Mary Tudor never expected to receive visitors let alone her cousin the Emperor. Since she was placed into the convent she half expected to be forgotten like her mother was. Her Aunt Juana was a comfort to Mary. Juana often told Mary stories of her mother as a girl and as Mary listened she learned that her mother was not the complete saint that Mary thought she was but very human. For so long Mary had built herself up to be like her sainted mother but now she knew that Katherine of Aragon had weaknesses and frailties like anyone else. Katherine built herself up on tails on her mothers' successes and wished to follow but Juana was more jaded. Juana knew of her fathers' affairs and his resentment of Isabella's power. When Juana took the throne her father had no desire to share power again so he spun a tale that Juana was mad and unfit to rule.
Mary thought about her own fathers' unwillingness to pass on the crown to a daughter but he had better reason to. Since her grandfather Henry VII took the throne the Tudor dynasty was constantly threatened by people who believed to have a better claim. When her father had declared her a bastard she kept on looking at it as a child being rejected by her father but now Mary was beginning to look at it from a different perspective Mary saw a King afraid that his daughter would never be accepted as Queen in her own right. It had happened to Matilda, her father declared her as heir to the English throne and when her father died the lords turned against her. Although Matilda behaved no different than any other Prince who had his birth right stolen she was still accused of being unfit to rule England.
It had taken a while for Mary to accept this fact but once she did her spirit had felt lighter. When she faced her cousin the Emperor she was no longer childish girl desperate for approval but a woman more self assured ready to face what her cousin brought. "What can I do for you your majesty?"
"Mary, your father would like you to be returned to England." Charles muttered darkly not liking the idea that his cousin could go running to her father about her treatment in Spain.
"I see," Mary said coolly, "well if my father wishes it I must obey." Mary stood up smoothing down the wrinkles in her dress then smirked when an idea came to her, "Would you mind dear cousin getting me a new gown? We wouldn't want the King of England to think you have been mistreating me do we?"
Juana smiled as her son glared at her niece and stormed away. She knew Charles had no choice but to agree to Marys' request as he needed the alliance. "That was the most entertaining thing I've seen in years."
Mary smiled at her aunt grateful for Juana's tutelage over her time in exile. "Thank you and I'm grateful for all that you have done for me. I'm sorry I can't secure your freedom as well."
"Do not worry my dear." Juana hugged her niece in reassurance, "You are more my legacy than Charles ever was and I'm eager to see what you'll accomplish in your fathers' court."
"That's if my father accepts me back." Mary said worriedly, "He could still see me as a traitor to England."
"You needn't worry Mary." Juana reassured, "I have every confidence that you'll convince him otherwise." Mary wanted so badly to believe her aunt but she didn't know King Henry like Mary did. He had once beheaded a woman who he tore the country apart for. Whilst Mary knew that Anne Boleyn had been found innocent of any wrong doing it didn't change the fact that he killed a woman he supposedly loved. Mary had to wonder whether her father loved her enough to stay his hand.
Sir Francis Bryan awaited one of his spies Mistress Madeline. Out of all his spies Madeline showed the most promise. She knew how to read people and the skill became valuable as she was spying on Diane De Poitier. When he was told that Thomas Seymour had made contact with the woman Sir Francis became concerned. Thomas was the perfect pawn anyone with enough sense to know just the right words to say could get the man to do whatever they wanted and under Diane's influence it could be lethal.
Madeline arrived curtsying quickly, "Sorry I'm late but it was difficult for me to get away unnoticed."
"I don't mind provided that the information you've given me is worth wile." So far there was nothing suspicious but Sir Francis knew it was only a matter of time before a plot was hatched between Diane and Thomas.
"There might be something." Madeline informed him of what she heard, "They spoke recently of Katherine of Aragon."
"What does Katherine of Aragon have to do with anything?" Sir Francis wasn't sure if it was significant only that Queen Eleanor was afraid of following in her footsteps.
Madeline explained, "They spoke of how your cousin Anne Boleyn was suspected of poisoning her rival to insure her place on the throne."
Francis Bryan knew that was rubbish. If anything Katherine's death made it easier for Anne to be replaced as Queen. The two women practically died in the same year which showed how easy it was for Anne to be replaced by someone not so remarkable. Francis knew many women and there was nothing about Jane Seymour that he thought was exceptional. However as he thought on about why Thomas Seymour and Diane De Poitier would be discussing it did he finally put the pieces together, "They plan to murder Queen Eleanor and blame my cousin Mary for the murder."
