Mary Stafford paced her rooms thinking about the siege going on outside. She wondered why she hadn't heard anything from Francis. If he had received her message about the English invading then surely they should have sent reinforcements by now. Brigitte came in and saw how restless her mistress was, "Madam you need rest. The people of Boulogne are counting on you to lead them."
"There's not much I can do for them without reinforcements from the capital." Mary slumped into her chair. "They should have been here by now."
"Do you think your message could have been intercepted?" Brigitte inquired.
"It's possible." Mary reasoned that could only have been the case as she knew that Francis would not abandon her like this. She couldn't think of this now and turned to Brigitte. "How long do you think we can last with the supplies we have?"
"Difficult to say madam." Brigitte answered, "We have been using secret tunnels to smuggle food in but our scouts report that the English have yet to make a move on the city. Either they are trying to starve us out or they are planning some other way to enter the city."
"Then we don't have much time left." Mary had to try and get a message to Francis and fast. "Brigitte, I need you and your father to sneak out of the city and deliver a message to King Francis."
"Me madam?" Brigitte was surprised at the suggestion. "With the English army out there it could be dangerous especially for a woman."
"Don't think I haven't noticed you practicing with a sword outside Brigitte." Mary smiled slyly at Brigitte. Mary knew that Brigitte was an only child and that her father had taught his daughter how to defend herself. Mary saw Elizabeth and Annie practically beg Brigitte to teach them sword skills too. Mary opposed the idea initially but when Elizabeths' safety became less certain she even allowed Francis Bryan to teach Elizabeth how to defend herself from would be assassins. "I know I'm asking you a lot Brigitte but you're the only person I can trust to deliver the message."
"I will do as you ask my lady." Brigitte went off to find her father. She knew he wouldn't be pleased with this new development but they had little option. Brigitte would disguise herself as a soldier so not to draw too much attention if they ran into trouble. Brigitte just hoped that King Francis had already received the message and was already sending troops but Brigitte wasn't so certain that was the case. It was up to her now and she couldn't fail her mistress.
Elizabeth was getting sick of waiting in her rooms. Although she could understand King Francis worry for her she did hate being coddled. Prince Charles was the worst claiming that he was going to take up arms and fight till his dying breath to defend her. Annie thought it was sweet that he was so dedicated but Elizabeth wasn't so amused. These men were her own people; regardless of how long she had stayed in France Elizabeth was a Princess of England. She didn't like the idea of people dying for her sake. Catherine De Medici her confident understood her conflict, "As Princess you must get used to the fact that men will fight for you."
"Even if it's so pointless?" Elizabeth replied, "My Father wants me home and if me following his wishes means saving both French and English lives I'll be happy to do so."
"It's more than that Elizabeth," Catherine explained, "There is French pride at stake. If France just willingly hands you over to your father the country will be seen to be weak in the eyes of Europe."
"There must be something that appeals to both sides without making either country appear weak." Elizabeth paced trying to think of a way to help.
"You're already thinking like a Queen." Catherine impressed by her protégé's thought process. "However a treaty can't be made until the battle is won. Demands can't be made until one side is victorious."
Elizabeth knew Catherine was right but the problem for Elizabeth was that she didn't know which side she wanted to win. Whilst Elizabeth yearned to be back in England she didn't want her friends in France to suffer and what about her Aunt Mary. Would Elizabeths' father punish Mary for taking Elizabeth to France in the first place? In her fathers' letters King Henry was nothing but kind to his daughter and constantly expressed his wish to see Elizabeth again. Maybe a word from Elizabeth could spare her aunt from a traitors' death.
Brigitte had failed in her mission. No sooner had they made it to the forest they were ambushed by English troops led by the Duke of Suffolk. Brigitte should have listened to her father when he told her to escape while she still could but as soon as she saw her father stabbed by the Duke of Suffolk she immediately rushed to her fathers' aid. It was one thing to practice swordplay it was something else to witness a loved one get hurt in battle. When the Duke had realised Brigittes' true gender he immediately took her as his prisoner. She was surprised when he sent for a physician to tend to her fathers' injuries but she wondered how long this kindness was going to last once he searched through her things.
