Mary Tudor was surprised at the change in her father. Henry actually listened as she spoke of her experiences in Spain. Whilst there were some parts of her story that had him seething in anger like when Mary mentioned being sent to a convent he was quickly soothed by Mary stories of her aunt Juana. "She isn't mad like people say Father. My grandfather and cousin only used that story to justify ruling in her stead." Mary explained, "After hearing all that she went through I now understand why you were so desperate for a son."
It was surprising to Henry that Mary would come to that conclusion. "I'm glad that you finally understand what I was trying to do. Know this Mary that though my actions were cruel, don't ever think I did it because I no longer loved you." Henry placed his arm around Mary and kissed her forehead, "You're still my pearl and nothing will ever change that."
Mary was comforted by the gesture but something was still troubling her. "What about the alliance with my cousin? You don't actually think he will follow through with his promise to rescue Elizabeth do you?"
"I'm confident he'll try." Henry arm tightened around Mary as he began to worry for his youngest still stranded in France. "It's my hope to reach her first before the Emperor does. If the Emperor gets to her and has her marry his son…"
"That won't happen." Mary said confidently, "We won't let that happen."
"It's we now is it?" Henry smiled at his daughters' conviction. Henry knew his daughters were close as the Lady Bryan had mentioned it to him. In fact when the governess brought the young Prince Edward to meet his sister the two seemed to happy to see each other despite their rocky beginning when Lady Bryan was governess to Elizabeth.
"I've learnt a lot during my time away." Mary turned to her father and looked pleadingly into his eyes. "Please let me do this for you. I want my sister back in England just as badly as you do."
"With your help Mary I'm more confident in my success." Henry may not have liked what Mary went through in Spain but he was happy with how strong Mary had become since her exile. She was no longer the sheltered naïve person who believed that titles meant love. She now seemed more strong and wise beyond her years. This would serve Henry well in the battle to come.
King Francis awaited news of Marys' condition in the throne room. Catherine De Medici and the Queen stood in front of him. Diane had already been taken away to the dungeons much to the anger of his son Prince Henry but Francis didn't care. The woman he loved was on the brink of death and he wanted to know what happened, "Explain to me how the Countess ended up drinking this poison."
"The Queen insisted that Mary prove her loyalty." Catherine glared angrily at the Queen.
"Please," Eleanor ignored Catherine's hateful glares and defended herself, "you suggested that Diane should drink the poison first."
"I was bluffing!" Catherine raged, "I knew she would refuse to drink the poison because she was the one who had the motive and the means to put it there."
"That's technically not true." Margaret of Navarre entered the room interrupting the proceedings. "I did my own research into the poison that was used and found something rather interesting."
"What have you found?" King Francis had enough of these intrigues. He wanted Mary to recover from her ordeal and ensure her safety.
"That this particular poison was used to murder Duke Philip of Bavaria." Margaret turned to Queen Eleanor. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about that would you your majesty?"
"Why would I know anything about some heretic Duke?" Eleanor snapped avoiding eye contact with her sister in-law.
"Only that the 'heretic Duke' as you put it also happened to be your cousin the Lady Marys' fiancé." Margaret explained noting Eleanors' suspicious behaviour. "Your brother was suspected of the murder because he didn't approve of the match."
"He wasn't there!" Eleanor screeched not liking the fact that Margaret was accusing her brother of any wrong doing.
"But his Spanish representatives were and the poison that was used just so happened to be of Spanish origin." Margaret argued, "Diane De Poitier could not have gotten the poison neither could Thomas Seymour. It only leaves one other person who hated Mary enough to do it and that was you. You knew Thomas Seymour was an incompetent fool who would be easily caught. You knew Mary would come to try to stop the poisoning and you knew that she would drink the poison in order to protect her family's reputation."
"You dare accuse me!" Queen Eleanor spat, "I'm Queen of France!"
