Mary Stafford was in the process of packing her things and leaving the palace for good. Since her husband died she had no intention in staying in a place where everything reminded her of him. A part of her wanted to be furious with Francis for not telling her of the state of his health but another part her understood why he would keep it to himself. For the short time they were married they were young and carefree again with no worries for politics or her sisters' marriage casting a shadow over their happiness. For so long Mary and Francis had been cautious allowing their fear of repeating Anne and Henry's mistakes. Now Mary had to wonder whether their cautious approach was a good idea after all.
Although Mary enjoyed the time she had spent with Francis it was her son who really suffered. George was only just beginning to know his father before Francis had died. Whilst Francis had been alive no one would dare sneer at George's bastard status but already there were some who now treated him differently. Fortunately the Valois family closed ranks to protect the young boy. The new King Henry II of France promised that his younger brother would remain as a companion to his son Prince Francis. Prince Francis and Princess Elizabeth Valois were rarely seen away from their young uncle.
Prince Charles acted as a protector towards Annie Stafford though Marys' cousin Francis Bryan remained sceptical. Sir Francis believed that Charles was merely using Annie as another replacement for her cousin Princess Elizabeth of England. It was another reason why Mary decided to leave the palace with her family she would not see her daughter be used by the Duke of Olean. Maybe that made Mary a hypocrite as she was once a mistress to two Kings' but she did not want her daughter to suffer as she had, especially if the man in question did not love Annie.
The new King wished to speak to Mary before she left. "Are you sure there is no way I could convince you to stay?" Henry asked.
Mary laughed quietly to herself, "There was once a time your majesty when you would have loved to see me go. What changed?"
"You helped my family. Before you my father distrusted me, my marriage was on the verge of collapse." Henry stated honestly. "You saved us and my family owes you a debt."
"You owe me nothing your majesty." Mary said modestly, "You had the power all along to change those things. You just didn't realise you had it in you to do so."
"I probably would have realised it sooner if had not been for Diane." Henry looked away in guilt thinking of the woman that was partly responsible for Marys' poisoning. "You tried to ease my fathers' burdens whilst Diane only made my life harder."
"Your father despite having many mistresses in the past always respected your mother." Mary remembered how kind Claude was and how much Francis was fond of her. "When she died Francis had no desire to marry again but sadly the Emperor forced his hand. Unfortunately for Eleanor she always served as a reminder of how he was forced to send you away to secure his freedom."
"You would pity the woman who wanted you dead?" Henry was surprised at Marys' compassion towards her former rival. No one would have expected it with the Boleyn reputation.
"Women are rarely allowed to choose who they marry." Mary explained, "My first marriage was to salvage what little reputation I had thanks to my fathers' schemes. Henry Carey wasn't horrible to me directly but he wanted compensation for taking a damaged woman. William my second husband wasn't like that." Mary smiled fondly at the thought of her second husband whose last name she had given to her children proudly. "William never held my past against me. He never saw me as a damaged woman but as something that was priceless. That's way I did not hesitate to marry him against my familys' wishes."
"And my father?" Henry knew how genuine his fathers' feelings towards Mary were but Mary herself had always been a mystery to him.
"Your father was my everything." Mary smiled sadly. "No matter how many years went by he could still make me feel like a teenager again. Although it didn't mean our love was without troubles. You have no idea how hurt and angry I was when he bragged to his court about bedding the 'English Mare'. Your father certainly wasn't happy with me when my own father placed me in the English Kings' way but somehow against all the odds we found each other again. Whilst I certainly didn't relish the idea of becoming a mistress again it was worth it to be by his side in some shape or form."
"I told my father there was no need to marry you as you were content to be his mistress." Henry confessed sadly thinking of his final conversations with his father.
"You're right I was but I don't think the marriage was for me it was more for him." Mary thought back to her final days with Francis. "I think in some way he feared I would leave him again. Although it was not my wish to leave him the first time as circumstances forced us apart. However short our marriage might have been I was his alone and he was mine."