Charles Brandon was intrigued by this woman. Not only had she shown courage on the battlefield but she also had a lot of trust if the papers on her person were anything to go by. "So you're Mary Staffords' closest servant are you not?" Brigitte turned away and did not answer. "I also take it from these messages that she is in the Castle awaiting reinforcements." Brigitte still remained silent at Charles words. "Mademoiselle if I wanted to harm you I would have done so already. All I want is some answers from you."
"You already know everything your grace." Brigitte spoke defiantly, "What more could you possibly want from me?"
Charles was impressed by the womans' fire but continued his interrogation, "For one thing I would like to know how you managed to sneak out from the castle walls. Is there some sort of secret entrance?"
"I will not betray my mistress." Mary Stafford didn't hand over Boulogne when English soldiers arrived so there was no way Brigitte was going to betray her mistress.
Charles Brandon admired Brigittes' loyalty to Mary Stafford but there was one thing remained, "Mary Stafford is a traitor to England when she stole the Princess of England away from her father."
Brigitte snorted at that, "Elizabeth wasn't a Princess when she came to France and she wasn't stolen either. The King of England threw the child away over some filthy lies spread at court about her mother."
Charles Brandon was surprised on how bold Brigitte was. It was only fortunate King Henry wasn't around when Brigitte spoke those words for Charles was certain Henry would have killed her. "I'm surprised you would defend the late Queen Anne in such a way. I was under the impression Catholic Europe didn't think fondly of her despite the Pope declaring Elizabeth to be legitimate."
"I don't pretend to know Anne Boleyn but I know Elizabeth and Mary." Brigitte stated firmly, "They are good strong intelligent people. If Mary Stafford believes her sister to be innocent then I believe her and that's all there is to it. What surprises me your grace is how a man could behead a woman he claimed to love so much."
"It's not for you to say Mademoiselle." Charles Brandon countered, "You don't know my King anymore than I know your mistress. All you need to know is that he will tear down every city in France to get his daughter back just as your own father was willing to tear down every English soldier to protect you." Charles Brandon left Brigitte to her thoughts. Brigitte wondered how fair it was to keep Elizabeth from her father. Brigitte could understand why Mary was so hesitant to reunite them but if the reports in England were anything to go by King Henry was doing everything in his power to make up for the past. Opening countless charity projects in Queen Anne's name, raising courtiers up based on their talents rather than based on their daughters' good looks and now he was raising an army to bring Elizabeth back to him. Brigitte wasn't sure how worthy King Henry was to have a daughter like Elizabeth but it really wasn't her decision to make nor was it King Francis. The decision for Elizabeth to return England should have always belonged to Elizabeth.
Catherine had become tired of her husbands' suspicious behaviour. Although Prince Henry had become more attentive in their relationship Catherine saw right through his act. She knew he was hiding something and she wanted to know what. "Curious husband, you have not spoken of Diane since her execution."
"What is there to say my love?" Henry said through gritted teeth trying to not let Catherine get under his skin. "She was a traitor and deserved to die accordingly."
"That's very mature of you, husband." Catherine observed her husbands' body language as he spoke. "I've been very impressed with the way you have been behaving lately with you assisting your father during this war."
Prince Henry didn't like the way his wife was looking at him. Henry knew his wife was a shrewd woman and didn't like the possibility that she could have figured out his betrayal. "I'm merely fulfilling my duties as the Dauphin of France."
"You may have your father and the rest of the courtiers fooled but don't think for one second that you could ever fool me Henry Valois." Catherine had enough of this game and she wanted answers. "You're only doing this because you're hiding something now what is it?"
"I don't have to tell you anything." Henry walked away from his wife and into his rooms. "It doesn't concern you anyway."
"You see Henry it does." Catherine followed her husband and forced him to sit on the bed. "Your dear Aunt Margaret would love nothing more than to have the crown pass over us and placed onto a Protestant puppet."
Henry knew who his Aunt had her eye on to replace him. He was well aware of his brothers' infatuation with Elizabeth but he didn't think his wife would turn against Elizabeth so easily. "I don't understand, I thought you liked Elizabeth."
"I love Elizabeth but I don't like seeing her used as pawn in some other womans' game." Catherine stated standing over her husband, "I know Elizabeth wouldn't intentionally try to usurp our position but she may not have a choice if you have done something to ruin us."
