Mary Stafford and the girls along with Mistress Brigitte arrived at the palace in good time. The lodgings were beautiful, more than what Mary was expecting. Francis had been more than generous to Mary already in providing her with a title and a castle. She wondered if receiving all this favour from the King would hurt her campaign to redeem her family but Brigitte assured her that she would be fine provided she was gracious about it and made the right friends in court.
Mary was determined to make this debut a success. When they were finally left alone Mary decided to give Annie and Elizabeth last minute advice, "Right girls, I want you to remember your lessons Mistress Brigitte has taught you. Annie if there is anything you don't understand come and ask me in private." Mary knew her daughter had a talent for asking awkward questions, although Francis found them highly amusing in the privacy of her castle Mary doubted he would appreciate it at court in front of his nobles. Mary then continued, "Above all else girls you have to be nice to everyone you meet even if they are not nice back."
"Why wouldn't they be nice Mama?" Annie asked in confusion.
"Is it because they don't like what Mama did too?" Elizabeth questioned remembering the enemies who told lies to her Papa because they didn't like that her Mama replaced the previous Queen.
"Not just your Mama Lizzie but something I did when I first came here." Mary explained, "I didn't understand the ways of court and made many mistakes which is why I want you two to be on your best behaviour." A servant came in and informed them that the King and his family were ready to meet them now. Mary turned to the girls, "Are you ready?" Both Elizabeth and Annie nodded their heads; Mary took them by their hands giving them a reassuring squeeze, "Let's go then."
They were led to the throne room and curtsied before King Francis as they were taught in their lessons. "Countess Boulogne, welcome to my court." Francis smiled signalling them to rise, "I'm glad you and your family could join us this Christmas."
"Your majesty was very generous to offer us an invitation." Mary answered in perfect French. As Mary Stafford rose she observed the French royal family. It didn't surprise Mary at all that the Queen didn't like her; Eleanor was Katherine of Aragons' niece after all. The Dauphin seemed disinterested by the whole affair; he was probably used to meeting his fathers' mistresses whilst his wife the Dauphine seemed to be studying her to see if she was a potential threat, whilst young Charles and Margaret were looking at Elizabeth and Annie rather curiously.
It was a beginning Mary thought but now was the tricky part, trying to win over the court. Mary knew that there would be many in court who wanted her to fail; rival mistresses, enemies of her sister, the clergy but Mary would not fail. Although she was now known as Mary Stafford she was still a Boleyn and she would achieve her ambition to regain her family honour whatever it took.
"Mama, Papa!" Prince Edward squealed rushing towards his parents. Lady Bryan despaired, after several lessons with the boy in proper court etiquette he still managed to break royal protocol. Elizabeth never used to behave like this Lady Bryan thought grimly. It was thinking about the missing girl brought pain to the governess chest and she asked Catherine Champernowne or Kat as she was better known to watch over the proceedings whilst Lady Bryan rested.
"Is there something wrong with Lady Bryan Mistress Kat?" Queen Jane asked hoping any illness Lady Bryan had would not be passed onto her son. Since their fight the King refused to share a bed with her. The only reason why he was in the same room as her now was for Edwards' sake.
"No madam." Kat answered solemnly. "Ever since she heard of the Lady Elizabeths' disappearance she has begun to see herself as a failure to your majesties."
"There is no need for that," Henry assured, "Prince Edward adores her, don't you my Prince?" Edward nodded eagerly at his father. Lady Bryan took care of him so of course he liked her. Henry then smiled at his young son, "Then I must speak to her so this whole thing is cleared up." The truth was King Henry wanted to know about the chancellors' response to her when she requested funds for the Lady Elizabeth. He had seen countless of letters from her to Cromwell requesting funds for the Kings' daughter, then suddenly they just stopped and he wanted to know why.
He found Lady Bryan holding a baby blanket. At first he thought it had must have been Edwards' but then he noticed the white falcons on it, Anne's symbol. After noticing that the King had entered the room Lady Bryan nervously tried to hide the blanket away but Henry stopped her. "There is no need," he assured, "I'm touched that you care for my daughter so much. However something puzzles me."
"What is it your majesty?" Lady Bryan wasn't sure of his moods. He could turn on people so easily which is why Lady Bryan tried to stay out of court life.
"You sent countless letters to Cromwell requesting money to keep my daughters' household running." Lady Bryan began to protest but the King stopped her, "I'm not upset that you made those requests. I am more upset at Cromwell for not giving you sufficient funds." This surprised Lady Bryan for she was sure it was on his majestys' orders that Elizabeth would be left without proper funds. She was so shocked at the revelation that she almost missed the Kings' question, "Why did you stop the requests and why did you join my sons' household?"
