chapter 8:

Richmond had become more and more uncomfortable as time had gone on. The Queen had already started her lying in and it was only a matter of time until she gave birth. The King had decided to invite Henry's wife Mary and her brother the Earl of Surry to court as he had returned from France. Mary's farther the Duke of Norfolk was already at court as he usually was because of his position at the court and on the council. Fitzroy had tried to avoid him as much as possible, although it did not always work. A number of times the Duke had been pulled aside by Norfolk who had tried to plied with Henry to rekindle his relationship with Mary now that the King had promised to give his permission. Henry would just ignore the comments and flee as fast as possible, but this was for more than one reason. Obviously Richmond had a great aversion to his young wife after so long of frustration but he was embarrassed that he had allowed it to happen and he should have ignored the Kings command, some thing Norfolk had encouraged them to do so many time before. There was also the fact that the King's comments meant so much more than a reunion with his wife they meant his position within his family would truly diminish with the birth of a son. Richmond had never craved power but he had always been somewhat important in the kingdom and it was clear he would have redefine his base of power in England and more importantly at court. Fitzroy had decided to escape to the comfort of his sister at Mary's house Hatfield.

"Hello Brother." Elizabeth had shouted this as loudly as she possible could while Henry dismounted his horse. She then ran towards him to embrace him as tightly as possible. Unfortunately her brother's hold was far stronger than her own and she fidgeted in discomfort and Henry released his grip grinning at his young sister. At the same moment Mary exited the house with the ambassador Eustace Chapuys who had become a great friend of the siblings. Richmond speedily walked to his sister to also embrace her and to greet the ambassador.

"How goes you my dear Eustace?" Chapuys smiled and replied,

"All the better away from court with you three great friends." The group smiled.

"Shall we walk through the grounds as my effects be taken to my chamber and it is such a lovely day a shame to waste it." The group cooed at the idea and began to set off. Henry shifted closer to his man-servant Greene, "Thomas take the horses to the stables and then see to our belongings one of the Lady's men will show you to our chamber I am sure."

"Of course my Lord." Greene then quickly tugged at the horses rains and the group continued to the gardens.

"How are things at court brother?" Richmond knew that Mary was skirting around the real question she wanted to ask but knew she did not want to upset or anger him.

"The King is happier than I have seen is such a long time sister and the vultures swam for their share of scraps." Henry's words were more macabre than he had meant. The ambassador was the one to reply,

"you mean my Lord Cromwell?"

"Cromwell, the Seymour's ... Norfolk. Anyone who may advance at this time." The only sounds were from Elizabeth even though she was highly intelligent she rarely paid attention to court matters as she has never been apart of them before. This thought struck a cord with Fitzroy and he wished he could have had such a care free life at her age. Then he realised none of them had, Elizabeth had only survived with hand outs that he, Mary and others gave her because the King had gave her minimal amounts of money after the death of her mother until their reunion orchestrated by the Queen only months before. At this thought the Duke perked up a little realising how far the three of them had come in only few short months.

"What do they seek brother Henry." This felt odd to Fitzroy as Mary rarely said his name.

"Power... sister that's all they ever want." They both nodded at him and they all knew what that meant and what usually what happened when the King gave power. "And then there is the matter of my wife." Mary and Chapuys were wary of what was to follow. "Mary and her brother will be arriving within the month at court. I think the King wishes them to arrive before the birth. The truth is my Lady I do know what I am to do neither of us can stand to be in a crowed room together and we have no been alone together since this all began. We decided it would be better we avoid such situations and I have no idea what that would be like... Please forgive me sister it is not appropriate for me to speak of such things with you."

"There is no need to forgive you brother. I worry for you ... I know how the King's command has hurt you in this matter and I pray that the difficulties can be resolved with your reunion as ours have been." Mary's eye's were full of concern.

"I thank you sister it is my hope also and with your support it is sure to succeed." After a few days break from court the group travelled back together. They were informed that the King was in his greeting chamber the most public place the King is ever to be found at court so the siblings decided to greet the King to inform him of their return.

"Their Graces Henry Fitzroy Duke of Richmond and Somerset and Earl of Nottingham and the Ladies Mary and Elizabeth Tudor." As they had become accustomed the crowds split and bowed to them eventually revealing the King perched upon his throne. The King smugly grinned as he caught the faces of his children. \Their farther jumped from his chair and bellowed,

"My children please come." He walked towards them to embrace them all and continued, "I have missed you all ... there is so little to do without you and the Queen. She is still in her lying in without any change and you gone from court I thought I may go made with boredom. I had to come into such public within the day to occupy myself for the sliest relief." The four of them smiled among them selves when they were interrupted with another arrivals announcement,

"His Lordship, Henry Howard Earl of Surry and Lady Mary Fitzroy Duchess of Richmond and Somerset."