18th November 1555

The King rose to his feet, lifting a hand to tell the herald that he was ready. The Herald coughed and unrolled a heavy scroll of parchment. "It is the pleasure of our Sovereign Majesty, King Edward VI, on this day, the Eighteenth day of November in the third year of his reign, anno domini 1555, to create thee, Sir Tom Canty, Marquess of Buckingham."

As he finished, Tom heard the King come down off the dais and then felt first the silver coronet, being placed on his head, and then the heavy warmth of his new robes of state being draped around his shoulders, before Edward said "Arise, Marquess of Buckingham" and helped him up, kissing him in friendship and and handing him the patent of his newfound nobility. Tom accepted them with gracious thanks, and then the King stepped back.

Tom stepped back, taking the required three steps, before turning and leaving the King's presence, smiling to himself. His father never did like him, and this would show his father.

The King thought Tom good enough to be the Marquess of Buckingham, even if his father did not. This would show him. His father, who had constantly put him down, when he was younger. Oh yes, Tom would show him, he would do what the King wished.

"My Lord," Tom turned, there, stood in the doorway, was the Queen, Laetitia Knollys, Queen Consort of England, Ireland and France "Congratulations"

"Thank you, Your Majesty" Tom, despite being a Marquess himself now, was still lower than the Queen. He did not mind, he bowed, to the Queen, as befitting her status.

"There is no need for that, Your Grace" Laetitia replied, approaching him, smiling "I assure you of that. There is no need. We're in private, there is no need to call me by my title," Laetitia replied, her brow frowning. She lowered her voice "Between you, me and The King, I do despise the title of "Your Majesty". I am just like everyone else. I am only Queen because the King married me. No other reason"

"I am still a normal person. I have only been ennobled by the King, like The Earl of Leicester," Tom replied, smiling at the Queen

"Indeed," she replied, smiling thinly

Tom looked like he wanted to say something, but managed to stop himself.

"If you have something to say, Your Grace. Please, speak"

"What do you think of the Earl of Leicester?" Tom asked "Can he be trusted"

Laetitia gave a small smile, before chuckling "Of course. The Earl of Leicester is the Princess Elizabeth's betrothed," Laetitia smiled again "Trust me, Your Grace. The Princess Elizabeth, now that she has truly been restored, is the only person who is able to keep the Earl of Leicester under control"

"And what of Mistress Stafford?" Tom asked "I know I shouldn't be enquiring but--"

Laetitia raised a hand to stop him "That woman," she snarled, "does not have the Grace, or poise, or manners to call herself a Boleyn," Laetitia had begun pacing "Nor does she have any right to call herself my Aunt. She may be my mother's half-sister. But she will not get that respect from me. My mother and Father perhaps. But not me"

"Laetitia Knollys," a voice came from the doorway "That is no way to treat your aunt" Catherine Knollys, nee Carey's voice came from the doorway

"I told you, mother" Laetitia replied, turning to her mother "That Anne Stafford will never be acknowledged as my aunt, heaven forbid she should become Queen, if anything happened to me"

"Anne Stafford, despite being only 18, is still a member of your family, and should be treated as such," Catherine continued, not knowing that she was forging a dangerous path "Anne Stafford, is the daughter of my mother, by her second husband, William Stafford, god rest their souls"

"Mother!" Laetitia snapped, causing Tom to jump "Anne Stafford, I do not care if she is my aunt, my half aunt or any relation to me! She is too ambitious. Yes, I, being a Boleyn, am ambitious, but Anne Stafford, god damn her soul, would kill to become Queen if she could, and that is something I will not stand for!"

"Your Majesty," Tom bowed, realising that he had best leave before the Queen became angrier.

"Mother," Laetitia began "Be quiet, or leave court" Laetitia left her mother, speechless, as she strode part her, her long blue skirt flaying around her legs.

Mary Knollys smiled as Laetitia passed The Princess Jane's chambers, before stopping "Mary?"

"Yes, Your Majesty?" Mary asked

"What do you think of Mistress Stafford?" Laetitia asked

"That is not my place to divulge my..." Mary considered her words before speaking "Feelings about our "aunt", I am going to keep my thoughts to myself. If I speak against her, the King could have my head taken off"

"I would not allow it," Laetitia assured her

"You are only the Queen Consort, Laetitia," Mary informed her "The King, despite loving you, would not retract the punishment, just because you asked him too," Mary smiled, thinly "Now, if you will excuse me, Your Majesty. The Princess will need my attention"

Mary turned, and pushed the door open, disappearing inside the Younr Princess Jane's chambers, leaving Laetitia stood in the hallway

[To Be Continued]