The King, The Duke, and The Lady
Chapter 14
It was a beautiful afternoon and Brianna decided to take both Charles and Edward out to the gardens to 'toddle' around on their chubby little legs. Both boys were forever active and tumbled and played with abandon whenever they were allowed to. Charles was given much more freedom to be a little boy, while still learning the ins and outs that were required of a future Duke. Edward, unfortunately, was allowed much less freedom and his governess was constantly controlling his every movement.
On that day, Brianna already had Charles in hand, dressed for outdoor play, and stopped by Edward's quarters to pick him up to enjoy running in the garden as well. Brianna was laughing at the two boys she held close in her arms, and in her heart for that matter, and they pulled each others' noses and ears. Edward's governess came and with great pride and haughtiness took Edward from Brianna's arms, in no uncertain terms telling the Duchess of Suffolk that Edward was her ward and that he was not going outside to play. He might develop 'ill-humors' after all. Brianna raised an eyebrow at the governess' behavior, a warning sign to anyone familiar with Brianna's normally patient manner. Brianna looked at Edward as he started to cry in his strict governess' arms. "Mistress Stafford, I am sure you are a very good at your job or Sir Edward would not have you as his nephew's governess. However, as dark and dim as you keep the child's rooms and as strictly as you hold him to such stringent rules, I am afraid you will kill his spirit and his good humor. At this age, the child should be learning enjoyment of life, goodly behavior, and developing strong social skills. You keeping him hidden away in this darkness cannot be good for him. You may keep him with you this time, milady. But have no fear, I do plan to speak with Sir Edward about the conditions the boy is kept in as well as your impudence towards me this day. I have let it slide before, but no longer."
Brianna picked up her son and quickly left the room with Edward crying at the loss of both the woman he considered his mother as well as his friend, Charles. Charles and she went into the gardens to play chase, but while she began her playfulness with her own son, she sent her lady in waiting with a message to Sir Edward Seymour that she would like to see him. It wasn't long as she laughingly chased Charles through the maze that Sir Edward appeared in response to her summons. She laughed and picked up Charles and handed him carefully with a big messy kiss to her lady-in-waiting while she and Sir Edward went to walk somewhere a little quieter.
Getting right to business, Brianna started, "Sir Edward, I'm afraid I have to bring a matter to your attention in the hopes that you are simply unaware of the problem and will deal with it appropriately as opposed to being aware of the problem and allowing it to go untendered."
Sir Edward cringed slightly. While he had no idea what Brianna wanted to speak with him about, the fact that she had summoned him to her could not be a good sign. "Please Your Grace, I'm sure I have done nothing to offend you, at least not on purpose."
Brianna smiled slightly. "You misunderstand Sir Edward. As I am sure you are aware, I have never called anyone to account for any perceived injury to my person or reputation. However, in this case, my concern is for Prince Edward."
Sir Edward snapped to attention at the mention of his ward. "The Prince! Whatever could be wrong there?"
"Sir Edward, I have two complaints. The first, I don't believe that his governess, Mistress Stafford, is providing sufficient and dutiful care in the developing of the Prince. Oh certainly, she takes absolute care of his every physical need. But the attitude, the activity level, and the social interaction that she allows really leaves a lot to be desired. The Prince is never allowed to go outside, nor to play with children his own age. His life is one of lessons, eating properly, and sleeping. That is no life for a very young child, whether he is to be King one day or not. It only raises a self-centered and physically weak child. The second complaint I have is against Mistress Stafford is on my own behalf. I have not brought past complaints to your attention because I am always reluctant to do so. However, her behavior towards me today was one of complete arrogance and disregard. She also showed a great deal of pride and a great deal of disdain for my own child. Now, I am sure you know how displeased I am with that entire interaction."
Sir Edward had stopped walking and watched her Grace. "I will apologize on behalf of my servants, Your Grace. And if you will do me the favor, and I realize it is a large favor, not mention this to the King or the Duke until I have a chance to remedy the situation I would be in your debt."
"And how long do you think it will take for you to 'remedy' the situation, Sir?"
"I hope to have it taken care of within the month."