"It's not something I'm very proud of your majesty." Lady Bryan sighed looking down at the baby blanket. "I wanted to refuse Cromwells' offer to be Prince Edwards' governess but he made it seem like I didn't have choice."
"Did he threaten you Lady Bryan?" The amount of evidence concerning Cromwells' cruelty to Elizabeth was growing though Henry made no move against the chancellor, not yet.
"He sent me a letter reminding me of what happened to Lady Marys' governess the Lady Salisbury." Lady Bryan hands tightened around Elizabeths' blanket remembering the poor womans' death. Lady Salisbury had been butchered at her execution and Cromwell had threatened to do the same to Lady Bryan. "I apologise for my cowardice your majesty but I thought …"
"You have nothing to apologise for Lady Bryan." Henry took Lady Bryans' hand in reassurance, "Cromwell is the one to blame not you and I can assure my lady he will pay for this. Did you happen to keep this letter Lord Cromwell sent to you?"
"I believe I have it here somewhere your majesty." Lady Bryan got up to search through her papers leaving Henry to admire Elizabeths' blanket.
It was beautifully made with white falcons' perched on green vines which had numerous Tudor roses on them. "Do you know who made this Lady Bryan?" Henry asked.
"It was the late Queen your majesty." Lady Bryan answered nervously unsure how the King would react.
"Anne made this?" Henry couldn't believe it, "But she hated to sew." Anne preferred more intellectual pursuits than womans' arts, quite the opposite of his current Queen.
"Elizabeth was her first child your majesty." Lady Bryan smiled approaching the King with the letter from Cromwell she had found amongst her papers, "She wanted to give her something made with a mothers' love."
"I see." Henry said looking at the blanket in his hands. He had almost forgotten what it was like being a parent for the first time. His first childs' life ended so suddenly, after a series of miscarriages he suddenly became numb to it. He wasn't sure he had felt anything when Mary and Elizabeth were born but for Anne Elizabeth was her first child. What should have been a happy moment for Anne was ruined by the disappointment that she felt by not giving Henry a son. Henry shook his head at such thoughts; she had betrayed him, he had no reason to feel sorry but somehow he couldn't help but feel guilty.
Elizabeth was walking in the royal gardens frustrated with her new tutors. When King Francis heard of how quickly Elizabeth and Annie progressed in their lessons he insisted that they would be taught alongside his son and daughter, much to his Queens' indignation.
Elizabeth could already tell that the Queen of France didn't like her. It didn't surprise her for she knew that Queen Eleanor was related to Katherine of Aragon but at the same time her attitude didn't make any sense to Elizabeth. Her half sister Mary was Katherine of Aragons' daughter and yet she had played games with Elizabeth and taught her Spanish. Elizabeth really missed Mary sometimes because she knew what it was like to have her fathers' love and then lose it. However Elizabeth wouldn't begrudge her sister for going away to get married as she always knew that Mary wanted a family of her own and prayed that her sister would find the happiness she craved.
Elizabeth still had Annie who was becoming more like a sister every day even if she was silly at times. Elizabeth always had to slow down and wait for Annie to catch up in lessons so when Elizabeth had learned that she would be taking lessons with the prince and princess of France with proper tutors she was excited. Unfortunately that excitement was short lived, though Princess Margaret was nice and eager to learn as Elizabeth was, Charles was disruptive, believing that because he was the Kings' second son he didn't need to know these things. However that wasn't the only problem, Charles didn't like it when he got a question wrong and Elizabeth got it right. He accused her of showing off and trying to upstage him. Elizabeth tried to keep her promise to Aunt Mary and be nice to him even when he was being so horrible to her but she had enough.
Elizabeth stormed out of the rooms and headed into the gardens where she could calm down. There she found the Dauphine sitting on a bench reading a book. Elizabeth was curious and asked, "What are you reading?"
Catherine De Medici was surprised to see the Lady Elizabeth Tudor here, "Shouldn't you be attending your lessons young lady?"
"Prince Charles was being difficult so I left before I said something I shouldn't." Elizabeth didn't want to offend Catherine after all she was Prince Charles sister in-law.
Fortunately Catherine didn't seem all that offended, she seemed kind of amused by Elizabeths' words. "It must run in the family because my husband Prince Henry is exactly the same."
Elizabeth giggled at Catherine's comment and asked, "Is that why you're here my lady? You don't want to lose your temper with a Prince of France too?"
