Henry Brandon had seen a few pageants but never before would think that he would be participating in one. He wasn't that fond of dancing to begin with but knowing that he had to perform as Elizabeths' partner for the pageant made him more determined not to embarrass the Princess on her debut. He saw Elizabeth stand in the green tower with her beautiful red hair tied up in a bun. A golden crown was placed on her head and she wore a white mask concealing her face. Henry Brandon could almost consider her to be an angel in her flowing white gown. He was ready to race up the tower and rescue her as was scripted in the pageant when a stranger stood by him dressed in the same dark uniform he was wearing. Whilst Henry Brandons' tunic had "Gentleness" written on the sash the man stood next him had the words "Honesty" which caused Henry to worry. Henry had no time to ponder this as it was now his cue to attack the tower.
Elizabeth practical froze when her wrist was grabbed by Lord Honesty for as far as she knew there wasn't supposed to be one. She was completely relieved when Henry Brandon in his Lord Gentleness uniform came to escort her from the tower. "Do you know who that is Hal?"
Hal shook his head and spoke quietly, "Whoever he is I don't think your sister was expecting him either." Henry observed the Duchess of Richmond conferring with one her ladies Katherine Howard. It was clear to Henry when Lord Honestys' face had been revealed that Lady Mary was not pleased with the mans' presence.
Elizabeth peered over Hals' shoulder as they danced and noticed her fathers' expression. Although the King seemed very pleased with Elizabeths' performance his happy expression would change into a scowl when Lord Honesty would cross his line of sight. The time had come for Elizabeth to switch partners and dance with Lord Honesty herself. "Who are you?"
The man spoke with a thick Spanish accent, "Philip your highness."
"The Emperors' son." Elizabeth easily guessed. She knew her father was allied with Spain to aid him in his war with France but she didn't think her father would push for a marriage alliance particularly after what happened to her sister Mary.
"Clever as well as beautiful." Philip complemented but Elizabeth doubted it was sincere. She knew perfectly well what his family thought of her and her mother. "I should learn to watch my step."
"And I'll watch mine your highness." Elizabeth replied glad to return to Henry Brandons' side. Henry gave her a look of concern but Elizabeth smiled at him and said, "I'm fine Hal you don't need to worry."
When the dance had finished her sister Mary approached them at her fathers' instruction as he wasn't sure he could keep his composure in front of his uninvited guest and retreated to his private rooms. "You were wonderful sister." Mary complemented and kissed Elizabeths' cheek. She then turned to Philip. "It's a surprise to see you here cousin. I haven't seen you since your own father had me confined to a convent."
"My father wishes to express his apology my Lady." Philip said in a polite tone. "He was only acting on Gods' will."
Elizabeth scowled at the comment, "It was Gods' will that my sister should be confined to a convent?" Elizabeth had not much love for the Catholic Faith but even she knew it wasn't the Catholic churches will to have Mary locked away.
"Her mother lied to the Catholic Church my lady." Philip explained calmly as if he were speaking to a child. "She made us all believe that her daughter was a true Princess, a title that rightfully belongs to you."
Philip obviously thought his words would appease Elizabeth but she was not and her rage was steadily growing by the minute. "My fathers' marriage to Katherine of Aragon was made in good faith your highness. Both my father and Katherine believed their marriage to be true and lawful when his Holiness gave his blessing. It was not their fault nor was it my sisters' that his Holiness was mistaken."
"You speak heresy madam." Philip growled glaring at Elizabeth.
"So was sacking Rome but that never stopped your father did it." Elizabeth smirked coldly at the Prince. As the Prince stormed away angrily she turned and saw the look of shock on Marys' face. Instantly she felt guilty, "I'm sorry Mary. I was so angry for what his family did to you I just lost control."
Mary surprised Elizabeth by giving her a fierce hug. "You shouldn't be sorry for defending your family sister."
"But what if he reports back to his father about what Elizabeth said?" Hal questioned. It wasn't that he disagreed with Elizabeths' words but she couldn't afford to make any enemies so soon.