"You are in name only." King Francis stood up and glared at his wife. His were seething in anger. "You've always feared that you would be abandoned like your dear aunt Katherine but now your actions have forced my hand."
"Francis please." Eleanor pleaded with her husband but he was not moved.
"I can't have a Queen who would harm one of her subjects out of petty jealousy." King Francis looked up and down at his wife in disgust. "It now occurs to me that you are not like your precious aunt but more like your mad mother and like your mother I'm sending you away to a convent where you can't harm anyone else ever again."
Catherine watched as the woman broke down in tears. She didn't know if she should feel pity for the woman but she did learn a valuable lesson. Catherine would never allow jealousy to drive her to this state. Although she did love Prince Henry she knew it wasn't in his nature to be faithful. If he chose to be with mistresses she would let him at least Catherine had something unconditional that Henry could never take away from her and that was the love of her children. She would never break like Eleanor did instead she would be strong for one day her son would be King.
Anne Seymour smiled as she held her new baby boy in her arms. Things between her and her husband had improved during their time in exile. They had two daughters followed by the son she had in her arms. They also had been summoned to court on various occasions but unlike before where Edward plotted to get his sister into the Kings' good graces he and Anne worked together to ensure that Bishop Gardiner kept his fanatical influence out of court. Together they had dug up some information to keep the bishop quiet but he wasn't the only one to worry about. Queen Jane still clung to the old faith and tried to influence Prince Edward to one side but both Lord and Lady Hertford used their own sons' influence to distract the boy. What also helped was the fact both Anne and Edward were in charge of the young prince's education not the Queen. Edward Seymour should have felt bad about reducing the Queens' influence in court but he couldn't bring himself to as Jane had no idea how things at court worked. The fact she allowed their younger brother Thomas to advise her showed how naïve and foolish she was.
However Edward had no idea how foolish Thomas was until Edward received a letter detailing his brothers' exploits in France. Anne saw how the colour drained from her husbands' face as he read the letter, "What's the matter husband?"
"That foolish brother of mine has been arrested in France." Edward could barely contain his rage. "He has been caught conspiring with Diane De Poitier to frame the Countess of Boulogne for the murder of the French Queen."
"How could he be so foolish?" Anne knew that Countess of Boulogne happened to be Anne Boleyns' sister. "What was he thinking?"
"He was thinking that by poisoning the Queen of France and framing Mary Stafford for it the populace would also believe that Anne Boleyn was responsible for Katherine of Aragons' murder." Edward explained staring into the fire clenching the letter into his fist. "The stupid idiot didn't realise that should he fail he could place suspicion on us."
"But Katherine died of natural illness." Anne countered holding her baby close. "Everyone knew that the conditions in the More weren't the best."
"I know that, you know that and the King knows that but some people may think otherwise." Edward explained, "My brother just may have ruined us all."
"Edward it's too soon to say that." Anne tried to reassure her husband, "We've kept our distance from both the Queen and Thomas. We've supported the late Queens' charity projects. We may just be spared from the rumours."
"I pray you're right my love." Edward placed his arm around his wife pulled her and their son close to him. There was a good chance that Anne could be right and they would be spared. They just have to be patient. However whilst Anne and Edward may escape the vicious lies and rumours Queen Jane would not. Now Jane not only faced having to lose the Kings' love but the people's as well. Anne Boleyn had begun to grow in popularity thanks to the various charity projects. King Henry had made no secret of the role Thomas Cromwell played in Anne's downfall. When the people had learned of Anne's efforts to protect the common people from Cromwells' greed they had naturally became furious particularly people in the North who were affected most by Cromwells' fanaticism. Up until now Queen Jane had been unaffected by it because she gave England a son but with this scandal suspicions would be brought against her. Since Edward Seymour cut ties with his sister she had been spending a lot of time with Thomas and it would be so easy for the people to believe that they conspired to be rid of good Queen Anne themselves. Queen Jane would no longer be a popular Queen and Edward doubted that his sister could handle the pressure.