Catherine De Medici only wished it were that simple but she didn't want to burden young Elizabeth with it. Instead she asked, "What did my brother in-law do to upset you Lady Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth was beginning to like Catherine so she decided to tell her what happened, "Prince Charles got this Latin translation wrong and when I got it right he said I wasn't supposed to know these things because I was a silly girl. It's not my fault I know the answers and he doesn't."
"No it's not." Catherine agreed liking this little girl already, "In fact if anyone is silly it's Charles for not taking his studies seriously but I'm surprised. You speak French so well for a girl your age and you know Latin as well?"
"I also know a bit of Spanish too." Elizabeth said proudly.
"Really, then perhaps you wouldn't mind giving Italian a try." Catherine smiled patting a place on the bench next to her opening her book. Life was so boring for the Dauphine, maybe teaching this child Catherine's native language was just the distraction she needed.
"You'll really teach me?" Elizabeth said excitedly.
"Do you really want to learn?" Catherine asked shrewdly. Elizabeth nodded eagerly and sat next to the Dauphine. "Well let's begin." Catherine opened her book and began with some simple phrases.
Charles Brandon was really worried for his friend. The King was beginning to close himself off from everyone including his wife which surprised Charles. Charles assumed just like everyone else that once Henry had the son he always wanted he would worship the ground Jane walked on but now he was acting cold towards her as he was to Anne Boleyn near the end of her life.
Charles Brandons' feelings for Anne were kind of mixed. At first he thought she was greedy and ambitious like her father but as she began to lose power he almost began to pity her, not that he would ever tell his wife that. Catherine Brandon still thought of her as a snake in the grass who deserved her death and yet after the part Charles had played in the Pilgrimage of Grace she wouldn't go near him and thought he was monster. Sometimes Charles thought he was a monster, the investigation into Anne, the innocents that were executed and little Elizabeths' exile into poverty all could have been avoided if he just let his dislike for Anne go.
Charles Brandon knew the King was carrying out his personal investigation against Cromwell. He had heard from the Seymours' about the Queens' confrontation concerning those ledgers. It was only a matter of time before the Kings' investigation would lead him to Anne's trial and that would be very bad news for Charles. He had to find a way to limit the damage against himself and the best way of doing that was to speak to the King about the allegations against Anne. Charles knew it was risky but if he could convince the King that Charles was only looking out for Henrys' best interest then perhaps he could avoid the block himself.
Henry was staring at Elizabeths' miniature holding the blanket Anne had made for their child. It was easy for the King to put is feelings for his eldest daughter to one side as he knew where Mary was but his little Elizabeth could be anywhere and it was all thanks to that scheming Cromwell. He barely noticed Charles entering the room until the Duke was sat beside him.
"You shouldn't worry your majesty." Charles tried to offer his friend some words of comfort. "Sir Francis Bryan is on the case, he will find her."
"If he doesn't find her it won't be me he has to worry about." Henry smirked at his friend, "His mother the Lady Bryan is eager to know of the childs' welfare herself." Then Henry frowned thinking about the strain the woman was put through, "She told me that Cromwell threatened her. It's all there in that letter." The King slid the letter over to Charles. Charles read Cromwells' reminder of what happened to Lady Salisbury and what would happen to Lady Bryan if she continued fight for Elizabeths' welfare. Charles looked up and saw his friend clench his hand into a fist then slammed it down on the table in anger. "Elizabeth was just a child Charles." King Henry stood up and began to pace like a caged lion, "Why would he do this?"
"Guilty conscience maybe?" Charles suggested. Charles knew that if the King were to meet Elizabeth it would cast doubt in the Kings' mind about Anne's case. Unlike Prince Edward who favoured the Seymours' in looks, Elizabeth was a Tudor to the core. The only features that Elizabeth did possess that belonged to Anne was her eyes.
"What do you mean by that?" Henry leaned on his desk looking to where Charles was sat.
"He did carryout the investigation into Elizabeths' mother." Charles reminded Henry knowing very well that if he said one word wrong that he could be incriminated along with Thomas Cromwell.
"Need I remind you Charles that it was you who informed me about the rumours concerning Anne in the first place." Henry growled not liking where Charles was going with this.
"I told you of rumours Henry, speculation at court. I didn't know if they were actually true or not." It was a lie of course; Charles knew Anne would never betray the King in that way but Henry didn't know that. "I was just as shocked as you when I found out that she was guilty."
"You hated her!" Henry raged not sure if wanted to believe Charles or not.
"I did hate her and probably still do because she hurt you in the most horrible way." It was probably the first honest thing he said through this whole meeting. Charles remembered how devastated the King was when he found out Anne was guilty "However if Cromwell has lied about Elizabeths' finances there is a good chance that he could have lied about the late Queen too which has caused your majesty an even greater injury."
