It had been a whole weeks since Kristina had come with her parents to the French court. She found that the French court was much more exciting then the Scottish court. It seemed like there was always a fancy ball to go to or dinner. It was almost like the French court was a fairytale. Even though she was having a wounderful time at court. Kristina missed her parents very much. Her mother and father had left to go back to Scotland only a few days ago. Her mother after specking with Mary had agreed to go to a convent to be given time to grieve for both her son and daughter. After which she would be allowed to return home. The Duchesses agreed and so a few days after leaving France she went to the convent in Scotland to began Kristina hoped to heal from the loss that come upon their family.

On top of all the balls and dinners. Kristina was spending a lot of time with Bash. Both riding and practicing with swords she was becoming very fond of the King's brother. The time she got to spend with Bash had quickly become her favorite part of the day. She looked forward to their morning rides and after noon sword practices. Bash had been her escort and dance partner at the dinners and balls given by Mary and Frances. For Bash spending time with Kristina was something very different then the time he'd spent in the company of any of the ladies in court. It also very different from the time he had spent to with Mary before she married his brother. Kristina was more free to do what she liked and she was also very open with him about everything. She also very trusting and loving. He knew she was loyal to Mary as both her god sister and a loyal subject. But the more time Bash spent with Kristina the more he felt himself falling in love with her and forgetting that he ever had feelings towards Mary.

The castle grounds where covered with a fresh blanket of snow as Bash and Kristina returned from their morning ride. This morning's ride had been cut short because Bash had been called down to the village to attending to a problem with certain men who had been seen coming out of home of loyal Catholic subjects home and then people finding the bodies of these poor people hung up in their own homes. The two where laughing and talking as they returned to the stables.

"I'm sorry our ride was cut short today." Bash said apologizing yet again.

"Bash as I've already told you it's alright. You are the King's deputy and it is your duty to protect his people even if it does cut into your lezer time." Kristina replied.

"Yes well. I will see you later on this afternoon for our sword practices?"

"Of course. Be careful Bash I don't wish you to be harmed."

"Thank you my lady. I shall see you later."

Kristina smiled nodding as Bash turned his horse around and turned to leave the stables. Sighing Kristina pulled her cloak tighter and headed back towards the castle. She had just reached the inner chamber of the castle when she noticed a rider coming up the path towards the castle. Her heart rate sped up thinking something had happen to Bash he'd only just left her and something could have already happen to him. She ran the rest of the way to the castle praying she reached it in time to find out what had happen to Bash.

When Kristina reached the foyer of the castle she found Mary waiting for her with a letter in her hand. Kristina took a deep breath trying her best to speck but instead Mary spoke first.

"Kristina what is the matter you look so pale are you ill?"

"No...no.. your...majesty I'm... just... I saw the rider coming and I feared something had happen to Bash. He'd only just left me at the stables and I feared something had happen to him on the way to the village and I..ran... back to see what had happen."

Mary smiled and took her god sister's hand as she looked at the younger girl. It warmed to her heart to know that Kristina in a very short time had grown to care a great for Bash. This gave her great hope that in fact Kristina was falling in love with her brother in law and that the two would soon be wed. But the queen's happiness suddenly turned to worry and Kristina noticed this at once.

"Mary what is the matter?"

"The rider you saw was not bringing news of Bash. But he was a rider from Lord Rivers. He has written to inform me that his son Sir Thomas is coming to France at the request of your mother to try for your hand in marriage."

"When.. when does he arrive?"

"Two days time."

"We have to warn Bash." Kristina said suddenly and turned heading back towards the stables. When Mary stepped in front of her.

"Kris listen to me. We will inform Frances of this as well as Bash. I will have extra guards placed at your chambers and this Sir Thomas will not..."

"Mary, Kristina there you both are. I've been looking for you." Frances said as joined the two.

"Frances I'm afraid we have some grave news." Mary told her husband.

"What grave news is this?" asked the king.

"Sir Thomas DE Rivers. The man my god mother wishes to marry Kristina is coming to court in two days time."

"Oh I see. Is he a loyal subject to Scotland Lady Kristina?" Frances asked.

"To Scotland yes your highness. But he is not coming here to show his loyalty to his Queen that you can be sure of." Kristina replied.

"Sir Thomas is coming here at the request of my godmother the Duchesses Linwood to try and receive Kristina's hand in marriage." said Mary.

