When Mary marries her Philip she has a day that is nothing but joy and laughter. Her wedding gown has been planned for a long time - a gown of cloth of gold embroidered with flowers that Mary had designed herself and Mary finds that she has never felt so beautiful. Bess proudly helps carry her train and Mary catches the eye of her mother and father as she walks down the aisle and she can see they are both so proud of her. It is a beautiful thing.
She sees Philip and has eyes for no one else from that moment on. It is a good thing that Mary does not notice the undercurrents that are still moving through the court, for they would certainly have distressed her. It is George Boleyn who takes on that burden.
"Christopher tells me that Norfolk commissioned this play, but he knows nothing else as yet for Norfolk is close mouthed to a fault - but he is almost certain that the 'virtuous prince' referred to is Reginald Pole."
George looks to his father but the other man stops for a moment to look around to make sure they cannot be overhead before he replies.
"Has he made any contact with Mary?"
"Not as far as Christopher knows - indeed he is almost certain that Norfolk is acting without her knowledge for Norfolk certainly does not trust Mary or have much affection for her - she is merely a means to an end for him, but he will certainly find out. But father, Mary would not seek the throne in such a way."
"I am sure she would not George but" and here Thomas Boleyn looks almost sad "it is best to be certain - when we are we shall inform her but for now? Let the Princess have this moment of happiness before a new storm comes upon her."
"Perhaps it will come to nothing" George says but he does not sound convinced for the Duke of Norfolk is ambitious, cunning and not like to subside into a dignified retirement when he could gain the position of the true power in the kingdom.
Meanwhile, Christopher Marlowe has returned to Norfolk with the final draft of the play ("I am aggrieved that it will never be played in truth" was what he had written to George Boleyn, his friend and one time lover) with which the Duke has rewarded him with gold and asked if he would find a group of players who would be "inclined to put on such a play" Marlowe has offered a troupe he knows locally ("they are sore in need of ready money your grace and will not ask inconvenient questions") and then he has respectfully made to withdraw but Norfolk had stopped him.
"One more thing, if you will Marlowe. I already know you are discreet to a fault and I would have you keep to that by delivering this message for me. It is of the utmost importance to my cause and thus, to your future prosperity."
Christopher nods and bows respectfully, taking the missive in his hand as Norfolk waves him away. He does indeed deliver the message to a waiting messenger who is taking ship to France and it is indeed delivered to Reginald Pole seemingly intact. In fact, the letter had been carefully and painstakingly copied and makes its way to London. In the letter Norfolk writes that he has been discreetly building a base of support for 'you and the Princess Mary, my Lord Pole' and that he anticipates that 'such plays and pamphlets as I have caused to have produced will further endear you to the people'
Indeed the pamphlets have already started being produced and distributed. Though the vast majority of them are treated with disdain and mockery there are a small number who delight in the idea of a return to a purely Catholic England, one in which heresy is suppressed (no doubt they would be surprised to learn that the radical reformers share the same sentiment but from an opposite direction) rather than being allowed to exist alongside the true faith. These men talk loudly of Princess Mary 'saving the kingdom' and bluster about the riches and power they would acquire under such a rule. That such a venture would involve turning their 'beloved princess' into a puppet does not deter them in the slightest. Nor does the fact that Mary is entirely unaware of their aims.
When Mary is told of the plot she is horrified at herself because, for a moment, she is tempted. Only for a moment, but she is - simply at the tantalising vision of becoming Queen Regnant as she thought she might as a small child before Fitzroy. She could restore the Holy Church as the one true church, she could restore her mothers status and surely, surely she could take care of her siblings and make sure they would not come to harm. Mary could do the same to Anne - could make sure her stepmother is given every comfort, allowed to retire to her estates in Pembroke. Her father would come round, Mary thinks, surely he would (and there is a part of her, a tiny part of her that wonders if it would not be justice for her father had sought to displace Mary and her mother and so would be displaced in turn) but that, that is what brings her back.
For they would never allow her father to live (the living rightful king will always be a danger) and they would certainly never allow her brothers to, for made illegitimate or not they will always be dangers. Norfolk and Pole would never allow her to rule in anything but name, Mary knows that well. She thinks to of her beloved Philip, of her beloved Stepmother - are they not both reformers? Does she not think they are good and beloved of the lord? How can she break the peace that has reigned for so many years? Mary cannot and she will not.
And then there is the fact that they would dare to try to break her marriage to Philip. That they will once again make a mockery of Mary herself - thinking her such a weak willed woman that she will simply follow them as they direct. That they would think her such a betrayer of her family. No, it enrages Mary Tudor that these men would presume to involve her in treason and she will not have it. More so because her family has trusted her honour to the point of telling her of this plot and that, that matters too.
Henry has dismissed all the council but motions to the Duke of Essex to stay behind. As the door closes behind the last councillor the king sighs in relief, for he had thought they would never leave and he is in need of somewhat other than matters of state.
"Henry?"
Thomas' question to him, in such contrast to the formal address his raven uses in council gives Henry Tudor a thrill of delight, especially at the faint colour on the other mans olive skin as Henry looks at him intently and then walks over, lifting him onto a table.
"I want you, love. I've been wanting you all morning and right now I want nothing more than to have you on this table and then perhaps, I will take you to bed and have our Anne observe" Henry says, "but I wish to have you all," and at this he stops to kiss Thomas thoroughly, "for my enjoyment alone, my dearest love"
Thomas is smiling, the soft private smile that is only for Henry and Anne and their children when he replies, leaning into Henrys' embrace. It is later, when they are abed with Anne that they are interrupted with the message that Reginald Pole has landed on English soil and goes to meet Norfolk, the pamphlets and the staging of the play to selected audiences having had the effect of stirring up enough of the people to form an uprising.