Queen Jane was becoming more worried for her husband. Since finding out about Lady Marys' betrayal and then Lady Elizabeths' disappearance the King had retreated into his rooms not wishing to see anyone. Jane couldn't help but feel that she had displeased the King in some way. He hadn't been this cold towards her since before Edward was born and she had tried to get the Lady Mary reinstated as princess.
Now Jane could see her support for the Lady Mary had been a mistake as the woman she had campaigned for had betrayed her by trying to steal her sons' birth right. Now she could understand why her predecessor Anne Boleyn would be so reluctant to help Mary. Anne had her own daughter to think about and for Anne to support the Lady Mary rights was like admitting to the whole of Europe that her own daughter Elizabeth wasn't a princess. Jane could understand the mothers' ruthless protectiveness over her own child as she had felt the same for her own son Edward which is why she had kept Elizabeth away. There was no doubt in Jane's mind that Elizabeth would despise the woman who replaced her mother. As Elizabeth would grow and eventually learn to understand the particulars of her mothers' downfall there would be no doubt on whom she would blame.
In hindsight it was a big mistake to keep Elizabeth away from her father because now she was missing and could become another potential threat to her sons' place as heir. Jane needed to speak to her husband and find out what was to be done for her own peace of mind.
Jane entered into her husbands' rooms and found him surrounded by a bunch of ledgers. King Henry looked up acknowledging his wife's presence. "I was just about to summon you." The King smiled though it didn't quite reach his eyes. He gestured her to come closer to his desk. "Do you know what this is my Queen?"
"No your majesty." Jane shook her head. "It's not my place to get involved in governing your majestys' realm."
Henry was no longer fooled by his so called sweet Jane's words. He now knew she was just saying what she thought he wanted to hear but he played along. "Let me show you sweetheart." Henry sat his Queen down in front of an open ledger and stood right behind her leaning over her shoulder. "You see this line here?" Henry said pointing to a certain line in the ledger. "This is the money spent on the late Queens' imprisonment." Queen Jane shivered as he mentioned the Late Queen. The last time he mentioned her was when she had tried to persuade him to reinstate the Lady Mary and he outright threatened her with Anne's fate. Jane was so nervous that she had almost missed Henrys' next question, "Do you know where this money came from?" Jane shook her head; she clearly didn't know and didn't want to either. "The same place where the money for your coronation came from." Henry explained, "It came from my daughter Elizabeths' household."
"I didn't know your majesty." Jane said confidently. "It was not my place to discuss matters of finance."
Henry could see that Jane was trying to please him but he was far from pleased when he showed her the next ledger. "This shows the money you've spent as Queen." He pointed to various lines on the ledger, "Gifts' for the Lady Mary; dresses, jewels, little trinkets to go into her estate at Hudson."
"I didn't know that she was going to betray you your majesty." Jane defended standing up to face her husband, "I was merely trying to bring you two together."
"Really sweetheart," Henry said sarcastically clearly not impressed with his wife's explanation. "Then where are Elizabeths' gifts? Where are her dresses and jewels because I'm looking at these ledgers madam and they are not there." Henry slammed one of ledgers down on his desk in a rage.
"I didn't want to upset you by helping the late Queens' daughter." Jane knew it was a flimsy excuse but she didn't want the King to think too badly of her.
Unfortunately for Jane Henry wasn't convinced by Jane's excuse, "You gave no thought at all to upset me by giving my traitorous daughter gifts. You thought nothing at all about aiding the Lady Mary in her escape."
"That's not what I was trying to do at all your majesty. I was merely trying to be a good step-mother to the Lady Mary…" Jane tried to insist.
"But not a good one to the Lady Elizabeth." Henry finished looking at his Queen in disgust. "You know once I thought you were sweet and your intentions were pure but now I see you're exactly like your predecessor. I don't think I can bare to look upon you anymore madam."
The King attempted to walk away but then Jane grabbed hold of his arm in fear and desperation. "Your majesty I beseech you," Jane pleaded with tears streaming down her face, "for the love you bare our child, for the love you have for Edward have mercy."