France looked between his wife and her god sister and saw the look both of distrust, hate and fear in both their eyes. Mary had told him of this Sir Thomas DE Rivers and what he had done to Kristina's brother James. He also knew of the Duchess. Linwood's wish for her daughter such a man. How a women could want for her daughter to marry the man who had betrayed her own son was beyond him. As king of France it was his duty to protect his people and Mary's.

He'd promised Mary that he would treat Kristina as if she was his own sister and that he would watch over her like a brother. She'd sworn her loyalty to both Mary and himself just days after her parents and vowed to be a loyal subject to both.

When Mary had told him how she though Kristina and Bash would be a very good match. Frances wasn't to kin on the idea. But he'd watched his brother and god sister in law for the past week. He'd never seen Bash so happy before expect when he had been with Mary. Watching his brother and god sister warmed Frances heart very much. The last thing he wanted was for some other man to come in and try to break Bash's heart and Kristina's dreams.

He also knew that if this Sir. Thomas DE Rivers was in fact coming for that very reason Mary would never allow him to any where near Kristina or Bash for that matter. Neither would he no man would touch his brother. Bash was a royal by blood even if he wasn't by name and no man would stand between his brother and his happiness.

"We will welcome Sir. Thomas DE Rivers with open arms. But he will be on close watch and if it pleases both of you. I could have Bash keep a very close eye on him." Frances said.

"Forgive me your highness but Sir Thomas is not someone you would want Lord Sebastian getting close to. Sir Thomas would think that he had already won my hand if you where to do that." Kristina said.

"She is right Frances. Sir Thomas more then likely already knows from my god mother our intent of having Kristina marry Bash. If Bash is to keep a close eye on him he would think that we've had back down and he has won." said Mary

"You're right. We will post extra guards outside his chambers and he will not leave his chamber with at least two guards present. If he is even seen specking to you alone Kristina you must come at once and find Mary, Lola, Kenna, Greer or myself. We will do something to distract him from you and there for making sure this man never speck to you without someone present."

"We can't band him from specking with her Frances. He would think something was a miss." Mary said

"That my love is why he will only speck to her when either we, Bash or one of your ladies are present. Kristina is after a lady in waiting to you so she will of course be with you at all times." answered the king.

"What about my practices with Bash? No doubt he will be informing his father of such things and then his father will be more then likely to write to my mother telling her of such things. Then she will possibly write back telling him he must put a stop to it at once." protested Kristina.

Frances and Mary both looked at each other and then though for a moment. Frances was very curious about something so he asked.

"Why does your mother want you to marry this Sir Thomas DE River so badly Kristina?"

"It is a long story your highness. One that I wouldn't wish to tell in public."

"Come we can go to my chambers and speck on this matter privately."

The three retreated to the privacy of Mary's chambers and Kristina began her tale.

"My mother and Lord Rivers were say we shall lovers in their youth. Before my parents marriage was arranged by my grandparents. Mother and Lord Rivers had planned on going to England to marry. But once my grandfather Wayland got news of this he demanded that my mother and Lord Rivers never speck again. The two never saw each other again until the day of Mary's father's funeral. James wasn't even born then and mother had hope that she and Lord Rivers would become lovers. But Lord Rivers was married to another and he loved her. This broke mothers heart to know he had moved on to another. After the death of his wife mother saw a light at the end of the tunnel. If she could marry either James or myself to Rivers family then she and Lord Rivers could be together and no one would suspect anything if he came to the manor to visit. After all they would be in laws and no one would suspect anything of in laws visiting one another on occasion."

"Did your father ever find out about this?" asked Mary.

"Father's knowledge of mother's love for Lord Rivers was known from the moment he married her. He hoped that she would grow to love him but she never did. When James married Lord Rivers niece Elizabeth mother had gotten only part of her wish. She now had ties to the Rivers family. But not to Lord Rivers himself."

"I do not understand. You said your mother cursed the child that James had with Elizabeth. If she wanted to be part of the Rivers family so horriable why does she curse the child?" Mary asked again.

"When little Lilji was born mother was over joyed. She though that Lord Rivers would now see that our blood lines would match perfectly with his. But he still would not come to see her when she would send him a formal invitation."

"So because Lord Rivers rejected her your mother turned on both your sister in law and the child." said Frances.

