Chapter 18
Hampton Court
London, England
September 7, 1536
The next few weeks Anne barely had time to breathe, let alone eat or sleep as they prepared a war plan for the generals to take back to their masters before the cold set in. She was lucky to have a group of hardworking women to help her plan festivities around the court. Today this was a no business day, as it was too special and important to ignore.
Today was the birthday of Princess Elizabeth, and the last day her children would remain with the court before returning to Hatfield with their governess. Queen Anne was aroused by her young daughter running into her chambers with her elder sister chastising her as they came in. Elizabeth jumped onto her bed as Mary told her that this was not how a princess behaved.
Anne gave Elizabeth a fake look of shock, "Who is this in my bed? Guards! You must remove this stranger!"
"Mama, it's me! Lisbet!" Elizabeth giggled.
"Oh my goodness," she gasped, "Elizabeth! My Elizabeth?! How did you get so big?"
"Mary told me that now that I am three, I must start acting like a Princess..." Elizabeth slumped into her mother frustrated.
"Well she is the authority around here on the behavior of all England's princesses. You must be pretty special if you are being given such big responsibility. Are you sure you can handle it or should I find a new Princess?" Anne teased.
"No! I am your Princess!" Elizabeth asserted.
Anne laughed, kissing her on the head, "You are England's Princess. You are my heart and daughter, I am simply lucky enough to share you with them. Happy Birthday sweet girl."
"I wish papa was here…" the young child admitted.
"Oh, Lisbet," Anne sighed as Mary sat on the bed next to them. She grabbed Mary's hand, "we do too sweetie. But in a way he is always here with us."
"What do you mean?" the toddler asked.
"There are pieces of your father everywhere. In the palaces he lived, in the legacy he left, and in all the people he loved, including you, Mary, and I." Anne explained.
"And Harry?" Elizabeth asked hopefully. Sometimes she thought of how Harry would never know their papa and it made her feel unsettled.
"Of course," Mary insisted, "and he is watching over all of us from heaven. I can only imagine how proud of you he would be."
Elizabeth nodded and snuggled back into her mother, satisfied with her answers for now. A moment later, Anne's lady announced everything was ready to break their fast. The women stood as Mary Boleyn grabbed Elizabeth, taking her over to the table where her family would join her. Princess Mary peered apologetically at Anne, "I apologize, I awoke early to surprise Elizabeth but instead I was surprised when I found her throwing the largest possible tantrum when Lady Bryan refused to let her come visit you immediately. I knew you wouldn't mind, so I offered to escort her, and we had a discussion on how Princesses behave, which does not include temper tantrums or sprinting through the hallway. Lady Bryan should be arriving any moment with the King, he was being nursed and the birthday girl would not wait."
"Thank you," Anne smiled, "I get so little time with either of them, any moment counts. I am blessed I get to be with her today before they return to Hatfield..."
The small family sat around the table in Anne's chambers as she told her daughter of the activities plan for the day. Anne had ordered the best games for children to be played all day, along with every-single one of Elizabeth's favorite dishes served. It was to be the theme of a fairy tale and have entertainments throughout, She and Lady Bryan would have to keep an eye on how many sweets Elizabeth tried to sneak off with.
Elizabeth played all morning with the children of the courtiers Anne had invited. Elizabeth spent such a meager amount of time around others her own age, and Anne wanted to ensure that she had an opportunity to play with them. It would also be a good time to judge who later could join her household, when Elizabeth was of age. There was a sweet bittersweetness as Anne felt guilty at the lack of the girl's father. 'Henry should be here,' she concluded.
"Don't do that," George said, sneaking up besides her as she watched the festivities from the canopy, exhausted in her heavy lavender gown.
"Do what?" Anne demanded. Sometimes she felt like George could read her damn mind.
