Disclaimer: Not mine.
Chapter 35 – A Question of Couples: "Henry said the Emperor was coming for another state visit, to seal the betrothal between his son and Cecily. But then, I imagine you knew that," Anne said. She and Katherine were playing chess, something they'd only recently started to do. Both of them were good at it, which meant they challenged each other and it was more interesting.
Katherine moved a piece, and then looked up. "Yes, of course I did. Henry told me, Senor Chapuys told me, and my nephew wrote to me asking that I extol the virtues of his little boy, since the last betrothal between our houses went so badly that he fears for this one."
"Yes, Henry said he's a bit suspicious about this. Do you think that the Emperor is sincere about the marriage?"
"I do, but Charles was sincere about marrying Mary, for a time. Still, he only changed his mind because she was too young to bear children. Philip and Cecily are much closer in age."
"So you think it's a sure thing?"
"As much as any royal marriage – or noble one for that matter – can ever be certain before the actual ceremony," Katherine said. "You know almost as well as I do that these things can change – I know you were here when Mary's marriage prospects kept changing and I believe you yourself had a betrothal or two fall through, didn't you?"
"The Ormonde affair, you mean? And of course, George's betrothal to Jane Parker just fell through, so I guess I know what you mean."
"Your brother's not getting married? I thought your father and Lord Morley had come to an agreement?"
"Morley changed the terms, and Father got tired of it," Anne shrugged. "George isn't put out, so I imagine they're better off. About Cecily, though, I'm glad the Emperor is bringing his son, because it will be nice for them to meet."
Katherine chuckled, remembering what had happened when Mary had met her late fiancé. She should have disapproved of her daughter's unladylike behavior, but secretly she had been amused by it. "As long as they get on better than Mary and Francis' son, I think you will do well."
Anne grinned. She'd been at the summit, acting as translator for Queen Claude, and she remembered being quite impressed with the daring little princess. "That is certainly true," she agreed. "Though it might offer some entertainment," she added wickedly.
Katherine just gave her a look, shaking her head. "You do know you're impossible, I hope."
"Of course I know, but if the day came where I wasn't, everyone would demand to know what was wrong."
A lesser woman would have rolled her eyes, and Katherine almost did anyway. But instead she simply shook her head again and refused to dignify that comment with a response.
Mary and Cathy were in the hall, where an impromptu bit of dancing had begun. They knew several of the couples, including Kate and Hal, who still occasionally acted like young lovers despite having been married for four years and being parents to two children. No, three, Mary corrected herself, remembering her little half-brother Edward. Hal and Kate were raising him alongside their son Nathaniel and their daughter Grace, but they usually refrained from mentioning him. That was wise – her father still had not warmed to his youngest child. Bringing him up now would likely only make that worse.
She and Cathy had been dancing together, but now her friend had been claimed as a partner by… Well, she wasn't sure who the young man was, but she thought he might be one of the many Howard boys. Mary was content to watch for a bit. She liked trying to figure out which couples were just dancing for the fun of it and which ones were actually courting. For example, she knew that Cathy and her partner would separate as soon as the set was finished, but others would not. Like her father's friend, Sir Anthony, and her mother's lady-in-waiting, Ursula Misseldon. They certainly seemed to be interested in more than just a single dance.
Mary's musings were cut short by someone clearing their throat behind her. She turned around to see a tall, dark-haired man with a short, well-trimmed beard. "Hello, Your Highness," he said in an accented voice, bowing. "May I ask you for a dance?"
Mary raised an eyebrow. "I'm afraid not, good sir, since I do not even know your name."
"Ah," he said, flashing a charming smile at her. "I am Duke Philip of Bavaria, here visiting the court."
"Hmm," Mary said, tilting her head in a way she'd seen women of the court do. Granted, she really shouldn't be mimicking them, but it was just a dance, and hardly anything serious. "Well then, Your Grace, I accept the offer."
She took his hand and allowed him to lead her to the floor, sure that the faint glee she was feeling was simply from the new experience of being asked to dance by a young man. Most of them were too afraid of her father's wrath to dare, but she supposed that a visiting royal could be braver. Honestly, she didn't care; she was just going to enjoy this moment.
"So, little brother, do you regret the sudden change in your fortunes?" Mary Boleyn teased, linking arms with George as they walked in the garden.
"Regret it? You are joking, right, Mary? I nearly went to the chapel to say a prayer in thanksgiving. There was something about Jane Parker that I didn't like. She just gave me a bad feeling, so I'm quite glad not to be marrying her." George knew he would have to marry eventually, something he and Mark had already accepted, but Jane Parker… She had unsettled him for some reason, and he was glad to avoid marriage with her.
He gave his sister a speculative look. "And what of you, Marianne? Do you want Father – or, actually, you'd probably do better if you asked Anne – to help you find a new husband?"