"Excalty it was not until I became of age that Lord River wrote to my father asking if he might come and discuss business with him. Mother was over joyed about this news and suddenly the whole matter turned into a very important dinner. The night Lord Rivers arrived mother was dressed in her finest and she was there at the door to greet him. Father was shall we say very was heart broken to watch Mother interact with Lord River. As the night pass Father and his lordship talked business while mother kept a watchful eye from the study praying ever moment that father would agree to a marriage between myself and Sir. Thomas. Father had retried for the evening to his room while mother stayed awake talking with Lord Rivers who finally admitted willingly to mother that he still loved her very much and missed her with his whole heart. So after that meeting they were reunited shall we say in more ways then one." explained Kristina

"So when did this plan for you to marry Sir Thomas DE Rivers come to pass?" asked Frances.

"Mother became pregent with Lord Rivers child only three months after their reunion. Mother was hopeful that Lord Rivers would demand she leave father and marry him so that they might rise the child together. Only he did not. He refused and said that he would not claim the child as his own. Unless I married his son."

"And when your mother lost the child she lost her lover as well yes?" inquired Mary.

Kristina nodded and then spoke.

"After mother lost the child she sent word to Lord Rivers who didn't not respond the way she had hoped he would. He never spoke to mother again after that. Never wrote a letter or anything. One night he called on father after dinner to speck to him about your mother Mary. This was before James's death of course."

"Did your father make a deal with Lord Rivers?" Frances inquired.

"No. Father did not care for Lord Rivers he only befriend the man for mother's sake and because his lordship shared his views that Mary should take her rightful place on the Scotland throne."

"So why is your mother pushing for this match between you and Sir. Thomas if your father didn't want to make the wedding contract or promise of betrothal to this man?" asked Frances.

"Mother still believe that if I marry his son. Lord Rivers will become her lover yet again and she will finally be able to have him the way she wished for so long."

Mary and France only looked at each other and were just about to speck when a guard walked in without knocking looking very concerned.

"Your majesties, my lady. There has been yet another attack on a catholic family home and I'm afraid also on his Lordship the King deputy."

"No.." Kristina gasped.

"Where is my brother now?" Frances demanded.

"In his chambers we brought him back to the castle as soon as we could." replied the guard.

Kristina didn't waste anytime she rushed out of the down the corridor to Bash's chambers. Pushing open the doors she rushed to find two maids and several guards standing around watching while the maids tended to Bash's wounds. She couldn't tell from where she stood how bad his injuries where. Wanting to help she pulled off her riding cape laying it down on a bench she rushed over to Bash not giving it a second though.

"Leave us I will attended to his Lordship. Leave!" Kristina snapped at the maids and guards.

The maids bowed as did the guards and all left the room. Once she was alone with Bash. Kristina looked over his wounds. He had cuts along his chest, a cut on his wrist, neck and face. Grabbing the kettle of hot water off the fire she poured it into a basin and then grabbed some herbs from the medicine kit the maids had brought in and began to mix them. After the herbs where mixed she took strips of cloth warmed it over the fire and began working on Bash.

Bash who wasn't quit alert felt the sting of the warm cloth on his skin and hissed. Opening his eyes to see just what in the devil the maids were doing who him. Was surprised when he didn't see a maid or a healer but Kristina. She was cleaning his wounds with the hot water and cloths mixed with herbs. Bash smiled softly as he watched her as she cleaned first his wrist with the warm clothes and herbs and then wrapped them in fresh lines that she herself must have cut.

As he lay there watching her Bash couldn't get over how beautiful she was. Of course he'd known this about her from the first moment he'd laid eyes on her. But here she was still in her riding clothes from this morning her hair a mess and her hazel eyes held both worry and horror in them as she tended his wounds. The only person who'd ever tended to his wounds had been Nortadomest after he'd been hurt in the bloods woods while tracking pagans that were scaring local villagers.

Mary had come to sit with him a few times but she'd never stayed with him. Unlike he himself who had stayed with her after Catherine had tried to kill her with poison in her bath water. She is so different from Mary. More free and allowed to be a free spirit. Mary has always been a Queen and had to live by rules of the royals. But Kristina even though she is a noble isn't tied to rules the way Mary is and she is allowed to be more open about things then Mary ever was. Bash though as he lay there watching her go about tending to him.

He was brought out of his traces that he'd been in while watching her. When he felt a hot cloth being placed on his chest.

"OUCH! If your wanted to burn me all you had to use was a hot poker." he said.

"Bash you're awake how do you feel?" Kristina asked as she cleaned the wounds on his chest.

"Not to bad when I have a beautiful healer looking after me. I didn't know you knew anything about healing."

