Disclaimer: Not mine.
Chapter 36 – Arrivals and Returns: "Really?" Lady Anne asked, giving the midwife a sharp look. "You're sure, Mistress Bennet?"
Sarah nodded, trying not to be nervous. Her aunt had been Lady Anne's midwife the first time around, and would have been this time, except she'd just broken her leg. Her mother had already left for a client's home, so it had come down to Sarah. It was ironic that not so long ago, she'd been dispatched to bring the King's bastard son into the world – now, hopefully, she would be there to help in the birth of a legitimate son.
"Well, thank you," the Lady said, her happiness clear. She gave Sarah a small pouch of coins and dismissed her. Sarah took the money and left, already working out how she could manage to be her aunt's assistant for the actual birth. If she could do that, then she'd be completely assured in her reputation. She needed it; some people in the City thought her unlucky for having operated in the Tower.
Anne watched the young woman leave, trying to hold her composure. It was her first pregnancy since she'd lost her boy, a year and a half ago. It was early March now, so… Her child would be born sometime in September, since she was about two months gone. If she was lucky, it would be a boy this time.
She walked to the window, looking out into the garden. Her time was up in 1535, and if she didn't have a son… She would lose Cecily, and Katherine. She didn't even want to leave Henry at this point. Her hand fell to her stomach. This child had to be a boy, because she couldn't lose what she had now. She'd never been happier, at least not in her adult life, but as 1535 drew closer she began to see the downside of that. If you were happy, you had more to lose. She wasn't sure she would survive it.
But right now she had to stop worrying about it, because that was bad for the baby. She took a deep breath and turned from the window, reminding herself that she had people to tell her good news to, and she really should start doing that.
Kate glanced at her dark-haired siblings, wondering what was going through their heads. Will and Annie were young, but they were both older than she'd been when she'd come to court for the first time. William was twenty-one and Anne was nineteen, and they were no longer the children she remembered.
"William, you're going to be a gentleman of the Privy Chamber, and for God's sake, please tell me you've grown out of the constant pranking phase you were in when I last got a letter from you."
"He's not," Annie said in a long-suffering voice. "God help us all."
Will rolled his eyes. "Don't worry, Katie, I know when to behave. Our dear sister here is just upset because she still doesn't know how to avoid my clever plots."
"You had best know when to behave," Kate said sternly, slipping back into the role of second mother she had always had with her younger siblings. Perhaps that was part of why she'd taken to actual motherhood so well; she'd had a chance to practice with these two.
She left her brother with Francis Weston, a friend of Hal's and George's who would get Will settled. She and Annie, meanwhile, continued to Anne's rooms. It had finally been confirmed that Anne could have a third lady – probably because she'd just told the King that she was pregnant again, so nothing was too good for her. Kate was happy; if Annie had ended up in Mary's household, she would likely have ended up leaving the country within the next few years, and in the Queen's… Well, Kate wouldn't have been able to watch out for her properly there.
But as they approached Anne's apartments, she saw her sister getting uncomfortable. "Annie, what is it?"
"I'm sorry, Katie, I just… I keep thinking about the things Mama said."
Kate scowled. "And what did Mother say?" She knew her mother disapproved of Anne, and she really hoped Annie didn't agree.
"She always said that the Lady Anne was… Well, the handmaid role is necessary, but she always felt Lady Anne should be treated as just another court lady, unless and until she had a son, and even then she should be in the background. Because anything else is disgraceful."
Kate gave her sister a sharp glare. "I don't want to hear any of that from you again, do you hear me? And if you agree with it… Well, perhaps the Queen's household is better for you after all." She wanted her sister with her, but if she was going to look down on Lady Anne, she shouldn't be serving her. It just wouldn't work.
Annie stared at her sister with wide, dark eyes. She'd never seen Kate so angry before; her sister was usually very even-tempered. "Katie, I don't, really! I don't even know Lady Anne, but hearing Mama say those things, then reading the wonderful things you say in your letters… I'm a bit confused, that's all. But truly, I'm here with an open mind, to make my own opinions."
Kate sighed. "All right then, Annie. I'm sorry I overreacted, it's just…"
"After everything that happened before, people close to Lady Anne are more defensive than ever? You did mention that; I should have remembered. But truly, I'm looking forward to meeting her – I was quite dazzled by her at your wedding, but I was young then."
Kate grinned. "Well, you're an adult now, and you'll have to avoid being dazzled by her if you see her every day," she joked, before the two sisters continued on their way.
"It's too bad Ellie is too little to come to court, she'll miss all the fun," Edward Brandon lamented to his parents.
"Well, she'll be able to come later," Margaret reassured her son. "And then you'll be able to show your sister everything about court."
"Eleanor will have to say you're a wonderful brother; won't you like that?" Charles added, both of them knowing that their son loved the idea of being an older brother. To them, it seemed like something to encourage; it would only help their son and daughter get along in the future.
Ned wrinkled his nose. "I don't know why you call her Eleanor; I know it's her name, but she's too little for such a big name," he said matter-of-factly.
His parents looked at each other, and he was amused to see that they didn't seem to have an answer at the ready for him. It was rare that he could shock his parents into silence, and he quite enjoyed it. He grinned and leaned forward to peer out of the window as Whitehall Palace came into view. He couldn't wait to see Harry again – they needed to plan some pranks now that they were both older and could do that sort of thing. Though he didn't imagine strict Lady Bryan would agree… Oh well, she was just the governess and they could get Cecily to get them out of trouble. She was a princess and could do that sort of thing.