Mary Stafford finally regained consciousness. The Physicians informed King Francis that she would make a full recovery. King Francis sat at Marys' bedside and kissed her on the forehead. "I was so worried my love that you would not make it."
Mary was more concerned for her girls who were somewhere at court. "Are Annie and Elizabeth alright?"
Francis smiled in reassurance, "They're fine. Sir Francis Bryan shall bring them to you shortly."
Mary was glad that they were well but her thoughts turned to a lonely little boy awaiting her return, "I wish to return to Boulogne to see George."
"Whatever you want it's fine with me." King Francis kissed her hand trying to assure himself that Mary was well. "Perhaps when you go to see him you could arrange for him to join us at court."
"I don't know Francis." Mary wasn't sure she liked that idea. She still remembered the look on the Queens' face when she insisted that Mary drink the poison. "Your wife may not like that."
Francis eyes turned dark at the mention of his wife. "You don't have to worry about her anymore. She won't be bothering us again."
Mary wanted to question what Francis had meant by that but was interrupted by her daughter Annie rushing into her mothers' arms. "I was so worried about you, Mama." Annie cried.
Sir Francis Bryan came in with Elizabeth at his side. Elizabeth wanted to rush to aunts' side as her cousin did but Elizabeth regal as ever waited patiently as Annie questioned Mary about her health. King Francis decided to leave Mary to her reunion not before he kissed Mary on the head and turned to Annie. "Try not to wear your mother out too much Annie. Give her some time to recover."
"Yes your majesty." Annie giggled as Marys' arms tightened around her daughter and kissed her forehead glad that she was safe.
Sir Francis Bryan and Elizabeth joined Mary at her bedside. "You gave us quite a scare cousin." Sir Francis squeezed her hand still feeling guilty that he sent Mary on her own to confront the Queen.
"Both Diane De Poitier and Thomas Seymour were sent to the dungeons to await sentence whilst the Queen has been banished." Elizabeth explained carefully.
"Why was the Queen banished?" Mary knew that the Queen was involved in the plot but she had no proof.
Sir Francis Bryan observing Marys' body language stated, "I believe you know why."
"I wanted to believe that was all some awful dream." Still holding Annie close and stroking her hair. "I still can't believe that she would try to kill me."
"Neither can I." Sir Francis voiced his own confusion on the matter, "Whilst I knew that Thomas and Diane were involved in this plot I had no idea that the Queen would take such a risk."
"If you didn't know about the Queens' involvement then how was she found out?" Mary was so confused about the matter she had completely forgotten that Annie and Elizabeth were there.
Elizabeth however had heard much of the incident and explained, "The Kings' sister Margaret of Navarre discovered it. She had found out that the poison used in the attempt to kill you was the same poison used to kill my sisters' fiancé."
"It's truly amazing how quickly she came by this evidence." Sir Francis was still finding out the minor details when Margaret had brought her own evidence to the King. It worked out well for them in some ways as Sir Francis wouldn't be accused of tampering with evidence to hide his family's guilt but something still bothered him.
Mary noticed this and sent the girls away promising to speak to them tomorrow after she was rested. "Something is bothering you about this, isn't there?"
"Aye there is." Sir Francis explained his thoughts, "The speed in which the evidence was gathered about this incident is most suspicious and not only that. Margaret has been using this incident to forward the Protestant agenda which could be dangerous for Elizabeth."
Not only for Elizabeth Mary thought but for her friend Catherine as well. Catherine grew up in the centre of the Catholic Faith. It was the only true faith she had ever known. If Margaret of Navarre could easily bring down the Queen of France who was to say that Catherine would be soon following her. Who was to say that Margaret could bypass Prince Henry and place Prince Charles who was enamoured with a Protestant Princess on the throne after his father? Elizabeth was fond of Catherine and her children. Elizabeth would never try to take their birth right from them willingly. However Margaret could engineer events leaving Elizabeth with little choice but to go along with Margarets' plans. Mary couldn't think of this right now. She needed time away to clear her head and gather her thoughts. Mary knew King Francis wouldn't allow Elizabeth to leave with her as she was a valuable chess piece but Mary was sure some time away will help her figure out what to do next.