"Let yourself fall into melancholy thoughts. You have that look on your face when you are thinking of the late King. Don't put yourself through it Anne," he said suddenly serious. It was not a trait she was used to on her younger brother. She turned, saying nothing. He pressed on, "have you written to your husband? Since you told him of your safe return, of course. Have you told him of the child you are carrying?"
Anne glared at him, "you over step, Lord Rochford."
"I am worried about you sister," George insisted. For once he and his father agreed on something; they failed her once, they couldn't do so again. "You are pinning for one husband, while the other sends you daily letters."
"They are matters of state," Anne brushed it off, "I will write to him soon to respond to them, and tell him of his son along with news of his child. I wanted to make sure it would live first."
"They may be only matters of state he writes about, but at least he writes, daily," George said he started to walk away, "maybe he needs to know you want to hear more than that."
Anne watched him leave before spotting her cousin, the Earl of Surrey, trying to enchant Princess Mary. Despite barely keeping his earldom after his father's disgrace, he has not lost his sense of entitlement. She chuckled and turned back to her ladies, summoning her cousin Madge. "Lady Shelton, will you please go rescue the poor Duchess from the Earl of Surrey?"
She nodded and walked over to the two, Madge spoke to the young man before departing with Mary. The women made their way back to Anne. Princess Mary smiled, sitting in the chair next to Anne, which was next to the King's throne. Anne still never dared sit in it, for fear rumors were to spread she was trying to usurp her son's throne. The Duchess of York sighed, "this is wonderful. It is almost like a fairytale land, with all the actors and masques going on alongside the mini castles and games for the children. Elizabeth is having the time of her life."
"Thank you, Mary, my sister and mother actually did most of the work. I only told them of what I envisioned for it," Anne smiled before noticing a man weaving his way to the canopy, daunting the Portuguese coat of arms. "I think the new ambassador from Portugal has arrived."
The man was tall, with a thick red beard, and dark eyes. He bowed and spoke in broken French, "your Lady Regent. I have been sent here on behalf of the letter you sent King John. I was hoping we could speak more privately."
Anne looked at him suspiciously, replying in the same language, "You have not even told me your name, or offered me your papers, and yet you want a private audience?"
"I wish to reveal my identity to only you and your most trusted advisors for now," he replied evenly.
"So be it," Anne said, standing, beckoning for Mary to rise. She glanced to Madge again, "please send my father, brother, the Duke of Suffolk, and Master Crowell to the privy chamber. We have business to attend. The rest of the council may continue to enjoy the festivities."
With that her guard flanked around her as she, Mary, and her ladies trudged back to the castle, the ambassador following behind. Soon enough, her advisors were following in behind him. They made their way through the twist of the palace to the Presence Chamber. Anne stood on the dais while her advisors, including Mary, stood around her. Anne smiled, holding her hand out for his papers, "This better be good if you are pulling me from my daughter's birthday."
He bowed properly, handing them over, "I am sorry your majesty. My brother gave me explicit orders when he sent me to court the Princess Mary and discuss this treaty."
Anne lifted an eyebrow, "Welcome your highness. I think we are all eager for what your brother has to say."
"He is open to a treaty of trade and peace between our countries," Luís, Duke of Beja, started. "He will not openly turn against the Emperor, but he believes there can be benefits for us to come to an agreement."
"Your brother? The man who has been pushing the inquisition on his own country, is willing to ally with England, a land full of men he calls heretics?" Cromwell asked suspiciously.
"If it was through any other means than by ties of marriage to the beautiful Princess, probably not. She is a Catholic, and has proved to my father she would not be a pawn to her cousin. We have strong ties to Spain and lately my brother has been feeling more than suffocated by the Emperor. We have our obligation to keep those treaties, but we can agree to promise to not directly attack England in the upcoming war, and that we can help you prosper through trade," he offered.
"What does Portugal want in return for this?" The Duke of Suffolk inquired.
"Help with our exploration of Africa and the New World. The Emperor does not realize the advantages of the riches found in these countries, but our newfound wealth should speak for itself. Together our island countries could become the richest in Europe," he smiled.
