Chapter VII

December, 1550

The courtiers whispered excitedly as they waited in the huge, refurbished banquet hall of Sheriff Hutton Castle for the entrance of the royal party.

Their King had smiled more than he frowned and was kind to everyone rather than insolent and listened to the advice of his Lady Protector rather than ignoring it. Everyone was aware of King Arthur's part in the Scottish negotiations and were delighted at the prospect of permanent peace with Scotland – especially the nobles that lived in the north, and what better way to celebrate a future of peace between two kingdoms than a royal feast?

The doors swung open and the courtiers all bowed and curtsied in hushed silence as the royal party entered the banquet hall.

Leading the Scottish and English royal parties was King Arthur in splendid attire of scarlet and gold with a shiny golden crown on his head, adorned with diamonds. Clutching his arm as she walked beside him was the beautiful Mary, Queen of Scots, who despite being eight years his junior, was quite tall. She too donned an elegant gown of red and gold with white sleeves but in the Scottish fashion as expected of a Scottish Queen. Behind them were their respective mothers, Dowager Queen Marie de Guise of Scotland in a black and silver dress and Dowager Queen Anne in a dark blue and silver gown, both wearing jewelled diadems on their heads.

Following the widowed Queens was the Lady Protector and Lord Ormond, the former with a broad smile with the latter wearing a forced grin on his face. It was said that between them, all hopes of reconciliation seemed slim. Their children came next in pairs: Hal and Annie, the former finding it strange it walk with his younger sister when he had always walked with his elder sister Katherine before her marriage; Ned and Bess, their identical blue eyes sparkling with excitement and Georgie who gallantly gave up his place before the twins to walk with Margaret.

Behind them were Anne's children, beginning with Elizabeth and Robert, Edmund and Cecily and ending with Eleanor on her own.

The courtiers rose as the royals took their places on the high table and sat down, waiting for the servants to pour wine into their goblets.

Customarily, the courtiers stood up again as Arthur rose, his goblet in hand.

"My people!" he announced grandly, looking at everyone before continuing, "Today is indeed a memorable day! Negotiations with Scotland had succeeded and there will be peace between our two great nations from this day forth, which will be ensured through my impending marriage to Her Majesty, the Queen of Scots!" He turned to the smiling Queen Mary and raised his goblet.

"For Queen Mary's health," he declared.

"For Her Majesty of Scotland's health," chanted the courtiers.

"Sa Majesté est bon pour ma fille," Queen Marie commented to Anne.

"Il a été porté à chevaleresque," answered Anne. "Chevaliers chevaleresques font les meilleurs rois. Reine Marie, votre fille est en effet magnifique et je serai heureux de l'accueillir à bras ouverts que mon avenir belle-fille la loi et de la reine d'Angleterre."

"Merci, la reine Anne. Tous vos fêtes et célébrations anglais ont été assez impressionnant. Vous devez venir nous rendre visite au château de Sterling en Ecosse l'an prochain pour Noël."

"Si vous insistez, Madame." Anne smiled charmingly at the Scottish Dowager Queen. "Nous serons famille dans quelques années et nous deux mères de monarques. Nous allons visiter l'Ecosse souvent, et vous rendre en Angleterre aussi, j'espère."

"Si cela ne vous dérange pas que je demande, mais c'est le Duc de Richmond ainsi?"

The two royal Dowager Queens turned to George who did not bother hiding his unhappiness any further. Unsurprisingly, there was a bottle of wine beside him.

"Lord Richmond," Anne called. "Her Majesty of Scotland wishes to know if you are well?"

George looked at her blankly. "Of course I am well."

"I expect you to dance this evening, good brother! You have often boasted of your excellent dancing, and today is a good time to prove it to us all! I suggest you dance with Her Majesty here after your dance with the Lady Protector. What better way than to promote peaceful relations between the two great nations than for you – the King's uncle – to dance with the Dowager Queen of Scotland, hmm? Oh, did I mention that it is an order?"

George stared at her coldly. "I understand, Your Majesty."

Anne glanced away, confused at George's unusually icy attitude. When he returned to Court, he had been more distant to her, but she blamed it on too much drink. I hope this does not ruin the peace celebrations between England and Scotland, she thought worriedly. If George must be angry, please do not express it now…

Immediately after the feast, George looked at Mary and said – for the first time in months – in a chilly tone, "Shall we dance?"

