~ Josephine ~

The next morning, after talking with Lola all night, I wake from sleeping on the chaise and cover Lola with the sheets on my bed, which she is sleeping on. Mary wakes soon after, from sleeping next to Lola.

Not being dressed yet, Sarah, a servant, opens the door, and Mary and our ladies walk in. "Lady Kenna, Lady Aylee, and Greer of Kinross, Your Grace." Sarah curtsies.

Mary and I start to walk over to them. "Thank you, Sarah."

Sarah leaves and Kenna looks to where I slept; the chaise near my bed. "You slept there while Lola and Mary slept in your bed?"

"We were talking about what happened to Colin. She fell asleep crying." I look between the girls. "I feel for her. And for Colin."

Mary nods. "We both do."

We decide to exit the room as to not wake Lola up from her sleep, and not forgetting to leave a note for her. We continue chatting in hushed tones in the castle's corridor, where tables of food are laid out.

"The French King and Queen said Colin's attack on me was an English plot, but Colin told Lola it was someone here, highly placed at French Court. All I know is it had to be someone opposed to Scotland's alliance with France; our engagement to Francis." We all start to eat breakfast, picking up bread and fruit.

I lower my voice further. "England wants our country, and our crown. We need the alliance with France to protect Scotland from the English, and we need time before there's any chance of Francis marrying one of us. I won't have time if I don't figure out who's against us."

Later that day, after I am dressed, all of court has gathered in the throne room. On this day, a group of foreigners has gathered while the King and Queen decide who they shall betrothed the younger prince to. And it is settled.

"Let's agree it's a brilliant match. Madeline's French, so there's no question of her family's loyalty... Very wealthy." Catherine says to her husband.

King Henry is not convinced. "But not royal, so they're hungry for power."

"They'll pay for it."

The King's concern seems to lift at the thought. "It's only right to accept the support of one's loyal subjects."

Catherine looks at Prince Charles with happiness. "And she has a giraffe!"

The young prince finally smiles.

"Well, Madeleine's widely traveled. She's come far away... by ship." Catherine continues to her son.

Charles looks at his mother. "Do I get a giraffe, too?"

"The moment she's your bride." Catherine smiles.

As Catherine puts her child at ease, Henry makes preparations. "Francis, to show our respect, I want you to accompany your little brother to the landing."

Charles looks at his father. "Can Bash come as well?"

"Charlie." Catherine starts to scold. "You know that Bash isn't really your brother. He's just your father's son."

I notice that Francis and Sebastian both look at each other from across the room and smile faintly.

"His presence is disrespectful." Catherine says, which is quite rude.

Henry steps forward as his wife ruffles their son's hair. "The girl's parents were enjoying Morocco, so they sent her on alone."

Catherine chuckles a bit. "Barely. She was more afraid of meeting her future husband than of pirates. Well, that's to be expected at age seven. She'll get in line. We all do."

I step forward with an idea. "Perhaps Mary and I can go with Francis? We came here, too, when we were children. Perhaps we can reassure her?"

"It's several hours' journey." Henry says, probably concerned with our well-being.

"Then we'll take food and treats. I don't mind, really." I say.

Catherine seems nervous. "On second thought, why don't we greet the girl here? We don't know...the journey might not be safe."

"They'll stay on the King's road." Henry says. "A dozen-well armed guards will keep any bandits away." With the matter settled, Henry takes off to set the trip up.

Mary steps forward. "Actually, I was hoping to write to our mother, and get some things settled today. Perhaps go shopping with our ladies today. I know Josephine wouldn't mind"

I shake my head. She should go. It might help Lola clear her head. "If it is what my sister wishes, than I have no objection to it. You wouldn't mind letting Mary and our ladies use a carriage and some guards, your Majesty?"

"Go ahead. Prepare carriages," Henry says to the guards. "for Josephine and Mary, Queens of Scotland."

A convoy of guards on horseback and carriages carry me, Francis, and Prince Charles to meet Madeleine. Charles plays with a puzzle book across from Francis, next to me. I try to rest my eyes, but I am unsuccessful in the attempt.

"She even smells nice." Charles says, and I try not to smile.

I hear Francis breathe in deeply. "I know." He sounds like something is keeping him back.

I almost blush.

When the carriage stops, which seems sooner than expected, knowing that I fell asleep, I wake to Francis leaving me with Charles, who seems utterly disinterested.

"Can I finish my puzzle?" Charles asks.

Francis peeps his head in through the window. "We'll come for you once the girl's boat has come ashore."

I get up, and Francis helps me out of the carriage my embroidered cloak blowing in the wind. I wish he would hold my hand longer.

We stand over the shore, looking as about a dozen small boats approach the shoreline. Francis looks confused. "There are too many boats." He says.

The larger boat has a huge, white English flag as a banner. I notice it, and so does Francis.

"That's not a French ship. Those are English." Francis says.

I look at it closer. "Is it a warship?"

"Yes. Guards!" Francis alerts the guards, and must be fearing the worst.

