Elizabeth was looking at herself in the mirror. Elizabeth was truly a vision in white with her Tudor red hair standing out with a golden crown resting on her head. Elizabeth had wanted her gown to be similar to what she wore in the pageant that she debuted. Lady Perseverance and Lord Gentleness joining together despite the various obstacles that stood in their way. She couldn't believe this day had finally arrived. She didn't actually think she would marry at all. She assumed that if she were to marry it would be for an alliance. Elizabeth did not believe that it was possible for her to marry for love and yet here she was preparing to marry Henry Brandon a man who not only loved her but understood her in a way that no one else did.
Elizabeth idly wondered if her mother felt this excited on her wedding day but she immediately dismissed those thoughts. Elizabeth silently prayed that her marriage wouldn't end in disaster like her and Hals' parents. Hal promised her it wouldn't and she believed in him. Both had known the pain of losing a mother and dealing with a fathers' guilt. Elizabeth and Henrys' marriage would not be the same as their parents.
"Elizabeth?" Mary walked in observing her sisters' appearance. "You look lovely though I am curious to know how you came by this necklace." Mary recognised the familiar pearl "B" necklace instantly.
"You don't approve?" Elizabeth was immediately on the defensive knowing perfectly well how her sister felt about Anne Boleyn.
"Sister it's your wedding." Mary offered Elizabeth her reassurance. "It's perfectly fine for you to wear your mothers' necklace. I'm just curious to know where it came from since I was under the impression that Father had destroyed everything belonging to her."
"Not everything." Elizabeth smiled in relief placing her hand over the necklace. "You may not be aware sister but my grandmother had two of these made, one for each daughter. She knew one day that her daughters would marry and take their husbands' name but she wanted them to have one all the same."
"It is strange though that after today you will take on you husbands' name that also starts with "B". Mary smiled jovially.
"You've found me out sister. I'm only marrying Henry Brandon so I can where this necklace and a very nice necklace it is too." Elizabeth joked and gave twirl laughing merrily.
Mary couldn't help but laugh herself joining in Elizabeths' joke. "Poor Hal will be so disappointed to learn of this."
"You won't tell will you?" Elizabeth smiled with mischief, "I wouldn't want to hurt Hals' feelings."
"Your secret is safe with me." Mary winked at her sister and then proceeded to help Elizabeth smooth out her dress. "Are you ready?"
Elizabeth nodded in confirmation and the two sisters walked out hand in hand to greet their brother who had been waiting for them. King Edward still hadn't recovered well after his mothers' betrayal but he managed to rally some strength so he could escort his sister down the aisle. "You look lovely sister."
"Thank you brother." Elizabeth was glad that Edward could make it. She hoped it was a start on his road to recovery. As they walked down the aisle together with their elder sister following them Elizabeth couldn't take her eyes off her soon to be husband nor he her. Despite the many people here to witness this royal wedding for Elizabeth and Henry it was like they were the only ones in the room pledging themselves to one another. There was nothing in this world that could spoil their happiness.
King Henry of France knew his brother Charles wasn't going to be happy with this new development. He wanted to tell Charles as he got the letter informing him of the Princess Elizabeths' engagement but Catherine advised against it. Queen Catherine did not want her brother in-law to do something foolish like try and stop the marriage. Henry wanted to believe his brother wouldn't be so reckless but after he watched his brother throw an ornament against the wall he could see the wisdom in his wife's advice.
"That bloody Brandon!" Charles raged, "It was bad enough when his father insulted our grandfather by marrying his widow. His son has to insult our family further by stealing Elizabeth from me!"
"Oh please brother." Princess Margaret couldn't help but roll her eyes at her brothers' reaction, "Princess Mary was seventeen when she was forced to marry our Grandfather and I heard Charles Brandon was a handsome man in his day. It's hardly surprising that the Princess Mary would fall for him."
"Where exactly did you hear that?" Queen Catherine asked curiously.
"Does it matter?" The Duke of Orleans fumed. "His son has stolen my betrothed!"
"You make her sound as though she were an object." Catherine was beginning to lose her temper. As much as Catherine would have liked for Elizabeth to return to France she felt Elizabeth deserved better than to have this overgrown man child for a husband.
Sensing that a fight was going to break out between his wife and brother Henry quickly tried to defuse the situation. "No formal betrothal agreement between you and Elizabeth was made. After the Spanish attempt to abduct the Princess Elizabeth failed England had no desire for Elizabeth to marry a foreign Prince."
"So we do nothing?" Charles did not want to give up but his brother had already resigned to the fact.
"The Duke of Suffolk and the Princess Elizabeth will marry today." King Henry spoke calmly, "You must learn to accept it."