Without waiting for a response, he pulled her up and dragged her to the dance floor a second before the musicians struck the first note.

"If you did not want to dance, you could have declined!" hissed Mary, wincing in pain as he brutally twirled her around. "There's no need for you to torment me here! What is the matter with you?! You could have at least sobered up a little before you arrived!"

"I should have tamed you," muttered George as he spun her around again. "If I did, I would be in control of arranging our children's marriages, not you. They would be married for my political advantage, not yours or anyone else's."

"By God, George! Are you still angry at that?! I already apologised-"

"What about Margaret? I heard she is to be shipped to France next year! After the King's injury, I thought you would have pleaded with him to allow Margaret to stay in England until she is sixteen! Has power gone into your head, Mary? Don't you care about your own children anymore? You are hell not the woman I married all those years ago."

"You knew who you married. You married me to fulfil your family's ambitions and you should have known our children will not be ordinary sons and daughters of a nobleman. You supported me in taking the position of regent for our King, and you should have known I take ruling England more seriously now than spending time with our children. It breaks my heart every time I must attend a council meeting rather than listen to our children's chatter."

"Really? Tell me this: what is your plan for our remaining daughters? Tell me the truth. Please. That is more than I deserve."

"Why? So you can accuse me of further child negligence?"

George glared at her as they continued dancing. "I am their father," he said, slightly less colder than before. "Tell me. Please."

"We have not decided yet," said Mary softly, her eyes glimmering with a small spark of hope at possible reconciliation. "There has been talk for our Annie and Bess to join Margaret in France for a year to help Margaret settle in."

"Oh. I see."

"Are you upset-"

"No. I suppose it will be better than Margaret sent to France alone. What about our sons? You do not plan to send them abroad, now do you?"

"Perhaps you would like to play the part of their father again?"

George stared at her, almost missing a step in the Pavane. "What?"

"Not all kings wish for their daughters to marry into our family," answered Mary. "If they do, they will demand for our sons to live in their kingdoms. I do not want our sons to leave England or married to women they do not love. I married off our daughters. You choose our future daughters-in-law. Stay with me here at Court. As much as I miss your advice, I miss my husband."

The dance finished and she curtsied before immediately accepting Philip's offer to dance the next dance – a Galliard, leaving George gazing at her, speechless.

He jumped as he felt someone tap his shoulder.

"Jane!" he exclaimed as he turned and saw the Duchess of Bavaria behind him.

"I believe you owe Her Majesty of Scotland a dance," Jane said flatly. "She is waiting for you, or would you prefer to ruin diplomatic relations with Scotland? No one will thank you for destroying the chances of permanent peace both our nations desperately wanted for many years. If you dare think to blame it on your drinking habits, you will not even fool a child. You will forever be remembered as the man who brought war upon us. That is not the worst part; you cannot even leave the castle without an armed escort, and even if you do, both the nobles and common folks alike will rip you to tiny shreds with their bare hands. Especially the northerners."

George stared, surprised at her harsh words.

Without thinking, he grabbed Jane's hand and they merged with the other dancers. "When did you become capable of speaking words so barbaric?" he inquired. "You were always a peaceful and kind lady, never speaking words so cruel!"

"You were a proper gentleman," retorted Jane. "You never drank more than you should and you were always there for your family. For the last few months, you've done nothing but hide in Blickling Hall in the company of drink."

"You were in Bavaria!"

"I still receive information about England. I am your friend and Anne and Mary's friend. You will return permanently to Court for your family and remain sober."

"What if I refuse? What can you possibly do?"

An unnaturally malevolent gleam appeared in Jane's eyes as she leant close and whispered softly into his ear, "I know your little secret."


Lady Dorset sat tight-lipped in her seat, shaking with anger as she watched Arthur and the young Scottish Queen dance.

It was destined for her Jane to be Queen of England, not that child Queen of Scots! Marriage will not lead to peace, she thought bitterly. The barbaric Scots will never want the King of England to rule over them due to his marriage to their Queen. If the King marries my Jane, it will be beneficial for all of us! She would bring England closer to Protestantism and us Greys will rise. Perhaps we will be gifted dukedoms and dozens of estates. If we are lucky, my daughters and I will be given title 'Princess of England' due to our royal blood, even if it is through the late King's sister.