"What are they doing here?" I ask.

Francis shakes his head. "I don't know. I think it's a hostile landing."

This doesn't make any sense. "But England and France are at peace. Have they come for me?"

Francis turns to a guard. "Get Josephine out of here. Hide her."

The men are now on the shoreline and they have started walking up the hill toward the group. One of the guards prepares a horse for riding. Francis turns to me. "Josie, can you ride?"

I nod. "Yes."

Francis looks to the guard again. "Get my brother out of here, someplace safe." The French guards mount their bows with arrows directed toward the approaching men. "Josie, now."

Before Charles and I are whisked away, Bash arrives on horseback. "No! Wait! Don't shoot! Stand down!"

"There's an English warship." Francis protests.

"The English have come in peace. The French ship took on water; it was in distress. The English were nearby and gave rescue." Bash explains, but I don't buy it.

"How do you know this?" I ask.

"They sent an emissary on ahead to the castle. He's being held. If they're lying, they'll have his head." Bash sighs when the guards finally put down their weapons. Several minutes later, the group arrive, including the prince's future wife.

Francis, Charles, Bash, myself, and the guards are in a group, and Madeleine and her guards and caretakers in a group. Madeleine takes a few steps forward, but Charles is too shy to meet her. I think Madeleine is just adorable.

Francis puts his hands on Charles's shoulders and bends down next to his ear. "Go and introduce yourself."

Charles shakes his head 'no' and refuses to step forward. I step toward Madeleine and decide to break the ice.

"Hello, Madeleine. I'm Josephine, but you can call me Josie. I know you've had a very long journey, but you're safe now. And you are very welcome here." I extend my hand to Madeleine, who eventually takes it and we walk forward towards Charles.

I stand behind Madeleine, whisper to her. "Go on now."

After a moment, Madeleine steps forward and bows, then Charles does as well. Charles bends down and picks a small flower, barely visible, and gives it to Madeleine, making her smile. Francis smiles at the cute interaction between them, and looks up at me, still smiling. I smile widely back at him.

After finally introducing himself, Prince Charles and Madeleine play together at a party held at the castle. All around, people are dancing, chatting, and feasting on various types of food.

My ladies and I are enjoying ourselves, but I am getting strange looks, especially from the men. Kenna wanted to loan me a light, sea foam blue dress with no back, and a v-shaped neckline, all glittered in jewels. She insisted that I wear it, and practically forced me into it. I argued that this party was for two children who were just engaged, and wondered how I was to wear a corset with it. Kenna told me that there was a built in corset that tied on the sides, and then the top part was pulled up. She also said that if I wanted to get Francis's attention, I needed to work harder for it.

Kenna won the argument.

Mary doesn't mind that I've taken a certain liking to Francis during our time here. She isn't very interested at all. Mary has had her eye on Charles II, Archduke of Austria, who is supposed to wed the one who doesn't marry Francis. Mary has told me that she is already engaged to him, which means that I'm the one to wed Francis. So, they're all trying to get him to notice me.

Lord Westbrook, the English envoy, comes up to me during one of the dances, and starts conversation.

"You're English, Lord Westbrook, but you say that you did not come with the warship? You reside in France?" I question him, for me and my sister's safety.

Simon nods. "I have a home in Paris, but I often stay at court. Call me Simon, please. So we can be friendly and frank with one another. Not like the French, who simply say what you want to hear. How is your engagement going?"

"Quite well. We're very happy." I lie. I don't want him thinking that something is wrong.

Simon cocks his head to the side. "Then why haven't you set a date? Charles and Madeleine are only seven, but they'll be wed on her 14th birthday. France's commitment to Scotland is hollow. They're playing both sides. If you were threatened, would they really come to your defense?"

I was almost found out, but I cover it up. "I believe that is the very definition of an alliance. But, of course, you knew that."

"I know this from one look at you. You're of age. You should be married." Simon looks me up and down.

"Are you proposing, or are you trying to scare me?"

Simon steps closer to me. "Pack your pretty friends, your sister, and any hopes of salvation, and go back to Scotland."

"And exactly how long before England attacks in full force if I do that?" I've figured him out. "I'm not going anywhere."

Simon smirks. "Didn't the nuns raise a brave girl. You and your sister sent to them for protection, as I recall. How was the porridge at convent? Did Mary mention it? We thought it needed a little seasoning. A little something to make the flavor of our intentions clear."

I am horrified. My last day at the convent, when one of the nuns died right before my eyes. And the same with Mary. He threatened my family? No one does threatens the people I love.

Just before I am about to verbally attack him, Francis comes up and tries to calm me down before I make a public spectacle of myself, like I already haven't, wearing this dress.

Francis put his hand on my back. My bare back. "Darling, you're missing the game. Antoine's had seven cups of wine. Every time he hiccups or burps, we must have one ourselves." He must have heard about Mary and the Archduke.

Francis finally acknowledges Simon nonchalantly. "Simon! Back at court?"

"And very pleased to be here."