It was the wrong thing to say because all he could see was Anne. All he could see was the woman who had betrayed him and then tried to use his love for Elizabeth to hide her guilt. He shrugged the Queen off him. "The fact you would use your own child to play with my emotions just shows me how much like her you're really are." He took his ledgers and left the Queen crying on the floor. Henry knew he could never discard her not now that they have a son but he could no longer look at her the same way again. King Henry VIII no longer loved his wife and his dreams of them ruling together happily were now gone.
The King of France spent several days in the Chateau de Boulogne making his new guests' feel welcome. Both Elizabeth and Annie adored listening to his stories at dinner whilst Mary enjoyed the more private moments. Though they hadn't shared a bed yet just a few kisses, Francis was willing to wait. Marys' recent experiences had knocked her confidence and it would be some time before Mary would trust him with her body though they did enjoy each other's companionship. Sadly the time had come for him to return to his own palace but he promised that once they were settled he would invite them to court.
That night would be the first time Mary would be in her new Castle without the Kings' presence and she found it truly daunting. She still struggled to come to terms that this was now all hers. Mary had just finished tucking the girls in bed when Annie asked the most unusual question, "Are you going to be Queen Mama?"
"No Annie," Mary said firmly silently berating herself and Francis for being so obvious in their affections. "King Francis already has a Queen."
"It didn't stop Auntie." Annie said remembering the stories Mama used to tell.
"Well your Auntie got into a lot of trouble for it." Mary insisted. When Mary had told Annie those stories her sister Anne was still Queen. Mary would have never guessed it would end in tragedy. "She made a lot of enemies along the way."
"Was it them who told Papa those lies about Mama?" Elizabeth asked from her bed listening to the conversation.
"Yes Elizabeth." Mary confirmed. "The Queen before her was very popular and they hated your Mama for taking her place."
"Is the Queen of France popular Mama?" Annie asked curiously.
"I'm not sure, I've never met her." Mary said truthfully.
"Does King Francis love her?" Annie questioned.
"Annie I'm not marrying Francis." Mary said sternly. She didn't want to give Annie the wrong idea. "Not all Kings marry for love but to secure alliances with other countries. For a long time King Francis was fighting in wars with the Queens' brother the Holy Roman Emperor Charles. The Emperor had King Francis sons locked away in a tower…"
"Like the Princes of the Tower?" Elizabeth interrupted remembering the story about two Princes who were locked away in the Tower of London by King Richard III and were eventually murdered or so she had been told.
"Not exactly, you see in order to get them out of the tower King Francis had to promise to marry the Emperors' sister Eleanor and stop the war." Mary explained, "The King of France's marriage to Eleanor put an end to the bloodshed."
"So if King Francis leaves Queen Eleanor the war would start again." Elizabeth guessed.
"And people would hate you like Lizzie's Mama." Annie said sadly holding onto her mother tightly. She didn't want people to hate her Mama she loved her.
"You have nothing to worry about because King Francis isn't leaving his Queen." Mary said kissing Annie's forehead in reassurance.
"So you're going to be the Kings' Mistress." Elizabeth said bluntly.
"Who told you about Mistresses Elizabeth?" Mary didn't like the idea of her young niece learning such a term so early.
"Some of the maids at Hatfield used to talk about it." Elizabeth answered but she didn't fully understand what the term meant. She heard her own sister Mary mention it a few times when referring to Elizabeths' mother. When Elizabeth asked Lady Bryan what it had meant she got all defensive just as her aunt was being now. Whatever it was it must be bad, Elizabeth thought.
"What's a Mistress?" Annie asked not understanding why the word upset her Mama so much.
"I'll explain it to you when you're older but until that time I don't want you two talking about it especially in front of the King and Queen. Do you understand?" The girls nodded in agreement and Mary kissed them goodnight.
In an ideal world there would be no need for Mistresses but life was not ideal. Thanks to Elizabeths' royal status she was safe from such unsavory advances but what of Annie. Mary knew Annie was a pretty child and someday she would grow into a beautiful woman who would attract a lot of attention and with Marys' reputation as it was Annie would be easy prey for men looking to take advantage of her. Mary had to find some way to improve her reputation in France without relying too heavily on the Kings' favour. Mary had to prove that she was worthy of her position as Countess of Boulogne by behaving in a more charitable and dignified manner. Though Mary didn't have much of a political mind as her sister once did she had to try for the sake of both her girls.