Margaret didn't know exactly what was on her son's mind, but she could guess enough to be concerned. Unfortunately, he seemed to have inherited her own childhood love of mischief, along with the recklessness Charles had once had. The combination was one that may not bode well. She gave Charles a look, one that said they'd have to make sure someone was warned about their son's new love of mischief. His wry expression told her that she agreed, but that he doubted it would do any good.
Why did she have the feeling that their boy would be the cause of a great many headaches in the near future? And why did she suspect that her 'dear' brother would find his nephew's antics amusing if he ever got wind of them, and therefore make the situation more frustrating?
"Do you think he suspects anything?"
Mary sighed, resting her head against Will's chest as he ran his fingers through her light brown curls. "I don't know; it's hard to tell with George, really. Certainly he'd never guess that we're married, I don't think anyone would figure me to be that daring."
"Oh well, they'd be right. I had to take great pains to wear you down, remember?" he teased.
She sat up, glaring at him. "Oh, you act as though it was such a challenge for you!"
"It was," he said lightly. "Showing you that you needed me as much as I did you by keeping away from you was torture, and you know it. But you came around in the end, so it was worth it," he said smugly.
She rolled her eyes. "And when they find out, will it still be worth it? We're not going to be able to keep it a secret for much longer, Will."
"I don't care what your family thinks," Will said firmly. "And as for them finding out, I would love for the world to know that we're married, and we love each other. I don't see what you're so afraid of."
"I want that too, it's just… If my father disowns me, I'll have to leave court, and I'm afraid I may lose my children if that happens. I couldn't stand it if I did, it would break my heart." She sighed, lying back down. "I hate having to worry about this kind of thing."
Will kissed the top of her head. "Then why worry? No one knows right now, and I'm sure we have time to work out a plan so that you don't lose your children."
Mary sighed. "But we don't have that time, not now." She bit her lip. "I have news, Will – it's good, but at the same time… It's changed everything."
"What news is this?"
She sat up again, looking him in the eye. "I'm with child."
"Your country is beautiful," Duke Philip said earnestly. Mary smiled brightly at him. They were walking in the gardens, with Cathy and one of his manservants following at a short distance.
"Is Bavaria or Cleves so ugly, then? Because I assure you, you're seeing England starting on the best time of year. It's the start of April, so spring is just properly starting. You won't find it so beautiful in winter, unfortunately."
"No, they are both very nice as well – mountains, and lakes, but I like it here. It is different; perhaps that is what I like. And I am sure there is beauty here even in winter." He gave her a warm smile, one which made her think that perhaps he wasn't just talking about the landscape.
"I'd like to see that – we don't have mountains here, just a lot of hills. And moors, but no mountain ranges." She wasn't lying, or speaking from politeness. Mary did have a strong desire to see other places. As a girl, all her dreams had been about Spain, the Alhambra Palace that her mother talked about. Later, Anne's stories had added France to her daydreams, and reading about other countries had made her think of them as well.
"Perhaps you will visit my country one day, and then I would be glad to show it to you," Philip said. "As you have been so kind to show me the palace and the grounds, I would have to repay you."
"There would be no need for repayment," Mary said. "I have enjoyed it. You have been cordial company for me, Your Grace."
"Ah, but I will owe you at least one favor. You see, I have heard there is to be a banquet tonight, and dancing, and while I do know how to dance, I am woefully lacking in actual talent."
"Are you asking me to help you?"
"Well, if I have a partner as graceful as yourself, no one would notice my own two left feet."
"Then I must agree," Mary said. "I could not allow a foreign guest to be embarrassed, and if my small skill can prevent that, I would be obliged to offer my help."
Someone besides Cathy and William, Philip's manservant, was observing the two young royals, and that someone was close enough to hear the conversation. The young man's name was Timothy, and he was part of the Scottish ambassador's staff. He quickly fled from his place behind a bush to report to his master what he'd heard.
Fraser listened and then waved the boy away, gritting his teeth. It was exactly as he'd expected. Olisleger was telling the Duke to press his advantage by charming the Princess, something James of Scotland could not do. A ruling monarch, even though he was the nephew of England's King, could not spend too much time in a foreign court.
Still, he thought, drumming his fingertips on the top of his desk, there was another option. His King could not press his suit in person, but he did have two half-sisters in England. Lady Frances Douglas, newly married to Henry Grey, Marquess of Dorset, and her younger sister Lady Margaret Douglas, who was the exact same age as her cousin Princess Mary. Perhaps, if they were to visit the court, they could speak up in their brother's favor, turning Princess Mary's attention away from the German Duke. It was worth a try.
Taking up a piece of parchment, he trimmed his quill and began to write.
My lady Frances…
A/N: Yes, I've reinvented Frances Grey nee Brandon as Frances Grey nee Douglas, which was necessary in order to make her old enough to be Jane Grey's mother in a few years' time. Also, as you can see, I decided to go the historical route with Mary Boleyn. So much simpler. And on a completely unrelated subject, I'm one of the moderators on a new Tudor RPG forum, the Tudor Era. Two of the other mods are AestheticNarcissist and TrivialQueen, so I figured it's very appropriate to advertise here. We still have loads of characters open, so check it out. http: // z7. invisionfree. com / The _ Tudor _ Era / index .php Just get rid of the spaces in the link. :)