and lovingly.
"Mary," said the King, approaching them slowly. "You are well?"
"Yes father," said Mary, curtseying to him as Philip bowed. "It was kind of you to allow Philip and I to visit his family in Bavaria. They extend their blessings to you."
The King nodded, pleased to be viewed with friendship with his newly extended family.
"Father," said Mary, her eyes shining. "I have news that might please you. While I was in Bavaria, I missed my courses. I thought it was illness, but upon examination with the the finest physicians that the Elector Palatinate could offer me, I was told that I am with child. I informed Elizabeth about this a month ago, but I wished for her to keep it a secret so I could tell you the news myself!"
Henry VIII stared at her.
With child?
His Mary pregnant?!
"Congratulations," said Anna, smiling warmly at the happy couple and the stunned Henry VIII. "You are fortunate to be with child."
"Thank you," said Mary, glad to see her and the King more cordial than before. "I am four months with child and both Philip and I pray for a dear son."
"Naturally you should!" said the King, dreaming of an auburn haired grandson charging across the gardens with a wooden sword. "Philip needs his heir! He will be a Tudor of course!"
"We will see," said Mary softly.
The King raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
"Come," said Anna, gently pulling her away from Philip. "Let us go for a walk. Your husband will be fine with the King. Elizabeth, why don't you go with your governess? The Duchess of Bavaria and I will join you in a few minutes. I promise."
Elizabeth nodded and walked off in a ladylike manner, which greatly impressed the King, who had taken a shine in his daughter he neglected for many years.
"I am very happy you are with child," said Anna, as she and Mary walked casually away from the docks and began waving at the gathering crowd of loyal citizens. "When you were in Bavaria, I began receiving presents from the King, and he seemed to have showered me with more attention than before! Is that ordinary for a Queen of England?"
"Not exactly," said Mary, pleased that Anna's relationship with the King had dramatically improved. "I know that the King sent gifts to the late Queen Jane when he courted her. I suppose it is for you. Yes, I am happy to say that the King is falling gradually in love with you. That French hood suits you, if you don't mind me saying. A lovely design. Your English has improved greatly. Have you been talking to your ladies and learning it?"
"Yes. I am taking lessons everyday."
"I hope my pregnancy will go well. I don't care whether it is a son or daughter, but the King will. He will prefer a son over a daughter."
"No matter what gender the child is, I am sure the King will be enchanted by a grandchild. I certainly will be by a step-grandchild."
"I am grateful you can see me," said the King, addressing Philip who knelt before him. "I was deliberating what to do now that Mary has officially withdrawn into confinement. The two of you must be properly gifted now that a royal child will be on its way."
"You have done enough, Your Majesty," said Philip hastily.
"Nonsense! You are my royal son-in-law and your child will be my grandchild! He cannot be possibly just 'His Serene Highness, the Prince of Bavaria'! There must be something done to prove his royal English ancestry! Upon the birth of a son, I will bestow the title 'Duke of Richmond' on you, and your son will be the Earl of Somerset! If you have a granddaughter (which is highly unlikely), I will still give you a title, but perhaps not the 'Duke of Richmond."
"Your Majesty is too kind for words! I am certain that my child will be a son, but even if it is a daughter, I will love her equally as much as if it was a son."
"Of course, of course! Any names?"
"Well, Mary and I thought of a couple-"
"A 'Henry' for your eldest son, eh? What better name than Henry Tudor?!"
"Yes, indeed Your Majesty. Mary and I agreed for our eldest son to be called 'Henry' in honour of yourself, and our children will have the last name 'Wittelsbach-Tudor' until further notice. We have also decided that our eldest daughter will be called 'Katherine', for Mary's mother."
"Hmmph. Expected of her. A son is always important, my boy! Nothing is more crucial than to have a nursery full of them! Sons will always be more important than daughters."
Philip nodded, to the King's delight.
"There will be great positions for you," he said, with a wink. "Once I hold a grandson in my arms, you will be a member of the Privy Council and along with Mary, my official ambassadors! I will make you the wealthiest man in all of England!"
"Your Majesty," said Philip, glancing at the direction of a huddle of silent nobles. "If I may, who are those men over there? I do not recall ever meeting them here at Court before! Are they new arrivals from the countryside?"
"No," said the King, waving them over. "It is about time you meet them. Philip, these are His Grace, Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, his nephew, George Boleyn, Viscount Rochford and other insignificant Howard men. My Lords, this is my son-in-law, His Royal Highness, Duke Philip of Bavaria. I am sure you are aware that he has married my Pearl."
Norfolk bowed, hating the Protestant heretic on sight.
He swallowed a smirk as he boldly looked the Duke in the eye.
