King Francis was reading his correspondences. Marie of Guise requested that her daughter the Scots Queen be fostered here in France till she reached an age to rule. Francis couldn't help but be amused by the request as it was the French who took in an unwanted child and transformed her into a beautiful Princess. Judging from the reports he had gotten regarding Elizabeth she was a force to be reckoned with and charmed everyone she met except Spain. When word had reached France of Elizabeths' comments to the Spanish Prince Mary Stafford had been worried about the backlash her niece would face from the Catholic Church but her worries were unfounded as the current Pope remembered the Emperors' actions in sacking Rome. The Pope also didn't like the Emperors' interference concerning the great matter claiming that if it wasn't for the lies Katherine of Aragon told and the Emperors' underhanded tactics concerning Anne Boleyn then England would still be in the Catholic fold.
Whether his Holiness was trying to gain the King of Englands' favour by showing his support for England Francis couldn't say but one thing he did know was that King Henry wasn't going to return to Rome now. Since the break from Rome King Henry had brokered trading deals with the Protestant states. They had pooled their resources to fund their own expeditions into new worlds. Whilst not all of them had been successful others brought them considerable wealth.
Princess Elizabeth was the most prized Princess in Europe with every King and their son wanting to marry her just to form an alliance with England. However no matter what the offer was King Henry refused stating that he wasn't willing to let go of his daughter just yet.
Francis could hardly blame the man after having his own eldest sons' imprisoned and then to have his youngest son captured by a rival monarch was still painful to remember to this day. Francis son Henry was beginning to understand himself after having children of his own and even began to be kind to his half brother George allowing him to be a companion to his eldest son Prince Francis. George and Prince Francis had become fast friends. They were often seen together causing mischief. The court were stunned to see Catherine take an interest in the young boy but it shouldn't have been surprising as she adored Elizabeth and still exchanged letters with the young Princess.
The only one who wasn't happy was the Duke of Orleans Charles. It was noted in court that he had taken many mistresses each having a slight resemblance to the Tudor Princess. Prince Henry didn't like his brothers' obsession with the English Princess as it had reminded him of his own blindness when dealing with Diane. Prince Henry urged his father to find him another match but Francis told him it might not do any good. It took an age for Prince Henry to get Diane De Portiere out of his system even with Catherine De Medici at his side why would a wife make a difference to Charles. Henry hated to admit it but his father was right. Though Henrys' relationship with Catherine improved drastically there was still an element of distrust.
However King Francis had no reason to distrust his son Prince Henry with this important task. Francis watched as Henry approached him with his secret note. "Well did his Holiness grant my request?"
"His Holiness has agreed to annul the marriage with Princess Eleanor based on the grounds that you had been coerced by the Emperor though he doesn't know why you would request it if you wish the annulment to remain a secret." Henry explained handing his father the note uneasily.
"Does he suspect my plans to marry Mary?" Francis had planned to marry his long term love Mary Stafford in secret. The only people there to witness the marriage were Catherine De Medici and Prince Henry.
"Provided the priest performing the ceremony stays quiet." Henry looked to his father in concern. "I don't understand why you need to do this Father. Mary is happy to remain at your side as a mistress. Why risk angering Rome by marrying her now?"
"I'm not marrying her as the King of France; I'm marrying her as Francis Valois." Francis could see his son didn't understand and tried to explain. "Son, I'm not long for this world. I've always done what is best for France but this is something I'm finally doing for myself as a man. To marry the woman I love with God as my witness like an ordinary man."
Prince Henry didn't want to admit that he understood his fathers' reasons. Prince Henry hadn't expected to become the Dauphin of France and when it did it was a tremendous burden to him. Everyone expected so much from him and for awhile Diane eased his worries but in the end she made it worse. His blindness to her ways made the people of court doubt that he would be a worthy ruler. However ever since Diane's death he and Catherine became closer. Together they had managed to mend the damage Diane did to Prince Henrys' reputation and many at court including his father believed Henry to be worthy of succeeding as King. Prince Henry himself didn't feel he was ready to lose his father yet but Francis was willing to accept that the day was coming soon and there was nothing Prince Henry could do about it.
Princess Elizabeth was busy writing letters to her friends in France when she had been interrupted by a visitor. Elizabeth recognised the man as one of the Duke of Suffolks' servants and she eagerly took the note. She hadn't seen Henry Brandon since his father had taken ill. Elizabeth knew how close Hal was with his father so she kept her distance though she did miss his absence.
However it was a great comfort to have his niece Jane Grey in her service. Jane's time away from her mothers' influence allowed her to come into her own and as Prince Edward was growing older the time had come for Jane and her sister Katherine to leave his household in Ludlow to protect her their reputation. It was fortunate they did for young Katherine Grey had already developed a crush the Prince's cousin Ned Seymour and their parents decided that they should separate before a scandal occurred. After hearing stories from Henry Brandon regarding his sister Frances Grey Elizabeth extended an offer for them to work in her household as ladies in waiting. Frances claimed that Katherine was too young but allowed Jane to work in Elizabeths' household. Elizabeth was no fool as she knew that the only reason Frances allowed Jane to work was so she had more opportunities to be close to Elizabeths' brother.
