January 19th, 1563

Whitehall Palace


Marie knew something was wrong. Edward hadn't been to her rooms in weeks, and she knew it had nothing to do with her pregnancy. He may have granted her the wardship of her sister's daughter, Angelique, but she felt herself slipping out of favor. She also noticed that Edward didn't look at her or their daughters the way he used to. She had recently given birth to her fourth daughter, Lady Catherine FitzRoy, and Edward had seemed to be somewhere else in his mind. Isabella was still pregnant so she knew it wasn't because he was sleeping with his wife, there had to be a new woman usurping her in his affections. She was sure Lady Susan had learned her lesson when she publicly humiliated the girl and the queen's women thought themselves to be above the position of mistress. Lady Mary FitzAlan had recently been betrothed to the Duke of Pembroke's son, which wasn't out of the ordinary, considering that she was a wealthy heiress. Lady Mary had nothing to gain from sleeping with the king, so Marie ignored the possibility.

"Lady Marie?" A voice called.

Marie turned. "Yes, Susan?"

Susan trembled. "The Earl of Southampton is here to see you."

Marie inclined her head. "Send him then, Susan. Do not be such a simpering fool!"

Susan scurried off to bring the young earl into Marie's rooms. As he entered Marie noted he was a handsome youth, perhaps he would make a good match for Bridget or Eleanor when they came of age in a few years.

"Lord Southampton, I was not expecting you." She casual sipped her mead and waved to a servant to pour some for the earl.

He nodded. "Yes, I came to you because I have a grievance with the queen."

Marie leaned forward. "A grievance you say?"

Southampton nodded again. "I was betrothed to Lady Mary FitzAlan and now I have discovered that the queen took it upon herself to break the contract and give Lady Mary's hand to the Duke of Pembroke's eldest son. I have come here because I thought that you would intercede with the king on my behalf."

Marie gave a coy smile. "What would I be getting out of this?"

Southampton knelt before her and kissed her hand. "You have my loyalty. I will side against the queen with you in all matters."

Marie smirked. "I will see what I can do."


January 22nd, 1563

Whitehall Palace


Isabella was now seven months pregnant and had taken to her lying-in chambers. However, Ruth had been feeding her information from the outside hourly, so she was not oblivious to the happenings at court. Northumberland and Pembroke had visited the day before and her ladies were constantly walking in and out of her rooms. There was a disturbing development, the Earls of Southampton and Arundel had pledged their allegiance to Marie against her and it was hinted that many may follow suit. This meant that Isabella needed a family of good standing to help her against the faction that was forming around Edward's whore. She was reviewing parish records for Kent, where the remainder of a particular family, once at the height of power before tragically being pushed off of their perch, resided.

Northumberland was led in by Mariana around the usual time and Isabella set the records aside. "What news, Northumberland?"

"It appears that the whore has created her own faction based upon those that had fallen out of favor with me. She has been interceding with His Majesty on their behalf." He reached for the records Isabella had been sifting through.

"If that is the case we must build our own faction, we must attach families to us." Isabella reasoned.

Northumberland nodded. "I see you have done some research. The Boleyns? Are you sure that we need them back in favor? They are a crafty lot."

Isabella grinned. "Precisely. We do not want fools, now do we?"

Northumberland shook his head. "No, I suppose we do not. Factional politics can be dangerous, fatal even."

"I am aware. I chose the Boleyn family for many reasons, one of them being that Elizabeth suggested it in a letter and the other that they are all extremely intelligent people of good breeding. If we confer the title to his eldest son, Sir Anthony, they will cling to me like leeches to the ill." Isabella cackled at the thought.

"Lady Mary Boleyn, the Earl's daughter had surviving issue. Surely we cannot simply ignore her heirs." Northumberland said.

Isabella rolled her eyes. "Mary Boleyn was disinherited when she married a knight. We can skip her heirs and pass the Earldom to Sir Anthony."

"Her children by her first marriage remain unmolested." Northumberland chided.

