22nd June 1555
Katherine Neville, the lady in waiting to the Queen, who had discovered the Princess Elizabeth and Sir Robert Dudley, kissing in the tent, had fallen from Elizabeth's favour after the event. Elizabeth refused to acknowledge her, despite Laetitia's prodding to attempt to reconcile them, Elizabeth had replied with a swift "No", not even her betrothed had been able to convince her otherwise.
The crowd cheered, as Elizabeth and Sir Robert Dudley, walked through them, towards the chapel of St John, despite it being quite late at night, it was still bright, so people were still bustling around.
The two of them reached the chapel, turned and waved to the cheering crowd, before entering the chapel.
The crowd returned to their daily activities
"Stop! In the name of the king!" Two of the king's personal guards ran through the square, trailing a young, sixteen year old boy, who was carrying a small gun.
He burst into the chapel, pointing the gun at Elizabeth, Robert and Anne Stafford, and Mary Knollys, who were all knelt on the floor praying.
Elizabeth rose, resigned to her fate, she held her arms out next to her, with her palms facing upwards. The boy fired. The shot echoed, alerting the guards to his presence. Elizabeth did not stumble. The bullet had missed her and bedded itself in the wall at the back of the chapel, just below the large, yellow tapestry, which adorned the wall.
Mary Knollys rose, to stabilise the shocked, scared and confused Princess Elizabeth. Robert too, rose, taking the hand of his betrothed.
The guards burst into the chapel, immediately swarming the sixteen year old, who dropped the gun, and attempted to run. It was an unsuccessful attempt.
"Wait" Elizabeth had approached the guards
"Your Highness" One of the guards protested, she quieted him by raising a hand.
She ignored them an approached the boy "What is your name?" she asked, her red hair billowing in the wind from the doors, which were wide open. Her face was pale. The sixteen year old could see she was angry.
"Anthony Babington" He quietly replied
"And, who hired you?"
"John Ballard!" He squealed
"Ballard!" Elizabeth growled, before calming "Come with me. Perhaps my brother, his Majesty, the King, has a place for you in his household"
She took the boy from the church, to the shock of the guards
"Elizabeth can never stay angry at anyone, can she?" Anne asked
"That she cannot, except for the lady Neville." Robert agreed, before turning and following his betrothed from the chapel.
"I'd better be going too, Milady. The Princess Jane will require my attention" Mary informed her.
"Anne!" The call, from Elizabeth, caused Anne to scarper, past Mary, and out of the church. Mary Knollys followed with a flick of the cloak, adorned in the Young Princess Jane's colours, blue and red.
Mary Knollys smiled as she entered the young Princess Jane's chambers
"Mary!" Jane cried, happily, seeing her favourite lady in waiting return, before running into her arms
"Shoudn't you be in bed, My Lady Princess? It's quite late"
"Sorry, Mary," Jane apologised "I couldn't sleep. I missed you"
Mary smiled, the Princess, despite still being a toddler, had just as much sense and knowledge as Elizabeth did, and she was obviously just as smart.
Mary strolled to the chest of drawer and pulled open the top draw, where a single sheet of folded paper lay.
She pulled out the piece of paper and flipped open the seal, holding it closed, and the paper unravelled itself.
A few lines were written on the paper
To the principle lady in waiting of my child, whomever that may be.
Should anything happen to me, I wish for my child, to be raised in the best possible standards, and to have the best education possible. Like their Father and Me.
I would also like my child to be betrothed to a husband, or wife, who will love and cherish them.
Jane Grey, Queen Consort of England, Ireland and France.
11th February 1554
Despite Katherine Neville having been moved, from The Queen's ladies, to the young Princess's ladies, Mary was, after her sister became Queen, the principal lady-in-waiting to the young Princess Jane. Mary gave a small smile as she read over the paper one last time, before folding it, and slipping it back into the drawer.
She turned to the young Princess "Come on, Jane," She began "Let's get you into bed"
She lifted the young Princess up and smiled, as the young Princess giggled happily, snuggling into Mary's embrace.
[To Be Continued]
