We were happy. We'd found our way back to each other and we were actually happy.

We were also incredibly discreet, having learnt from our past mistakes. On the outside, our friendship remained as normal, but behind closed doors so much had changed. And our bond grew deeper now all our barriers had been broken and we explored a new intimacy.

We lay in Catherine's bed together one night, after making love, our legs tangled lazily around each other. I nuzzled into her neck as I lightly ran my hand along her arm. It was all perfectly relaxed and contented, but I could see the cogs spinning in her head.

'Speak to me.' I breathed into her neck between kisses. 'Go on. Unburden your worries.'

'I keep waiting for it.'

'Waiting for what?' Palm to palm, I linked my fingers with her, bringing her hand up to my lips.

'For the next disaster to befall us. The poisoning, that dreadful guard, Henry… I can't relax, wondering what might be coming next.' I kissed each of her fingertips in turn,

'Catherine, whatever comes next, we'll face it together.'

'Aren't you concerned at all?'

'We're being careful this time. So much so, not even Bash is sure of what there is between us. So right now, I can't feel anything but happiness.'

I kissed a trail from her hand, along her arm right up to her neck.

'I have other priorities on my mind right now. And distracting you from worry is highest on my list.'

My words about Bash were true enough. Neither him nor Francis seemed certain of our current status. I expect they'd reached the conclusion that the less they knew for now, the better. We knew they'd help us if needed, but otherwise they asked no questions.

Even Henry had eventually seemed to lose interest in toying with us. A brief period of feigning willingness dulled his enjoyment of that game, giving us a much needed respite.

Still, if our experiences with Catherine's schemes had taught us anything, it was to always have a back-up plan, so we knew it was foolish to become complacent. But things were going so well I made an uncharacteristically unusual mistake by my own standards: I let my guard down.

I can only blame the fact that I was so blissfully happy, in the throes of something I'd never had before that, temporarily, I did very much so lose my senses. I stopped thinking about what the future might hold and so I wasn't prepared for what was to come next.

Thanks to my network of allies within the castle, there were days I was given more information than I could handle. I learned Lord William had returned and I cannot deny how this unsettled me, but subsequently being summoned by the King made my stomach sink faster than a defeated warship.

'Your Majesty.' I greeted Henry.

'Lady Charity, I have some wonderful news for you.'

I very much doubt that I thought, flashing a false smile. 'Oh, and what might that be?'

'As you've no doubt heard, your friend, Lord William, has returned to court. He very much enjoyed making your acquaintance during his last visit and has come with a special request.'

If he was about to order me to sleep with him again, I might actually throw something. I tried to look intrigued and not as though I was screaming inside. But there was a glint in Henry's eyes, something so triumphant it unnerved me.

'Lord William has requested your hand in marriage.' He announced. There it was. The feeling of a deluge of icy cold water drowning me from above. I stood frozen to the spot, trying to keep the rising panic from showing on my face.

'He…. what?'

'Speechless, I see? He'll be so flattered.' Henry mocked me. I had to pull myself together.

'I, I don't understand. Where has this come from? We barely spent any time together.'

'Well, evidently you made a lasting impression on him. It's really very commendable.' The delight in his voice was sickening, it actually caused the bile to rise in my throat.

'Well, I'll discuss the matter with him, of course, but I'm-'

'You seem to be mistakenly under the impression that the matter is open for discussion. Allow me to clarify: it's not.'

'Your Majesty, I don't-'

'Lord William is a very highly regarded - and VERY well-connected - Count. Therefore, it's imperative he's kept happy and evidently his happiness now involves a marriage union with yourself.'

'But I'm the Queen's Lady! Lord William doesn't even reside here at court.' I pointed out.

'There are chambers he could use here, IF he's agreeable to it. Or Catherine could simply relieve you from your duties. That might actually be easier.' I had a silent panic at this thought. 'But let's not waste our energies on such trivial details.'

'I hardly think-'

'Lady Charity, let me be perfectly clear about one thing.' Henry snapped, rising to his feet, his voice hard. 'This is not a request. You will accept the proposal. Or you will be banished from French court.'

'I… Banished?' Even by Henry's absurd standards, I was stunned by this. 'Please, you can't be serious!'

'Oh, you don't want to test just how serious I am about this.' There was a coldness to his words.

'But, Your Majesty…' I took a breath, hoping I could use logic to reason with him. 'How am I supposed to fulfil my duties to the Queen-'

'You'd do well to remember your place here, Lady Charity.' Henry was losing patience, I had to tread carefully. 'I don't know what is going on between you and my wife... But I know there is something. Mark my words, if you refuse this proposal, I'll know just how deep your deceit runs. And you will regret ever having tried to make a fool of me.'

There was a deathly silence while he let his threat sink in. It filled me, taking root in all my senses. I couldn't think, couldn't breathe and Henry took great pleasure in witnessing my reaction.