"It's all just speculation at this point." Madeline said practically, "Without any proof we won't be able to stop them."
"You're right." Sir Francis was impressed by the womans' logic and handed her some money. "You'll return to your post and be on the lookout for any poison."
"Why poison?" Madeline took the money and placed it into her dress.
"Poison tends to be a woman's weapon and it's the weapon they believed to be used on Katherine." Sir Francis explained, "If they want to frame Mary, poison is exactly what they'll use."
"You can count on me Sir." Francis believed she would do her duty and Francis would do his. Sir Francis would see that no harm would come to his cousin or Elizabeth.
Mary Stafford had just returned to her chambers when she saw Thomas Seymour rifling through her things. Fortunately he hadn't found her husbands' dagger that she had concealed in her dresser. Whilst Thomas was preoccupied Mary quietly reached for the dagger and hid it in her skirts. When she noticed Thomas hide something in her jewellery box did she make her presence known. "What are you doing in my rooms?" Mary spoke loudly so that her servants could hear her and alert her cousin who would be somewhere in the palace.
"I don't have to answer to the Kings' whore?" Thomas sneered trying to intimidate her but Mary had faced far more intimidating men than Thomas Seymour.
"I've heard worse insults." Marys' hand tightened around the dagger in her skirts. "I maybe the Kings' whore as you put it but I know he would be just as curious as I am to know why you are here."
"I could just tell him you invited me to your bed. I'm sure he'll love to hear that." Thomas approached her slowly trying to appear confident but Mary could see right through his act.
"I don't think so." When Thomas came close enough to Mary she pulled out her knife and pointed it to his privates. "You're going to tell me exactly what you just hid in my chambers our I'll see to it that you'll have no heirs to your name."
"Killing me will only make it worse on yourself." Thomas warned thinking she wouldn't actually do it but when jabbed him harder with the dagger he became nervous. "When the guards find me here they'll only see it as you covering your tracks."
"What are you talking about?" Mary threatened not understanding what he meant by covering her tracks.
"You're going to be accused of murdering the Queen of France." Thomas smugly boasted, "It's only fair that you pay for your sisters' crime in poisoning a Spanish Princess." Mary was going to deny his claims but Thomas took advantage of her distraction and knocked the knife out Marys' hand. He instantly put his hand around Marys' throat and lifted her skirts but Mary kneed him in the privates. Mary tried to distance herself from Thomas but he tackled her to the ground.
Thomas had Mary pinned but before he could do anything to hurt her Francis Bryan pulled Thomas off her and punched him in the face knocking him out. Francis immediately checked over his cousin, "Are you alright?"
Mary wasn't alright but she clearly had bigger things to worry about. "He said I was going to get accused of murdering the Queen of France and hid something over there." Mary pointed towards her jewellery box.
Francis looked in the box and found some poison in there. "You must go Mary and warn the Queen. She's dining with Catherine De Medici as we speak. Diane must be counting on Catherine being accused of being your accomplice."
Mary was surprised that Diane was involved in this plot but immediately made her way to the door. "What will you do?"
"Take this man into French custody and find the origins of this poison." Francis quickly bound Thomas hands and feet but he noticed his cousin still standing there. "Go! Save the Queen!" Mary immediately rushed out the room still overwhelmed over what had transpired. Thomas had been conspiring with Diane to kill the Queen. Whilst Mary held no love loss for Queen Eleanor she didn't want the woman to die. Mary was still angry at Thomas for the accusation that her sister had killed Katherine of Aragon. Mary knew her sister although Anne talked big on such things she would never carry it out. Anne was like that in France flirting as though she was a woman of experience with the opposite sex but deep down Mary knew Anne was innocent as Mary was when King Francis had seduced her. Mary tried to warn Anne of the folly of loving a King and Anne assured her that it wouldn't happen. However when the letters and poems had arrived from King Henry there was nothing Mary could do. Anne fell deeply in love with King Henry as Mary did with King Francis. Mary had been lucky so far that the fallout hadn't as devastating as it was for her sister but now it seemed as though her luck was going to run out thanks to another member of the Seymour family.
