November 7th, 1555
Greenwich Palace
Why on Earth would he want me? I pray he's nothing like his father. Oh the brute Henry VIII! It is true he gave my aunt, Lady Anne, a quite generous settlement and precedence over most of the women in England but a tyrant nonetheless! My father sent me to England to live a private life because he didn't want his precious Isabella anywhere near a royal court. And yet I am here, to marry the King of England.
Isabella knew there was no use trying to fight the fact that she would be married to Edward, she just prayed she could get out of the marriage with her head. Her two maids, Ruth and Ethel, were heating water over the open fire.
"Oh Lady Isabella the king must be deeply infatuated with you to give you such wonderful chambers!" Ruth chirped and strode across the room to help her out of the bed.
The chamber had high ceilings and the walls were almost completely covered with tapestries, some of biblical scenes while other depicted the Wars of the Roses and the rise of the Tudors. One wall was completely made of glass and covered by silk curtains. This world of silk and gold was new to her for the Lady Anne had been quite a shrewd woman when it came to spending. At Chelsea Manor her bed sheets had been woolen and hand made by her aunt. She had brought one with her but the silk sheets and feather pillows were a far cry from what she was used to. She finally understood why any woman would want to marry highly just for luxury. She had always been comfortable with her aunt but now she pampered and dainty like women she had once despised for their weakness.
"If the King be infatuated with me now I pray he remains that way so that I do not spend my last days in utter despair," Isabella shooed her maid and began removing her nightgown.
"You mustn't say such," Ethel chided. She filled a basin with the warm water.
What if he's like his father? What if I can't bear sons? Will I be executed?
"He frightens me, Ethel. What if I cannot bear him a son? Will I be imprisoned like Catherine of Aragon or worse beheaded on the Tower Green?" Isabella longed for her aunt so she could run into her arms and cry to her.
"Do not think of such. The women of your family have not a trouble of bearing sons, I could not imagine you having difficulty of any sort. Sons and daughters, healthy ones too." Ethel was an elderly woman and she was naturally soothing.
Isabella allowed the two maids to wash and clothe her in a soft green gown. Her mind was reeling at the fact that she would be made a queen.
The forgotten German princess, a queen. Maybe I can learn to love this man. He seems lively, and that kiss… oh! Yes, I will love him as a true wife. Perhaps, he may even love me.
She had seen the lust in his eyes, felt him against her but she had liked it. She has wanted him and only her sense had kept her pure. A knock roused her from her thoughts and of course it was Edward, a much more solemn man than he had been the day before. In his hand was a bright red rose and the lust in his eyes had gone.
"Lady Isabella," He presented her with the rose and placed a ring upon her finger.
The ring was pure gold with a large sapphire set in it. It fit her finger almost perfectly and she marveled at the obviously expensive gift. She placed the rose beside a book she had been reading, remembering the symbol of the Tudors was a rose.
"Thank you, Your Grace," She bowed her head, only for him to lift it and kiss her cheek.
He seemed to like to kiss her. His bright red-gold hair framed his face and his green eyes glowed.
"I have come to spend this morn with you, so that I might know you more than your exquisite beauty."
"Well your company is much appreciated, My Lord. I-"
He placed a kiss upon her lips and she felt herself melt, she knew it was a sin to feel such ways for a man but Edward was worth it.
"We are to be married on the 14th of this November," Edward went on.
Isabelle gasped. "That is so soon!"
"Is that too soon?" Edward inquired.
"Absolutely not, Your Grace, I am just shocked that you wish to marry me that soon."
Why can it not be sooner?
He smirked. "I am already quite fond of you. A humble lady not quite aware of how much she has enchanted me,"
"Your words flatter and frighten me, Your Grace. I would much prefer to keep my head upon my shoulders rather than be accused of being a witch and beheaded for the accusations of witchcraft," Isabelle pulled herself away from him.
Edward frowned and for a moment Isabella thought she had displeased him.
"I do not wish to frighten you my dear Isabella. I only wish to make you the happiest queen." His voice was soft and Isabella felt foolish.
She turned away in fear and shame. "Will you desire me as you do now if I cannot bear you a son?"
She felt her heart flutter in her chest and a hand was placed upon her shoulder.
His eyes burned with earnest and Isabella allowed him to embrace her."Do not fret Lady Isabella for I will love you as a true husband. I am aware that my father's precedent leaves a stain upon me but I ask of thee to look upon me as if I were a man of common birth rather than a king,"
She felt that he wanted nothing more than to be loved in a way she knew she could provide. He wanted a partner not just a woman to produce sons.