"You are here on my good will," growled the King, staring at each of them beadily. "Norfolk, go and see how the other Councillors are doing and take Philip with you! He will be a member of the Privy Council and it will be well for him to know what to do! Rochford, it was at the request of the Duchess of Bavaria that you are even here! Your actions with your sister disgusts me, but my Pearl wished for Elizabeth to at least see you as her uncle. If it was up to me, you will not be allowed to return to Court at all! As for the rest of you, go and make yourselves useful else where! I am tired of seeing your scheming faces! Philip! If Norfolk is discourteous to you, report it to me at once!"
"Your Majesty," said Rochford carefully, not believing his luck to visit his dear niece. "Perhaps I misheard you? Did you say I am allowed to see the Princess Elizabeth."
"You are not a deaf lad!" snapped the King, who's good mood had disappeared in a blink of an eye. "I
have given you permission to visit her at the wishes of the Duchess of Bavaria!"
Rochford bowed and hurriedly left, surprised at his change of fortune.
Why would the Princess Royal want me to talk to Elizabeth? He wondered, as he settled down in his chambers, clearly unsuitable for a nobleman of his rank. I am Anne's brother and she always believed I ruined her life! We never spoke, even during my Anne's tenure as Queen Consort. I thought she will think me as a bad influence on Elizabeth!
"Your Highness," said Norfolk, almost spitting out Philip's title as if it was distasteful. "I am honoured to meet you at last. Forgive me for not attending your wedding with the Lad-Princess Mary many months ago, but I was rather occupied in the country."
"Of course Your Grace," said Philip pleasantly.
"Your Duchess is with child?"
"Yes. I am delighted she is quick with child, as I have heard many tales of women being barren for years and unable to conceive a child. I am not doubting my wife's fertility, but what if something happens during the birth of our child and she is unable to be pregnant again?"
"Ah, worries of a young husband. It is understandable, as I am a father myself. You must believe you will have many children. Alas, my wife and I only had four. Two sons and two daughters. I am certain you and the Duchess are blessed with fertility."
"Thank you, Your Grace. May I ask why the King shows hatred towards you?"
"You have not heard?"
"Of what?"
Norfolk stopped and stared at the Duke, experiencing an odd feeling of surprise and wonder. How in God's name does he not know?!
Perhaps he does not need to make the Duke his enemy...
Perhaps instead as an ally?
"I was the uncle of the King's second wife," said Norfolk, after a while. "You have heard of my niece, the infamous Anne Boleyn?"
"Yes," said Philip, with a nod. "She was beheaded on grounds of incest and adultery."
"You must know, Your Highness, that the English Court is different to your Court in Germany. Especially the one under our present King. He loves people with a fiery passion that can easily transform into raging hatred the next day. Anne had not delivered a son and the King had her executed so he could marry that pasty wrench. He had a son, but lost a wife."
"Why did he not have you executed?"
"I am useful to him. Your Highness, what I am telling you is under strict confidence. I trust you are an honourable man and will keep this quiet between us, yes? Other nobles may think of our conversation as treasonous to our great King."
"Of course, Your Grace."
"The King is aware that if he executes good, intelligent men like myself, he will not be able to rule England properly. The younger men are more to his liking, but the King is aware of their actions to be here in Court. They are ambitious, Your Highness. You should not trust them. Especially the Seymours. They will do anything for land and power."
"What about yourself? Why should I trust you?"
Norfolk nodded, intrigued with the Duke for some particular reason.
"You shouldn't," he said thoughtfully. "I am an Englishman just like the Seymours. I can assure you that I am being honest, but you won't have to believe me. I was ambitious and greedy many years ago and used my children and family members to gain power and land. I am getting older, and the King is on the verge of losing his wits to madness and anger. You won't need to speak to me again, but on my behalf, can you please tell the Duchess that I am grateful for her to allow Rochford to see the Princess Elizabeth again, even if I can't see her."
"Very well," said Philip, wondering what all this had to do with council business. "What about your own children, Norfolk? Where are they?"
"Around the palace somewhere," replied Norfolk. "My surviving daughter is a lady-in-waiting to the Queen. If you need me, just send a message. I hope you enjoy the remainder of your time here. You must miss your duchy. You are its Duke and it is only right for you and the Duchess to live there, if you do not mind me saying, Your Highness."
Philip nodded politely.
"You must excuse me," he murmured, uncomfortably shifting away from Norfolk. "I must attend to my wife and tell her your message."
"Of course," said Norfolk smoothly, with a small bow. "A pleasure to see you, Your Highness. I hope we can talk sometime in the future."
"We cannot allow this to happen!" seethed Hertford, circling his study like a wild animal. "The Princess's marriage was a disaster!"