I wandered the grounds in something of a daze, trying to assess the situation. Out of all the scenarios Catherine and I had prepared ourselves for, this one had never even occurred to us. Why would it? Our relationship was already complicated enough. I was in danger of letting my thoughts consume me, barely aware of anything as the time passed, but it wasn't easy to ignore them. Much as I tried to calm myself in the comfort my surroundings brought me, I was slowly coming to the realisation of how deceptive they were in covering the dangers that lay ahead. Very much like French court. There were too many options to consider, leaving me completely unable to focus on anything.

Aside from Catherine's reaction, of course, my concern for which totally consumed me. If she chose to end things again I wasn't sure I could bear it. Finally these thoughts became too much and my head dropped into my hands.

'Charity!' a voice called out, though I barely registered it.

'Charity, there you are! I've been looking everywhere for you.' I looked-up as Bash joined me. 'Catherine's worried sick about you.'

'She must have been, to enlist your help.' I muttered under my breath. The look Bash gave in response caused me to groan in embarrassment. 'Gosh, sorry, Bash. I'm not thinking clearly. I know it's been hours since Henry summoned me, but I just...'

'You should talk to Catherine.' he advised, his tone strong. I regarded him with curiosity.

'What do you know?'

'Plenty, I'm afraid. Father isn't exactly being shy about sharing his inspired plan for you.' My eyes widened with horror upon hearing this.

'Oh god, does Catherine know?

'Not yet, but she will soon enough and it's best she doesn't hear the news from him.'

'I'm not sure it will be any easier coming from me. Perhaps Francis might be a better option.' Bash placed a comforting hand on my arm.

'I know she won't react well, but we both know it needs to be you.'

'Her reaction is precisely why I may not be the best messenger. She already ran scared once before, Francis might have a better chance of reasoning with her, making her see that this doesn't have to mean the end for us.' my voice tailed-off as I realised Bash was looking at me with a sad smile. 'Wait..'

'Yes, I'd hoped I was wrong, but I suspected you'd rekindled your affair. Don't worry-' he added off my look, 'it's not outwardly obvious.'

I groaned a laugh, infuriated by the whole situation. 'I thought we were being so careful this time.'

'You know Father's suspicions never really went away.' he squeezed my arm. 'But you have been far more discreet of late.'

'For all the good it's done.' I said ruefully, then sighed. 'I really don't know how Catherine will react to this.'

'Well, there's only one way to find out.' Bash determined, rising to his feet and proffering his hand to me. 'Shall we?'

I gratefully accepted his hand and he escorted me back, all the way to Catherine's chambers.

'I am capable of making my own way.' I reminded him.

'I know that. But I want the credit for returning you.'

I laughed at his absurdity as the guard announced us. Catherine was standing by the window, her hands fiddling absent-mindedly with her necklace. The worry she carried flooded me with guilt as she turned quickly at the sound of our names.

'Oh, thank god!' She ran to embrace me, holding me tightly as though I might take flight again. As she pulled away I felt my cheek, wet with her tears.

'Where the hell have you been?!' her worry now subsiding, switched to anger.

'My apologies, I didn't mean to worry you.' I whispered, wiping her cheek. She looked to Bash.

'She's well, no harm came to her. She simply lost track of herself.'

'Thank-you, Sebastian, I know you think I overreacted.'

'Not at all.' he nodded and made to leave, but was stopped by Francis. Catherine barely noticed as she'd already taken me back in her arms, kissing my cheeks.

'Thank heavens you're safe.'

'Catherine, I'm alright, honestly. I just needed some air.'

'What the devil has happened?' she asked, take note of our company. 'I assume this has something to do with your arrival as well? Unless you're both just infuriatingly determined to not allow us any small amount of privacy?' Francis looked decidedly uncomfortable.

'Francis, are you sure you want to be part of this?' I asked.

'Not particularly, no.' he was blunt with his reply. 'But if Father is as serious as his word implies, I suspect you may need our help. Whether this is the right thing to do or not anymore, I tire of his constant attempts to hurt my mother.'

'For goodness sake, will someone please just tell me what's happened?!' Catherine snapped. I bit my lip, taking her hand and led her to the chaise.

'Oh god,' she said as we sat down. 'Just how bad is this?'

I took a breath and forced myself to look her straight in the eyes. Then I told her, relaying the whole conversation back as my stomach twisted in knots.

'I don't suppose you've considered talking to Lord William and letting him down gently?' Bash asked once I'd finished. 'He seems a decent sort. If you choose your words carefully, he may even agree not to enlighten Father.'

'And risk Charity being banished? Wonderful idea, Sebastian, really!' Catherine snapped, her brief warmth towards Bash now diminishing rather rapidly. She was pacing the room heatedly. I had tried to calm her initially, but quickly realised it was best to just let her work off her fury.