Isabella gave in. "Fine! Make the Carey a baron then, and the earldom will go to Anthony Boleyn."

Northumberland nodded. "I will bring it to His Majesty. The reason I bring up Henry Carey is that if we give him nothing, that may push him to side with Lady Marie. We need as many people on our side as we can get."

Isabella waved a hand to dismiss him. "You are shrewd, Northumberland, quite shrewd indeed."

Northumberland bowed with a smile. "Thank you, Your Majesty."


January 22nd, 1563

Whitehall Palace


Marie couldn't believe what she was hearing. Northumberland was suggesting that the infamous Boleyn family be restored in the blood. Of course the Boleyns were famous in France, where Anne Boleyn had captured the attention of the entire court nearly two decades before Marie was born. Many poems had been published about their unjust downfall and in a way, Marie felt that it would only be right if Edward restored their titles and wealth, but it would be at her detriment as the suggestion came from Northumberland who she knew took his orders from only Isabella or Edward. She immediately stormed back to her rooms, she needed to summon Southampton and Arundel for advice. She was no great stateswoman like Lady Norfolk or the Queen, but she knew how to manipulate those around her to her will.

"Margaret? Send me Southampton and Arundel, I need to speak with them of an urgent matter."

The young girl bowed before exiting her chambers. She paced the floor as she waited. What was Isabella planning? She was still in her chamber as she waited for her child to arrive, usually a time of peace for Marie, but it was apparent that Isabella wasn't going to take Marie's rise to power lying down. She would fight tooth and nail to hold on to her power and Marie wasn't sure if she was ready for that fight. Finally, her two trusted earls arrived.

"Southampton, Arundel." Marie nodded.

Southampton kissed her hand. "You needed my assistance?"

Marie nodded. "I overheard that the queen insisted on the Boleyns being restored their titles. Northumberland is speaking to the king about it as we speak. What do you think she is planning?"

Arundel had little emotion. "She is trying to sway the council to her side. She already has all of the Dukes in her camp: Northumberland is her faithful servant, Norfolk is her brother, Pembroke has been her good friend since she arrived at court, the Duchess of Exeter is her sister, and the Duke of York is her son. However, you have the majority of the earls on your side along with the king, which is only a part of the nobility. Robert Veldon is against the queen after her sister jilted him for his twin brother, and many of the barons are feeling left out because they dislike Northumberland. Taking Northumberland as an advisor may have been her worst folly. She means to tip the balance back in her favor. The Boleyns are numerous in Kent."

"Honestly, how do we know it was the queen's idea?" Southampton inquired.

Arundel shook his head at the young teenager. "The queen is intelligent, she has had the education of a prince and if she were a man she would be the Duke of Guelders. She knows how to operate the court, she may have been resigned in the early years and allowed courtiers to think she is oblivious, but I spoke with her once during that time. She chose to be fade into the background of court life to focus on her children because she disliked the blood lust of court, you have brought her to the center of it. Lady Marie, she is threatened by you, that is why she is fighting so hard to displace you."

Marie smirked. "I hope she realizes that one earl is not going to affect much."

"One earl can tip the balance either way, especially one with a large family such as the Boleyns. She will not be giving the title to any random man with a slight claim to the Earldom of Wiltshire, it will be to Sir Anthony if anyone, and he has several children." Southampton pointed out.

Marie frowned. "She will not win. I will replace her and you will all be given high positions in my household."


January 31st, 1563

Whitehall Palace


Ruth was standing at Edward's side as Isabella's proxy as she was still in confinement. Sir Anthony Boleyn was a handsome man near forty, and his wife and children stood off to the side. Mary Boleyn, soon to be Countess of Wiltshire held her youngest child close to her while her two eldest daughters were standing beside her, nearly as tall as she. Ruth smiled, it would be good to have more loyal women to serve Isabella and the royal family. She shared a knowing glance with Northumberland before watching the scene in front of her. Sir Anthony knelt before Edward, his head bowed in the utmost respect and his family followed suit. Edward approached him with the letters patent of his noble titles.