"It was a mistake." Henry groaned placing his head in his hands. "I didn't know the letter I threw away was anything to do with an invasion. I thought it was just a meaningless love letter sent from Mary."
"Oh Henry." Catherine groaned at her husbands' stupidly. "The next time you get it into your head to destroy a letter read it first."
"I know that now Catherine." Henry didn't know what to make of Catherine's reaction. If anything he thought she would be more upset. "You're not going to tell my father are you?"
"Why would I?" Catherine knew if this came out not only would they lose the trust of the King but the French nobles as well. "If you go down our children will go down with you and I can't allow that."
"I hadn't thought of that." Henry looked down at his hands. It never occurred to him that his actions could hurt his children as well.
"Well you need to start." Catherine cupped his cheek forcing Henry to look at her. "You're the future King. You have to start putting other people's needs before your own."
"I understand my Princess." Henry leaned up and kissed his wife pulling her onto the bed with him.
"Henry, don't think you can distract me." Henry continued to kiss her whilst his hands seemed to be everywhere. "There is still this mess we have to clean up."
"We will my love, together." Henry looked directly into her eyes. He knew he could trust this woman to protect them from any threats to his family. She was a Medici after all, it was ingrained in her to look after their own. He never knew he would be included in the select few that she was protective over but now he saw that she would do anything to protect this secret for him. Henry also knew it was better to have this formidable woman to work with him then against him and that meant making his dear wife happy. Judging by the way Catherine was responding to his attentions it wouldn't be a chore for him. Unlike any other woman who practically fell at his feet he enjoyed his wife's feistiness. It made the moments when Catherine succumbed to his charms all the more sweeter.
Mary Stafford had just finished speaking with some of the men when the whole Castle shook from an explosion that came from outside. Mary rushed to the window to look outside when she saw the wall come down. English troops came flooding into the city.
One of the men she was talking to suggested that she barricaded herself in the nursery with her son whilst they fought the English. Mary had no choice but to agree with him. Mary just sat in the nursery kissing her sons' dark hair. He looked so much like Francis it hurt as she really wished he was with her right now.
As she held her son close she had to wonder where the reinforcements had been but she knew that such thoughts were too late. She knew England had caught them unawares and it was only a matter of time before the English would overrun the city.
Mary was immediately brought out of her thoughts when she heard someone banging on the doors. "Open up in the name of King Henry VIII."
Mary knew she had no choice but to let them in but not before she tried to sooth her son. "George, I want you to be a brave boy for your Mama. Can you do that?"
George nodded doing his best to act brave. Mary was very proud of him even if he was a bastard he was still her little Prince. Mary kissed his cheek and proceeded to open the door where her cousin Lord Surrey was waiting for her. "Nice to see you again cousin."
Mary couldn't believe the nerve of this man. She hadn't heard from the Howard family in years and now Lord Surrey was acknowledging her as his cousin. "The only cousin I have my lord is Sir Francis Bryan." She growled, "He and his lady mother are my family. The rest of the Howard clan can rot for all I care."
Henry Howard looked as though he was going to have a few choice words for his cousin but the Duke of Suffolk stepped in between them. "The King of England wishes to meet with you and your son to discuss terms of surrender."
"What does he want with my son?" Mary knew George was too young to be involved in such things.
"You're in no position to question the will of the King." Lord Surrey said rudely.
Charles Brandon didn't like Lord Surreys' attitude towards Mary. "You do not speak for the King Lord Surrey. Go and see to your men. I'll escort the Countess and her son to meet with the King." As Lord Surrey walked away Charles Brandon turned to look at George whilst trying to seem none threatening. "He certainly does look a lot like King Francis."
"You didn't answer my question your grace." Although Mary was grateful that Charles dismissed Lord Surrey she still wanted to know what was in store for her son.
"Whilst I cannot tell you the particulars my lady, I can tell you that no harm will come to you or your son." Charles promised. Funnily enough Mary believed him. Although Charles Brandon was a great enemy of the Boleyn family Mary knew he was a man who usually kept his word. However just because Mary was certain that the Duke of Suffolk would not harm them she wasn't that certain of the King of England.