Chapter 23
May 1560
Marie 8 Years
Francis 10 Years
"Bash!" Francis said as he finally found his brother. "Are you busy?" he asked.
Bash shook his head, "I was thinking about hunting, why what's wrong?" he asked.
"I'm supposed to be meeting Marie for dance class but Father called me into his meeting and I'm late already. Would you mind going with Marie in my place?" he asked.
Bash frowned, "why does she need someone there? Surely there are others she will be partnered with?"
"SHE doesn't need someone there but I would prefer it," he confided in his brother. "The other girls are not nice to her and you know what will happen if they rile her too much," he grinned.
Bash laughed, "I'll go just so I can watch her take them all out! And perhaps get an evening with a beautiful girl out of it," as he watched his brother roll his eyes.
"Thank you Bash!" he said as he rushed away to go meet his father.
Bash walked outside to see Marie looking out over the sea. "Marie!" he smiled as he walked up behind her.
She turned around smiling recognizing his voice, "Bash, what are you doing here?" she asked surprised.
"I am to escort her Majesty to her dance lessons," he told her bowing.
She giggled, "Well where is Francis?" she asked, taking his offered arm.
"Father summoned him to one of their meetings," he said dryly.
"Oh dear," she laughed, "He will be in quite a mood later this afternoon then.
Bash nodded as they walked.
"You don't have to go with me Bash, I will survive an afternoon without either of you," she told him.
He shook his head, 'Francis told me there's been trouble in the class, I am happy to go with you," he told her smiling.
"He's just worried they will partner me with someone dashing and I'll forget all about him," she joked.
Bash shook his head, "the way I hear it, he's more afraid of what you'll do to one of them should they be stupid enough to cause you trouble."
Marie laughed, "am I really so ferocious?"
Bashed looked at her with skepticism, "I think I prefer to stay on your good side thank you very much!"
Marie giggled as they arrived in the ballroom and they continued making each other laugh.
She looked up when she heard the instructor ask, 'what is he doing here?" his voice dripping with disdain.
Marie frowned, "Bash is a loyal friend and member of the royal family, I expect you to wipe that look off of your face," she told him. She hated it when others treated Bash differently simply because of his parentage, which he had no control over.
The instructor looked embarrassed to have been talked down to by her but he did as asked.
"Francis has been detained with the King and he has asked that Bash partner with me today," she said proudly," gazing defiantly at the instructor and the rest of the girls who were looking at her rolling their eyes.
Bash smirked, "nope not ferocious at all!"
Marie laughed, "You know how I feel about others treating you like you aren't important," she said as the instructor started and they began dancing.
Bash was a wonderful dancer, almost as good as Francis and he easily helped her with a few of the steps and turns as they chatted congenially making each other laugh throughout the class.
At the end of the class he walked her over to the table to get a drink and then noticed some of the girls making eyes at him.
Marie noticed his attention and she laughed, 'go on, claim your reward for the torture I just put you through."
"Never torture Marie, I enjoyed it," he told her as he kissed her hand with a mock bow making her giggle. She turned back to the table for another drink looking over to see Bash surrounded by three girls. She laughed shaking her head.
All of a sudden she felt someone yank on her arm spinning her around. It was a girl a little bit taller than her with long blonde wavy hair. Her name was Olivia if she remembered correctly. "What is it with you?" she asked angrily. "You always think you are better than the rest of us just because you are the Prince's favorite! You parade him around showing him off to everyone and then you can't even leave the bastard for us, you have to charm him as well!"
Marie was shocked but only for a second, her eyes darkened, "take your hand off of me now!" she ordered the older girl.
"And what if I don't?" she taunted. "What are you going to do?" Marie looked the girl right in the eyes and smiled, getting ready to wipe the smirk on the girls face."
"It's not what she's going to do but what I'm going to do," Francis said from behind her.
Marie saw the girl go very pale and let go of her as she turned to face the Prince. She bowed, "your majesty," she said.
