Elizabeth hadn't stopped running since she saw Jane Grey brutally stabbed by her attackers. Every time she closed her eyes she saw the look of sheer terror on Jane's face. Elizabeth couldn't help but blame herself for Jane's death. If Jane hadn't have been there she would still be alive. Elizabeth didn't even know what happened to Brigitte. When Elizabeth last saw the woman she had been fighting off their attackers. Elizabeth had no idea if Brigitte was alive or dead but she had hoped that her friend somehow made Jane's killers pay.
Elizabeth thought she heard a horse nearby. Not knowing whether it was a friend or a foe she hid behind a tree. She held onto to her dagger tightly hoping it wasn't one of the men who attacked her carriage. She suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned ready to stab her would be attacker but the person had grabbed her wrist before she could do any damage. She began to struggle to get free but was soothed by a familiar voice, "It's me."
"Henry!" Elizabeth went to hug him but Henry winced. She quickly looked and saw a wound on his chest. "You're hurt."
"It's just a scratch." Hal tried to reassure Elizabeth. "We should get moving before more of those Spaniards turn up."
Elizabeth went to follow him but she wanted to tell him about the fate of his niece, "Henry about Jane…"
Henry stopped and clenched his hands into fists and growled, "I already know." He could still here his niece's scream even now.
"I'm so sorry." Elizabeth didn't want him to hate her for what happened.
"It wasn't your fault Elizabeth." Henry Brandon continued on his way trying to stay focused, "This mission was my responsibility. Jane shouldn't have been involved."
Elizabeth wanted to disagree but they found the horse Hal had ridden to escape the Spanish. Hal assisted in getting the Princess onto the horse and climbed on behind her. "Where are we headed?" Elizabeth asked as they rode through the forest.
"Queen Anne's Medical School." The Duke explained guiding the horse in the right direction. "I checked the route for nearby shelters in case we ran into trouble and Queen Anne's is the closest.
"Maybe they can look at your wound." Elizabeth could feel the Duke's wound bleeding into her back and this worried her.
"I told you Elizabeth it's just a scratch." Henry tried to reassure her but winced in pain.
"You're in pain Hal." Elizabeth was deeply concerned, "I've already lost Jane and quite possibly lost Brigitte too. I refuse to lose you as well. In fact I'm ordering you to have that wound checked once we've reached shelter."
Hal couldn't help but smile at Elizabeths' words despite the grim situation. "You're ordering me?"
"Yes and as your Princess you have to do whatever I say and that includes seeing a physician about that wound." Elizabeth tried to remain firm and not show how worried she was for him but she was failing.
"Whatever you say Princess." Henry tightened his hold around her trying to reassure that he was indeed fine.
Elizabeth reached for his hand that was around her waist and squeezed it gently. "I mean it Hal. I couldn't bare it if I lost you too." Henry kissed Elizabeths' Tudor red hair and they continued to ride silently. They should reach the medical school before nightfall.
Mary Tudor was pacing. She would have thought to have heard from the Duke of Suffolk by now. She began to wonder whether it was a mistake sending Henry Brandon to escort her sister to safety. It would just be Marys' unfortunate luck that Brandon would follow in his fathers' footsteps and elope with a Princess. Mary immediately shook her head at the absurd thought. Elizabeth wasn't as rash as their Aunt Mary had been when she married her Duke Charles Brandon.
The Duchess of Richmond knew her sister would follow her duty but then there was a small part that made her wonder whether the huge pressure on Elizabeth to humour these potential suitors had taken its toll. Maybe the threat of Spain forcing her into a match she did not want would force Elizabeth to do the unthinkable. After all as far as Mary knew their own Aunt had no problem with performing her duty until she was forced to marry a man old enough to be her father. It was just like Mary had told Elizabeth ages ago, saying you will and actually doing it are completely different things.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Katherine Culpepper entered the room and announced, "Lord Hertfords' son Ned Seymour is here to see you your grace and he has brought Lady Katherine Grey with him."