"I shouldn't worry Lord Lincoln." Mary reassured, "We have good relations with France and with the Protestant League but all the same I would like you to stay close to Elizabeth during their stay as a precaution."
"Are you sure that is necessary?" It wasn't that Elizabeth didn't like Henry Brandons' company but it was her first time in the English court and she didn't want to make the wrong impression.
"I'm not taking any chances." Mary insisted. "Though after tonight's confrontation I doubt Prince Philip will be staying long." Elizabeth wanted to believe Marys' words were true. So far her debut in the English court was turning into a disaster. Instead of making new friends in court all she did was make new enemies. However Elizabeth wasn't sure if she wanted to make friends with Philip. Whilst Elizabeth could respect his loyalty to his country and religion, Philips' beliefs conflicted with Elizabeths' own so it was clear to her that she could never give Philip the type of alliance he was hoping for. The question was would Spain accept that?
King Henry was not pleased by the surprise arrival of the Spanish. He knew they would expect some sort of reward for their aid in the war against France but Elizabeth was not the price he was willing to pay. Elizabeth had just returned home and Henry was hardly going to sell her off to some foreign Prince. He certainly wasn't going have her married off to Philip of Spain especially after his father the Emperor had used Mary to plot against England.
What worried Henry more was the fact that the Spanish Prince was able to enter the palace undetected. Henry was sure someone must have helped Philip and he wanted to know who. He was certain it wasn't Mary as she had no love for the country save her Aunt Juana of Castille so it had to be someone else.
Mary entered the room and could see her father was upset. She could hardly blame him as she knew her father wanted to earn Elizabeths' trust and introducing her to a potential suitor on the night of her debut at court was hardly helpful. Whilst Mary knew her father would never consider such a match Elizabeth didn't know that and it could cause problems for their reconciliation. "Father the Spanish party will leave by the end of the week." She informed, "During that week Elizabeth will be spending time with Edward at Ludlow. Lord Lincoln will act as protector and escort."
"Do you know who invited the Prince of Spain to tonight's celebrations?" Henry wanted to know so he could wring their neck.
Mary reading her fathers' angry expression hesitated but then revealed, "It was the Queen."
Henry rose from his seat in fury and headed for the door. He spotted Charles Brandon standing outside talking to Bridgett and beckoned him over. Charles seeing the angry expression on the Kings' face immediately came over. "Charles," Henry ordered, "please escort the Queen to my chambers I wish to speak with her immediately."
Charles dashed off in search of the Queen whilst Mary was left alone with a caged lion. Mary tried to reason with her father calmly, "Father it isn't all the Queens' fault, we knew my cousin was going to try something like this."
"The Prince of Spain just walks right into my palace Mary." Henry growled pacing angrily, "No one knew he was here until he was within striking distance of my daughter."
Mary knew there was no point in arguing with him as she knew that he was right. It was the reason why she wanted Henry Brandon to remain close. Whilst Prince Philip may not have wished harm on Elizabeth others might have. Mary wanted answers too and soon she would have her wish as the Queen entered the room.
Any hope Queen Jane had of her husband inviting her to a private rendezvous evaporated when she saw the Lady Mary glaring at her. Although Marys' glare was intimidating it was nothing compared to the Kings' which was murderous. "Care to offer me an explanation Madam?"
Charles Brandon wished to leave but Lady Mary with a glance urged him to stay to act as a witness. Queen Jane swallowed her fear and spoke meekly, "I know not what you mean your majesty."
Henry had enough her meek and gentle act. "Don't lie to me Jane! You invited Philip of Spain to attend to my daughter the Princess Elizabeths' debut."
"You majesty I fail to see the problem." Jane defended, "The Spanish are our allies after all."