Mary rolled her eyes. "No, thank you. If I were to want a husband, I don't see why I can't find someone for myself," she said archly.
"Mary…" George said cautiously. "Don't tell me you've gone and done something rash – or are planning to."
"I don't plan anything, dear brother," Mary said, with an impish grin that did not ease George's mind at all.
"What are you two talking about?" Hal asked, coming up from behind them.
"George thinks I've gone and done something scandalous again," Mary pouted. "He should know I've grown beyond that now."
"I don't know," George said, only half-joking. "You're certainly acting much more like you used to; I think you've relaxed a bit now that your children are a little older, and I'm not sure that will be a good thing. But I guess I have to trust you." Even if that gleam in her eyes meant she was up to something. If nothing else, it would probably infuriate their father, which would be entertaining.
He turned to his cousin. "So, where is your lovely wife?" Hal glared at him.
"Stay away from her, you charmer," he said sternly. "At any rate, she's at Kendal Castle at the moment, collecting her siblings."
"Their mother just died, right?" Mary asked.
"Mm-hmm," Hal confirmed. "And Kate's bringing the younger Parrs to court – William's gotten… something in the King's household and Anne will be in one of the royal ladies' households. Last Kate knew, we weren't sure if Anne could take her or if she'd end up with the Queen."
"I'll have to give her condolences when I see her next," George said. "So… How are the children?"
Hal tensed a bit. "Nathaniel's just starting with a horn book – I know he's young, but we thought it best to begin early. And Grace is learning to walk."
"And the other one?" George asked quietly.
"Healthy," Hal said, equally softly. "He's started talking a bit."
"Hmm," George said. "Well, all good news from your household then. That's nice to hear."
"Yes, well, we like it. I suppose we're getting completely old and boring at this rate, a married couple with children who slip away from court to see them at least once a week."
"I think it's wonderful," Mary objected. "The way you and Kate are with your children, it really is."
Hal gave her a grateful smile – it was nice to hear that after the mocking some of his fellow courtiers gave him and the cold disapproval from his father. "Thanks, Mary. So, what news do you two have? I heard about the failed marriage, George; should I be offering condolences or congratulations?"
"Is there something I can do for you, Excellency?"
Chapuys did not like Cromwell. He considered the Chancellor to be a sly, calculating man with no true loyalties, except to himself. But right now the man was in a strong position, and Chapuys had his duty. "I wanted to speak with you about the King's mindset. Is he interested in a marriage between the Princess Cecily and the Prince of Asturias, or is he simply humoring the Emperor?"
Cromwell didn't answer right away, and Chapuys had to hide a scowl. Damn the man and his mind games. "His Majesty is cautious about this offer," Cromwell said at last, "because of his prior experiences with your master."
The ambassador clenched his teeth. "And what would make the King less concerned?"
Thirty minutes later, Chapuys left the Chancellor's office with a headache brewing. It appeared that Cromwell supported an Imperial match, so at least he had an ally. The Queen was being cautious, probably because her wholehearted support last time had hurt her once the betrothal fell through. What he really needed was to get the Lady Anne to support the match, but she seemed ambivalent about it.
"Are you all right, Eustace?" a cheerful voice called out. Chapuys suppressed a sigh. The Scottish ambassador was a friend, but he was a bit too energetic sometimes.
"Just fine, Alexander, and you?"
"Aggravated. The damned Cleves ambassador's here, Olisleger, and apparently his master wants the Princess Mary's hand for his nephew and heir. I'm trying to arrange a match with her and my master, King James."
Chapuys frowned. "I see. And you believe that the heir of a Protestant duke has a chance over the King of Scotland?"
"The boy's come to press his suit in person, so yes, I do think he has a chance." He shook his head before continuing in an undertone. "It's a grand gesture, the Bavarian coming here in person, and we both know King Henry likes those."
"Yes, but your king is his nephew, and with him, his daughter will be a Queen. She can be only a duchess with the other suitor, even if he is to be a ruling duke."
"That is true, but… Could you not speak with the Queen for me? It is known that you have a good rapport with her. Ask her to help support a marriage with my King?"
No, Chapuys could not. He liked Fraser well enough on a personal level, but in business… No. Scotland too often allied itself with France. He liked Alexander Fraser on a personal level, but he was not one to put a casual friendship above his duty to the Emperor. "I would have to be sure such a thing did not conflict with the Emperor's wishes first," he said smoothly.
Of course, the Emperor likely would not want England allying itself with Scotland. Perhaps he should speak to this Cleves ambassador, Olisleger. Or perhaps he should stay out of it entirely and watch Fraser and Olisleger battle it out. Yes, that was what he would do. He had enough to do arranging the match with Prince Philip and little Princess Cecily; he would need some form of entertainment.
A/N: Ambassadors, go into your corners! Sorry Mary Boleyn's romance is still vague – I will admit that's because I'm still debating who she's going to be with. It may come down to flipping a coin, at this point.