Kristina couldn't help the heat that surely was showing on her cheeks. She'd never been one to blush in the company of men. There was just something about being around Bash that made her feel different. Normally she would never pay any attention expect for her father, brothers and other male relation. But for the first time in her life she felt that if she didn't pay attention to Bash when he spoke or flirted she would never see him again and that was one thing that frightened her more then the though of Sir. Thomas coming to the french court in two days time.

"My grandmother Wayland was a healing women. It was how she meet my grandfather he was very ill and so my great grandfather brought her in to help him. And she did."

"She must have been a wounderful healer. All though I have to say I've never heard of a hot cloth to close up a wound." Bash commented as he watched her close up the large cut that ran from his heart down to the middle part of his ribs.

"Grandmother Wayland always said it was better to use a hot cloth, needle and thread to close up a wound then a hot poker or something made of metal. That would only make the pain worse and a healer job was to take the pain away not make it worse. That was the surgeon's job." smiled Kristina.

Bash returned her smile with one of his own. He couldn't get over how genital and careful she was being. As she finished up closing the wound he watched as she places herbs on them then wrapped him up in clean linens without even having to move him around in order to do so.

"I suppose your Grandmother Wayland taught you how to do this as well?" Bash asked as he watched her wrap up his wrist without so much as moving it from where it was laying on the bed.

"Father taught me this. Grandmother Linwood taught him." she answered.

"You have a close relationship with your father?"

"He has always been there for me when I needed someone. He and James were my teachers when I was a child."

"Tell me about your childhood Kristina I'd love to hear about it."

Kristina blushed as she stood back up cleaning around the room. She told Bash of her child hood. How her father and James had taught her many things, the many things both sets for grandparents had taught her and of course the things her mother taught her as well.

But mostly she spoke of her life in Scotland and how much she missed her home in the highlands. Bash listen to her stories and hung on her ever word. He could almost see her as a child playing in the green grass of Scotland visiting her grandparents in the Highlands and learning just about everything she could from her family.

He could also see the sad times in her life. When she spoke of her brother James he could see just how much the loss was still very much with her. More then once he 'd reached for her hand to offer some kind of comfort to her letting her know that if she didn't want to keep talking about her brother she didn't have to keep talking about him. But she'd just give him a smile and go back to the story she was telling.

Later after as she sat by his bed side. Kristina asked Bash all about his life here at the french court. She knew some of his story. That Diane his mother had been King Henry's mistress for many years before he'd come along. Bash told her everything about growing up as the late king's bastard son. A title he himself hated to bare and wished he didn't. But he told her that even though King Henry had gone mad before his death.

There had been a time when he had loved Bash very much and even at some point preferred him over Frances. But that could never be the case for Frances was his heir to the throne and Bash was just bastard son by his mistress. Kristina felt a lump form in throat when she asked Bash the one thing that had burning in her mind since that night she'd had dinner with Mary and parents when she'd first come to court.

"When King Henry wanted to have you legitimized so you could marry Mary. Did you really want to be made a legal heir and become king?" Kristina asked softly.

"I though that being legitimized was something I needed to happen because of my feelings for Mary. When she asked or rather when I asked for her hand in marriage I knew that she was doing it out of fear for France's life. But I loved her and I wanted her to be mine."

"Loved her? So you mean you still hold no feelings for her?"

Bash saw the look of heart break in her eyes when she asked her questions. Sitting up very slowly he took her hand in his. "Kristina listen to me. There was a time a very long time ago it seems now. That I was in love with Mary. I would have done anything for her. Giving my life to protect her and her people. I didn't care about the title of king or prince or anything. I just wanted to be with Mary and I though she wanted the same. The days we spent together all the things we did I had hope that she had fallen in love with me for being just plan old Sebastian..."

"But something happen. Something that changed the way she felt about you and the way you feel about her now."

"Yes something did happen. On the night we were to wed Catherine said a letter had come from Italy. Saying the Pope had either made me a legitimized son of the king or not. I was getting ready when Mary came to me. She told me she loved me and that I meant the world to her. But her heart belong to Frances. Of course I knew this already. I was heart broken I wanted to leave court and never return."

"But that didn't happen you weren't able to leave court because of King Henry."

"Yes. My father who had slipped into his madness by this time made me watch as France and Mary consummated their marriage and then threaten to have me locked away for the rest of my life."

"Wait.. why would the king have you locked away? You're his son he couldn't have done that to you."