Before anything else is said, Francis moves even closer to me, wiggling his eyebrows. "I have another game in mind for you."

Francis takes a drink of wine, and drags me away from Simon, but not before forcing him to hold his chalice."

"What are you doing?" I ask.

Francis pins me to a wall, and I am clearly upset to him. He puts his right hand on my waist, his fingertips touching the part of my skin that shows, and the other hand next to my head. I try to move his hand away from me, but he holds his grasp there. "Don't move. Don't push me away. You're shaking. You can't show them you're scared."

I was shaking? "You've heard about Mary and the Archduke?" I ask.

Francis nods. "Calm down, you're still shaking."

I am? "He threatened me here, at French Court. He wanted me to know that they tried to poison me and my sister at convent."

"He's heard things about my reluctance to marry you." Francis says softly.

I take deep breaths to calm myself. "Then they're aware that Mary and I don't have your country's protection here."

"You do." Francis says to me.

I remain unconvinced, despite my growing feelings for Francis.

"You do." He says quieter.

"There are dozens of English here, hundreds more camped on the coastline." I look around, and sigh that my sister is away from them all.

Francis's face gets closer to mine. "I'm at your side. We'll prove to them our union is strong."

"But it isn't." I say.

"Well, they'll think it is before their visit is over." Francis holds out his left hand, the one that is not touching my skin, but I don't take it. I look around, and I see that all eyes- including the Queen and Nostradamus- are on me. "Can you do this?"

I look into his eyes. "Absolutely. Can you?"

Francis nods, and I take his hand, right before kissing his cheek. We walk back to the party and start to dance happily, even kissing each others cheeks.

That night, right before bed, Mary and our ladies sneak into my room. Kenna has a wide smile on her face.

"It seems that my dress worked with Francis, didn't it?" She asks, causing the others to giggle.

I smile. "I'm not sure what you are talking about."

Mary rolls her eyes. "Come on, Josie. Everyone saw you two in a corner after you were talking with Simon. I think Francis was jealous, and wanted you to himself."

"Mary, you know that nothing is going on between us." I start to blush.

Aylee smiles. "Not yet."

The girls giggle.

"I agree with Kenna; the dress worked." Greer says. "I might have to borrow it sometime."

Kenna laughs. "Besides, someday, he's probably going to sneak in here one night, so you can practice for the consummation on your wedding day."

My face burns up. The girls burst out laughing.

Lola sighs. "Aw, she's blushing!"

I blush even more, and lightly smack her on the arm. "I am not!"

Kenna places her hand on my knee. "Oh, Josie, you know we're just teasing!"

I smile. "I know, but it wasn't the dress that got Francis up close and personal with me."

"What was it?" Aylee asks.

I sigh. "It was Simon, the English envoy."

"Jealousy! I knew it!" Mary exclaims.

The girls laugh and I shake my head. "No, Simon told me personally that the English, specifically him in the group, were the ones that poisoned the porridge at the convents, Mary. I was angry and scared, and before I could yell at him, Francis saved me from being a spectacle of myself."

The girls stop laughing. Mary seems horrified, just like I was.

"Why that little...the ignorant, English ass! How dare he! If I could get my hands on him, I'd squish him like grape!" Mary shouts, and we start laughing again.

"Well, I can clearly see that you and Josie are twins!" Greer says in between laughs, and we laugh harder.

The next morning, King Henry and Queen Catherine come to my chambers while Mary, our ladies, and I are finishing getting ready. We are presentable, my page made sure of that. Kenna felt a bit guilty about making me wear the backless dress last night, so she gave me a strapless white gown, to show my purity.

The news that the king and queen gave us was shocking, and a bit relieving.

"Colin's alive?" I ask, not sure if I should believe it.

Henry sighs, answering. "Alive and escaped, I'm afraid."

A look of relief washes over Lola's face.

"He had help." Catherine adds.

Mary steps forward to stand beside me. "Who?"

"Perhaps the English." Henry guesses.

I am barely able to formulate a coherent sentence. "But-t-t the attack... the execution... it all took place before they arrived."

"They're always here, my dear." Catherine says, placing a hand on my arm. "Spies and treachery are constant in our world, but you have our protection. The guards are out looking for Colin, and he will be found." She changes the subject. "There's a picnic this afternoon for Madeleine and Charles. The perimeter will be guarded."

I realize what this means. "Perhaps this is a mixed blessing... And I'll have a chance to speak with Colin once he's found; to learn how deep the plot against my person runs.." I look to Catherine. "You said yourself, Colin was a mere pawn."

"The informants who pointed at the English fled, fearing retribution." Catherine says.

King Henry seems curious. "Have they?"

"Mmm."

I look at the King and Queen. "All I ask of you is that you bring him back alive. I need answers, and you did regret that he was executed so quickly, not knowing my request."

"Colin is a dangerous fugitive. I can not... We can not possibly guarantee that he-e won't attack the guards and be harmed... or killed." Catherine seems to stumble with her words.

Henry reassures me. "We can promise to try."

The King and Queen leave my chambers.