Lola walked into Mary's chambers. Greer had wanted to write a letter to Castleroy. She held John close to her chest and watched Mary's reaction.
"Mary, are you sure you don't mind?"
"I told Leith it was perfectly fine. Besides, I've hardly gotten to see my godson with all the chaos over the past months." Almost on cue, Leith appeared with the servant who had the cradle. "Right by the fire. Thank you. That's perfect. Please have our supper brought up here," she said to servant.
"I'll be outside if you need anything."
"Thank you, Leith," said Mary. Lola rubbed John's back. Mary turned to her friend. "Lola, what's wrong?"
Lola sighed. "Nothing. I'm just tired. How are you?"
"Happy to be home. I've missed you."
"You look happy. Perhaps, a day away is what you needed. But, they said you were attacked?"
Mary sat by the fire. "We were."
"Louis was able to fight them off? You weren't harmed?"
"Some bruises, but not like before." She pulled her shawl tighter around her.
"Greer said that you are healing though." Lola tentatively put her hand out to squeeze Mary's.
Mary took it and hugged Lola. "I know that I couldn't do this before, but I can now. When Leith had to burn Louis, I held his hand. I saw my strength."
"And, Greer said that you are considering returning to Francis?"
Mary held Lola's hand, starring at the sleeping John. "No, that I am not. It is a path that I have been down, and I have found the end. I'm trying to find another path where we may at least be friends. If not, then I suppose we shall have to continue just as king and queen." She smiled softly. "May I hold him?"
"Of course." Lola handed him to Mary, and Mary smiled, fixing his blankets.
"He looks just like Francis. I think about the child we lost some times."
Lola moved closer to her, putting her arm around her. "I'm sorry."
Mary shook her head. A tear slipped down her face. "It's not your fault."
"I'm sorry for your baby, and I'm sorry for John."
Mary's eyes broke free of the tears. "Lola, please, never be sorry for him. I am happy that Francis got his son. He and I may one day have a son for the sake of the kingdom, but we may not. You've relieved me of that burden, that responsibility."
"You will have another child, Mary. I know it." She squeezed her hand. "You and Francis will find happiness."
"We will," said Mary resolutely. "But not as lovers. I am done, Lola. There are some things that can never be undone. Do you understand? I want Francis to be happy, but it can't be with me. I will find my happiness elsewhere."
"A lover?" questioned Lola, smiling.
"A lover!" exclaimed Kenna, walking in with Greer and holding a couple bottles of wine. "This calls for a drink."
Kenna sat down with Greer and they both cooed over John for a moment before returning to their inquiries.
"Who is this lover?" asked Kenna. "Is he yours or yours?"
Lola shook her head and sipped the wine. "I was telling Mary that I was uncertain about marrying again or taking a lover. You misunderstood."
"You are marked as property of the king, Lola," said Kenna. Lola looked at her glass.
"Kenna!" exclaimed Mary.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. But, every time any man starts to become interested in her they find out her name, and then it's over. The only man brave enough was Lord Narcisse, and, despite his butterfly tattoo, I don't think you want poor Lola to go down that road."
"Butterfly tattoo?" questioned Mary.
"We'll explain later. But, really Narcisse would be an amazing but dangerous lover. Who else would be bold enough?"
"Kenna and I may have been drinking some of the wine on our way here," said Greer apologetically.
"Mary can't you order someone to marry her?" asked Kenna.
"I could," said Mary, looking at Lola who was blushing. "But, I won't. I want Lola to marry for love." She squeezed Lola's hand reassuringly. "And, why should she marry? She has her dowry back."
"It makes you independent," said Greer.
"Do you like not being tied down to one man?"
John began fussing. "Hungry again." He arched his back and twisted screaming. "I hate to burst the romantic vision you have of my independence, Kenna, but I am tied to one man, or at least a man in the making."
They all laughed. Lola went to get up. "Lola, you needn't leave because of us," said Mary.
"We will all have to do it soon enough," said Kenna.
"Are you?" they asked.
"Oh, I don't know. I expect it'll happen sooner, rather than later. We've been married for close to a year now. What about you, Greer?"
"No. With everything happening right after our marriage and now that he is away from court, there haven't been many…opportunities."
"I suppose that leaves me," said Mary, sipping her wine. "If my—rape—had had complications, I would know by now, wouldn't I?"
"Of course," said Greer.
Kenna and Lola agreed.
Lola burped John. "I would say by next week you would be certain one way or the other."
Mary nodded. "Good. Thankfully, Catherine has been too preoccupied with Claude and the Protestants to be observant or run a urine test like she did before."
"Oh, well her latest scheme is to have us seduce some nobles who are coming to court," said Kenna. "She's short on members of her 'Flying Squad.'"
"What?" exclaimed Mary.
"Oh, yes. We are to 'entertain' them. Nothing beyond touching of course, but we must get them to trust us, and then Catherine will give us the rest of our instructions," said Greer.
"Oh, go get them! Mary will die laughing!" exclaimed Kenna to Greer.
Greer laughed and hurried out the door returning within minutes with three wigs.
"You are looking at Vivian," said Kenna adjusting the red haired wig.
Greer adjusted Lola's. "And, Marguerite."
"And, of course, Antoinette," said Greer, pulling on the black wig.
Mary clapped looking at them. "You three are quite the coquettish trio." John was crying so she picked him up. "But, may I ask why you are letting Catherine use you for puppets?"
"For fun, of course!" exclaimed Kenna.
"And, to keep an eye on her," said Lola.
"We are playing along until we see what her full plan is," said Greer.
Lola added, "Catherine says that this may help us secure the Privy Council."
Mary sighed. "Well then perhaps, I will have to help too. It's not fair to make you ladies to bear this alone. Do you happen to have an extra wig?" Kenna took hers off and placed it on Mary's head. Mary laughed and raised her glass. "To the fun of Catherine schemes."
They all laughed, shaking off the wigs and sitting round each other.
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