June 12th, 1562
St. James's Palace
Edward slammed his hand on the table. "Where is my wife, Lady Norfolk?"
The Duchess of Norfolk calmly set down her embroidery and turned her sharp gaze to him. "I cannot tell, Your Majesty."
Earlier that morning he had went to visit his children only to find that they were all gone. Figuring that they were with their mother, he came to Isabella's rooms to find that she and her ladies had also disappeared. Strangely, Lady Norfolk had remained behind, but claimed to have no knowledge of Isabella's disappearance
"You honestly think that I am to believe you have no knowledge of Isabella's whereabouts?" He took a seat.
Lady Norfolk chuckled. "I never said I had no knowledge, only that I cannot say, Your Majesty."
Her formality was odd, Lady Norfolk was known for her rude and blunt nature. It unnerved him to no end, and he had to force himself to remain seated, not knowing if he would choke her or run from her.
He scratched his head. "What can you tell me?"
"I can tell you that she left shortly after midnight with the children in a litter. She also mentioned that she would be heading to one of the estates Lady Anne bequeathed to her in her will. Which estate, I was not told because she knew I would be ordered to tell you, Your Majesty." The Duchess returned to her embroidery.
Edward turned to go pull his records for Lady Anne's estates, but Lady Norfolk called after him. "I would not go if I were you, Your Majesty."
"Why is that, Lady Norfolk?" He raised an eyebrow.
She set down her embroidery back down. "There is nothing for you to say to her that will bring her back, Your Majesty."
Edward laughed. "Lady Norfolk, she has no other option. My word is law as her husband and as her king."
Lady Norfolk frowned. "It is cruel thing to force her to watch you dally with your mistress, Your Majesty."
He picked up a book and threw it at the Duchess, barely missing her head. "You have no right to tell me what to do in my court! You must wish to be expelled."
She shook her head. "I apologize, Your Majesty."
"Perhaps I have been to lenient with you, I see now that you have the ability to respect authority. I had thought you too ignorant before, but it is obvious that you do not respect me, Lady Norfolk." He narrowed his eyes at her.
She continued with her embroidery, trying to pretend he wasn't there.
He threw another of Isabella's books at her. "Answer me!"
She threw down her her needlepoint. "I tried to spare you and myself, Your Majesty. No, I have no respect for anyone who makes a promise that they cannot or will not keep."
Edward scowled and stalked out. Once again, Lady Norfolk had been reasonably right and undermined his authority. He wanted to banish her, yet he needed her. She told him things he needed to know, whether he wanted to hear them or not. He hated to admit it, but he had broken his promise to his wife, but he would bring his wife back and rectify the situation at hand.
June 13th, 1562
Hever Castle
Isabella had gone into early labor at six that morning. By twelve she had given birth to a tiny girl, and had struggled with what to name her. Sancha brought her the folded slip of paper that had read "Mary Anne" and Isabella threw it down. She would never think to name any daughter of hers "Mary" again. She finally settled on Philippa Rose, after her maternal great aunt and a royal favorite of Queen Anne Boleyn, aptly since the child had been born in the late Protestant queen's childhood home. The babe had been swaddled and taken to a room that Mariana had chosen for the nursery. Her ladies had left her alone, exploring the gardens and watching over her children, yet Isabella could not rest. She could only think about Edward in Marie's arms, not caring if she and their children were dead. He had seemed to care so much when she had taken ill after Constance's birth, but she now realized that if she had died he would have married Marie the same day.
Clara de Salas poked her head through the door. "Your Majesty, the king has arrived."
Isabella sat straight up. "I do not understand, Clara you must take me for a fool."
She shook her head. "No, Your Majesty. I would never think of you as a fool. The king and a few of his men are here. He demands to see you immediately."
Isabella nodded. "Send him in Clara. We must not keep His Majesty waiting."
Clara curtsied and hurried out of the room. Isabella wished Ruth had been with her, knowing she would have laughed at the slight hint of sarcasm in her voice. Yet, she decided to leave Ruth at court to report Marie's movements, she was the only person Isabella could trust. Suddenly Isabella heard the heaviness of Edward's footsteps and the slightly clanking sound that was coming from his sword.
"Have you gone mad!" He stormed in, his face reddened.
Isabella glared at him. "I thought you would be more interested on how well your newest daughter was faring. I have every right to visit the estates my aunt hath given me."
"Another daughter? Two sons is all you can give me?"He snapped.
"What is it that you want from me?" She sipped a cup of wine that had been left for her.
She felt her stomach twist as Edward gave her a wicked grin. "I want for you to come back to court. In fact, you will return to court."
Isabella smiled amiably. "Yes, Your Majesty. I will return to court when you put away your mistress. Marry her to some baron or viscount, and give your three bastards a good dowry when they marry."
He appeared startled. "Was that an order?"
Isabella nodded. "Yes, I believe it was."
"I am not putting her away until I feel like it." He got in her face. "Understand?"
Isabella leaned forward until their noses touched. "Then I am not going anywhere with you. My children and I will remain on my estates."
Edward reached back to strike her but stopped himself when she shrank back. "You have lived in England nearly your entire life, and yet you are still foolish enough to think that I will not get what I want. I executed my own uncle when I was a mere child. What makes you believe that you are so special?"
Isabella snorted. "You would not dare have me executed."
He narrowed his eyes into slits. "Do not believe that I am just going to leave you and our children here."
Isabella grinned. "What are you going to do, Your Majesty?"
He turned to his men. "I have already given your orders. You are to arrest the queen for treason and escort her to the Tower of London."
June 14th, 1562
Tower of London
Edward had decided to visit his imprisoned wife in the tower. She was under the care of his good friend Barnaby FitzPatrick, who had come to London after Edward recalled him from Ireland.
"The queen had to be chained to prevent her from escaping, she is a crafty one." FitzPatrick informed him.
Edward nodded and followed him down the corridors of empty cells until they reached his wife. The chains that hung from the ceiling had been clamped around her wrists, leaving her arms crossed over her head. She was weeping quietly, but when she looked up to see him she grimaced coldly.
"You tried to escape I see." He nodded at her shackles.
She shifted her feet. "This is no way to treat a woman who hath just given birth."
Barnaby opened the cell and Edward stepped inside. He didn't want to be cruel to his wife but he was going to make sure that she would be at his side for as long as he wanted her to be.
He cupped her cheek with his hand. "Why do you run from me, Isabella? I have been a good husband to you. I have never raised my voice or lost my temper. Why must you be so angry with me?"
She laughed. "I cannot believe that I am expected to be complacent when you have lied to me. You promise me on our wedding night that you would never lie with another, and yet I have found you, my husband groping for trout in a peculiar river!"
Without thinking, Edward struck her. She whimpered, but he could see the tears in her eyes. "I believe you will be spending many of your days in here, my lady."
He stormed off but he could heard Isabella, half sobbing, half screaming. "Edward! Edward! Edward!"
The further he walked, the more hysterical she became. He kept walking, she needed to learn her place.