"What is your plan now?" said Dorset, reaching for another goblet of wine. "It is clear our King is quite keen on marriage to the Queen of Scots, and he no longer feels any affection towards our Jane. Rumours are indeed true. The King has changed. Quite visibly too."

"The King has a brother-" started Lady Dorset, but her husband interrupted, "No. He has been betrothed to Princess Maria Anna of Bavaria since he was in the cradle, and as the Duchess of Bavaria is the Lady Protector and Queen Dowager's good friend, their betrothal will never be broken. No matter how sweet or appealing our Jane is to him, he will certainly be married to the Bavarian princess."

"Of course." She sipped her wine with a scowl.

"I received offers of marriage for Jane this morning."

"Oh? Who are they from?"

"Katherine Neville, Dowager Countess of Westmorland and William Paulet, 1st Marquess of Winchester, the former offering her grandson – Charles Neville, 6th Earl of Westmorland – as a husband for our Jane and the latter writing on behalf of his grandson, Lord William Paulet. I met both the Nevilles and the Paulets at the feasts and festivities and know them quite well. Westmorland is still a boy of eight and not as intelligent as our Jane or any young Earl. I personally prefer Lord William, but young Lord Westmorland has pristine bloodline of the old nobility."

"Indeed…quite a dilemma. Is the Dowager Queen and Lady Protector aware?"

"Of course. Both Lady Westmorland and Lord Winchester asked them for permission to betroth Jane to their grandsons. The Dowager Queen seems to favour the latter."

"The Nevilles are traditional Catholics…I rather Jane not in the same rank as me through marriage either…hmm. Such a dilemma..."

"The Nevilles always marry those of prestigious blood – with the exception of the 5th Westmorland Earl who was forced to marry that Dudley girl – and it will be an honour for our Jane to marry into such an ancient and illustrious family. It is a pity we do not have a son. He would've had a chance to marry a royal princess! At least my brother has a son and Lady Grey is proving herself to be extremely fertile. Of course upon my death, the titles will go to my brother, but I'm sure with a little persuasion, my estates can be divided between our daughters-"

"Are you mad?"

Lord Dorset gave his wife a confused look. "In what way am I mad? I thought you will be pleased if our daughters have estates-"

"No. Your great estates will be merged into other noble families' estates which will be disastrous for our entire family. No. Our daughters will have nothing but their ample dowries and your entire estates and titles will be given to your brother upon your death. Our daughters already have the prestigious blood and the family name. They will be provided with dowries, so what else will they need?"

"Well…our Jane is dancing."

Frances almost dropped her goblet in shock as she saw Jane approach the dance floor, clutching Hal's arm with a smile on her face.

"Unbelievable," she said, watching them. "Jane never willingly dances! I sometimes wonder if our daughter is normal. She is quiet, loathes hunting, is horrified at the prospect of wearing coloured gowns and jewellery, prays excessively and reads too much."

Dorset snorted. "Why is she wearing a dark red gown now then?"

"I threatened her with another beating if she refuses to wear that new gown. It was a Christmas gift from the Lady Protector and it would be rude if she does not wear it." She grumbled with distaste as Jane stumbled in the third Galliard of the evening. "Look at that! Hopeless at dancing. We might as well send her to the nunnery."

"You were staunchly against that decision since you beat her when she was six."

"Of course. I still am. I rather see her suffer through an unhappy marriage than packed happily off to the nunnery she always wanted to go to." She savagely stabbed a pudding with a spoon. "I don't know whether I prefer Jane at Court to be under my gaze or hidden away in the countryside."

"Are you still annoyed our Jane will not be Queen?"

"It is the Dowager Queen's fault. I must admit, Jane did improve her German, but at the cost of losing her chance to be Queen. It was the Dowager Queen's idea and she ruined her chances. She will pay for that one day…I can promise her that."

"Frances! Treason?!"

"There is another way for Jane to be Queen…"

Dorset drained his goblet and stood up. "I am going to talk to the other nobles," he told her. "If you mention another line of Jane being Queen, I will drink all the wine in our cellar at Bradgate House. I'm serious about that."


