The next morning, Mary woke up early. She had her servants help her get into her riding habit and headed for the stables to find Conde already getting their horses ready.
"Good morning, your majesty." Conde bowed.
"Good morning, Louis." Mary smiled. "Is everything ready?"
"Yes. I've also packed a basket of food in case you get hungry." Conde said.
"Perfect." Mary said. "Let's go."
After a few hours of riding, Mary and Conde stopped by a small pond and decided to have lunch.
"Wait, so Lola is married to Narcisse?" Conde asked.
"Yes, with a blessing from Francis." Mary said.
"Strange choice." Conde smirked. "What else has happened?"
"I almost signed my claim to England away." Mary said. "Right before the Scottish assassins killed Francis."
"Why would you do that, Mary?" Conde asked.
"I thought I would stay in France forever, with Francis. Two countries were enough." Mary paused. "I never thought I would ever return to Scotland."
"I'm sorry, Mary." Conde said. "Let's talk about something else."
"Yes." Mary agreed. "How have you been, Louis?"
"I spent some time travelling after I left court. I tried to stay off the radar." Conde said. "My brother tried to convince me to marry Queen Elizabeth-"
"I remember." Mary said coldly.
"Well, I refused." Conde sighed. "I didn't want to be married to her, and I did not want to betray you. So I hid from him and all of her advisors that she kept sending."
"I heard Don Carlos of Spain had his eyes on her, but an engagement was never announced." Mary said.
"Maybe she didn't like him, I've heard some cringe worthy things about the Prince." Conde said.
"Really? Care to share?" Mary smiled.
"Mary, I finally found you." Bash said. "Sorry for the interruption, but Catherine requests for you to return to the castle immediately."
"What's going on, Bash?" Mary asked.
"Don Carlos of Spain has arrived in France and wishes to see you."
"Speaking of the devil." Mary whispered to Conde. "Very well. Let us return to court."
Upon returning, Conde had an unsettling feeling. He had not yet asked Mary to marry him, like Catherine suggested; in fact they haven't spoken about their feelings for each other since he returned. He knew he would have to act fast, especially since Don Carlos would make a good alliance for Mary as well.
Mary was surprised that Don Carlos had wanted to see her. She was sure he was in France to court Mary, but why would he bother with a dowager queen when he had originally wanted to be with a virgin queen? Mary didn't know, but she had to admit she was eager to find out.
"Queen Mary." A man that Mary did not recognize greeted. "Gideon Blackburn, at your service."
"I imagine you are the new English Ambassador?" Mary asked.
"Yes, I am." Gideon smiled. "You are?" He asked as he looked to Conde.
"I am Lord Conde."
"Lord? Oh, Prince Conde. My Queen has looked everywhere for you." Gideon smirked. "Glad you are well, Prince Conde. It was nice meeting you, Queen Mary. I will be taking my leave now."
Mary watched Gideon bow and walk away. "I do not trust anyone from Elizabeth's court."
"I will keep an eye on him." Bash said.
"Thank you, Bash." Mary said.
"Conde, can I have a word with you?" Bash asked.
"Of course." Conde smiled.
"Mary, Catherine and Don Carlos should be in the throne room."
"Of course." Mary said as she walked away.
"What is it, Bash?" Conde asked.
"Why was Elizabeth looking for you?" Bash asked.
"Let's go to a more private place to speak." Conde said.
Conde and Bash rode out to the woods, Mary already knew why Elizabeth was looking for Conde, but Bash didn't. Conde didn't want Bash to suspect anything because he wanted things to work out with Mary, so he knew he had to come clean.
"Okay, I think we are far enough." Bash said sternly. "Why was the Queen of England looking for you?"
"My brother, and Elizabeth were trying to negotiate a marriage alliance between myself and the Queen of England." Conde said.
"What?" Bash said. "And now you're trying to get back with Mary? Is that why you've returned?"
"Bash, no. Let me explain." Conde said as his heart began to race. "I never told anyone about this, the only person that knew was Mary. I left court because I knew Mary would choose Francis no matter what. I fell off the radar because I did not want my brother or Elizabeth to contact me. I refused the marriage proposal. I recently returned to my estate, that's how I found out about Francis' death, and I only came to see if Mary was okay." Conde looked at Bash, trying to study his face. "I love Mary, Bash. I know at one point you did too. I would never do anything to hurt her, please trust me."
"Okay. But if you betray or hurt her, I will kill you myself." Bash said. "When Francis died, he told me to take care of her and protect her. I will keep my promises."
"I know, and I rather die than to see her hurt again." Conde said.
"Ah, Mary!" Catherine said with a fake smile on her face. "You've returned."
"Catherine, what is it?" Mary asked.
"This is Don Carlos of Spain."
Mary looked to see a handsome prince walk up to greet her.
"Your grace, it's a pleasure to meet you." Don Carlos said as he kissed her hand. "You're even more beautiful than everyone's described."
"Thank you, Don Carlos. You are too kind." Mary smiled.
"I will leave you two to get acquainted." Catherine said as she rushed out of the room.
"So Don Carlos," Mary paused, "what brings you to France?"
"I am looking for a bride, and I have eyes for a certain someone who resides at French Court." Don Carlos smirked. "I am here to court you, Mary, Queen of Scots."
"I'm flattered." Mary smiled.
Don Carlos studied the Queen. "You are still in mourning for your late husband?"
Mary looked down to her dark wardrobe and responded. "Yes. I've been in mourning for quite some time now."
"I hope to make you happy and change your mind. Will you let me?" Don Carlos smiled.
Mary took a breath before she answered, but was interrupted mid-thought by the English Ambassador.
"Don Carlos?" Gideon greeted. "Glad to see you again."
"Ambassador Blackburn," Don Carlos greeted him, mildly annoyed, "I am trying to have a private conversation with Queen Mary."
"It's alright, Don Carlos." Mary reassured. "How can I help you, Gideon?"
"I am actually here to see Don Carlos, heard he was in the throne room to meet Queen Mary, so I waited outside but got bored." Gideon smirked.
"I will leave you two be then." Mary turned to Don Carlos. "It was nice meeting you, Don Carlos."
Don Carlos waited for Mary to walk off before he spoke to Gideon. Unbeknownst to the men, Mary stood right outside the doorway to eavesdrop.
"What the hell do you want, Gideon?" Don Carlos asked angrily.
"Trying to court the Queen of Scots after the Queen of England threw you out of her country? Oh and what about poor Anne?" Gideon asked.
"That is none of your concern, Ambassador." Don Carlos spoke. "I warn you, if you say anything to Mary, I will have you beheaded."
Mary's eyes widened and she ran off before the men could realize she was still listening. She couldn't help but wonder what Don Carlos did to Elizabeth and Anne, he seemed so charming. She wasn't sure what her next step would be so she went to confide in the one person she knew she could talk to.
"Queen Mary, the Queen Mother is at a meeting with the privy council. Did you need her right away?" The guard at Catherine's door asked.
"No, please just let her know that I would like to see her as soon as possible." Mary smiled and walked to her chambers, hoping that she would be able to confide in her mother in law before anything else happened.
Thank you for reading!