"As I said he was slipping into madness and though I was trying to take the kingdom and crown from Frances and make Mary my queen because I wanted to rule France when that was not what I wanted at all. I never cared about having a title or anything. All I wanted was Mary and her people to be safe from England.

"I never liked King Henry one bit I'd always heard stories of Henry the 8th of England and the way he treated his wives and children. But this King Henry was a monster of nightmares more so then Henry the 8th of England ever was. I will never understand the english or their ways."

"So now you know the whole story. And yet something still troubles you what is it Kristina? What troubles you that your eyes hold the question you have yet to ask me."

Kristina slipped her hand from his and went to stand in front of the fire place her back faceing Bash. There was question she wanted to ask him it was the same question she'd asked Mary that very night at dinner. Watching the flames dance in the fireplace she scoffed at herself. Bash waited patiently for her to ask what she'd been wanting to ask him since they'd first meet.

He knew the question because Mary had told him that she'd asked her the very same question one night at dinner. The answer would be the same she got from Mary. He just hoped that her answer would not be the same one she gave to Mary.

He couldn't or rather didn't want to think about Kristina leaving court just because of himself and Mary. Of course he loved his sister in law she was his family, friend and Queen. But the romantic feelings he once held for her were long gone the moment she'd picked Frances over him. All though he knew who she going to pick before she told him.

That had been one of the reasons why he'd wanted to leave court. He didn't know if his heart could take watching Mary and Frances be happy and in love when the women he'd fallen in love with had broken his heart all because she loved another and probably never had love him.

The long silence was killing Kristina she knew Bash was waiting for her question so she spoke

"Do you still love Mary as more then anything other then a sister in law?"

"No. I love another."

"What?" Kristina asked as she turned around to face him.

Bash stood up off the bed being very careful of his wounds and walked to her. Keeping his eyes locked on hers it was takeing everything Kristina had not turn her back to him and leave the room. He was in fact in love with another then she'd offered to stay here for nothing and she wanted to go that very moment and request that Mary let her return home to Scotland where she would marry who ever her father wanted her to and she would never think of Lord Sebastian again or the french court again. Bash noticed the look of almost heart break in her lovely hazel eyes as he put a finger under her chin and forced her to look up at him.

As Kristina looked up into the eyes of a man she'd only known for no more then a week she saw something she'd never seen in mans eyes before other then her father and brother's. She saw the eyes of a fighter, lover and someone who had hard life because he was a bastard and even though he had been in love with her god sister and Queen. He had suffered a horriable heart break when Mary had chosen Frances over him. The silence was comfort between the two it wasn't awkward it was nice. Almost like neither needed to say anything to get the message across.

They stood in the comfort silence neither one looking away from the other. But the silence was broken when someone cleared their throat. The two turned to find Mary and Frances had enter the room at some point while the two of them had just been looking at each other.

"Well brother it is good to see you are in good company." Frances smileing.

"We came to check on Bash to see how he was. But I can see now we must have interrupted something." Mary said smiling at the two.

"No... of course... not Bash and I were just... umm... talking of our childhoods. That's all." Kristina answered the heat rising to her cheeks.

"Ah well that must have been something very interesting to hear about." Frances said.

"Yes.. umm I should take my leave now. Bash needs his rest." Kristina mumbled as she turned to leave the room.

"If you must leave me then you must." replied Bash.

"I must my brave one. But I promises to return soon." Kristina answered as she kissed his hand and then with a bow to both Frances and Mary left the room.

Mary smiled as she watched her god sister leave and she noticed the smile on Frances face as well. They both were very happy that Bash and Kristina seemed to be getting along very well and they both knew had they not walked in something very interment would happen between the two before the time was right. Bash suddenly got the feeling wasn't right the moment he noticed Mary and Frances had entered the room and with Kristina leaving as quickly as she did he knew there was something wrong so he spoke up.

"What is wrong? You two didn't come in here just to check and see if I was alright. What happen has there been another attack in the village?"

"No Bash there hasn't been." replied Mary.

"Then what is it?"

"We have a problem and it arrives in two days time." Frances said.

"Frances not now. We can't tell him now." hissed Mary

"Tell me what?" asked Bash.

"Mary if we don't tell him then when he gets here and Kristina is suddenly upset then he will wanted to know." answered Frances.

"What is going on for goodness sake one of you tell me something please." Bash begged.

Mary and Frances both took big breaths before Frances spoke.

"Sir. Thomas DE Rivers from Scotland is arriving in two days time. His father sent a letter to Mary this morning. He is coming here to try for Kristina's hand in marriage."