'What about the option of running away together?' He ventured next. I threw him a wry look, but the others did not hold back.

'Are you mad?!' Catherine lashed out.

'Bash, be serious.' Francis interjected. 'That would mark them as treasonous fugitives! They'd have to leave France and even then they'd never be safe!'

'Yes, we're not all open to the idea of a life as outlaws.' Catherine bit back. 'Embracing all a life of squalor has to offer isn't so appealing to everyone.'

'At least I'm trying to come up with alternatives.' Bash argued.

'None of which are even remotely helpful!' Catherine shouted back.

'ENOUGH!' Francis interrupted, stepping between them before they could come to blows. Bash would never hit a woman but Catherine shared no such morals that would stop her from attacking him. Particularly if it was driven by her fierce nature to protect me.

'You're not the only person this affects.' Francis turned to me. 'Charity, what's your take on all this?'

I had stood back from the whole exchange, watching their emotions run high as though this had nothing to do with me at all. They all turned to me, switching their thoughts from seemingly having forgotten I was even there and I was filled with the strangest sensation. I could feel a bubble of nervous energy form within me, but I had no idea what would come next. To everyone's surprise (my own included) I burst into laughter. They exchanged looks, all equally confused towards my reaction and how to proceed.

'Er…. Charity? I'm not sure how any of this is at all funny.' Catherine ventured.

'It's not, it's really not!' I barely managed to get the words out as my peals of laughter continued. I could feel myself becoming completely helpless as it took over and I struggled to breathe. Bash helped me back to the chaise before my legs gave out, while Catherine looked-on, thoroughly confused by my reaction.

'Just give her a moment.' he suggested. 'It's best you just let her ride it out.'

'I've never seen her like this.' Catherine commented. 'It's happened before?

'Not often. It's a reaction she has sometimes, due to stress. That's why it appears rather hysterical.'

It took several minutes, but finally the laughter subsided enough that I was able to breathe and talk through it.

'I'm sorry,' I spoke through the giggles while my eyes streamed with tears.

'I still don't understand what was so amusing.' Catherine said, seating herself next to me.

'Nothing. Absolutely nothing about this is even remotely funny.' I replied even as my body continued to shake from the subsiding laughter. I took a few deep breaths, attempting to at least try and pull myself together. Catherine rubbed my back in an effort to help calm me, as I wiped the remaining tears from my eyes.

'It's just so ridiculous. First I was a sex toy Henry used to be passed around, now I'm being forced to marry OR face banishment, neither of which serve any purpose beyond his whim to mess with us. It's all such a farce!' The hysterical laughter had finally subsided, giving way to an onset of anger.

'Yet now we're actually discussing an option for my survival, dependent on whether Catherine de Medici - of all people - could adapt to living a life on the run.' I was on my feet, pacing the room my own anger-fuelled frenzy, my arms gesticulating wildly.

'Without power, servants or riches. I mean, this whole situation has become so utterly ridiculous, if I don't laugh I might actually scream! I'm basically a puppet whose strings Henry has taken complete control of, manipulating me as he wishes! You know, he's really asking to be stabbed in BOTH eyes at this point!'

I came to a stop, my hands planted firmly on my hips, my eyes sparked with a fire they'd not seen before. The others all shared a look of utter shock from my outburst. It might have been a touch amusing, if it wasn't for the slight fact that I could genuinely have killed Henry in that moment.

'So….' Francis interjected, breaking the silence. 'Then it appears the only solution is to do our best to keep Charity here. Particularly if you'd still choose to stay together regardless.'

'Of course we do.' Catherine reached for me, baffled by the absurdity of the question.

'Then Charity has to accept Lord William's proposal.' Francis concluded.

'We could convince him you need to remain in the castle. If he's as smitten as Henry implies, he'll most likely consider your request.' Bash suggested.

'Yes, that's all well and good, but what about when he wants me to conceive an heir?' I asked pointedly, as the room went silent. 'I'm sorry, I know it's a topic we'd all rather avoid, but he's going to expect intimacy.'

Catherine rubbed her eyes, trying to block out the memory of my last encounter with him. She had barely coped with those one-off liaisons. If the thought sickened me I can just imagine how she felt about it. She tried to release my hand but I wouldn't allow it.

'You said yourself, living this situation poisons the heart. You've done this already, you've suffered enough for it. I hate the thought of putting you through that pain again.'

She struggled to bring herself to look at me, but finally she said.

'I hate this more than I can say, but this is not the same as the situation I've been forced into living with Henry. At least if you remain in the castle, if we can figure this out. If you leave, we lose each other completely and that's not something I'm willing to risk anymore.'

I held her in my arms.

'We will figure this out. I promise you.'