"How did you find Bavaria, my lady Jane?" said Hal politely as he led Jane Grey to the dance floor. "I heard it is quite beautiful there."

"It is, my lord," answered Jane, praying she would not miss a step in the dance. "Some may say the Bavarian Court is less magnificent than the French Court, but I found it quite quaint and cosy. If I wasn't learning German or continuing my education, I was sewing with the other ladies or walking in the beautiful gardens. The Duke and Duchess are often in the Elector's company and the Duchess always leaves her chambers early in the morning and returns late at night."

"Sounds like relaxing experiencing for you!"

"It was mostly mourning in Bavaria."

"Oh? Has the Elector passed away?"

"Oh no! There was a spread of Typhoid Fever in Bavaria and its neighbouring duchies and the Elector's children all caught it. Little Prince Maximilian and his brothers Philipp and Rupert all died of Typhoid Fever, one after the other, and only their sister Princess Elisabeth survived. Their mother – Electress Susanna – had also died."

"How devastating!"

"The Duke and Duchess of Bavaria were there to sort out the succession problem as the Elector no longer has a male heir to succeed him as Elector of the Palatinate. I assume the Duke of Bavaria will succeed him as the Elector Palatine due to him being the current Elector's only brother. However, I heard that not all the councillors are pleased with that arrangement…due to his marriage to a common English noblewoman rather than a royal princess."

"What will you do now that you are back?"

Jane stumbled a little as she frowned slightly. "I…" she murmured uncertainly. "I…don't know. I suppose I will have to serve the Duchess as I did in Bavaria, but my lady mother will not be pleased. She always wanted me to serve in um…"

"A more royal household?" supplied Hal.

Jane nodded, smiling at him gratefully.

The dance ended and the couple walked to the back of the great hall. "You should be part of Cousin Eleanor's household," Hal suggested. "She is often melancholy and shy. Arthur told me that she is intelligent, but unwilling to talk during lessons and family gatherings. You are kind and gentle. Perhaps you can speak to her?"

"Are you sure I am the right lady to help the Princess Eleanor?" said Jane hesitantly.

"Yes. Poor girl is frightened of everyone – even her lady mother and Elizabeth. The latter attempted to speak to Eleanor, but she scampered away like a frightened rabbit."

"That is unusual for a daughter of Anne Boleyn."

"Indeed. As she is more quiet and anxious, the Dowager Queen is not particularly interested in her as she is to her um, other children. The Dowager Queen does not tolerate those of weaker stamina and demureness. Being in Princess Eleanor's household will be a tremendous honour your lady mother will even admit, I can assure you of that."

"Is the Lady Protector aware of it?"

"Not that I am aware of, but as her son, I can persuade her to allow you access to Eleanor daily rather than in family gatherings."

"Why me? Why not the Duchess of Bavaria? She is a gentle soul."

"With affairs in Bavaria and England, I do not want to burden the Duchess with further, more petty concerns. She loves children, but she will work herself ill if Eleanor is under her care. Besides, the Dowager Queen and my lady mother will truly appreciate your efforts if you help Eleanor, as will Arthur and all the other royal siblings."

"Do you truly believe I can help the Princess?"

"Yes. I know you can." He smiled encouragingly at her. "Come with me now and I will introduce you to the Princess Eleanor. I don't think she remembers you from the traditional family gatherings we have once a year. She was always very young in them."

Hal led her to the high table and approached a small, thin girl with timid brown eyes and locks of dark brown hair hidden beneath a lavishly jewelled French hood that matched her pale blue gown. She smiled as she saw Hal, but the smile disappeared when Jane curtsied to her.

"Eleanor," said Hal gently. "This is our cousin, Lady Jane Grey."

Jane smiled at Eleanor politely.

Eleanor nodded shyly, her eyes darting everywhere.

"She has offered to be your friend," continued Hal. "Lady Jane is a kind person and will be a good companion for you. She can learn lessons alongside you and be your friend. Upon my word of honour, she is a tender soul."

Eleanor brightened. "She wouldn't think I am a fool?"

"You are never a fool, dear Eleanor."