"What does the note say your highness?" Jane asked genuinely concerned for her grandfather despite seeing little of him.
"Your grandfather wishes to see me." Elizabeth found the request odd as she and Charles Brandon were never that close but he always seemed so kind to her on the rare occasions they did speak.
"Would you mind if I accompanied you my lady?" Jane asked quietly. Frances never allowed her daughters to get to know their grandfather and knowing that he may die soon made Jane sad at the missed opportunities.
"He's your family Jane." Elizabeth smiled reassuringly, "You don't need my permission to go and see him." Although Jane was becoming more confident in Elizabeths' service she was still afraid of her mother. Elizabeth herself had every reason to fear her own father but for some reason she was unable to. The relationship between father and daughter had almost mended so it worried Elizabeth about what this visit with Charles Brandon could reveal.
King Francis and Mary Stafford were married in a quiet chapel. Prince Henry and his wife Catherine acted as the only witnesses to the marriage. Not that they had planned on telling anyone and Mary preferred it that way as she had no desire to become Queen.
As they recited their vows before God Mary couldn't help but think of another private wedding between a King and a Boleyn girl. When Anne looked towards her King and said her vows did she feel nervous as Mary did saying hers to Francis? Mary almost shook her head at how silly she was being. Anne had waited years to marry King Henry. No one at the time could have predicted that the bride would be sentenced to death by her husband. Mary looked at Francis and tried to imagine him doing such a thing to her but she couldn't. Francis didn't want any heirs or alliances from her. He had nothing to gain by marrying Mary but he was doing it anyway. That made it all the more easy to go through with this marriage.
Prince Henry watched the ceremony although he knew his fathers' feelings for Mary were genuine he hadn't been certain of Marys' until now. Most women in Marys' position would have demanded that the marriage be made public. Prince Henry knew for a fact his former mistress Diane would have raged at not being declared Queen but Mary wasn't like them. She didn't care for riches or titles but she seemed to glow in his fathers' presence. She wasn't the only one glowing; Catherine was very pleased for her friends' happiness. Prince Henrys' wife was smiling a lot more these days as their marriage was slowly improving and he had his new step mother to thank for that.
The ceremony was finally over and the newlyweds were to retreat to an old hunting lodge belonging to his father. Francis kissed his knew wife's hand, "Are you happy my Queen?"
"Not your Queen my love but your wife." Mary corrected her husband with a smile. "And to answer your question my love, I am the most happy."
King Francis couldn't help but laugh at Marys' use of her sisters' motto remembering the promise he made when he made her a Countess years ago. "As am I my love." Francis was glad he could keep his promise to Mary and he hoped he could continue to do so.
Elizabeth was escorted by Bridgett to Charles Brandons' rooms. She saw no sign of Henry Brandon as he was already taking on some of his fathers' duties. However one person she didn't expect to see was Frances Grey. For a daughter whose father was on his death bed she didn't appear to be grieving. Bridgett informed Elizabeth of how Henry buried himself in his work just to avoid his sister which surprised Elizabeth as she always thought that Henry was the most forgiving out of the siblings.
It was a shock to Elizabeth to see Charles Brandon look so frail. In comparison to her father the King who suffered thanks to his jousting accident Elizabeth always assumed that Charles would outlive her father. Charles noticed a figure with striking Tudor red hair sitting next him, "Mary?"
"It's Elizabeth you grace." The Princess corrected the Duke. "You wished to see me?"
"Apologies your highness." The Duke of Suffolk spoke groggily. "These old eyes don't see so well these days. In this light you looked like the Kings sister."
Elizabeth smiled at the comparison, "It's funny your grace. I was told by many at court that I favour my grandmother Elizabeth of York and yet my father claims that whilst I mostly favour his side of the family he thought I had my mothers' face."
"You definitely have your mothers' eyes." Charles Brandon said sadly. "In fact the reason why I asked you to come was to talk to you about your mother Queen Anne."
"What is it about my mother you wish to discuss?" Elizabeth asked dreading the answer.
"I never knew you mother that well." Charles confessed, "During your fathers' courtship with her I was in exile after I married the Kings' sister Mary. Once I returned everything at court changed including your father and I hated her for it." Elizabeth was stunned at the confession but continued to listen as Charles went on. "I wanted things to go back to those carefree days of court, enjoying sport and women but your father seemed to be no longer interested in those things. He was more interested in the changes he wanted to make for the kingdom."
"A King is supposed to care for his kingdom." It was a surprise to Elizabeth that a grown man could be so childish. From the sound of it her father King Henry chose to grow up and take responsibility for his kingdom whilst Charles Brandon was upset that he lost his playmate.
"You're right Princess though at the time I couldn't see it." Charles explained, "At the time I thought that if Anne was gone things would somehow go back to how they were."
"What are you trying to say?" Though Elizabeth had a feeling she knew what Charles was saying but she didn't think she wanted to know.
"It was me who told your father about the Queen inviting men into her room at night." Charles confessed.