Anne smiled, "You have given us much to think about, your grace. Today, is a day of no politics, though, and the treaty shall have to wait. My counselors and l will start discussing it tomorrow, but I am confident we can find a treaty both countries are proud of. As for the courting of Princess Mary, well, that is entirely her call."
Mary tried to hide her smile and Anne left with her councilors. The Duke waited until they were mostly alone, besides for their designated chaperone, Lady Salisbury, and her ladies, Catherine Howard and Margaret Douglas, to protect Mary's innocence. He bent down bowing to the Princess. She offered her hand which he kissed and spoke in Spanish, "you are most beautiful, María."
"You are too kind, your grace," Mary blushed.
"No, I am not. I am not a kind man, your highness," he admitted, "but I aim to be a good husband."
Mary nodded, curious about what he meant by not being a good man, but shook her head. He was a war hero, sailing under the Emperor fighting the Turks. She decided she did not want to know. "I am surprised that you and your brother are interested in this treaty."
"News of your stepmother's summit and of her marriage to the French King have piqued our interest, so to say. You offer us an opportunity to create new allies. If the Emperor falls, my brother does not want to be dragged down with him," he explained.
"Won't this alliance infuriate him though?" Mary inquired as he held her arm to escort her back to the festivities.
When she took it he responded, "we will simply tell him we are rescuing you from the terrible, heretic whore who put England under a spell, killing your father."
Mary laughed, "They do not truly believe that do that, do they? My father died in a joust, publically I might add."
"People have a tendency of believing what they would like," he replied, enjoying the sound of her laughter.
"Are you truly willing to yield my claim and accept my brother as King of England?" Mary asked.
"You rush straight into things, don't you?" Luís teased.
"I do not like to waste time," Mary countered, looking stern, waiting for a true answer.
"Yes, I respect what you wish to do with your claim," he sighed, "like I said. I hope to be a good husband to you, María. That includes listening to you and your opinions. Though I will ask you to keep them to yourself when we are with company."
Mary nodded, "fair enough, you must be seen to have me be submissive."
"Why do I suspect that will not always be the case?" he chuckled.
"Well, I am my mother's daughter," Mary smiled, embracing the sun on her face. 'And my father's,' she thought to herself.
That night, long after everyone was fast asleep, Queen Anne sat at the desk in the study adjoined to her room, papers scattered about her. How does she tell a man she barely knows she is carrying his child. Through a letter no less. Her brother was right, that she was the strain in the relationship, but she could not help it. She was growing fonder and fonder of Francis, which wreaked her with more and more guilt. As though she had completely forgotten the husband that she was barely able to mourn. Now she will bear his rival a child, one they would both be thrilled to receive. She rubbed her belly and took a deep breath, willing herself to do what she had to:
François,
I am sorry I have not written sooner, though I have appreciated your many letters keeping me informed on the dealings of France. I promise your generals will be full of information regarding our preparedness for the Emperor. Today I write of good tidings. It seems we will have a treaty with an ally of the Emperors though I am not at liberty to reveal it through a letter, in case it may be discovered by spies. I would hate for Charles to ruin the alliance I am building. It could be a breaking point in the war. It will also answer questions for my dear stepdaughter Mary, and give her a husband of her own religion. Your son has been fitting in quite well for a Frenchman in English court. I have had a few ideas of brides for him, but I would like to invite a few of them to England to meet him. They are Anna of Cleves, Maria of Portugal, Christina of Denmark, and Sophia of Poland. As soon as you approve of them, I will send the invites as soon as I have your approval.
I do have more joyous news to give to you. I am carrying your child. It is still early, but my physicians have confirmed it. I hope this news pleases you and that you will write to me soon.
Yours Truly,
Anne of England, Queen of France
She had called for a page and had the letter sent before crawling into bed. Regretting that she would have to part with her children the next day.