Henry wanted to dismiss Charles words as falsehoods but memories of his dream resurfaced. Henry remembered Anne's accusation in the dream that he and Cromwell arranged everything. Did she mean her death? The King then looked at Charles and wondered why was he defending Anne now? Why would he defend a woman he hated? "I'm still not certain if should trust you Charles but I'm going to give you the opportunity to earn my trust." Henry had enough of people lying to him and he wanted to be certain of Charles Brandons' loyalty so he sat down and looked at Charles directly in the eye. "I want you to investigate the case against the late Queen, I want you to report your findings to me, every last detail whether she be guilty or innocent and if I find any hint that you've lied to me in this investigation, that you've forged any evidence to hide the truth from me, I'll have your head."
As the King left Charles wondered what he'd got himself into. Whilst Charles was confident he could provide the King with honest evidence, he wasn't sure how King Henry would view it. Charles would hope the evidence would lay the blame at Cromwells' door but there was a good chance that the King would blame Charles for bringing the rumours to the King in the first place. Perhaps it would have been better to never mention Anne's case at all but then there was the chance that Henry would decide to look into the case himself. That was what Cromwell had feared which was why he kept Elizabeth away but now there would be no escape for him but hopefully if all went well with the investigation Charles would escape with his life intact.
Mary Stafford wasn't happy. The day started with such promise, she had just spent time with King Francis talking about her charity projects and he offered her some advice on how to win certain people over. He supported her decision to want to improve her reputation in French society and promised he would be more discreet in their dealings with each other in future. Mary rewarded Francis gesture by giving him a kiss. She assured him that her feelings for him had not changed and even if all they had were these secret moments together then she would be happy.
However their happy moment didn't last long as the tutor Francis assigned had lost the Lady Elizabeth. It took everything she had not to lose her temper with the man especially when he didn't seem at all apologetic. Francis looked as though he wanted to dismiss the man altogether but he knew he couldn't do that without making Mary look bad and he had made a promise to let her fight her own battles.
They eventually found Elizabeth laughing with the Dauphine of France Catherine De Medici. Francis was surprised because he hadn't seen his daughter in-law this happy in a long time. When the Dauphine and the Lady Elizabeth noticed the King of France approach them they dropped into a low curtsy. "My ladies," Francis acknowledged, "Lady Elizabeth you were supposed to be in lessons."
"My apologies your majesty." Elizabeth said solemnly, "I didn't mean to offend anyone."
"There was a slight difference of opinion between his Grace the Duke of Oléans and the Lady Elizabeth though I may have found a way to rectify the situation." Catherine explained, "I know of a tutor who would be perfect for this young lady."
"You don't have to do this." Mary Stafford wasn't sure if she should trust this woman but Elizabeth seemed to like her and it wasn't like Elizabeth to trust people so easily.
"Please Aunt Mary." Elizabeth pleaded with Mary, "I want so much to learn."
"It would be a crime to let such talent go to waste." Catherine insisted, she knew what it was like to have your talents go to waste. Catherine knew she had a lot to contribute to France but all she was considered as was a brood mare and not a very good one as she had yet to conceive a child. It wasn't her fault that her husband preferred the company of that harlot Diane de Poitiers.
"Very well, I'll give him a week and if Elizabeth likes him he can stay." Mary agreed knowing anyone would be better than that man she had just met.
"Thank you Aunt Mary." Elizabeth hugged her aunt in happiness.
"No Elizabeth," Mary smiled at her niece, "Thank her highness for she was the one who suggested it."
"There is no need Madam." Catherine said sincerely, "Elizabeth is a charming girl and I hope one day I would have a child just as talented as she is."
Francis knew how sincere his daughter in-law was, for years France waited for Catherine De Medici to produce a child. Most of Francis nobles suggested for the Dauphins' marriage to be annulled but Francis knew the same problem would happen with any bride Francis would pick for his eldest. Diane de Poitiers had a firm grip over his sons' heart and no matter how many times Francis asked him to send her away Henry always threw Francis affairs right back in his face.
Whilst it was true Francis wasn't the most faithful man to Claude he never let his mistress dictate the terms of his marriage. Everyone knew his wife was valued unlike his poor daughter in-law who was often ignored not that Eleanor got better treatment. Francis tried to love Eleanor, to get to know her but their relationship was always tainted by the fact that the Emperor had forced this union upon Francis and even then relations between the two countries had never improved.
Francis family life was a mess, spending time with Mary and her family in Boulogne had granted him some measure of peace. He wasn't lying when he told Anne Boleyn that he wouldn't want to wish his fate upon anyone and he shuddered to think what would happen to his country when God called his son Henry to the throne.