"He probably wants me to grant him permission for their betrothal." Mary guessed as she had been told by her brother the King that the two were close, "Very well send them in. I could use the distraction." However judging by their manner both Katherine and Ned didn't seem excited but rather nervous and afraid. "Do you have something you wish to address?" Mary urged formally as she was beginning to lose patience with them.
"Tell her what you told me Kathy." Ned urged the frightened girl forward. "She has some information about the Princess Elizabeth."
That statement immediately grabbed Marys' attention. "What information?" Mary stood up intimidating the young girl, "Well speak!" If it was something about Elizabeth she wished to know.
Kathy was shaking and turned to look at Ned. Ned nodded his head to give her support. Feeling a little braver she turned to Lady Richmond who appeared to becoming angrier the longer the girl took to speak. "I overheard my mother talking your grace. She plotted with the Spanish ambassador to abduct the Princess and not only that your grace. She also spoke of having my Uncle the Duke of Suffolk killed. He has no heirs you see and with him gone she would have his title."
"Did your mother say how she would carry this plan out?" Mary knew Frances Grey had been estranged from her brother for some time but the very idea of plotting to murder a sibling disgusted Mary. Even when Anne was still Queen Mary never even contemplated on harming Elizabeth and yet Frances would have own brother killed.
"The Spanish would attack the carriage as they travelled from Hever to your Richmond estate your grace. Uncle was supposed to be killed in the crossfire." Katherine Grey revealed quietly.
Mary knew Henry Brandon had planned on taking Elizabeth to one of their estates but not even Mary knew which one Elizabeth would be taken to for her sisters' safety. "How did your mother learn of the location that the Princess would be taken to?"
"My sister Jane had told her your grace." Katherine admitted quietly looking down to her feet in shame. Katherine knew the Princess trusted Jane and Jane Grey was proud to have her trust. Unfortunately even far away their mothers' hold on them was strong, when their mother asked Jane for the location Jane obeyed without question and now their Uncle was in danger. Katherine had to warn them somehow as her Uncle was always so nice as well as the Princess, neither one of them deserved what was about to happen to them.
Mary wasted no time; she turned to Lady Culpepper, "I need your husband to gather as many men he can find to search for the Princess. Leave no stone unturned."
"Yes your grace." Lady Culpepper curtsied and immediately left to carry out her mistress' order.
Mary immediately turned to Ned Seymour. "Escort the Lady Grey to her rooms. Under no circumstance is she allowed leave and no one is allowed to enter do you understand."
"But your grace." Kathy protested in panic, "I told the truth."
Mary could see that the girl was in distress and tried to reassure her, "Lady Grey you're not a prisoner. It is for your own protection as you are a valuable witness to us."
Kathy did not feel reassured but there was little she could do as Ned had taken her away to her rooms. Lady Katherine Culpepper had just arrived after she had fulfilled her task. "My husband is on his way your grace. Are there any further orders your grace?"
"Actually there is." Mary couldn't allow Frances to wander freely nor could she be allowed the time to destroy any potential evidence. All Mary had was Lady Katherine Greys' word and although Mary believed her others may not. "Have Lord Cecil search Lady Frances Greys' estates from top to bottom. If he finds any evidence that implicates Lady Frances as a traitor have her sent to the Tower without delay."
"Yes your grace." Lady Culpeper disappeared in search of Lord Cecil. Mary had every confidence that Lord Cecil would unravel this conspiracy as he was an able spymaster and his loyalty to England was without question. Should Thomas Culpepper fail in finding Elizabeth Lord Cecil would no doubt be successful in securing the Princess Elizabeth.
Elizabeth could not sleep. They had only just arrived at Queen Anne's Medical School before Henry Brandon collapsed. The Physicians there assured Elizabeth that Hal would be fine but Elizabeth would only believe that until she had seen him. It seemed her long wait was over when she heard a knock on the door. A man standing nervously outside began to inform her of the Duke of Suffolks' condition, "He's going to make a full recovery my lady. The wound is clear of infection and with good rest he should be up and about by morning."