"No...Mary.. you can't mean to let this happen!" Bash exclaimed as he began to pace around the room.

"We have not chose Bash his coming in two days time. We can't stop him from visiting court no matter what his reasons. I'm his queen." Mary tried to explain.

"Listen to me brother if that man so much as lays a hand on that sweet, innocent, beautiful girl. King or not I will make sure you pay for allowing her to be harmed." threaten Bash.

"Bash I'm not going to let this DE Rivers fellow harm Kristina. Mary and I are going to have guards posted out side his chambers to report anything to us. We've already spoken to Kristina and she knows that if he tries to speck with her alone to come get someone and leave with them. Or if we see him trying to speck with her alone then we will get her away from him." responded Frances.

"Kristina has warned us about certain things. Frances and I have come up with a plan to let him know that I have already picked a husband for my god sister without him actually knowing." Mary added.

"What is your plan?" inquired Bash.

Frances joined his wife and brother by the fire as Mary began her tale of the plane that they had come up with to keep Sir. Thomas DE Rivers in the dark about Bash and Kristina but also to keep eye on the this so called Lord.

2 days later

Today was the day that Sir. Thomas DE Rivers to arrive at the French court. Mary had kept Kristina with her all morning expect when she had to go change and clean Bash's wounds. The two women kept to Mary chambers along with Kenna, Greer and Lola. It was very stressful day for Kristina she kept looking out the window for the unwelcome guest and his riders to arrive at the castle. It was close to the noon hour when finally Kenna who was very worried about her friend. Pulled Kristina away from the window and to the table to eat.

"Kris you have to eat something." Greer said.

"I'm to scared to eat. When that monster of a man arrives I have to see him and I don't want to. I wish Bash and I could just.. I just wish we could leave go some where else where he will never know." replied Kristina.

"Kris you know you can't do that. Your mother would find it easy of away to get your father on her side if you and Bash were to just run off." said Lola.

"Lola is right Kristina. I mean if you where to do that. Then your father would know longer think Bash a good match for you." said Kenna.

"What do you think Mary?" asked Kristina.

"I'm inclined to agree with everyone else. We can not risk Lord DE Rivers giving your mother an upper hand. We will just have to battle this fight on our own and pray he does not catch on about your feeling for Bash. Which means you my dear Kristina will have to try you're hardest to not give yourself away when Bash comes into the room." replied Mary.

"Oh that will be very difficult for her seeing as how she blushes when ever Bash enters a room or she hears his name spoken.!" teased Kenna

"Hush Kenna! You use to blush around him to." defended Greer

"I never did that's for sure." Lola added.

"Mary did." teased Kristina.

The Queen was about to answer her god sister's remark when there came a knock at the door. It was guard informing the ladies that Sir. Thomas DE Rivers was very close to arriving and that King Frances wished for all of them to join him in the throne room to welcome his lordship. Mary thanked the guard and told him to tell Frances that she and her ladies would join him presently. The guard bowed closed the door and left. Once the guard was gone Kristina stood up but before she had a chance to do anything Mary was in front of her with her hands on the younger women shoulders.

"Kristina listen to me. You are a lady in waiting to me. When we go to the throne room I want you to stay next to me. Kenna, Greer and Lola will be right behind us. You are being present not only as one of my ladies but also as my god sister. Bash will be there as well as the double set of guards that Frances promised. Just remember if he asked to speck with you alone. You are to tell him that I do not allow my ladies to speck alone with men they hardly know. No matter their family connection" said Mary.

"Yes your grace." replied Kristina.

Mary nodded takeing Kristina by the hand. The ladies all left her chambers and walked to the throne room. Once there Mary took her place besides Frances. She made sure that Kristina stood at her side while Kenna, Greer and Lola stood behind her. Frances noticed the look of fear on his god sister in law's face and spoke very softly to her.

"Do not worry Kristina. Everything will be alright."

"Thank you. Your grace." she replied.

In just a few moments several Scottish guards arrived along with man who everyone presumed to be Sir. Thomas DE Rivers.

"Your majesties. I'm Lord Edward Stonewall of the highlands." said the man as he bowed before Frances and Mary.

"Lord Stonewall. You are most welcome. But we were expecting a Sir. Thomas DE Rivers." replied Frances.

"Yes well Sir Thomas is very ill and has sent me in stead to pass along his wishes of marriage to the Lady Kristina Linwood." answered Lord Stonewall.

