Chapter 8
The Borgias did not make it to England until Christmas. They were surprised to see the ways the styles had changed. Women dressed less modestly, and they giggled gossiped and showed their attractions in the open. Lucrezia was disgusted by the ladies in Queen Catherine's service. They had no morals. She whispered this to Ceasare and he nodded to agree. The family Borgia was greeted by Charles, Edward, along with the king and queen. They were surprised not to see the entire royal family. Rodrigo thought the king was protecting his daughter and grandchildren. Juan was excited for a chance to finally see his children. He and the king didn't know that Mary would never let him touch her children.
Mary knew that the Borgias were coming today. She explained everything to her son; he promised her that he would protect her. She laughed and was proud of the young man she had become. She then explained to him that he must not protect her, but his sister. He must not let anyone touch his sister that he doesn't recognize. He nods and salutes his mother like a proper solider. Her son was the perfect English child. She was proud to say that her son did not end up anything like Juan. He didn't even look anything like his Borgia relations. He had dark brown hair with bright blue eyes and looked like a young Henry VIII. He was pious and yet headstrong. His little sister was a little meeker but she still had a streak of stubbornness. Alexandria was a little replica of Mary herself. When Henry told Mary this Mary smile a little. Mary responded that Philip was a mix of Henry and her mother. Henry smiled as if he already knew. She missed her mother.
Juan missed his Mary, along with his children. But he was excited that he was about to see them. He had not seen Mary or his children in nearly a decade. He wondered what his daughter looked like or what her voice sounded like. He wondered how intelligent his son was. He wondered if his Mary grew any more beautiful. England was cold and snow started to fall. They were all unused to the cold, so physically they were miserable. But emotionally they were all relieved; they thought that this was closure for Juan. He really needed this. He needed closure. He saw a woman with dark red hair and two children. They reminded him of his family. Little did he know that that was Mary and his children.
Mary was playing with her children in her father's gardens. She did not know that her Philip had arrived for Elizabeth's wedding. He would escort Anne of Cleaves to court. Mary did not know that Philip of Bavaria was looking to ask for Mary's hand. He had been waiting for this wedding for an opportunity. He knew that the King of England wanted more grandchildren, because more grandchildren meant more heirs.
Shortly after the Borgias were welcomed in court Philip of Bavaria and Anne of Cleaves arrived. Charles was ordered to stay to greet them and bring them into court. When he entered the court he looked around for Mary. When he didn't see her his eyes were greeted by that for whom he guessed to be her ex-husband. He waited to break contact with Juan's eyes until Juan broke the contact first.
Lucrezia was suspicious about her brother's quarrel with this man. She pushed it aside and watched this foolish girl play queen. Lucrezia watched the former queen show respect for the girl, but the woman was probably relieved that she didn't have to play wife for the senior any longer and the job got passed. But the man with the woman was a different story. He seemed to be casually looking for someone in the crowd while greeting the girl queen. After the former queen was escorted into the crowd the heralds quieted the gossip.
"Your majesties, Princess Mary and her children, Prince Philip and Princess Alexandria." The herald greeted. Juan was surprised, it was the woman and children from the gardens earlier, and she had changed their names. Mary and her children approached her father and the woman who she resented for taking her mother's place.
"Your majesty." She said as she and her children bowed.
"Mary!" her father greeted. "Say hello to the queen." He the whispered.
"Madam"
"Lady Mary, I am pleased to see you back at court." Queen Catherine said and the whole court gasped. It was common knowledge that Mary had been legitimized when she had given birth to a son and Anne Boleyn had been executed. It could and would be seen as an insult that the queen used her improper title against Mary especially after she fought for it. Mary cleared her throat before she spoke.
"Thank you for your gifts. Your majesty is always more than generous." Mary said completely blowing off the girl queen. Philip and Alexandria had their turns to say hello to her father. She was mad no doubt about that. The girl had been foolish enough to address her by the wrong title.
"Happy Christmas Grandfather, I bid you thanks for the dog and pony." Philip said
"Did you name them my boy?" Henry asked.
"I named my pony Excalibur and my dog Lancelot."
"Those are good names."
"I as well bid you thanks Grandfather for my puppy and my dresses." Alexandria said following her brother's suit.
"And what did you name your dog?"
"I named her Lady."
"Well children those are fine names, now can grandfather get a hug?" both of the children then hugged Henry then were whisked away by their mother. The whole night Mary had been on the lookout for Juan but he had not been near her children. Giovanna had been by her side and helping her guard the children. That had been a relief. She did not want to talk to him and she needed more time with her best friend.
"Mama I am tired." Philip said. Mary looked at Giovanna who nodded and along with her husband escorted the children.
"There's a knight in shining armor staring at you." Giovanna whispered as she passed. Mary knew who she was referring to, because after Giovanna left Philip of Bavaria asked her to dance. Mary agreed. When the dance was over they began to talk.
Anne had been talking to Catherine the whole night. They had been drinking and having fun. When the King left her favorite kind of dance came on and Anne asked Catherine to dance, and that is when Mary left.
Hope you liked sorry it took a while… well read relax and review
