The Dudley Rose of England


December 1551. The Sweating sickness has passed, after claiming several lives. Guilford Dudley is created Marquess of Dorset. Lady Amy Robsart, heiress of Sir John Robsart, comes to court at Robert's request.


Chapter XII: The Marquess and the Heiress

22nd December 1551: Whitehall Palace, England

Thankfully, the sweating sickness, which had claimed many lives, inlcluding the lives of Henry Dudley, Temperance Dudley, Anne Whorwood, and Henry Grey, had passed quickly, but the deaths of Henry Dudley, and Temperance Dudley, had made Robert sadder than ever. He only became happy around the rest of his family, his children, or his wife.

As well as this, there was the issue of who was the next heir to the title of Marquess of Dorset. Both of Henry Grey's brothers, Thomas Grey and John Grey of Pirgo, were claiming the title, while Jane, being the eldest surviving child of The Marquess of Dorset, seemed to be the better heir. Lady Frances Brandon, however, wanted the title to go to Thomas Grey, and not her daughter. This made Elizabeth more determined than ever to give the title to Jane or her husband, as Jane was the most senior claimant to the title, and a woman could be a Marquess in her own right, as Elizabeth's mother, Anne Boleyn, had been a Marquess before her marriage to Elizabeth's father, King Henry VIII. Not to mention the fact that she just wanted to spite Frances.

"I will give this some thought, and I will inform you of my decision in due time." Elizabeth informed them "Now, leave my presence. I have work to do."

They grudgingly left, and Elizabeth let a smirk cross her face, before she broke into a laugh.


23rd December 1551: Whitehall Palace, England

Guilford tugged at the collar of his doublet and took a deep breath.

As if seeing his brother's distress, John gripped his shoulder tightly, and then slipped in ahead of Guilford, who waited for the herald to announce him before striding forwards, clad in a new doublet and hose of scarlet velvet trimmed with russet brown that he had had commissioned for this very occasion.

As he reached the dais, he sank to one knee, glancing up to catch sight of his beloved where she was stood beside the Queen. She beamed down at him athe Queen rose to her feet, lifting a hand to tell the herald that she was ready. The Herald coughed and unrolled a heavy scroll of parchment. "It is the pleasure of our Sovereign Majesties, Queen Elizabeth I and King Robert, on this day, the Sixteenth day of December in the first year of their reign, anno domini 1551, to create thee, Sir Guilford Dudley, Marquess of Dorset"

As he finished, Guilford heard the King come down off the dais and then felt first, the light weight of the silver Earl's coronet come to rest on his head and then the heavy warmth of his new robes of state being draped around his shoulders, before Robert said "Arise, My Lord Dorset" and helped him up, kissing him in friendship, and brotherhood, and handing him the patent of his newfound nobility. Guilford accepted them with gracious thanks, and then the King stepped back.

As if she'd been waiting impatiently for the ceremony to be over, which indeed, she probably had, Lady Jane leapt up and ran down the steps of the dais, dashing over to Guilford and flinging her arms about his neck, all dignity forgotten in her great delight. Guilford slipped his arms around her, and meeting the King's twinkling eye over her dark head, tipped Jane head up and kissed her full on the mouth, putting everything he wanted to say but couldn't, not in public, into the kiss instead.

"Well, My Lady Marchioness? Does this please you?" he murmured daringly into her ear as they broke apart.

"It Pleases me greatly, My Lord Dorset." she whispered back, entwining her arm with his as they turned together to greet the next group of people coming up to them to offer Guilford their congratulations on his new peerage.


24th December 1551: Whitehall Palace, England

"Who is that?" Elizabeth asked, pointing to a woman, stood in the crowd.

Robert looked over to the woman in question and smiled "That Bess, is Lady Amy Robsart." He made a gesture with his hands and Amy began to approach. Reaching the throne, she swept into a curtsey and kissed the hand offered by Elizabeth.

"Lady Robsart," The Queen began "You're the heiress to Sir John Robsart, are you not?"

"I am, Your Majesty." Amy replied. Elizabeth noticed that there was a slight nervous quiver in the voice of the nineteen year old girl.

"And yet, you are not married?" Elizabeth asked "By now, a girl of your age would be married and have children."

"No, Your Majesty, I am not." Amy replied "Robert and I decided not to marry, and he married you instead."

"Well," Elizabeth began "I think that Lord Fitzpatrick has taken an interest in you."

"He's betrothed." Amy replied quickly, looking up to the Queen.

"Betrothed is not married..." Elizabeth began "It is a long way on bended knee to the altar."

Elizabeth waved Amy away with a quick movement of her hand. Amy dropped into a curtsey and left. Barnaby Fitzpatrick, stood in the crowd, was the first to greet her, and, with a small giggle, she took his arm and they disappeaed into the crowd.

Elizabeth waited until Amy and Barnaby could not hear, snapped "What is the meaning of introducing your former betrothed to me, Robin?" before getting up, and stalking away.

Robert sighed and got up, before following his wife.


To Be Continued


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