"Lord Stonewall are you sure Sir. Thomas is ill or is there another reason you have come. For I do not believe that Sir. Thomas is ill for I have it on good terms that my god mother the Duchess Linwood sent him for the reason of which you speck. Why would he send an emissary to make sure he secured my god sister's hand in marriage?" asked Mary.

"Your grace I assure you that Sir. Thomas is very ill." said Stonewall

"What ales him Lord Stonewall?" asked Frances.

"A cold I fear your highness." was Stonewalls answer.

"Lady Kristina will you step forward please sister." requested Frances.

"Your highness." Kristina said with a bow.

"Come dear sister and stand next to me." Frances requested once again.

Kristina looked to Mary who nodded as she moved to stand next to Frances who took her hand in his and stood up.

"Lady Kristina Linwood my I present his grace Lord Edward Stonewall of the highlands. I'm sure you have heard of him have you not?" inquired Frances.

"My Lady Linwood it is an honor. I knew your father and uncle as a boy. My son John was good friends with your brother James."

Kristina bowed low in respect to his lordship before specking but her voice did not hold a friendly tone but instead one of bitterness and hate towards this emissary sent by DE Rivers to make sure she was going to marry him.

"Yes, Lord Stonewall my Uncle Matthew and my father have spoken highly of you in the past. And my brother often spoke of your son John. I had no idea you knew the Rivers family."

"Sir. Thomas and my son John are good friends and he requested I come on his behalf." Stonewall smiled.

"My lord you do you know that my father didn't ask for Sir Thomas to come here to the French court for my hand in marriage. You do know that the request or rather command was made between Lord Rivers and my mother do you not?" exclaimed Kristina bitterly.

"I was not told anything on that subject my lady I assure you." Stonewall answered rather harshly.

Frances released her hand as Kristina returned to Mary side at once. She'd heard of Lord Edward Stonewall and she didn't like the man. His son John had been good friends with James that was true but just like Sir. Thomas had betrayed James so had this Lord Stonewalls son John. He had betrayed her brother just like his father had betrayed her Uncle Matthew and her father during battle in England. Oh yes she knew the man and she did not like the fact that he had been sent here on the pretext that Sir. Thomas was ill with a cold. It was more like a cover up so when Thomas really arrived they wouldn't know it.

"Ah Sebastian there you are." Frances exclaimed as Bash entered the throne room.

"I do apologize for being late your majesty I was told there was a matter of business in the village just across the woods and I went to see if I could be of any help." came Bash replie.

"Lord Stonewall this is my Deputy and my brother Lord Sebastian." Frances made sure to say as introduce the two men. "Bash this is Lord Edward Stonewall he is here on behalf of Sir Thomas DE River who is ill with a cold."

"Well I'm very sorry to hear that Sir. Thomas could not make the trip. Tell me Lord Stonewall did you have a pleasant trip to France?" Bash inquired playing the part of the good subject and keeping his relief to hear that DE Rivers had not show'd up from showing.

"Yes thank your Lord Sebastian. Tell me your highness how are your mother and brother doing?" Lord Stonewall dodged Bash's question all together and turned his attention to Mary.

"They are well as can be expect Lord Stonewall." replied Mary.

"That is good news indeed your grace."

"Yes it is. Now Lord Stonewall there are a few things I would like to go over before we leave here that I wish you to inform Sir Thomas of." Frances said.

"What is that your highness?" quested Stonewalls.

"First of all Lady Kristina is both Queen Mary's lady and god sister there for she is to be treated as such. Secondly my wife doesn't allow her ladies to be spoken to alone or be seen outside with a man unless a guard or another one of the ladies accompanies her. Finally if I so much as get a report that the Duchess Linwood is being informed of anything, anything at all you shall be asked to leave France and returned to Scotland at once." commanded Frances.

"I will pass along these items to his lordship and his grace. Is there anything else your highness?" Stonewalls asked.

"Yes just one more thing. If any harm comes to the King Deputy while you are visiting Lord Stonewalls you will be locked in prison for daring to harm a member of the royal family. Is that clear?" Mary asked.

"Yes your highness very." Stonewalls replied rather nervously.

"Good. A guard will show you to your chambers Lord Stonewalls." was France respond as he dismissed the Lord.

Lord Stonewall bowed as one of the guards lead him out of the throne room and to his chambers upstairs.

"I do not trust that man one bit. I believe he is lieing Frances." said Mary as she stood next to her husband.