The king spoke in an authoritative voice. "Sir Anthony, I confer upon you, your family title of Earl of Wiltshire in the sixth creation. You will be the second earl to hold this title of the sixth creation. Also, I confer the title, Viscount of Rochford to you"

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Sir Anthony replied.

Edward raised a hand. "Do no thank me, thank your queen. It was she that asked your titles be restored to you,"

Sir Anthony, now Lord Wiltshire stood before bowing again. "Well I am forever indebted to Her Majesty's generosity."

Edward summoned Ruth forward and she floated to his side only because she knew she was obligated to do so.

"Lady Norfolk, please take Lord Wiltshire to meet with the queen so that he can personally thank her." Edward ordered.

Ruth nodded quietly. "Yes, Your Majesty. I would be honored to do so."

She was careful to not offend Edward in public, knowing there would be more consequences than when they had their disagreements behind closed doors. She waved the Boleyn family along as she marched to Isabella's apartments. Northumberland, Pembroke, and her husband were already there when the group arrived and Isabella sat up in her bed with help from Sancha and Madeleine.

"Lord Wiltshire, welcome." She gave a gentle smile.

Wiltshire bowed in reverence. "Your Majesty, I thank you for you kindness and generosity to my family and I and we will forever be indebted to you."

Isabella smirked. "Lord Wiltshire, I promise you will remain in favor as long as I am queen. Alas, my throne may be in danger."

The earl looked horrified. "Who would dare attempt to remove such a gracious queen? I have heard of your kindness often in Kent."

Isabella's eyes had a faraway look. "My husband's mistress thinks to replace me as queen. Many nobles have begun to believe her delusions and plot against me. I implore you to avoid the Earl of Southampton and the Earl of Arundel who lead them against me. These men in this room are men in good faith, they are your friends Lord Wiltshire."

Ruth noted that Isabella was becoming a very able courtier. Years ago, Ruth could never imagine Isabella accomplishing anything that she had done in the last six or seven months. She was no longer just a queen in name that was content to bear children, but now she was cold hearted, ready to manipulate at will.

Wiltshire observed the three dukes in the room. "Very well, Your Majesty. We are here to obey and to serve."

"Very good, Lord Wiltshire. Pembroke, Northumberland, and Norfolk will show to your lodgings, however leave your wife and two eldest daughters with me."

Wiltshire bowed again and the men exited the room and Mariana locked the door behind them. Isabella and Ruth turned their gaze on Lady Wiltshire and her two eldest daughters.

"What are the girls' names?" Isabella inquired.

The Countess motioned to the daughter of her right, a slender girl with black hair and grey eyes. "This is my eldest, Elizabeth Boleyn." then motioned to the other daughter on her left, a blonde haired and blue eyed girl. "And this is my second eldest, Anne Boleyn."

Isabella smiled at the young girls. "Well, my sister the Duchess of Exeter is trying to build her household so I will place both of you under her command."

They both gave a curtsy, although it was clear that Anne was the more graceful of the two. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"The Countess of Wiltshire will be apart of my household." Isabella added.

Ruth nodded. "Lady Wiltshire, I will entrust you to the care of Lady Raby, we call her Sancha, however."

Sancha took the hint and led Lady Wiltshire and her daughters away.

Ruth sat beside Isabella grinning. "I cannot believe how much you have accomplished. I am proud of you Izzy."

Isabella smiled. "I should have listened to you when you told me Catherine and Marie were whores, I am sorry. Will you forgive me?"

Ruth was shocked. Isabella had finally admitted she was wrong after all of those years. Ruth remembered all of the fierce arguments the two of them had gotten into until Ruth decided to let Isabella see for herself, although she had never imagined Edward would be the one to take a mistress, especially one like Marie. For years Ruth had just wanted an apology from her sister, she needed to know that Isabella understood she only wanted to protect her.

"Of course, I forgive you." She murmured.

Isabella allowed a single tear to slip down her face. "Thank you, Ruth."