Mary seriously couldn't believe anyone could be that stupid. No foreign alliance was permanent even through marriage. She only had to look at her Aunt Margaret for that. Margaret was Queen of Scotland for a time and that didn't stop her husband invading England even when she was Queen. Though many had high hopes for the marriage between Prince Edward and the current Scots Queen Mary they still had to wait for the young royals to reach maturity and a lot could happen till then. Lady Mary herself had several betrothals to several different Princes before she reached maturity and by the time she did reach maturity she was declared a bastard.
The King obviously didn't like Jane's answer either, "Those men would overthrow our son and place a Catholic puppet on the throne and you would help them."
"Those men won't even consider overthrowing our son if you would just embrace the true faith." Jane argued shocking all who were present.
"Embrace the faith that conspired to murder my wife? Be a slave to Rome?" Henry seethed in anger at Jane, "Never!"
"Plus your argument is flawed." Mary reasoned, "Both France and Spain have been Catholic countries for years, yet they still fight in their wars to gain the upper hand. Even if England became a Catholic country Spain would still seek to conquer us."
"You don't mean that." Jane was shocked at Marys' words, "Your mother…"
"Don't speak to me of my mother!" Mary raged, "You don't know her nor do you know of the circumstances that led to the break from Rome. My father was willing to accept the Pope's decision until my cousin sacked Rome. After that Father could no longer be sure if the Pope's decision was Gods' will or the will of the Emperor."
Both Henry and Charles were shocked at Marys' words. They couldn't have known that Mary had a lengthy discussion with Archbishop Cranmer about the Great Matter. Though Mary was still certain her mother did not lie about the legitimacy of her marriage she did understand that the sack of Rome changed things. Mary saw the beauty of Hampton Court Palace and the English money spent by Cardinal Wolsey to impress Papal officials. It was easy to see why those like Anne Boleyn would turn to the Protestant faith with Cardinal Wolsey acting as a representative for the Catholic Church. Even Marys' mother a true Catholic couldn't stand the man. Mary would never forget when she was told that mother had once said during the Great Matter that even if she was unsuccessful in saving her marriage it would be worth resisting the annulment if it would lead to having Wolsey removed from power.
Henry got over his initial shock and turned to his wife. "Mary is correct. You know nothing of my marriages to Anne or to Katherine and you know nothing of me. You're not even fit to take their place as Queen."
"I gave you a son!" Jane cried. Both Charles and Mary could almost feel pity for the woman as they knew Henry could be cruel.
It seemed Henry would show his wife how cruel he could be. "A son that I will no longer allow you to see. I will not have you tear down my legacy through him. Your brother Edward will take sole responsibility for my sons' care from now on and should I die before Prince Edward reaches maturity my daughter Mary the Duchess of Richmond will act as regent. You will play no part in Englands' future." Henry then left the room leaving a shocked Charles, a surprised Mary and a devastated Queen Jane who was now Queen only in name.
Henry Brandon watched as Elizabeth bonded with her brother Edward. The young Prince was so excited at the prospect of having a new sister that he wished to share with her everything that was happening with him. Princess Elizabeth listened patiently and shared her own stories of France. Henry was glad that despite the history involving Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour the royal siblings seemed to be getting along well.
As he watched the scene he was approached by someone familiar. "So this is the Kings' daughter I've heard so much about."
"What are you doing here Frances?" Henry Brandon was genuinely surprised to see his sister here at Ludlow. They had barely spoken to each other for years and he hadn't the chance to get to know his nieces very well.
"Is that anyway to speak to your sister?" Frances smirked at her younger brother. When she looked at her brother she saw nothing of the royal Tudor blood in him like she saw in herself. It was clear to Frances that Henry was truly his fathers' son.
"You must forgive me sister. I seem to be out of practice." Henry looked coldly at his sister. "After all the last time we saw each other was many years ago."
"After Father married that harlot." Frances still hadn't forgiven her father for marrying Catherine Willoughby. Frances mother invited the girl into their home to be a companion to her daughter not to marry her husband not long after she died. Catherine tried to pass herself off as a good Catholic girl but Frances knew better. Catherine Brandon was nothing more than an ambitious harlot in Frances eyes. Lady Grey couldn't help but rejoice when she learned of her Fathers' separation from the woman and she was even more pleased by recent news. "I hear Father has a new woman to entertain him now. So much for him being a better husband and father."