Francis walked around to Marie with a smile pulling her fist into his hands, "no need for that," he murmured catching her eye.
He turned back to Olivia his hands still on Marie's, "you dare to insult the Queen of Scotland?" he asked her coldly.
Olivia looked nervous before responding, "She is not MY Queen," the girl finally gritted out.
"Mary is the Queen of Scotland and the Dauphine of France, she will be the next Queen of France!" He told her harshly. "As such you will afford her the respect and honor due a member of the royal family or you and your family will no longer be welcome at court! Is that understood?" he asked, his eyes ice blue now.
Olivia's face had turned red and she turned her eyes to Marie spitting fire, "this is entirely your fault!" she spat. "If he hadn't come in when he had I'd have had you right where you belonged!"
Marie laughed and Francis had to shake his head. "You have no idea what was about to happen when I interrupted, do you?" he asked the girl as he and Marie walked around her. "I heard your whole conversation and it's you, who should be thanking both of us for that because you'd be missing teeth and possibly have a bruise or two by now."
The girl looked down at the fist that Marie was just now starting to relax in the Prince's hand and she stepped back.
"I suggest in the future you keep your opinions to yourself," Marie told the girl.
"Francis! Marie! There you are, I've been…" the Queen trailed off seeing the two facing off another girl "What is going on?" she asked.
"Nothing," Francis said. "We've taken care of it," he smiled as his mother. "Unless you have something to add Olivia?" he asked coldly.
She shook her head. "You're Majesties,' she said as she curtsied and quickly left the room.
Queen Katherine sighed, "Tell me now!" she ordered.
Francis sighed, "Marie?"
"It's nothing," she said. "The noble girl is jealous and got overzealous in confronting me. I'm afraid I was getting ready to defend myself when Francis showed up. He is more diplomatic than I am at this point," she laughed.
The Queen frowned, "Marie I am concerned this keeps happening, I don't want to interfere and diminish your power here but it's very unusual for people to be reacting this way to a member of the royal family and I'm beginning to fear for your safety,' she explained as they all walked down the hall.
Francis spoke up, "Mother why don't we have a ball to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of our engagement," he proposed. "Not just an adult ball but one where the younger children could come as well. Many of them have not seen Marie interact with you and father or perhaps even myself in a formal setting."
The Queen thought about it, "I think that's a wonderful idea, Francis, you may be right. We could announce your engagement again and reinforce that Marie is a part of the royal family and is expected to receive the same courtesy as the rest of us," she smiled. 'What do you think Marie?"
"I think that it is a better solution than putting me into a fighting pit as I would wish and let me work out the issues others have with me," she said smirking.
Francis groaned, 'you did not just say that," he laughed.
"Good Heavens Marie," the Queen said laughing. "Then it's settled! We'll have the ball in 2 weeks time, enough time to have matching clothes made for you two and the planning of events. "Marie do you have a preference on the color of the matching outfits?" she asked.
Marie nodded showing the Queen her hand with the engagement ring on it.
"Oh that's lovely my dear," she said looking at Francis who smiled.
"The pearl represents our first year engaged and the ruby our 2nd year this year. Could we do have the clothes commissioned in a dark ruby red?" she asked smiling.
"Excellent!" Katherine said. "That's perfect," she said whisking away to begin preparations.
Francis and Marie walked outside, still holding hands. He could still feel her tense and was glad when he heard her taking some deep breaths of fresh air and felt her hand relax in his finally.
"I'm sorry I was detained Marie," he told her as they walked.
She smiled, "its okay, I understand. You have your duties to think about too,' she said. "I'm fine and would have been fine even if you hadn't come along when you did," she said confidently. 'I can't say the same for Olivia, she may have needed a physician," she laughed.
"Marie you must not let people like her goad you into reacting like that," he told her. "I know you are young and I love how much passion you have for life but your temper may yet get all of us into trouble," he told her as he put his finger under her chin, lifting it to look into her eyes.