The Duke of Orleans stormed away leaving his family to discuss matters. "He'll need to be married off." Catherine observed her brother in-laws departure.
"But to whom though?" Margaret asked. She knew Charles loved Elizabeth since they were children and no matter how many mistresses he had taken none could compare to the one woman he could not have Elizabeth.
"I don't have time to dwell on that now." Henry waved dismissively. "We need to make preparations for my sons' marriage to the Scots Queen."
"So soon?" Catherine knew it could happen but she wasn't ready for her son to marry yet.
"I thought Mary was betrothed to the English King." Margaret spoke thoughtfully. Everyone knew the Scots Queen was betrothed to the English King but that didn't stop Prince Francis looks of longing towards the young Queen. Both Catherine and George tried to discourage Francis from acting on these feeling but it seemed he was about to get what he wanted after all.
"Our spies tell us that the English King is ill." Henry explained to his younger sister. "Henry Brandon has Tudor blood of his own. By having him marry Elizabeth the succession is secured. No matter what plans the Pope may have for Mary of Scots no one in England would be foolish enough to support her claim ahead of Henry and Elizabeth."
Katherine Grey watched as the happy couple danced. Recently there had been little to celebrate thanks to her mothers' plot with the Dowager Queen. Although Katherine lost a mother and a sister it was King Edward who seemed to be most hurt by it. The King did try to share his sisters' joy but he had retired early to his chambers. It was no doubt to Katherine that the King was still lamenting over missed opportunities with Katherine's sister Jane Grey. However Katherine knew that if Jane had been alive today she would be as happy as Katherine was for her uncle and the Princess.
Katherine began to think about her own future as her own betrothed George Stafford approached her side. "They seem to be happy don't they?"
Katherine turned to observe George and commented slyly, "The most happy." Though he wasn't her original choice for a husband there was no denying he was hansom.
George could not help but smirk at Katherine's use of his Aunts' motto. He heard those words often enough from his mother and his cousin Elizabeth himself. "I know I wasn't your first choice my lady." George casually glanced at Ned Seymour who looked in the couple's direction, "However it is my wish to make you just that. The most happy."
"You already have." Katherine confessed quietly. "If my father and Lord Norfolk had their way…"
George quickly took Katherine's hand and gave a reassuring squeeze, "You don't have to tell me anything Katherine. My mother warned me of what Norfolk was like." George took a breath to collect his thoughts, "He pushed my Aunt to gain the late Kings' favour and when she fell from grace he didn't help her. He was more concerned with saving his own skin rather than his niece and considering from what I observed recently he hasn't changed at all."
Katherine looked at George in surprise. "You knew what Norfolk had planned?"
"I couldn't let what happened to my Aunt happen to you." George looked into Katherine's eyes and spoke softly, "I know we haven't known each other long but I know you don't deserve to suffer such a fate."
Katherine smiled at George's words. Ned Seymour had known her since they were children and he wasn't willing to lift one finger to help when her father tried to marry her off to a Howard. George didn't know her at all but he was willing to marry her just to protect Katherine from his scheming relatives. George was suddenly becoming more attractive in Katherine eyes and she hoped with their marriage that these feelings would grow to even surpass her feelings for Ned as time went on. "Enough with these serous words." Katherine smiled leading her betrothed to the dance floor, "Today is a celebration is it not?"
"You're correct my lady." George laughed with a bow and began to dance with his betrothed.
"We are to be married your grace." Katherine smiled and continued to dance, "There is no need for such formalities. Call my Kathy."
"Then I insist you call me George." George replied playfully, "Being referred to as your grace makes me feel like an old man."
"You're hardly what I'd consider as an old man." Katherine gave George a flirtatious look.
Mary Tudor watched as George and Kathy danced. She hoped that their arranged marriage would be a happy one. As she watched she couldn't help but be reminded by her first encounter with Philip of Bavaria. She remembered how he feigned an injury just to get a moment alone with her. Mary had suitors before who had tried to gain her favour but he was the only one who seemed to want her as a woman.
Anne of Cleves noticed the look on Marys' face. "Thinking of my cousin?"
"It has been years and I still miss him." Mary turned Anne curiously, "You were close with you cousin." Mary placed her hand over her barren womb. "You don't suppose he could have still loved me even if…"
"Yes he could." Anne reached over and squeezed Marys' hand in reassurance. "You weren't the only one concerned about what their family would think about a marriage of differing beliefs but he was prepared to take that risk for you. Yes your cousin had him killed for it but I don't think he regretted his decision for a single moment."
"Thank you Anne for your kind words." Maybe in another time and place they could have been happy but Mary had to believe God had some plan for her. It was the only thing that kept her sane. "How is my Aunt settling in Lady Essex?"