It was unusual for Catherine De Medici to be dining with the Queen. Since Catherine befriended Mary Stafford the Queen tended to avoid Catherine nowadays. What made it more unusual was Diane De Poitier was present serving with other ladies which unnerved Catherine. When Diane served the wine Catherine refused to drink it as she didn't trust the woman though Catherine knew such thoughts were irrational. Catherine doubted Diane would be stupid enough to poison the Queen and a Princess of France.
Queen Eleanor was just about to take a sip when Mary barged in, "Don't drink the wine!"
Queen Eleanor glared at the intruder, "You dare to come barging in here and make demands of me the Queen of France."
"I'm saving your life!" Mary countered, "The wine is poisoned."
"No one would dare." Eleanor argued, "Everything is tasted before it arrives at my table."
"But not after Diane had served it." Catherine looked at Diane in suspicion. This whole meeting seemed forced and Catherine wondered who was the mastermind behind it.
"You dare accuse me." Diane snapped at the Dauphine then turned to the Queen. "Your majesty I'm your most loyal and faithful subject. They are just spreading these vicious lies to turn you against me."
Catherine knew Diane was lying. The truth was Diane had no respect for the Spanish princess the only thing that brought the two women together was their hatred for Mary Stafford. Catherine decided to call her bluff, "If you are a loyal subject as you claim then why don't you drink the wine." Catherine knew that if the wine was poisoned Diane would never drink it.
However Eleanor had other ideas, "No Mary will drink it."
"Your majesty." Catherine began to protest. She didn't like the look in Eleanors' eyes when she made the suggestion. It was almost like the Queen wanted the drink to be poisoned.
"Mary made the accusation." Eleanor told Catherine and then turned to Mary, "You want to prove your family's loyalty then drink the wine."
It suddenly became clear to Mary who was pulling the strings in this plot. Mary walked right into the Queens' trap. Mary knew if she refused the wine it could be examined later. Then Mary could be accused of poisoning the Queen and her friend Catherine could be accused of assisting her. However if Mary drank the wine she could die and the Queen would be without a rival for her husbands' heart but also Marys' family would be safe. "Fine your majesty, you win." Mary took the goblet and began to drink.
Diane could barely contain her glee when Mary collapsed but it was soon short lived when the Queen called for the guards. "Arrest that woman."
"Forget the guards!" Catherine panicked cradling her friend in her arms, "Fetch the physician!"
The room erupted into chaos as the guards began to drag a protesting Diane away but one person remained calm. "Allow me you highness." Madeline made her way to Mary waving some sort of smelling salts under her nose making Mary sick.
"What are you doing?" Catherine watched as her friend began to wretch. "You're making her sicker."
"I'm sorry my lady but it's important to get the poison out of her system before it can do more damage." Madeline explained rolling Mary to her side as she continued to throw up.
"Will she be okay?" Catherine asked worriedly. She didn't know what she would do if she lost her friend now.
"It's too soon to say until the physician has arrived." Madeline explained looking worriedly at her benefactor. Madeline owed most of her education to this womans' charity projects and she hoped that with her knowledge she could save Mary Staffords' life.
Mary Tudor didn't know what to expect when she arrived on Englands' shores but she didn't expect this. Anyone would have thought that with the number of people there that it was a Princess of England returning home not a bastard. However when she saw her father there waiting for her all common sense had left Mary as she rushed in his arms.
Henry was surprised at his daughters' reaction. When they had reunited previously after Mary had signed the oath she seemed afraid of him but now she held on tightly to him as if he was her lifeline. He almost wondered if it was some sort of act but as he looked into his daughters' tearful gaze he had to wonder what the Emperor had done to her to make her act this way. "It's alright my pearl." Henry wiped the tears of his daughters' face, "You're safe."
Mary smiled knowing that her father was sincere but there was another matter. "What about Elizabeth?" Mary asked in concern for her little sister. "The French still have her."
Henry smiled glad that Marys' time away hadn't affected her feelings towards her sister. "Don't worry my pearl it won't be that way for long. Now that you're here we can work to getting my precious jewel returned as well."
"I really wish to help Father." Mary said confidently, "I will not allow my sister to be used in my cousin and King Francis schemes." Henry was surprised at his daughters' conviction. She seemed older and wiser beyond her years. Mary could be of valuable help to Henry in the wars to come. Queen Jane however didn't like what she was seeing. Before Mary was considered a traitor who tried to usurp her sons' position. Now Henry was welcoming Mary with open arms showing far more affection to her than Jane had gotten over the years. Jane knew she could no longer rely on her brothers to help her she had to find a way back to the King by herself.