"I will look upon you by your own merits. I apologize for my fears for I have not been justified in them," She whispered and looked away.
He turned her head back to him. "It is alright for you to express such feeling to me for that is how one finds love,"
"Is it odd for me to say that I may actually have already fallen for you, Your Grace?" His comforts were already rivaling those of her aunt and she had just met this man.
"It is not for I felt the same as soon as my eyes befell your lovely face. May we enjoy the afternoon meal together?" His air of protector and lover was much of an intrigue for Isabella and she nodded swiftly.
A loud knock upon the large wooden door startled her. He broke their embrace with a kiss upon her cheek and turned to go.
"Are you to leave now?" She inquired, she was disappointed her time with him was cut short.
He shook his head and lines appeared in his face."I must. There seems to be a rebellion raising arms against me,"
"In the north I suppose. Where the Catholics are?" She had heard these talks in the marketplace before.
"Yes. How did you know of this?" His eyes widened.
"There were rumors earlier in the year, around harvest time I hear of these rebels, although most times I was shooed away. 'Men talk' they called it," She crossed the room and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Did you hear of names?"
"No I am afraid but your army is strong and there are few that would challenge your authority. You are much loved and respected by our people. 'Our Good King Edward' they call you quite fondly as if you were their own babe. This rebellion shall falter soon," She tried her best to comfort him as she could see the distress in his face.
He rested his head in her bosom and she sat upon her bed with him, stroking his head gently.
"You are a great comfort, I wish I could remain here with you but I must go meet with my Privy Counsel. I will be able to meet you for the meal as I said I would." He bid her farewell and disappeared down the hall.
"You're spending the afternoon with the king?" Ethel's raspy voice sounded from across the room.
"Yes, Ethel may I have the blue gown for today?" It was Isabella's favorite dress because it had been her mother's.
"Oh of course you can dear. Would you like me to get your riding gear together as well?"
"Please do Ethel I must not have him thinking that I'm a dainty wench incapable of riding even the most tame of beasts." Isabella laughed for the first time since she'd been away from her aunt.
Ruth was prancing about the room again."When you marry the king you must bring the Lady Anne to see this palace,"
"Ruth, my aunt was queen before any of this," Isabella knew Ruth was overly excited and had probably forgotten everything she knew.
"I thought she was King Henry's sister!"
Isabella rolled her eyes."Those were terms of the annulment Ruth, remember?"
"Let's not speak of an annulment when you are to be married. Ruth and I must prepare a dress for you," Ethel interjected, shooting Ruth a warning glance.
A harsh knock at the door startled the three the women and Ethel rushed to open it. She curtsied, "Lord Dudley,"
Isabella had heard of this Dudley, he was one of the King's major advisers. Why was he here if Edward was meeting with the Privy Counsel?
"Lady Isabella?" He inquired.
"Lord Dudley," she nodded to him.
This man was tall and skinny, his voice deep and threatening. She already felt quite uneasy in his presence and looked away.
His tone was silky and condescending."I have come to discuss the issue of your dowry."
"Lord Dudley, I do believe it is the Lady Anne and my father Duke of Cleves that you shall be discussing this with. If you must know the Lady Anne is giving the King Richmond Palace, Hever Castle, and her home in Sussex for my dower. I am not sure what my father is going to give so may I ask why you have come to my chamber?" Her voice was level but she was outraged, this Lord Dudley had no right to question her.
"My Lady, I did not mean to offend but I must find what the king would expect from a woman that he wants as a bride, he is as a son to me,"
She was irate, she held higher precedence over him in court."That is all very well but the King is in his majority. I'm quite sure he has the ability to determine whether or not I am a suitable wife. He has spoken to me upon his own accord and he finds me to make a good companion to him."
"Have you ever been bedded Lady Isabella?"
She stood and faced him, her chest heaving in anger."I will ask you to leave, Lord Dudley. No man may question my chastity so bluntly, you bring shame to yourself for asking me such!"
"I will take leave of you, but remember My Lady Isabella I can cause you to lose the King's favor long before he takes your hand." He snarled and left her chamber.
Isabella sat in a chair and contemplated the events that just happened before her. She had just been threatened by the Duke of Northumberland. She had an enemy at court before she had even left her chamber. He wanted to cause her fall and she could not allow that to happen. 'I can cause you to lose the King's favor before he takes your hand' he had said.
Not unless I cause your fall first.