King Henry was walking through his gardens, thoughts of his daughters plaguing him through the night. Despite what many would think of him he did truly love them and would want nothing more than to show it to them but matters of state wouldn't allow him to be kind to them. Mary could never understand that what he had done to her was a matter of politics. As long as she refused to sign the oath and remain defiant he could not show her kindness. Now in an act of selfishness Mary had not only betrayed her father but her country as well. Then Henry thought bitterly, Mary had always showed more loyalty to Spain and its Emperor rather than the place of her birth. Henry could thank Marys' wretched mother for that, filling her head with that nonsense.
He was quickly brought out of his thoughts when heard a laugh which used to give him great joy but now with the evidence of her betrayal caused him great pain. He saw Anne in a beautiful yellow gown twirling with their giggling daughter. "Elizabeth, my dear heart." Anne smiled holding their little girl close, "I love you Elizabeth and I pray you never forget it."
Henry clenched his hands into fists refusing to believe this woman had a heart at all and went to approach them. He would not have his youngest daughter be poisoned by her influence. As soon as Anne saw him she gave him a cold look which he wasn't expecting. She turned and walked away from him carrying Elizabeth in her arms. Henry followed her calling out to her, "Anne stop!"
"You lied to me," Anne said with anger in her voice as she continued to walk away from him. "You always have."
"No!" If anyone lied in their relationship Henry thought, it was Anne. Her relatives arranged everything and Henry was foolish enough to believe her lies.
Anne spun around and faced him in a fury, "You were not what you seemed! You and Cromwell arranged everything."
Before Henry could figure what on earth Anne had meant by those words she and Elizabeth disappeared into the palace. Henry went to follow them inside but guards blocked his path. "What's the meaning of this?" Henry raged trying to push past the guards but they would not move, "I'm the King of England!"
"Are you sure Harry?" Henry knew that voice. As he turned around he found himself no longer in the palace gardens but now in a throne room with his mother sitting in a throne looking as regal as ever with the Crown of England sitting on her head.
"Mother." Henry didn't know what to say to her nor could he understand the cold look he was getting from her. He was used to receiving such looks from his father but never from his mother.
"You've always assumed Harry that a girl on the throne would bring about civil war and yet it was me, the last surviving heir of Edward IV who brought peace to England when I married your father." Elizabeth rose from her throne and glared at her son, "Your quest for a son brings war to this land and for that I find you guilty of treason." Elizabeth of York nodded to some guards behind him, "Take him to his place of execution."
Henry struggled against the guards' hold not believing that his own mother had sentenced him to death. He found himself being led to a scaffold where his eldest daughter the Lady Mary awaited holding a sword ready to execute him. Henry was forced onto his knees by the guards. He saw his mother sitting on her throne flanked by Anne Boleyn and Katherine of Aragon. His brother Arthur was stood next Katherine looking at him in pity and just as his daughter began to swing the sword that would end his life Henry woke up.
"Your majesty, are you alright?" One of the grooms heard the King gasp from his bed and quickly brought a dagger out in case there was an assassin.
"I'm fine." Henry said waving the groom away, "It was just a nightmare."
"Would you like a drink or anything to calm your nerves?" The groom offered, eager to help his King.
"A drink would be good, thank you." Though Henry knew a drink wouldn't do him any good at all, he just wanted the groom out of his chambers for a while so he could collect his thoughts. The dream had felt so real, was God trying to tell him something? Was Mary really going to be his death and what of Anne? Why did she make out that he was the one who was guilty? Why at his execution was she stood amongst his family as though she was his true and natural wife? Katherine of Aragon was there too but she was stood next to his brother Arthur. Did God favour his union with Anne; was he displeased with Anne's death? If that was so then why did God bless Henry and Jane's union with a son? Then he remembered his mothers' words about her being Edward IV's successor. Henry couldn't deny the truth of her words, his parents' marriage did bring an end to the War of the Roses and despite not having any power herself she was vital to Henry VII's reign. Maybe that was what God wanted for him, to see the value in his daughters but Henry had to wonder was he too late?
