November 20th, 1555

Tower of London

"Isabella you must breathe. It is only your coronation, the king will not harm you," Ruth tutted her tongue as she tied the stays in the queen's dress.

Isabella was a timid figure as she was readying herself for the coronation that was to take place. Ruth knew if she had been in her place she would be chattering non-stop but of course she was not the Duke of Cleves' daughter, she was the daughter of Isabella's wet nurse. Of course, Ruth's mother had only served that purpose until she died giving birth to Ruth. Duchess Sophia had died only two years later and Isabella, Ruth, and her grandmother Ethel had come to live in the Lady Anne's household. Ruth and Isabella were 'sisters' in their own minds and Isabella had given her the title The Queen's Dear Sister which was similar to the style given to the Lady Anne after her annulment. The other ladies called her "Lady Norfolk", this was proper because of her marriage to the Duke of Norfolk. Ruth had to admit, she could have never seen herself as a duchess, but she was grateful for Thomas's love and hoped she would soon be carrying her own child.

She was also praying for Isabella to carry a Prince of Wales to please her husband. As she plaited her hair Ruth could hear the chants of the crowds below, the common folk were ready to see their next king in the arms of his mother and father. Yet, Isabella had fears that she had confided in Ruth, fears that she would fail to produce a healthy son to succeed Edward; that she would be the next Catherine of Aragon or even Anne Boleyn. Ethel had silenced the new queen whenever she spoke of it, assuring her that she would have many sons for the king. Ruth was more cautious, childbearing was not a safe pursuit, nor was there any guarantee that Isabella wasn't barren. There was always the possibility that something could go wrong, of course Ruth had held her tongue when Isabella spoke on these matters, it was uncharacteristic of her, but she had no choice.

Mariana and Sancha approached with the coronation furs and Ruth did a side-step so that they could be placed on Isabella's shoulders. Almost regally, the queen stood and faced her ladies, the furs emphasized her new status.

"Your Majesty," Ruth and the ladies bowed to Isabella, who seemed pale in the face.

The queen regained composure for a moment. "Shall we make the procession?"

"Aye, my queen" Ruth nodded to Isabella, who strode towards the door, followed by her ladies.

Ruth nodded to Mariana, Sancha, and Mary, who helped carry the train as they exited the tower.

Isabella was assisted into her litter and the ladies followed on foot as they made the slow procession to Westminster Abbey.

"Why could they not have given her coronation on the day of the wedding!" Catherine hissed.

Marie snorted. "The English have always been a backwards lot. It does not surprise me that they would not give the coronation on the same day. Remember, here the people rule the king, in France it is nothing of the sort."

Ruth silently cursed the two French sisters. Isabella could not have just listened to her just once and the disrespectful French ladies were apart of the retinue, where they did not belong.

"You will not speak of our new home in such a manner!" Madeleine hissed.

Charlotte glared at the de Meleun sisters with contempt.

"Why are you so infuriated Madeleine? What have the English done for you other than kill your poor father?" Marie taunted.

"There will be silence in this procession!" Ruth snapped.

Catherine and Marie whispered something to each other and turned away from Ruth. Madeleine and Charlotte began to walk closer to Ruth, Sancha, and Mariana.

"That lot is quite rude." Sancha muttered.

Ruth shook her head. "They show themselves to be frivolous and silly women. I will not be surprised when their names are blackened with names of men who have bedded them. They are simple minded and weak. Surely, they are not virgins, for they have not a drop of pure blood running through their veins. Their eyes scream of deceit and unclean deeds."

Mariana sighed. "Lady Norfolk, there is not much we can do unless the queen dismisses them. We should just find a way to work with them without offending ourselves."

"I pray that God lights that path," Madeleine scoffed.

Charlotte eye balled them in disgust. "Aye, the de Meleuns are notorious in France. They were both regulars to the king and three dukes, often at the same time."

Mary pushed her way into the fold. "You lot seem to have been upset by something. You have been distracted from the lavish splendor of London."

Ruth looked around. There were cheering peasants, music playing loudly, tapestries were hanging from buildings, and pageants were being held, all to honor Isabella. Mary had roused all of the ladies from their previous grievances and they all stood together, dumbfounded by the finery. They were now at Westminster and Isabella was helped out of the litter. Ruth took the lead and the ladies began to carry the train as Isabella walked inside of the abbey. A throne was waiting for her, Edward standing next to it expectantly. Isabella led the bow to Edward, although she was the only one who was able to rise. Ruth had been instructed to tell the ladies to remained bowed at Isabella's feet throughout the coronation ceremony . Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, was there to perform the ceremony. With his Bible in hand, he spoke words over Isabella and a veil was placed around her head. Ruth could just make out the Archbishop placing oil on Isabella's forehead. The crown was placed on the plaited, deep red hair and with that, the ceremony was over. Isabella was the queen.

"I now present to you Queen Isabella of England!"

Ruth smiled as the masses cheered for her sister. The chant rose up again, "God save the Queen! God save the Queen!"