Henry thought about his own marriage to Catherine. As it was an arranged marriage it didn't resemble what Mary and his father had. Whilst Catherine certainly belonged to him Henry couldn't honestly say he belonged to Catherine in the beginning. However somewhere along the way it began to change. As King he could certainly have as many mistresses as he wished but it was Catherine who truly understood him and would protect him from his enemies. To this day Catherine still hadn't revealed to anyone of the note Henry destroyed regarding the English attack of Boulogne and she never would.
When Elizabeth Tudor heard the news of King Francis death she felt numb. King Francis had known her for most of her life many in the French court saw him as a second father to the abandoned princess and in some way he was. However she couldn't help but believe that sometimes he saw her as a political pawn than a daughter though it was obvious to Elizabeth that most fathers at court saw their daughters as just that, a means to an end.
King Henry on the other hand had been different. Many offers came for Elizabeths' hand and her father refused them all. Some at court assumed it was to ensure that Elizabeth wouldn't be used as a figurehead to overthrow her father and brother though Elizabeth didn't believe that to be true. Elizabeth had seen it in the way her father spoke to her that he was making up for time lost and their time together was growing shorter. Despite having his own personal rivalry with King Francis the news of his death hit King Henry harder than it did Elizabeth and with Charles Brandon being unlikely to recover from his illness King Henry felt the world he once knew was slowly disappearing.
Elizabeth couldn't bring herself to tell her father of Charles Brandons' confession as it served no purpose. Charles Brandon was already dying and despite his son Henry Brandon lying to her she didn't feel it was right for him to pay for his fathers' mistakes. She went through most of her life having people judge her for her mothers' actions and Elizabeth believed it would be hypocritical of her to do the same to Hal.
She was debating with herself whether she to go and see him but then her father entered the room. His old jousting injury was affecting him badly so Elizabeth immediately went to assist him. "Bless you child." King Henry patted his daughters' hand in gratitude, "I wanted to see how you were fairing since learning of King Francis death."
"I'm well Papa." Elizabeth smiled reassuringly.
"You don't have to lie for my benefit my jewel." Henry squeezed her hand to offer some comfort. "I know he acted more of a father to you than I did." Henry didn't like to admit it but he couldn't change the fact that Francis was there when he wasn't no matter how much he wanted to.
"You never sent for Cardinals to question me on my opinion on matters regarding religion." It was that moment that had completely changed her view of King Francis. Mary Stafford would have preferred to live quietly in Boulogne but Francis saw an opportunity to make Elizabeth a princess and he took it at great risk to Elizabeths' safety.
"When was this?" It was the first Henry heard of this and he didn't like it. These were the very same men who decided to send Jesuits to murder his wife. One of them succeeded and was honoured in Rome as a Catholic martyr. Obviously Elizabeth somehow managed to convince Rome that she was no threat or they wouldn't have declared her a princess in the eyes of Europe. However Francis took a huge risk with his daughters' safety and that bothered him.
"Almost a year after I arrived in France I think." At least Elizabeth though it was that long ago. "I'm not exactly sure as it was so long ago that I don't remember."
"You were just a child." He doubted Elizabeth was even aware of the differences between Catholics and Protestants back then. "Francis shouldn't have allowed them to question you at all."
"The Pope gave him little choice." Elizabeth said quietly. "Not all Kings are willing to take a stand like you and that's why I'll always be proud to be your daughter."
Henry was surprised at Elizabeths' conviction in her words. Even people who believed in the reformation didn't have the conviction his daughter did. Being raised as Catholic himself he wasn't allows certain in the direction England was going in terms of religion but Elizabeth had that same steely resolve he saw in Anne. Both of them believed he was leading England in the right direction.
He wanted to speak further on this but they were interrupted as his eldest daughter the Lady Mary entered the room. "Some terrible news has arrived from Suffolk Papa." Mary announced sadly, "Charles Brandon has died."
