Philip of Bavaria was, of course, thrilled to see Mary.

"My father has given permission for us to wed," she told him.

"I'm so happy! I thought this day would never come." Philip embraced her warmly.

Philip and Mary's wedding was beautiful. Mary wore a lacy white dress with a long train which was carried by Philip's young cousin, and Philip himself was dashing in a black doublet with gold trim and buttons and a black hat with a gold hat pin. Mary's heart beat faster at the sight of him. She suddenly couldn't wait until she was alone with him.

The chapel in Bavaria was huge. Mary gazed in wonder at the ceiling, which seemed miles above her head. She felt tiny by comparison. She felt Philip's arm strong and secure around her waist and was warmed and cheered by his presence. And to think that she owed it all to her stepfather, Charles Brandon, who had a way with Henry that no one else did. She owed all this happiness to him and didn't know how she could ever repay him.

They spoke their vows clearly and confidently, and finally Philip lifted Mary's veil and kissed her lips. His lips were warm and inviting, and they sent a shiver down Mary's spine. Dancing followed the ceremony. Mary was passed from one Bavarian nobleman to another, but her heart yearned for Philip and leaped with joy once she was in his arms once more.

It pounded with anticipation as she waited in her unfamiliar bedchambers for her new husband that night. She had but the vaguest of ideas as to what was to follow. She had heard that it may involve a small amount of pain and so was a bit anxious but was much more so excited. She heard him enter and jumped. He laughed.

"It's only me, my love." He came to her and sat beside her on the bed and kissed her lips warmly and sensuously.

"Are you afraid?" he asked.

"A little bit," she admitted.

"Don't be. I'll be just as gentle as possible," he promised.

They both lay back on the bed and kissed some more. Mary felt desire building up inside her body like the opening of a flower in the morning. Philip's hands were all over her, exploring. She used her hands to explore his body as well.

Their final coming together was very natural, very tender. As Mary had expected, there was some slight pain, but in the intensity of the moment, she barely noticed it. As Philip moved inside her, she knew that she was home at last.

"We must have her seen by the physician tomorrow," Katherine said.

"This can't wait until tomorrow. I'm taking her to him today." Charles gently gathered his daughter into his arms and left for the physician.

The physician was just getting ready to end his work day when Charles arrived holding little Lottie.

"Please, sir, I beseech you. My daughter is very ill," Charles begged.

One look at Lottie and the physician was instantly concerned. "Bring her right on in," he told Charles. As he quickly examined her his expression grew very grave. At last he fetched a bottle of medicine and gave a spoonful to Lottie. Then he handed the bottle to Charles.

"You must give her this medicine again tonight before she goes to bed, and three times a day afterwards until her symptoms are gone. I'm so very glad you brought her to me right away. If you had waited until tomorrow it might well have been too late."

Charles held his daughter tightly as he hurried home with her. The thought of how very close he had come to losing her made him quake with fear. He couldn't bear the thought of having to go on without his pretty, bright, spirited daughter.

Katherine saw the look on his face and turned pale.

"It's all right, love," Charles said soothingly. "I got her to the doctor in time. He was able to save her. She's going to be fine."

"Oh, Charles." Katherine took Lottie from his arms and laid her gently on the bed. "I'm so glad you took her to him today."

"So am I." Charles' voice was choked.

Katherine tucked Lottie in and kissed her hot forehead. Charles lingered a moment, looking down at his daughter's pale face. Her eyes caught his, and with a shock of amazement, he suddenly knew.

"It really is you, isn't it?"

"Of course it's me."

"Oh dear God...I'm so sorry..."

"There's nothing to be sorry about. This time you saved me. This time you cared."

"Of course I care, darling. I love you more than words could ever say."

"Yet you love Katherine now."

"I love Katherine as a husband loves his wife, and I love you as a father loves his daughter, as that is what you are to me now."

Silence.

"Please, please don't feel sad. I love you no less than I ever did. Much more, in fact. Only in a different way now."

"Papa?" Lottie spoke audibly for the first time since returning home.

"Yes, love?"

"Everything's all right now, isn't it?"

"Yes, darling. Everything's fine now." Hot tears flowed down Charles' cheeks as he embraced his little girl. "I love you so much, Lottie. So very, very much. More than you'll ever know."

"I love you too, Papa."