"Very well your grace?" Anne smiled thoughtfully, "I never thought I would enjoy the company of the Emperors' mother but somehow I find the woman quite entertaining. I may never like your cousin, and what he did to his own mother was unforgivable."
"I couldn't agree more Lady Anne." Mary agreed with the Countess of Essex. It was bad enough that Charles had kept his mother locked away all those years but then to frame Juana for Elizabeths' abduction was disgusting. "However his loss is our gain. Care to join me for a drink Lady Essex?"
Elizabeth watched as her sister enjoyed a drink with Lady Essex. Elizabeth wanted so much for Mary to be as happy as she was but the opportunity had been stolen from Mary. Sensing Elizabeths' sadness Henry Brandon kissed Elizabeth on the forehead, "Don't let her see you upset my love. You are quite fortunate to have a sister who cares for your happiness."
"I'm sorry my love." Elizabeth remembered how Frances' actions had hurt Henry, "I'll try to remember in future and I hope you'll remember that just because your sister didn't care for you in the way she should have it doesn't mean that they aren't those who love you" Elizabeth smiled and kissed her husband enjoying the fact she no longer had to hide her love from others. "I love you Lord Gentleness with my every breath."
Henry smiled at his new bride enjoying her embrace, "And I love you my Lady Perseverance with all my heart."
Anne Stafford was thrilled when she learned of her cousins' marriage. The last time her cousin spoke with Anne Elizabeth could not conceal her joy when she spoke of Henry Brandon. In Annie's opinion Henry was certainly hansom and was sure without a doubt that he certainly loved Lizzie. Annie only wished she could be there to share Lizzie's joy but she was stuck in France keeping an eye on the Scots Queen.
Annie couldn't understand her brother and Queen Catherine's hostility towards Mary. She was certainly lovely but was very curious about Elizabeths' stay in France. Whilst serving Mary the Scots Queen continuously questioned Annie about Elizabeth. This did not surprise Annie's mother the Countess of Boulogne as she told Annie of how King Francis always asked questions about King Henry of England. It seemed to the Countess that the Scots Queen wanted to see how she compared with Elizabeth. Queen Catherine did nothing to sooth the young Queens' insecurities regarding the Princess Elizabeth as she was always was singing Elizabeths' praises whilst at the same time acting cold towards Mary. Annie tried to sooth Mary by telling her that the only reason Queen Catherine was so cold was because Mary had the Prince Francis' heart and Catherine had always been protective over her first born.
It would only become worse when Mary would eventually marry Prince Francis. It seemed to Annie everyone was getting married lately except for her. First it was Lizzie and Henry Brandon, then it would be her brother George marrying Katherine Grey and then after that it would be the Scots Queen marring Prince Francis.
Annie was so lost in thought she practically jumped out her skin when she realised the Duke of Orleans was in the room. Annie quickly tried to regain her composure "Your grace you startled me."
"I'm sorry Annie." Charles stroked her arm trying to calm Annie but it was actually making her nervous, "I didn't mean to frighten you."
"No you grace." Annie blushed prettily, "It was my fault, I was completely distracted thinking about my brothers' up and coming wedding." Annie knew better than to mention Lizzie's wedding in front of the Duke as Charles was still upset about the news.
"Well George has always been smarter than I am." Charles lamented, "He saw a woman he wanted and did not let the opportunity pass him by."
"I'm not certain it was like that your grace." Annie knew that George's motivation for marrying Katherine Grey had been entirely political if his letters were anything to go by. However it seemed that George was already becoming fond of his new betrothed.
"You don't have to keep on referring to me as your grace Annie." Charles leaned over Annie leering at her, "We've known each other for a very long time."
"I don't believe that such behaviour is appropriate your grace." Annie edged away from Charles avoiding his stare, "Nor do I think it is appropriate for us to be alone like this, people will talk."
"Your mother did not seem to be too concerned when people spoke of her relationship with my father." Charles placed his hands around Annie's waste but Annie shrugged him off and turned to him in a fury.
"That was different!" Annie protested, "They loved each other. You don't love me and you certainly can't possibly love Elizabeth for if you did you'd certainly would not treat her cousin this way." Annie did not bother to wait for Charles' response as she stormed away. Although Annie did find Charles attractive she was proud of herself for not giving in to his advances. Annie knew she would be nothing more than another conquest for him and that somewhere she had made her namesake the famous Anne Boleyn proud.
Little did Annie know that like her namesake she had intrigued a man who liked the chase. Although Charles had been infuriated by Annie's words her couldn't help but intrigued by her fire. He had to have her if only to get over his loss of his first love. However Annie had resisted him which was new to Charles as he was used to having women fall at his feet. He had to think of some other way to gain Anne Staffords' favour.