Chapter 7:

Fitzroy had been making a great effort to get along better with the king for the past few days as he felt every time he had seen him they had both made the situation worse between them. Both Richmond and the King had avoided speaking about the North and anything matter that may cause bother amongst them. To his surprise the both had become closer together and for the first time he felt he had a normal family. However, it is only a matter of time until court interfere with their lives together.

It was rumoured that Cromwell feared for his position with in the King's favour and it was noted that this was the reason why he was stepping up his reforms throughout the Kingdom, as well as increasing the pressure on court members to proclaim their faithfulness to the King and the reformation.

"Your Grace, how are you today?" Richmond Froze at the sound of the Lord, Chancellor's voice. Henry turned around slowly to see him grinning at him while bowing. Fitzroy bowed quickly and replied,

"I am well my Lord." Henry began to turn to leave but Cromwell spoke again,

"I wonder if Your Grace could help me? I have began new investigations into religious houses and have found that your grace is a patron of a certain institution ... a nunnery near Wandsworth, its odd Your Grace I have never found any other house in connection with you before." Richmond could see the glee with in Cromwell's eyes.

"What is your point Cromwell!" Henry was failing to keep his composure at this moment.

"I only wonder why you would be connected with a religious house that is suspected of corruption ..." through gritted teeth Fitzroy replied,

"My old nanny Lady Joyce retired to the nunnery a few years ago My Lord ... and I wished to make the remainder of hers and the rest of the orders simple lives as comfortable as their rules would allow and to help the parishioners of their community. After all Cromwell Christ himself encouraged charity." With that the Duke stormed away paying no attention to the crowds whispering around them. After this Richmond knew that the King would hear of this and did not know who's side the King would take so was unsure what to do. So he decided to face it straight on and would join the court that evening.

As he walked through the great hall all the crowd tried to grab a glimpse of him. As the swam slowly separated he noticed Cromwell speaking to the King. The Queen, Mary and Elizabeth were all sat with the King speaking amongst themselves. As Henry got closer to them the Chancellor turned around and his family all looked to him. The Duke realised that he would have to bow first to the King a gesture he knew Cromwell would relish. Only then did the Chancellor bow to him and Fitzroy did not even notice the nods from his family. Cromwell then bowed to the King and slowly walked past the Duke so closely he almost brushed against him.

"So, what is all this gossip you have argued with the Lord, Chancellor?" The Kings gaze was fixed strictly on his son.

"There was no argument father, the Chancellor asked a question that I found distasteful, which I answered truthfully and I left before I said anything that may insult the Chancellor a curtsy he may in future give to others, my Lord." Fitzroy once again bowed slightly. The Kings face did not change in expression and his eyes were still fixed upon his face.

"... The Lord, Chancellor shall be informed of his tone in due course." The Kings answer was strange and the only thing that the Duke could think of was that his father was still angry at Cromwell for the Pilgrimage of Grace but Fitzroy did not understand if this was so why the King did not get rid of Cromwell as he had done so many times before. It was clear that Mary was thinking the same thing so Henry took his place next to his sisters so that he could he quietly discuss this turn of events with his beloved sister.

"What happened before I arrived sister?" Mary then moved her head closer to Henry's ear to return the whisper.

"Cromwell was spinning his lies ... how you support a house the King has condemned." Fitzroy clutched at the arms of his chair. "The King gave nothing away just as with you." This comment frightened Richmond more than anything he had already thought of. "Anyway there is nothing to worry about ... our father loves you and you know Cromwell will fall soon enough."

"The devil could not take him fast enough." The Duke's words were cold and unfeeling. At that moment the Queen and Elizabeth made themselves known to the pair.

"You know some would think you two plotting some great scheme." Jane's words were joyful and kind, Elizabeth were merely giggling at them both.

"No my Lady we are merely discussing our lives away from one another." Mary's words were technically not a lie as the pair were not together at the time.

"Tell me your majesty, how goes things with you and your pregnancy?" Henry hoped that this topic would distract the Queen and not raise the suspicions of the King if he were to over hear.

"All is well your Grace the King's doctors have kept their eye's upon me. You would think I was the Virgin herself." All four of them chuckled.

"Well my lady you are carrying a Prince of Wales." Elizabeth's words were innocent but Mary and Henry both were wary of the comment but neither the Queen or their sister realised their discomfort. Suddenly the King interrupted the group making it clear that he had been listening to the conversation.

"Henry, when Jane gives birth to my son I may consider if you can consummate your marriage and a husband for Mary so we may all be happy together." Richmond knew that Mary would not be any happier to get married but he had not even thought of his wife in months let alone have seen her. The two had come to hate one another passionately when together and no more than a figment when they were not. To now live as man as wife when they had given up all hope of the event it could only be a disaster.