Chapter Four
Little Diane de Poitiers' christening was a spectacular day. It was not a showy affair - only the families of mother and father were present - but they happened to be the only people Bash and Kenna wanted there. The love had bloomed between them again. Each stood beside the other for the duration of the ceremony, taking their turns holding their daughter, exchanging warm smiles and small touches.
As for little Diane, she was an angel. There was no fuss, no noise. The one-month old girl simply lay in her parents' arms as the archbishop christened her into the religion of her family. The beginnings of a flowing mane of dark hair were beginning to show and her deep hazel eyes - from her mother - seemed to entrance anyone who dared make eye contact. The celebrations continued when Diane was taken to the royal nursery where little John slept and played by the nanny and the adults could relax and chatter amongst themselves.
Catherine was the first to pounce.
"Bash. Kenna. Congratulations. What a beautiful daughter you have."
"Thank you, Catherine," Bash replied, tightening his jaw slightly. "She looks just like her mother."
"Well, yes. I rather thought that, too. And what a name you have chosen. What a...life to live up to." There was a smile in there. Too wide, too un-Catherine. Formed at the mouth and not quite reaching the eyes.
Kenna almost snorted. "We are both sure that our little girl is going to be everything she can be. She has all the support she could desire." She turned to look at her husband, who reminisced a wolf preparing to attack. "Our apologises, we really must go and converse with the others." A sort, quick curtsey followed and off the new mother went, dragging her seething husband with her. Slowly, the too-wide smile stretching the former queen's face fell into a scowl as she watched the young couple stroll to the next attendee...
...who happened to be Claude.
"Oh, wonderful. I have been cornered," she groaned, half-playful yet half-serious. "How can I help you, oh Duke and Duchess of Alencon?"
"We wanted to thank you for being here," Kenna began, "for I know you have been rather ill for the past weeks. I hope you are feeling better.
Claude sighed. "Not particularly. The physicians aren't sure, so I'm on bed rest until I stop retching the contents of my stomach into my chamber pot." It almost looks as if the multitude of food is about to make another appearance, but Claude regains composure. "If you will excuse me, I wish to speak to my brother." She flounces off rather wobbly towards Francis, who has to catch her to stop her falling over. Bash stifles a laugh and Kenna smacks at his arm.
"What?" Bash chuckles. "I never thought I would see the day when Princess Claude was drunk at a christening!"
"In case you haven't noticed, Bash, there's no wine here," Kenna snaps back. "Francis would never allow the physicians to send wine into her chamber if she was ill. And I am sure that dress was not as tight a few months ago."
Bash frowns. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying...," she leans forward to whisper in Bash's ear. "...that I think Princess Claude is with child."
As the sun began to set, the celebrations had drawn to a close. Kenna was too tired to stay awake for much longer, so she retired to her chamber for some much-needed rest. Catherine had kept her distance for the remainder of that day, most likely interrogating some unfortunate person. For Mary and Francis, it is final politics and a talk in front of the fire in their room. It had become a regular thing, allowing them to voice their thoughts and opinions without judgement. Something about the warmth of the fire and the warmth of their hearts made it all the more easy for those thoughts, normally tucked away, to spill out.
"It was a beautiful affair, really," says Mary, "and I am so happy for Bash and Kenna..."
Francis leans forward to grab one of his wife's hands. "But?"
"I am so tired of waiting for a child," she sighs. "It feels as if I am doomed to be a childless mother. And we all know it's not your fault. You and Lola..."
"And we all know it's not your fault," Francis replies, kissing her hand. "No one is at fault here. Having children is a journey and for some, that journey is short. For others, the journey is long. We have only been married a year and a half, my darling. We have so much time to have our children. The most we can do is continue to love each other as much as we do now, and surely a child will follow."
A few tears begin to leak from the corners of Mary's eyes and Francis reaches up to wipe them from her face, pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek.
"What did I do to deserve you, my Francis?" Mary whispers softly, voice cracking as more tears escape. "I don't deserve such a man as you."
"You deserve all of this and more, my darling. And the "more" part will come soon. I know it will."