"Lady mother and Elizabeth never have time for me. Lady mother is never happy with my lessons and often complains I am a fool compared to Elizabeth. When we were younger, Elizabeth always says that no king wants to marry an unattractive fool and I will always be alone and unmarried."

"You are beautiful, dear Eleanor."

"intelligent too, Your Highness," added Jane kindly. "My lord Ormond, may I have a moment alone with Her Royal Highness?"

It took Hal a moment before realising she addressed him as the eldest son of the Duke of Richmond rather than a Prince of Lancaster. "Certainly," he said, backing away and giving Eleanor another courteous bow. "I will go and dance with Annie. She seems to be bored and a bored princess is never a good sign in courtly celebrations!"

Before he could reach Annie, Elizabeth gracefully took his arm and led him to the dance floor in a discreet manner.

"Elizabeth," said Hal uncomfortably. "Should you not dance with your husband?"

"I did," said Elizabeth charmingly. "He is over there chatting with his pals. I suspect I will dance with him next after his conversation ends. Anyway, I bring a message from Arthur. The dance floor is one of the safest places to talk without fear of eavesdroppers so he asked me to bring you the exciting news. He noticed you affection for Eleanor and thought it would be a good idea for the two of you to be betrothed, strengthening the alliance between my lady mother and your lady mother. It can be also considered a reward for the Lady Protector for her loyalty and service to the crown. It is even better as your lord father agreed to the match and had already blessed it! Arthur fears Eleanor has a weak constitution and is unprepared for marriage with a foreign royal and chose you! Please don't tell anyone – especially Eleanor – as we plan to inform her when she is a little older."

A lump formed in Hal's throat as he turned and glanced at Jane and Eleanor as he continued dancing. He was delighted in Arthur's generosity and kind nature, but remembered Arthur's cruelness and spite before his unfortunate accident.

How long will Arthur remain the benevolent king? Hal thought as the dance ended and he bowed at Elizabeth. He already proved he could change his nature once – fortunately for the better – but when will he turn cruel again? It is indeed an honour to have Princess Eleanor as my wife, but why do I feel as if the noose of a hangman's rope is tightening around my neck? My future with Princess Eleanor will not be glorious. It will be a trap.


Sa Majesté est bon pour ma fille - His Majesty is kind to my daughter.

Il a été porté à chevaleresque - It has come to chivalry.

Chevaliers chevaleresques font les meilleurs rois. Reine Marie, votre fille est en effet magnifique et je serai heureux de l'accueillir à bras ouverts que mon avenir belle-fille la loi et de la reine d'Angleterre - Chivalrous knights make the best kings. Queen Marie, your daughter is indeed beautiful and I will be glad to welcome her with open arms as my future daughter-in-law and Queen of England.

Merci, la reine Anne. Tous vos fêtes et célébrations anglais ont été assez impressionnant. Vous devez venir nous rendre visite au château de Sterling en Ecosse l'an prochain pour Noël - Thank you, Queen Anne. All your English festivities and celebrations have been quite impressive. You must come and visit us in Sterling Castle in Scotland next year for Christmas.

Si vous insistez, Madame - If you insist, Madame.

Nous serons famille dans quelques années et nous deux mères de monarques. Nous allons visiter l'Ecosse souvent, et vous rendre en Angleterre aussi, j'espère - We will be family in a few years and both of us mothers of monarchs. We will visit Scotland often, and you will visit England too I hope.

Si cela ne vous dérange pas que je demande, mais c'est le Duc de Richmond ainsi - If you do not mind me asking, but is the Duke of Richmond well?

Mary's children: Katherine, Archduchess of Austria (1534), Prince Henry 'Hal', Marquess of Ormond (1536), Princess Anne 'Annie' (1538), Prince George 'Georgie' (1540), Prince Edward 'Ned' (1542), Princess Elizabeth 'Bess' (1542), Princess Margaret (1544)

Anne's children: Princess Elizabeth, Countess of Leicester (1533), King Arthur I of England (1534), Princess Jane 'Janey' (1535-1543), Prince Edmund Tudor, Duke of York (1537), Princess Cecily (1537), Princess Eleanor (1539)

I hope you enjoyed the chapter and have a happy new year! :D I know Jane Seymour's a little OOC, but it may be explained in the events occurring in Bavaria in later chapters :)