Elizabeth froze at the news. It wasn't that long ago she had spoken to Charles and her parting words weren't the best. It was obvious he wanted forgiveness from her before he died but Elizabeth was unwilling to give him that peace. She still wasn't sure she could forgive him now that he was gone but she could forgive his son Henry Brandon the new Duke of Suffolk.
She looked to her father who still appeared to be in shock. "Papa with your permission I would like to journey to Suffolk and pay my respects."
Mary was surprised at her sisters' request. "It's highly unorthodox Elizabeth. As princess you would normally send someone else on your behalf. Perhaps Lady Jane Grey could go in your stead as Charles Brandon was her grandfather."
"My friend Brigitte came from Boulogne to be the late Duke's mistress." Elizabeth explained, "I don't know what will happen to her now that his grace has passed. Also his son Henry Brandon was the first friend I made in England. I would like to offer my condolence personally."
Mary wasn't sure if she believed her sisters' excuses. There was something in the way Elizabeth spoke of Henry Brandon that Mary couldn't quite put her finger on. However their father didn't notice still lost in his own grief he granted Elizabeths' request. Whatever was going on between Henry Brandon and Elizabeth, Mary was going to keep her eye on them and she would start by joining Elizabeth on her journey to Suffolk.
Catherine had just seen her friend leave the palace for what could be the last time. Mary had told Catherine that she had no wish to be surrounded by memories and people who doubted her sincerity in her feelings for Francis. She would live out the rest of her days at Boulogne where she could mourn privately though she did promise her children would visit.
Annie loved court but was easily flattered which was a concern for Mary. Before Mary didn't have to worry too much because Elizabeth kept Annie grounded but with Elizabeth away in England Annie started to gain attention of her own. Catherine tried to assure Mary that she would keep a watchful eye over Annie but Mary didn't want to burden her friend as the new Queen had her own duties to take care of. It was better for Annie to take some time away from court to allow her to mature. Mary wanted to prepare Annie to inherit Boulogne just as her son George was learning how to be a Duke and look after Calais.
George may have been young but he took Elizabeths' words to heart when she wanted him to look after Calais. He took all of his lessons seriously and despite his bastard status he knew how to charm people. Catherine could see him become a formidable political player and was eager to bring him under her wing as she had his cousin Elizabeth. George was already Francis right hand, ensuring the young prince took his studies seriously and was his close confidant. Other Queens would have been worried about how close uncle and nephew were but Catherine wasn't. George was loyal to his nephew and a true friend to Francis which was very rare for a prince.
Catherine found her husband sitting by the fire staring at a document looking very unsure of himself. Catherine came behind him placing her hands on his shoulders and kissed the top of his head. "Is there something wrong my love?"
Henry relaxed under his wife's touch and showed her the letter he had been reading. "It's from Marie of Guise, she wants us take her daughter the Scots Queen as a ward. She claims that Scotland is no longer safe for the child Queen."
"It's strange that Marie doesn't go the English King as it his son is the girl is betrothed to." Catherine eyed the document in suspicion wondering what the Dowager Queen was up to.
"This could undermine the alliance my father tried to build with England." Mary of Scots was a relative of King Henry VIII. If the English King thought for one moment that the Scots Queen was being used to overthrow him it meant everything that King Francis had worked for could become undone.
"Marys' just a child, a lot could happen by the time she reaches womanhood." Catherine reasoned, "Though the Princess Elizabeth is a tough act to follow. I've yet to meet a child who has impressed me the way she had, though George has become a close second."
"And what about our own children my love?" Henry smirked knowing how fiercely she loved their children.
"Husband they could be the most horrible, useless children in world and I would still think they're brilliant." Catherine squeezed her husbands' hand, "Thank God they're not. I've waited so long to have them it would have been terrible if something was wrong with them."