There is a rapid, sudden knock at the door. Both king and queen look towards the noise quizzically.
"Come in."
Since Kenna had retired to bed, Bash had been wandering the castle halls. What Kenna had said about Claude could not leave his mind. The Princess of France with child, out of wedlock. A larger scandal could not be fabricated even if Catherine was involved. And to make matters worse, it would be another child gracing the castle that was not Mary's.
Despite all that had conspired between them, Bash had never stopped supporting Mary and wanting the best for her. He knew how desperately she craved a child, an heir to unite France and Scotland once and for all. Not just for politics, but for her own joy. To be able to cradle a baby in her arms and call them her child, after years of playing the godmother.
The whole scenario had been eating away at Bash for a good hour or so by this point. Before he could stop himself, his feet took him to Princess Claude's chambers, where a guard stood.
"I'm here to speak to Princess Claude," Bash explained. "Is she allowing visitors?"
The guard nodded. "She is, your Grace, but the physician is returning soon."
As the guard swings the door open, Bash strides purposefully into Claude's chambers. She lies amongst blankets on the plush bed, hair already a mess, undone from the elaborate chignon it was wound into for the christening. Her face looked more sunken than it had done two hours prior. As Bash begins to slow before her, Claude sits up.
"Oh, delightful. Do what do I owe this honour?"
"Are you with child?" Bash spurts out.
Wow, way to be subtle, Bash.
This sends Claude into peals of laughter. But it's not a natural laugh. It's forced, fake. Bash can hear the air being pushed through her lungs. He waits until the laughter dies down into more of a cough and he notices the forced smile on her face warp into a frown.
"You are, aren't you?"
To his surprise, Claude begins to cry. He's never seen Claude cry before and it's an uncomfortable situation. He advanced closer and reaches out to pat her shoulder. The crying falls into a hiccupped sob and she turns to cling to Bash. He holds her, trying to remain as stoic as he can.
"I mean, of course we weren't trying to..." she whispers, "but there must have been a problem with the...protection we used."
Bash squirms. "There's no need to tell me about that. Is Leith the father?"
Claude only nods. "And he knows, too. He told you, didn't he?"
"No. Kenna had her suspicions, and unfortunately for some, her suspicions are often right."
Claude sighs, nodding again. She releases her vice-like grip on Bash and sinks back into the blankets and pillows. Bash perches on the edge of the bed, reaching out to take her hand. He squeezes it comfortingly.
"Who else have you told?" he asks. "Because I'm afraid you almost certainly have to tell Francis and Mary."
Claude groans. "It would break Mary's heart. Another woman having a child rather than her. And Francis would be so ashamed I don't think he could bear to look at me. I would be sent away from court, possibly forever, and he would kill Leith."
"Francis is an honourable man, Claude. I don't think he would kill Leith, even though most people in a similar situation would do." Bash runs a hand through his hair. "But I still think you need to tell him. Mary, too. It might break her heart to hear it from you, but it would kill her if she found out from someone else."
Claude mulls over Bash's words for some time. The physician comes and goes, repeating the previous recommendations. And finally, with her heart in her mouth, Claude goes to Francis and Mary to tell them her truth.
"Claude."
Francis stands as his sister enters his and Mary's chambers. Mary quickly wipes away her tears and follows suit.
"Is everything alright?" Mary asks, taking note of Claude's sunken face and messy hair. Claude takes a deep breath and a shaky exhale follows. "Has the physician said anything else about your condition? We are all very worried."
The pure concern on Mary's face serves only to further puncture Claude's reserve. She cannot keep this a secret anymore, not when her sister-in-law, desperate for a child herself, is so worried about her health.
"I am with child."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I promise that Mary won't be childless forever! I have got a plan lol. That sounds really manical. Thank you all for your love and support for me coming back to writing this. I'm starting to get back into it again which is making me so happy! And thank you for your reviews, they're giving me ideas and helping me make up my plans for the rest of the story. So basically, just thank you all so much and I hope you still enjoy the story.
Much love,
nm713353 :-)