Elizabeth sighed in relief, "Would it be possibly for me to see him Master…?" Elizabeth didn't recall the young man's name as she was so worried for Henrys' health.
"Sam my lady and I'm not so sure that it is proper for an unmarried…" Sam stuttered nervously. Although the woman in front of him was very secretive about where she came from he could tell she was from a noble family.
"I'm sure it would be fine with some sort of chaperone." Elizabeth insisted as she did not think she could sleep without being sure that Hal was well. "Please Sam, he means the world to me."
Sam escorted Elizabeth to the Duke of Suffolks' chambers. Elizabeth sat at Henrys' bedside and held his hand. At the touch of Elizabeths' skin Henry opened his eyes. "I'm I dreaming?"
"It seems that the physicians' assessment is right." Elizabeth smiled. "You are going to make a quick recovery."
Henry then remembered that they were not exactly safe yet. "We should leave as soon as possible and send word to your sister." Mary must be at her wits end worrying for Elizabeths' safety.
"I could send a message my lord if that is what you wish." Sam tried to offer his assistance but he did not know the full circumstances.
Elizabeth didn't want to put any more people at risk so she waved her hand dismissively, "There is no need for that Sam. All we need is food and provisions for the journey. Can you do that for us?"
Sam was so enthusiastic to help he didn't realise he had left Elizabeth and Henry alone. Elizabeth wasted no time in leaning over and kissing her Duke. Henry groaned in pain which forced Elizabeth to pull away not wanting to cause him any more harm. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"
"Its fine Elizabeth like I told you it's just a scratch." Henry smiled at her but Elizabeth was still upset.
"I saw what they did to Jane." Elizabeth spoke with tears in her eyes. "She was just a girl, completely harmless and they butchered her. If I never asked her to come with me…"
"Shh Elizabeth." Henry wiped away her tears away. "I told you the mission was my responsibility and…" He was trying not to think of his niece who he had failed to protect.
"You were wonderful." Elizabeth spoke with conviction. "We were betrayed. You weren't to know and I've been racking my brain trying to figure out whom."
"Believe me I've been wondering the same thing and the only conclusion I can come to is one I dare not say." Henry remembered how the men who attacked them seemed to be more focused on him than any of the other guards. If weren't for his fathers' training he certainly wouldn't be alive right now.
"Who?" Elizabeth was curious to know what conclusion Henry arrived at.
"My sister always thought she deserved my lands and titles." Henry revealed, "It would only make sense that she would arrange to have me killed and have it look like an accident."
"But they killed Jane." Elizabeth argued, "As horrible as Frances is I doubt she would wish harm on her daughter."
"Who did you think told Frances where we were going?" Henry countered, "The Spanish were covering their tracks that's why they killed Jane. Poor Jane probably didn't even know she was committing treason when she told her mother where we were headed."
"And now she is dead." Elizabeth began to believe in Henrys' train of thought. "I doubt Frances had planned for that to happen." Whilst there was no doubt Frances Grey was ambitious there was no way she would want her daughter be killed in the process.
"No I don't think she did." Henry agreed, "However I don't believe she would hand herself over and confess her crimes. She would more likely try and save herself."
Elizabeth didn't want to admit it but she knew he was right. As distraught as Frances would be at the loss of Jane her other daughter Katherine was still alive. Frances being declared a traitor would ruin Katherine's marriage prospects.
However Elizabeth couldn't think about it right now as there were other issues to deal with. "It's just speculation at this point. We'll know more once we contact my sister." It was the more practical thing to do and once they had made it to their allies then they would deal with the traitors.