This made Henry furious, "What would you know about it Frances? You were never there, certainly not when Edward died. You've never visited, not once and we all needed you."
"I have my own family to consider now." Frances snapped, "My daughters' Jane and Katherine will be educated alongside the young Prince. They will show that Scots Queen what a true Tudor rose really is."
"You're deluded." Henry argued, "This match will unite this island and you intend to stop it by forcing one of your daughters' on the boy."
"It's better than your plan." Frances sneered, "Just because Father got away with seducing the Kings' sister doesn't mean that the King will allow you to seduce his youngest daughter."
"You don't know what you're talking about." Henry defended, "I was ordered to guard the Princess and that's what I will do."
"I'm sure that's what Father said when he set off for France." Frances smirked at her brother, "Farewell sweet brother. I'm sure we'll meet again." As Frances walked away Henry glanced at Elizabeth. Although she couldn't hear the confrontation between brother and sister she was concerned. She had never seen Hal in such distress before. Henry tried to give her a nod reassuring Elizabeth that he was indeed fine and there was no need to be concerned. However Elizabeth didn't believe him and wanted to help him in the same way he helped her when he listened to her problems. Elizabeth trusted him and she wanted Hal to trust her though she couldn't figure out why.
The Spanish party left without further incident. When Henry heard of Elizabeths' words to the Spanish Prince he couldn't help but admire her courage but he was also concerned. Anne had once said before the whole court that she wished all Spaniards were at the bottom of the sea. Looking back maybe Henry should have warned her against making an enemy of Spain but at the time they had both felt indestructible that their love could conquer anything. How wrong they were, they should have foreseen that by making so many enemies it would cause problems for their future. Perhaps if they both proceeded with more caution Anne would still be alive and Elizabeth would still have her mother.
He could no longer think of such thoughts as his youngest daughter approached him. He kissed her cheek in greeting, "My precious jewel. Did you enjoy visiting your brother?"
"Yes Papa." Elizabeth smiled happily thinking of her younger brother. "He's certainly energetic. I could see him become great athlete one day like his father."
"I haven't done much sport recently thanks to this old injury." Henry grumbled thinking back to the time when he first received the injury. Before that injury things seemed to be going well for him. Katherine had died so no one could dispute Anne's place as Queen whilst Anne herself had been pregnant with their son. Everything would have went perfectly if he hadn't accepted Jane's favour during the joust. He should have known then when he had his accident that God was punishing him for turning away from his true Queen but he was so certain that Jane's favour had saved him that he invited Jane to sit on his lap and kissed her. That kiss had cost him a son, Anne had told him that but he refused to listen. Now the injury served as a haunting reminder for not heeding Gods' warning.
Elizabeth saw the haunted look in her fathers' eyes and wondered whether now was the right time to present him with her gift. "I have a gift for you." She handed over a book with the letters H and A embroidered on the cover. "I made the cover myself though sewing isn't my strong suit."
This caused Henry to smile as he knew it wasn't Anne's either but the fact Elizabeth was willing to do this for him spoke volumes. When he looked inside the book he read some familiar words which surprised him, "Are these…?"
"Your letters to Mama." Elizabeth explained, "Mama had hidden them in Hever so Grandfather couldn't read them. I've also added the letters you sent to me during my stay France."
"You kept them?" Henry breathed with tears in his eyes. "She kept them."
"She loved you Papa as do I." Elizabeth meant it even though she didn't like him at times she still loved him. "You once told me that there were some people at court who believed my mothers' love for you to be just an act. The fact that these letters weren't destroyed but instead safely hidden away are all the proof you need."
"I don't need proof Elizabeth." Henry took his daughter into his arms and kissed her forehead. "I have you and I also have the letters your mother sent to me."