"I know, I am sorry," she told him, tears now glistening, feeling his disappointment in her.
He brought both of his hands up to cup her cheeks, still looking into her eyes, "we will fix this," he promised her kissing her forehead. He saw the tears on her cheeks and wiped them away.
"I'm sorry I disappointed you," she said sadly. "People can say whatever they want about me but when it comes to those I love, you know I am very fierce and protective,' she explained.
He smiled, "I am not disappointed in you," he assured her. "You're my little tigress, always protecting her mate and her family,' he laughed.
She smiled, "how was the meeting with your father?" she asked.
"Boring," he smiled, "I would have much rather been dancing with you." Francis looked around, "speaking of which, didn't Bash show up?" he asked.
She nodded, "perhaps we should not ask him again. The instructor was very rude to him and I had to put him in his place which I fear may have been the starting point of Olivia getting mad."
"And where is Bash now?" he inquired.
Marie giggled, "Several of the girls were making eyes at him after the class so I told him to go claim his reward," she giggled. "It wasn't until he left that Olivia found her guts to confront me."
"Her attitude towards you worries me Marie, it's not natural to show spite to the Royal Family, nor to speak one's mind the way she did today. Be wary and cautious."
"I will, I promise."
"You wear your dagger every day?" he asked.
"Yes, of course."
"I'm going hunting with my father tomorrow," he announced, "I don't like leaving you with so much animosity in the castle."
"When is there not drama and all it entails going on at French Court?" she pointed out.
"True but you know what I mean. You've been hurt before when I've been away and I don't like leaving you. Father has said you may not join us for a few more years."
"Really? I can come with you when I'm older?" she said excited.
He nodded, "yes but that doesn't help us right now."
She waved him off, "you are worrying too much Francis. I shall be fine. I will spend some extra time with my Ladies and perhaps see if I can assist your mother with the ball preparations for us next week.
"Promise me, if anything happens you will talk to her about it,' he said looking at her quizzically. "I know you like to try and take care of your own problems but two heads are always better than one."
'I promise she said, "don't worry, and have fun on your trip. Besides it's not like you won't be able to see me and what I'm doing,' she assured him, reminding him of his ability to be aware of her even when they were separated.
"I will miss you more than you know," he told her softly, as his finger played with the ring on her finger he had given her.
"We must get used to being separated," she said her palm going to his cheek. "Just because we cannot see each other physically, does not mean we cannot see, feel and speak to each other here," she said bringing her hand down to his heart.
Nostradamus had told them both that with their connection and their shared abilities it was entirely possible one day they would be able to send each other messages through the heart and soul.
"Perhaps we should try to send each other a message while you are away and see if the other gets it," she smiled. "It would be delightful to have the ability Nostradamus described to us awhile ago.
"I would love that," he told her.
They headed back to the castle. "Will you read to me in my chambers while I pack for the trip?" he asked.
"Of course," she beamed. "We only have a little bit left in the first crown history book. Perhaps we can finish it so your Father can see we are making progress."
They very much enjoyed the evening reading together, talking and then reading some more until she saw that Francis was asleep lying on the bed with her.
Katherine found them that way, Marie reading aloud propped up on her elbows on the bed and Francis on his side next to her asleep. She went over and covered her son with a blanket as she held out her hand to Marie who marked their spot in the book and smiled taking her hand, allowing her to lead her out of the room after extinguishing the candle.
The next morning Francis knew he wouldn't see Marie again for three days but he had wanted to give her something the night before but he had fallen asleep. The letters he had written to her last year when they had been separated, he had forgotten to give them to her afterwards and he had wanted to leave them with her while he was gone this time when he had found them again. He wrote her out a note and left it on top of them with instructions to her maid to ensure she was given them after waking up.
My Dearest Marie,
I will miss your light while I am away but know that I carry it within me always as I do your smile and your love. I wrote these letters to you last year when Mother separated us and have been meaning to give them to you. Now seems the perfect time. Until I return,
All my love,
Francis II