The news Thomas Culpepper had brought back wasn't good. Not only was Elizabeth and the Duke of Suffolk missing but Jane Greys' body was found with several stab wounds. Most of the people at court were horrified at the brutality of Jane Greys' murder. Jane's sister Katherine was so distraught that she refused to speak to anyone. As close as she was to Ned Seymour even he could not give her comfort for she was inconsolable.
King Edward had shut himself off in his room. At first Mary assumed it was because he was worried for their sister Elizabeth but she soon realised that he was also upset at the loss of Jane Grey. "I'm sorry little brother. I didn't realise that you two where so close."
"Jane didn't want her mother to know." Edward confirmed sadly. "Her mother was very ambitious but Jane wasn't like that."
"I know Jane was a sweet girl." Mary didn't want to tell Edward that even if Jane wasn't ambitious it wouldn't stop Frances from taking advantage of the poor girls' relationship with the King and that was precisely what Frances had done. It was the only reason for the shear boldness to act on this plot.
"And kind too." Edward smiled with tears in his eyes. "She was willing to help me get in contact with my mother."
"Your mother?" Mary was surprised that Jane Grey would get involved as she was a staunch Reformer. This had filled Mary with dread. It was well known that Jane Seymour followed the Catholic tradition. If she had found out that her son had feelings for Jane Grey who had followed the Protestant faith Jane Seymour along with Spanish backing would try to stop it. Jane Grey wasn't just an innocent caught in the crossfire she was a target.
Poor Edward did not understand his sister Marys' turmoil so he spoke in his mothers' defence. "I know neither you nor Lizzie like my mother. I don't understand her ways sometimes but she is still my mother. Is it so wrong for me to want my family together under one roof?"
"I understand Edward better than anyone." In the early days of her exile when Anne Boleyn was Queen Mary wanted nothing more than to have her family reunited but she had accepted a long time ago that such a thing was impossible. Whether Mary accepted Anne as Queen or not she was bound to hurt one of her parents and now she may end up hurting her little brother in the worst way possible.
Mary left her brother to search for Thomas Culpepper who was standing outside the Kings' rooms. "Is something the matter my lady." Thomas could see by the look on Marys' face that she was visibly shaken.
"Has Lord Cecils' men finished gathering information from Lady Frances Greys' estate?" Mary enquired. She knew Lord Cecil was thorough. If he had found anything on the Dowager Queen at Lady Greys' estate Mary would have surely been told.
"His men are looking through her papers right now your grace." Sir Thomas confirmed, "However most of the papers were coded and it may take some time for the spymasters to translate it."
"Time is something we do not have Sir Thomas." Mary was worried for Elizabeth. Although there was still a chance that Elizabeth could have escaped with Brandon Jane Greys' tragic end still played on Marys' mind. "I have reason to believe that the Dowager Queen is also involved. I think it's time I paid a surprise visit to the More to confirm if my suspicions are correct."
"Are you sure that is wise your grace." Although Thomas Culpepper wasn't very close to the Duchess of Richmond his wife Katherine on the other hand had the deepest respect and admiration for the lady. "If your suspicions are correct you could be placing yourself in grave danger."
"My sister is in grave danger right now!" Mary exclaimed in worry. "If Jane is somehow involved in this I need to find out for the security of not just Elizabeth but the entire realm. However I won't be going alone. Lord Hertford will stay here and watch over my brother. You will gather your men and escort me to the More where I will learn the truth there"
"If the Dowager Queen is involved in this do you think it is wise to trust her brother." Thomas Culpepper voiced his concern.
"Edward Seymour would not risk his position for this plot." Mary reasoned, "He may be greedy and ambitious but he is no fool. If Jane is found to be involved it could very well ruin the Seymour name so he has no choice but to be careful with his allegiance."
Thomas Culpepper couldn't argue with that logic and set off to gather the men needed. Mary hoped she was wrong about the Dowager Queen for her brothers' sake. He had already lost Jane Grey. If lost his mother thanks to this plot he would be absolutely devastated.