"Neither do I. Brother what do you make of this Lord Stonewalls?" Frances inquired after his brother.

"He is not to be trusted at all. I heard from the guards at the stable a mysterious rider was seen following not far behind Stonewall and then took another path in the woods just as Stonewalls and his men arrived. I believe DE Rivers is hiding out somewhere waiting for word from Stonewalls to tell him when to come." said Bash.

"We will have to put extra guards all over the castle and at ever door. I want to know the second DE Rivers sits foot in this castle." ordered Frances.

Bash nodded and was about to leave when he heard "Bash wait!" it was Kristina she ran up to him throwing her arms around his neck.

"What is wrong my sweet?" Bash asked fearing something had scared her.

"Do not leave yet." Kristina mumbled into his chest softly for Bash's ears only.

"Kris my dear sweet Kris. I'm just going to tell the guards to double up on the doors and to let us known when DE Rivers arrives I'm not leaving the castle I promise you." Bash promised.

"Can someone else go why not the captain of the guards over there in the cornor."

"Bash is something wrong?" Mary asked suddenly.

She had been specking with Frances about the guards keeping an eye out for DE Rivers till she hadn't noticed her god sister and Bash standing at the door to the throne room their arms around each other and the two specking softly so no else would hear them.

"Mary please send the captain of the guard to tell the others. I do not want Bash to leave my side. Not until I'm safely in your chambers or my own." begged Kristina.

"Lola, Greer, Kenna will you please take Kristina to her chambers I will join you shortly." commanded Mary.

The three ladies nodded as Lola grabbed Kristina by the hand and began to lead her way from Bash. Kristina looked back begging with her eyes for Bash to be safe. He gave her a soft smile as he watched her being lead away to safety. Bash turned around seeing that Frances had joined Mary at the door.

"What are we going to do. If DE Rivers really is laying in wait how do we bring him to light?" asked Frances.

"We could change our original plans and have Stonewalls see Kristina and Bash together almost every day. It would be very easy. He'll see them on their morning rides and then with the swords practicing. Not to mention dinners and such things. Also Bash must be allowed to spend time alone with Kristina when he is not off doing his duties." suggested Mary.

"What ever plan we come up with. We must be very careful Stonewalls and DE Rivers are up to something and what they are up to I for one do not like it. Not one bit." said Bash.

Later that same evening Lord Stonewalls slipped from his chambers and walked to a far dark place at the back of the castle. Where he meet a man who was hidden in shadow and wearing a very dark cloak. The two men waited a heart beat before specking.

"Is she as her mother said?" the man wearing the cloak asked Lord Stonewalls.

"Very. She is a beauty my lord more so then Queen Mary herself."

"And this bastard brother to the king. Did you see her reaction to him?"

"No my lord I only meet the King's Deputy for a moment. I could not tell if the lady reacted to him at all."

"Then maybe we will have a fighting chance."

"My lord we do how ever have a problem. Lady Kristina is not permitted to speck with anyone alone without someone present Queen Mary's orders. If you so wish to speck to her you will have to come court to do so. Also they have guards every where looking for you."

"Queen Mary does not trust me? Or is it the King that doesn't trust me?"

"I believe it has nothing to do with trust my lord. It has to do with the fact that the King and Queen want the lady to marry with the King's bastard brother."

"Do they now."

"What shall we do my lord?"

"Nothing we will play this game of theirs. Listen close Stonewall in two weeks time you tell their royal highness that I'm well and that I will be traveling to court in a weeks time. Until then I want you to keep a close eye on the Lady Kristina and the King's deputy."

"My lord there is one more problem. If we are caught sending word back to the Duchess Linwood. The King will have us locked away for good. Never to see the light of day again."

"Um mm.. then will not let the Duchess know anything until I have made my plans to marry Lady Kristina known."

"What shall I do while I wait you're "arrival" at court my lord?"

"Keep your eyes open and watch careful and report back to me threw message."

"But what if the letters I send out are read and the King and Queen find out I will be locked away for sure. My lord."

"I have sent for your son John to be my messenger in all this. You will write to him as if you writing letters home. Then he will bring them to me."

"As you command my lord."

"Good oh and Stonewalls"

"Yes my lord."

"Make sure that no harm comes to the lady via that bastard child of King Henry's."

"Yes my lord."

"The Lady Kristina might be the god sister to Queen Mary but she is to be my wife and no bastard is going to stand in my way. One way or another Lady Kristina Linwood will be mine."

~End of chapter~