Brigitte Rousselot watched her mistress study the paperwork on her desk. Mary Stafford wasn't like any noble Brigitte had ever met, not many noblemen let alone ladies would walk into the town and listen to the people's grievances nor would they create various charitable projects to improve the lives for the common people but Mary wasn't reckless with her money. Marys' time in poverty had taught her how to live on a budget and to make the most out of her money.
Brigitte looked over one of the projects Mary had been working on, a new school where commoners could learn their letters, numbers and also a trade. "How did you come up with this?" Brigitte asked Mary curiously.
"It was my sisters' idea." Mary smiled fondly thinking of her sister Anne.
"The late Queen thought of this?" Brigitte asked not sure on how her mistress wanted Anne to be referred as. Brigitte heard a lot of stories about Anne Boleyn, none of them were good and there was no story Brigitte had ever heard where Anne showed a charitable side.
"My sister was fortunate enough to receive a good education in Europe, almost on par with a princess." Mary explained, "When she became Queen she wanted to share that good fortune by helping others to better themselves as she did but sadly that wasn't meant to be."
"Why my lady?" Brigitte enquired noting the look of sadness in her mistress face.
"The chancellor and the King of England thought it wasn't her place to deal in such matters, though they were content to let her shoulder the blame for their decisions." Mary clenched her hands into fists staring at the document regarding the school. "She had only one role in court and when she couldn't perform it they got rid of her." When her siblings died Mary came to London in search for answers regarding their death. No one told her anything except Thomas Cranmer. He told her of Anne's disagreement with Cromwell regarding the monasteries and how King Henry placed him in charge of the investigation. There was only one verdict Cromwell was looking for and that was guilty. Henry got what he wanted a son and an obedient Queen whilst Cromwell got to dispose of the monasteries how he saw fit. Mary often wondered who they would use as a scapegoat now that Anne Boleyn was no more.
Brigitte placed a hand on Marys' shoulder in a comforting gesture, "Your sister would be proud of what you're doing, not just for Elizabeth but for the people here as well. The people of Boulogne will never forget your acts of generosity and they will always be grateful to you."
"Thank you Brigitte." Mary smiled in gratitude. "How are Elizabeth and Annie enjoying their studies?" These projects Mary was working on took a lot of her time and she couldn't be with her girls as often as she wished. Brigitte was wonderful with them and often gave Mary reports on how well they faired.
"Both are doing well my lady," Brigitte smiled fondly, "Elizabeth has a great affinity for languages and it won't be long till she is fluent in both French and Latin. Whilst Annie may not be as bright as Elizabeth she makes up for it in enthusiasm, she won't give up until she's mastered it."
"Much like her namesake." Mary smiled affectionately thinking of her youngest daughter. "Will they be ready in time for Christmas? King Francis has invited us to court to spend Christmas with him and I want everything to be perfect for their debut." She had the dresses made already, along with their head pieces, now all she needed was the girls to be properly trained in court etiquette.
"You don't have to worry madam." Brigitte assured, "They have already learned the basic rules of court and now they'll be moving onto to dancing. You'll have to forgive me my lady but I used the dancing lessons as a sort of bribe to get them to learn all the rules of court."
"That's very clever of you Mistress Brigitte." Mary knew how difficult it was to get children to learn certain lessons they didn't like. Marys' sister was notorious for disappearing during sewing lessons whilst it took forever just to get her brother to sit down during language lessons. Mary herself couldn't remember what subject she was least fond of because at the time she was so distracted by her siblings' antics. It was hard for Mary to watch Elizabeth and Annie grow without being reminded of her own childhood experiences. A time when Marys' father actually cared about his children, a time when the only thing he cared about was seeing that his children were happy and well provided for. Now he couldn't even speak up for them in their defense because all he cared about was his ill gotten titles, the same titles he sacrificed his own children for. Mary wondered what her mother thought of Thomas Boleyn now, watching over them with both Anne and George at her side in heaven. Whilst Mary had no idea what her mother now felt towards Marys' father she did hope that her mother Elizabeth Boleyn and her siblings Anne and George were proud of her.