"My father trusted you and you lied to him." Elizabeth suddenly felt violently ill. This man was her fathers' friend and confidant. He lied to her father over something so childish and petty. "You tore my family apart because you weren't happy with the changes that were being made."
"And what about your sisters family." Charles questioned defensively.
"Don't you dare claim you were doing this for her!" Elizabeth raged. "My Aunt told me how you aided my mothers' family to dispose of Wolsey. You didn't even care that my sister and her mother would be hurt in the crossfire."
"You're right I have no excuse." Charles responded. "My reasons were childish and foolish. I wish I could take them back but I can't. All I can say is I'm sorry."
"Well I'm not sure I'm ready to forgive you your grace." Elizabeth spat and quickly left the room not wanting the Duke to see her tears.
On her way out she ran into Henry Brandon. "Elizabeth, are you alright?" Henry noticing her tears tried to wipe them away.
Elizabeth looked up into Henrys' eyes. He was one of the first friends she made in England. He was a person she trusted with some of her private thoughts but who was also related to the man who lied to her father. It was with this horrifying thought in her mind she asked, "Did you know?"
"Know what?" Henry asked in concern.
"Know about the lies your father told about my mother?" Elizabeth asked angrily. Then she noticed Henry turn his eyes away from her at the question. "You did know didn't you and you didn't think to tell me."
"What could I tell you?" Henry looked away in guilt.
"You could have told me the truth." Elizabeth snapped and tried to walk away but Henry stopped her.
"You would ask me to betray my father?" Henry said heatedly. "You know the penalty for treason it would mean sending him to his death."
"So it's fine for my mother to die for crimes she didn't commit but it's not right for your father to face justice for the lies he told." Elizabeth argued. "It wasn't just her who died because of those lies Henry." Elizabeth thought of her uncle George who was one of the men who died unjustly thanks to Charles Brandons' pettiness.
"I know that." Henry had the decency to look ashamed. "But you still have a father and sister who love you. My sister hates me and once my father dies I'll have no one."
"You had me." Elizabeth cried and walked away not wanting to hear anymore of his excuses. Maybe in time she would forgive him but now the pain was too fresh. She trusted him with almost everything but he didn't trust her.
Prince Henry was looking over some paper work when his wife entered the room. It was hard to believe that they had once struggled to produce one child now Catherine was expecting their fourth. Their daughter Elizabeth requested a sister this time as she already had two brothers and Uncle George to play with. Catherine confided in Henry that she wished to have another girl and Henry could hardly refuse her as she had already secured France's future. "How are you my love?" Henry asked placing his hand over his wife's belly feeling the baby kick. "Is the little one giving you trouble?"
"We're both well." Catherine smiled at her husbands' gesture. "I've just come to check on you because you seemed so distracted at dinner."
"There is no need to be concerned." Henry tried to reassure his wife. "It's nothing I can't handle."
"I'm your wife; it's my job to be concerned." Catherine took his hand and led him to a seat nearby. "Tell me my love what's troubling you?"
Catherine had been very good to Henry when he confided in her. She offered good council and comfort when he needed it. Catherine was so good in fact that Henry couldn't believe he wasted most of their marriage avoiding her. At the time Henry had been so in love with Diane but she never offered the peace that Catherine provided. In actual fact all Diane did was make Henrys' life harder. Henry squeezed Catherine's hand in gratitude and began to tell Catherine what was on his mind. "My father is dying Catherine."
"Impossible," Catherine shook her head in denial, "I saw him in the chapel. He was absolutely glowing with joy." Catherine was careful not mention the wedding as she didn't want to risk other people overhearing their conversation.
"He's been ill for some time." Henry confessed sadly.
"Mary never said anything." Catherine was sure Mary would have confided in her if something was wrong as they were close friends. Their boys Francis and George were practically inseparable.
"Mary doesn't know." Henry confided, "My father didn't want to worry her."
"But she has the right to know." Catherine argued, "God forbid if it was you suffering with some illness I would want to know and help you."
Henry couldn't help but smile at his wife declaration. He was glad to know that his wife cared for him as much he did for her but he could also understand his fathers' reasons. "My father wants Marys' love not her sympathy. He wants to live out his final days with her as a man and wife should."
"What about George?" Catherine knew Henry allowed George to be a companion to their son Francis. Would Henrys' attitude to his bastard brother change once his father died?
"I will still care for him and his mother." Henry reassured his wife though he was slightly insulted that she would think he would turn them away. Though Henry had been initially angry with Mary over Diane's death he couldn't deny Marys' assistance to Catherine helped his marriage and he would forever be grateful for that. Also he could only imagine how disappointed his son Francis would be to learn he couldn't see George anymore.
"They're both going to be so upset when he's gone." Catherine cried into her husbands' arms.
"Aren't we all?" Henrys' arms tightened around his wife as tears threatened to escape his eyes. Henrys' relationship with his father had started to go well and to know that he was no longer going to be there anymore hurt. Henry thought he wasn't ready to be King yet. There was so many things he needed to ask his father about the subject but they were running out of time.