*Author's Note: This story is very close to being done! I have some ideas for my next story, but if there's anything you really want to see in a fic, let me know!

Chapter 14

A knock on Mary's chamber door startled her from her musings. The door creaked open slowly as Greer's head appeared in the crack.

"Am I disturbing you? I must be." Greer shook her head. "I'll just come back later."

"Greer! You aren't disturbing me. What do you need? You seem concerned."

Greer took a deep breath. "I think I may want to remain in France."

"This is unexpected. May I ask why?"

"There's someone here I have hopes of building a life with."

Mary smiled at her friend. "I had no idea you had a suitor at Court. Why have I not been introduced?"

Greer frowned. "Mary, I must confess, I have fallen in love with a man who is below my station. I tried very hard at first to ignore my heart for my family's sake, but I can't. Now, I feel I must remain in France. My family would disown me."

Mary was silent for a long moment.

"Would your family disown you if the man you loved were titled?"

"Of course not. My father would be over the moon, but that doesn't matter. The man I love is a kitchen servant!" Greer hung her head in shame.

"Greer, am I not a queen? I can help you live the life you want with the person you want. Ask him to come with you to Scotland. I will give him land and a title. It is within my power to do so."

"You would do this for me?" Greer asked, her eyes threatening to spill over with tears.

"For your happiness, Greer, I would do anything within my power."

Greer beamed at Mary, "I must go tell him! We need to make preparations if we are to leave with you."

Greer rushed to the doorway, stopping only when Mary called her name.

"Greer! What is your beau's name?"

Greer smiled. "Leith, Your Majesty. His name is Leith."

The passage was arranged, the ship was ready to sail, and Mary couldn't believe the time had finally come. In the morning she would be leaving France and making her way home at last. A banquet was being held so the Court could bid farewell to the Scottish Queen, her soon-to-be King, and her ladies.

Only one of Mary's ladies had chosen to stay behind in France. Though Mary did not approve of Kenna's relationship with King Henry, she refused to force her to return to Scotland. Kenna could be a terror when she was unhappy and Mary didn't wish her wrath on anyone.

Lola was excited to return to Scotland. She had left a suitor there that she hoped to marry, and she was very anxious to see him again. Mary herself was curious to meet this Colin.

Aylee was looking forward to seeing her family again, and Mary hoped to find Aylee a good match in Scotland.

Greer, of course, was overjoyed at the thought of returning to Scotland with Leith. Mary liked the man very much, and his complete devotion to Greer was obvious in his every word and action.

All in all, Mary was pleased to find each of her friends were happy in their own way.

Bash escorted Mary towards the great hall for one last feast. He had tried to talk his father out of the elaborate celebration, but King Henry could never pass up an excuse for extravagant food and drink.

"Mary! Bash! Can I speak with you for a moment?" Francis had suddenly appeared at the end of the hallway and now quickly made his way toward the couple.

Mary exchanged a wary glance with Bash. Francis had not spoken to either of them since the day they announced their departure.

Francis looked down at his feet before meeting Mary's eyes. "I fear I may have been behaving horribly towards both of you for the past few months."

"May have?" Mary retorted, raising her eyebrows.

Francis ignored Mary's interruption.

"Though I admit to being jealous when you were wed, I never should have blamed you for my situation. I am somewhat to blame, I never acted as a betrothed should towards you, Mary. However, most of the blame falls on my parents, particularly my mother. She admitted she drugged me the night of the masquerade."

Mary gasped at Francis's admission, but she didn't doubt his words. Catherine was most assuredly capable of the act.

"I am sorry for the way I have treated both of you. I would like nothing more than to be a proper brother to you, Bash. And a proper friend to you, Mary."

Bash voiced a nagging question. "Where does Olivia fit into all of this?"

Francis sighed, "That's Mother's doing as well. She threatened Olivia to go along with her schemes and fake her condition."

Mary reached out to grasp Francis's hand, truly feeling sorry for her childhood friend. "What will you do now?"

Francis shrugged. "There is very little I can do right now. My king refuses to petition for an annulment so I must remain Olivia's husband. She and I spoke of marriage when we were together before, and we did love each other once. Perhaps we can find that love again."

"I hope you can, brother." Bash said as he looked at his beautiful wife. "We all deserve to be happy."

Francis noticed the look of love on his brother's face and knew Mary had chosen the right man. Bash would love and protect Mary until his last breath, that much was obvious.

Francis cleared his throat, breaking the silence that had fallen. "Well, I believe there is a crowd waiting to wish you well on your journey. Best not keep them waiting." He inclined his head toward Mary before turning towards the great hall, his step much lighter than it had been in weeks.