King Henry was preparing to leave for France. At first it looked as though things were going to be delayed thanks to the Scottish raids in the North but thanks to Edward Seymour the Scots were pushed back. The King of Scotland died leaving only a baby girl so Henry didn't waste any time having Edward Seymour arrange a marriage alliance for Prince Edward and the Scots Queen. Henry believed that everything was going in his favour and it would be only a matter of time before Elizabeth would be returned home to England.
Lady Mary Tudor arrived at her fathers' instruction. "You wish to see me Father."
"Yes Mary, please sit down." Henry sat across from Mary and began to inform her of his plans for when he left England. "As you know I'm leaving for France to bring back your sister and whilst I'm gone I need you to act as regent."
"Me Father?" Mary was shocked at the amount of trust he was placing on her. "Traditionally it's the Queens' role to act as regent during your absence."
"You've met the Queen." The scandal involving Thomas Seymour in France drove a further wedge between Henry and his wife. Although Henry knew Edward wasn't involved because he knew that Edward had more sense Henry couldn't shake the feeling that Jane was somehow involved as she was the one who convinced Henry to allow Thomas to go. At the time Henry thought it was harmless as Thomas Seymour was a fool and should he try anything to harm Elizabeth Sir Francis Bryan would be there to stop him by any means necessary. Although Elizabeths' reputation wasn't ruined by the scandal it was frighteningly close and Henry couldn't afford to have anymore close calls.
Mary knew of her Fathers' unhappy marriage with Queen Jane. A part of Mary should have felt sorry for her but she made so many foolish choices. The way Queen Jane tried to imitate Marys' mother was sad and made Mary feel uncomfortable. As much as Mary disliked Anne Boleyn at least she was wise enough not to try and copy Katherine of Aragon. Anne knew of the Kings' desire to create a renaissance England and heavily invested in the arts to suit his dreams. However Jane lived in the past Henry was trying to get away from. The old English designs reminded Henry too much of his fathers' reign that he wanted to avoid and in a way Mary understood that. "I understand you're unhappy with the Queen right now Father but aren't you worried that by denying her proper place it could send the wrong message."
"I understand your meaning Mary but under the circumstances I don't believe Jane is equipped to deal with things whilst I'm away." Henry observed his daughter. "I've seen how you behave at court. Your grasp of politics has vastly improved since you were last here in England and you're not easily led by people who would seek to use you for they own gain." Henry remembered Marys' first interaction with Eustace Chapuys when she got back. Whilst Mary acted pleasant enough towards the Spanish Ambassador Henry saw the way Mary was studying Chapuys. Once the conversation was over Mary quickly informed her father of what was said during the encounter. Mary had gotten more information about this Spanish alliance than Henry had gotten from his spies.
"You flatter me Father." Mary blushed at her fathers' compliment.
"It's not flattery my pearl it's the truth." Henry spoke honestly. "I need someone I can trust to watch over England whilst I'm away and you won't be alone. Edward Seymour and Archbishop Cranmer will be here to assist you whilst I'm away."
"Aye Cranmer." Mary muttered dejectedly. Although Mary learned to accept the necessity for her father to have an heir she still struggled with the part Cranmer played in her mothers' downfall.
"I know you're not exactly fond of Cranmer sweetheart but his a good man." Henry reached for Mary hand to try and reassure her. "Try to keep an open mind. You might actually grow to like him once you get to know him."
"I'll try Father," Mary sighed in defeat, "for yours and Englands' sake." It wasn't only for those reasons she would try and get along with Cranmer. Mary had made a promise to her Aunt Juana to form her own opinion on certain things and not follow her mothers'. It won't be easy for Mary but she would do it for her own peace of mind.