"You were supportive of it a few months ago," pointed out his brother, Sir Thomas Seymour.
"That was before she asked for the Lady Elizabeth to be reinstated as a Princess! Our Edward is the King's heir, but he is sickly! Why couldn't Jane have given birth to a healthier son or died after giving birth to a Duke of York?! Now that Princess Mary is heavy with child, she will be a threat to us! What if she gives birth to a son? Many Catholics who supported her will flock to her in herds and Edward will be challenged as heir! I was prepared to let it pass, but Princess Mary had clearly shown her devotion to that witch's bastard more than our Edward, and she has married a Protestant heretic!"
"What is the big deal? No one will openly declare the Prince of Wales illegitimate! The King's marriage to our Jane was legal and he is a male Tudor! The most you can do is pray for the Duchess to have daughters or leave for Bavaria."
"What if Edward dies? What do we do then?"
"What do you suggest?"
"The King has shown more interest in the new Queen than before. Do you think he is still able to sire more children? What if his wife becomes pregnant and has a son? Her boy will have royal blood on both maternal and paternal sides! We should've rid ourselves of that snake Cromwell earlier! Now it is too late, and the last thing we want is for the Princess to strike friendship with him!"
"You are thinking too hard, dear brother! Go and sleep with your wife! Create more Seymour children and enjoy yourself! There is no point for you to keep plotting about this! Seriously, maybe the Princess has good intentions and only wants to be a mother."
"I cannot allow this matter to pass lightly!"
"What are you planning to do?"
"Wait until the birth of the child. If it is a daughter, I am sure a peaceful proposal could be made, but if a son, both mother and child will have to be eliminated."
Thomas stared at his cold brother, shocked.
"You are not suggesting poison?" he said, recovering a little.
"Indeed I am," said Hertford cruelly. "I rather see the accidental deaths of my rivals rather than to allow them to meddle in my plans."
"Was it wise, agreeing to marry our sister Elizabeth to Cromwell's son, Gregory, Baron Cromwell?" said Thomas, changing the subject a little.
"I am not pleased with it, but what else could we have done? We are the King's favourite nobles and Cromwell is the King's favourite minister. What better way for him to unite us? I was hoping for our Elizabeth to marry a Percy or a Neville and become Duchess of Countess. At least with her married to that heretic's son, we can continue to influence the King. As for you, it is high time you are married. Siring bastards has no benefit for any of us."
"What do you want me to do? Marry the Princess Elizabeth?"
"Lady Elizabeth, dear brother. She may be ah, a Princess in the eyes of the other nobility and common people, but to us Seymours, she will be nothing more than a bastard and an offspring of a witch. I am sure you will make a good choice of bride, but still, I want you to find one that is either extremely wealthy or a woman of upper nobility with royal blood in her veins and is a favourite of the King's."
"Of course. It will be best to retain interest and power for our family. What about Lady Margaret Douglas? She is the King's niece and a beautiful woman. I am certain the King won't object in allowing me to make a match with her! He might even see the logic from it! You do not look pleased, Edward. Are you envious that I might have children with more royal blood in their veins than your own? Are you afraid I will abandon the Seymour cause?"
"I doubt Lady Margaret herself is willing to marry you."
"Oh! You have such little faith in me! If you insist, I will leave her alone. What if I make a wager with you, dear Edward? If a lovely, rich noblewoman falls for me with my wonderful charms in let's say...a week, you convince the King to honour me with a peerage! If I fail, you marry me off to any woman you wish! It is a fair deal, don't you agree?"
Hertford nodded, a glint in his eye.
He disliked gambling, but a small wager with his brother is nothing!
"I want to hold nephews," he said with an icy smile to Thomas. "If you do betroth yourself to a good lady, you won't receive a peerage higher than an earldom."
"Any peerage is better than none at all," smirked Thomas, heading towards the door. "I hope we remain in good terms, dear brother. Oh, if I win the wager and become a Baron or an Earl, you owe me drinks at a tavern of my choosing."
He was almost knocked to the ground when their sister, Lady Elizabeth, Baroness Cromwell, ran in, clutching her skirts and panting slightly.
"What is it?" said Hertford, alert. "Is it the King?"
"No, Edward," gasped Lady Elizabeth, leaning on Thomas for support. "It is the Duchess of Bavaria. She has gone into labour!"
Hope you like the story so far! So...girl or boy and any name suggestions? :) For Elizabeth lovers, just letting you know that I'm planning something nice for her! :) Should I make a nice Norfolk or a nasty Norfolk? Let me know in your review! :) Oh, and George Boleyn was spared from execution so Elizabeth can have a kind, maternal uncle to look up to :)