"You do?" Elizabeth was surprised as she was certain her father had destroyed everything when he believed her mother to be guilty.
"Even when I believed Anne was guilty I kept those letters." Henry spoke with sadness. "I used to read them over and over trying to convince myself that her words were lies and that she had never loved me. Now I know that her words were indeed true I read them to think of those happier days. When politics didn't play a part and we were just two fools in love."
"May I see them?" Although she had read the letters from her father a few times Elizabeth was eager learn of her mothers' response.
"You may." Henry smiled glad that he could share this with her. "In fact I think it would be a good idea to add you mothers' letters to this book you've given to me."
Elizabeth nodded in agreement. "It certainly would complete the book Papa. However I'm not sure if they'll be enough space."
"We'll alter it." Henry looked through the pages. This was important to him as so many others made assumptions about him and Anne. None of them knew the passion they had felt for one another though he had no intention of sharing this book with other people. However Henry would share this with Elizabeth as she was the product of their great love something he would never take for granted ever again.
Later in the even Elizabeth and Henry Brandon were playing cards. Both were hardly paying attention to the game as they were both distracted. Henry couldn't stop thinking about how bitter his sister had become whilst Elizabeth didn't know what to feel in regards to her father. Hal wanted to take his mind off his encounter with Frances so he asked, "Did his majesty like his gift?"
"He loved it." Elizabeth sighed, thinking about her mothers' letters. Her mind was going round in circles trying to find reasons to hate her father but Elizabeth couldn't help loving him at the same time.
"You're still uncertain?" Henry observed noticing Elizabeths' confusion.
"I know he loves me and my mother." Elizabeth confessed, "What I find hard to understand is why he killed my mother and left me with nothing if he loved us so? Why did he listen to Cromwell? Why did he pursue Jane Seymour?"
"What makes you think he knows?" Henry carefully shuffled the deck of cards. "I'm sure it had all made perfect sense at the time but now it seems all so foolish to him that even he can't make sense out of why it happened."
She couldn't deny there was some wisdom to his words. Since she arrived back in England no one was the same as they once were. Mary was more confident with a mind and will of her own, not exactly the person Katherine of Aragon wanted her daughter to be. Cranmer was the same kind man she always remembered but at times he seemed jaded and weary of court intrigues. Elizabeth had very few memories of her father before she left England but she did remember his confidence. Although he did seem as confident as a King should be Elizabeth couldn't help but notice how uncertain he was during their conversions like he was worried about offending her.
Elizabeth observed closely as Henry dealt out the cards. "You see quite a lot to know these things."
"I've learned to." Henry glanced at his own cards, "You're not the only one with a complicated family history. Though my father didn't play a part in my mothers' death in my sister Frances eyes he might as well have."
"Why would she think that?" Elizabeth enquired wanting to know more.
"When my mother was dying my father was away at court with his mistress." Henry explained, "And not long after he married his ward who was close in age to Frances."
"I can see why she would be upset." She knew her Uncle Charles had a reputation but she never expected this. "Yet why are you so close to him after all that he's done?"
"Because I've seen what that kind of resentment does to a person." Henry spoke sadly, "My sister wasn't always this cold or cruel but holding onto her bitterness has made her so. She doesn't even allow my father to see his grandchildren and judging from the very few moments that I have seen Katherine and Jane they're certainly not happy children growing up in their mothers' care."
"Perhaps they'll be more happier in my brothers' household." Elizabeth reached over and squeezed Henrys' hand in reassurance. Henry accepted the gesture with a smile though he couldn't get Frances words out of his mind. Was he getting too close to the Princess? He knew she was fond of him and he of her but was it enough to take a huge risk as his parents' had done. It wasn't just Henrys' parents who took a huge risk, Elizabeths' parents gambled too and they lost. Henry Brandon decided to himself that it was probably for the best that they remain as friends and nothing more. Besides it wasn't like the King of England would approve of the match anyway.