"That would never happen my love for they have you as a mother." Henry kissed his wife's cheek in affection. Catherine smiled at her husbands' words for she knew he had meant them. She would have never have thought her marriage would be like this in the early years but now it had all seemed like it was a bad dream. Now she was wide awake with a husband and children who loved her something she thought would never happen. She would never trade it for anything and woe to those who would try to take it from her.
Mary Tudor had decided to accompany her sister to offer their condolences. Mary tried not to think of her Aunt Marys' marriage to the late Duke. She didn't want to believe her own sister would be as reckless as their aunt had been but she wanted to make sure that nothing was going on between her sister and the new Duke of Suffolk.
However Elizabeth was shrewd enough to realise her sisters' intentions. "You want to know why I was so insistent on this journey." Elizabeth had noticed her sister observing her from her seat in the carriage on their way to Suffolk.
"Ever since you were summoned to visit the late Duke of Suffolk you have been acting strangely." Mary made an effort not to mention Henry Brandons' name but Mary somehow thought he was involved in the incident as Elizabeth avoided speaking of him when she had returned.
Elizabeth sighed and began to inform Mary of Charle's confession regarding Anne Boleyn. Elizabeth studied Marys' reaction to the news, "You don't seem shocked at news sister."
"Unfortunately sister I'm not as it was well known that his Grace did not like your mother." Mary spoke carefully recalling the events she heard long ago when she was still in Ludlow awaiting news regarding her mothers' fate. "I heard once he spoke to father of a rumour he heard regarding a relationship between your mother and Thomas Wyatt."
"The poet?" Elizabeth read one or two of his poems but failed to make the connection.
"Some people say that most of his poems are about her. Some even say he was quite obsessed with her." Mary herself chose not to read them due to her own personal bias but some had been mentioned in court from time to time. One such poem she chose to read out of curiosity was the one that he written shortly after Anne's execution. Mary could only assume that her father never read that particular poem or Thomas would have most certainly been executed. Though her father was never openly mentioned in the poem one could easily guess who was the hunter and who was the deer in the poem.
"What did father say when the Duke of Suffolk mentioned the rumour?" Elizabeth did recall her father mentioning how certain people didn't believe her mothers' feelings for her father to be genuine and initially her father didn't listen to them. Maybe Charles Brandon was one of these people.
"Father banished him from court." Mary stated bluntly, "Father didn't believe in such rumours."
"Until one day he did." Elizabeth said sadly.
"Elizabeth I understand you love our father and you are looking for someone else to blame." Mary reached over squeezing Elizabeths' hand in comfort, "I too looked for other people to blame for my mother being cast aside but he is the King and in the end he has the final decision whether it is right or wrong."
"I know sister but it's still so hard to love him and hate him at same time." It was one of the things that drew the two sisters together, the injustice their mothers' had faced at the hands of their father. There were times Elizabeth worried that Mary would become resentful that Elizabeth had been reinstated as princess and not Mary but it seemed that so far Mary had made her peace with it.
"You tend to find Elizabeth a lot of our fathers' relationships end that way." Mary thought about her grandfather Henry VII and the way her father spoke of him. Although her father respected the kind of legacy Henry VII was trying to build Henry VIII still resented his own father for the way he was treated growing up.
Elizabeth thought about her fathers' relationship with Anne Boleyn. It was well known how passionate they were towards each other. One minute they loved each other with such intensity then the next they would hate each other just as fiercely. Then one day their passion went too far, Anne's jealousy spiralled out of control whilst Henry in his rage had her executed.
Though Henry would have loved nothing more to change the past there was nothing that could be done. All he could do was find some way to atone for his mistakes by making these charity projects in her name a success. Elizabeth suspected that Charles Brandon tried to do the same with his own charity projects and sought Elizabeths' approval but it had failed. Elizabeth was still hurt and angry over what happened to her mother but that didn't mean Elizabeth would hold Henry Brandon accountable for his fathers' actions. That's why she needed to see him in person, to let him know that he was still a most trusted friend.