"And why in the world would it take so long?"
"This is the governess to the next King of England. There are only a few suitable candidates to choose from."
Brianna looked at him with suspicious eyes. "I will give you two weeks. If after that time you have not resolved the situation I will raise the situation to the King's attention. But, Sir Edward, if your governess speaks again to me or my child with the disdain she showed me earlier, I will take the matter up with the King directly. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Fine then. If I can help you in any way, please let me know. Good day Sir Edward."
Edward Seymour walked away, nervous as if he had just had an unpleasant interaction with the King. He would have to resolve the situation quickly. Behind him, he heard Brianna's laughter along with Charles' childish laughter. He turned to look at what was so funny and saw a woman with a child on her hip, that child pulling her hair. He was shocked at that moment at how much Charles looked like the Prince. In fact, he would have thought the Duchess was playing with the King' son, perhaps she was.
War with Spain threatened, then war with France, then back to war with Spain. All the machinations made Brianna's head swim, and kept Henry and Charles busy and mostly unhappy. When an alert came saying that there were twenty Spanish ships off the English coast, everyone almost collapsed in fear. The Duchess of Suffolk, her son, and the Prince with his governess were sent into the nicer rooms in the tower in case of invasion. It turned out that the ships were simply supply ships. Once the threat of war was over for the moment, the King declared a short vacation for himself. He was going into seclusion for a few days taking only his trusted friends, the two small boys, and their governesses, and a minimum of staff and guards.
This subject was brought up at dinner with the King, the Duke and Duchess, Sir Francis, and Edward Seymour. The King was excited about leaving Court, if only for a few days. He had continued to find it grueling to deal with ambassadors and being a pawn in their little games. No, he wanted to hunt and ride and have some peace and quiet for a few days before returning to the grind of managing the country. Brianna looked at Edward to see if he had a reaction to that and he dropped his eyes from her piercing stare.
The look did not go without notice, and the King asked Brianna why she was concerned with Sir Edward. She looked at Edward again and then back to the King. "Perhaps, Your Majesty, it would be better to come from Sir Edward directly."
The King turned a raised eyebrow to Sir Edward and without having to ask, Sir Edward began speaking. "Several weeks ago her Grace brought some weaknesses in the Prince's governess to my attention. She suggested that I find a replacement and offered two weeks for me to do so."
"And have you?"
"Not yet, Your Majesty."
"And why not? What were the Duchess' complaints with my son's current governess?" Sir Edward, as well as everyone else in the room knew the situation was going poorly when the King used Brianna's title. Sir Frances leaned back in his chair watching the scene unfold in front of him and Brandon watched the King's countenance as he prepared to reprimand someone. He only hoped it wasn't going to be Brianna.
Sir Edward listed off the Duchess' complaints, conveniently leaving out the part of the governess' impudence and disdain for both the Duchess and her child. After he was finished, Brianna looked at him pointedly, "And?"
Sir Edward cringed at what was surely going to follow. The Duchess had apparently kept her end of the bargain about waiting two weeks and had not brought any of this to the King's attention, but instead of holding up his end, he had delayed and delayed hoping the situation would just go away. He was learning quickly that no decision was in fact a decision. Sir Edward then outlined the complaints the Duchess had against the governess' attitude and behavior towards herself and her child.
The King rose out of his chair and walked to the window, his back turned away from everyone. Sir Francis never took his eyes off of Sir Edward and Brandon's lips were in a tight white line where he held his tongue as Brianna held his hand.
The King turned back around. "Mistress Stafford is to be dismissed immediately, as are everyone in that household that Brianna deems unsuitable. Then the Prince and the next Duke's households will be joined together and Mistress Ashcroft, whom apparently Brianna deems suitable, will become governess to both children. They are close enough in age that they will be suitable playmates for each other. Since the Prince already considers Brianna as a mother figure, she will continue in that capacity while, along with Princess Mary, they both teach him about his beloved dead mother. The care of the Prince has now been transferred to the Duke of Suffolk, trusting that the Duchess will provide a suitable home and education for both children."
And with that he dismissed Sir Edward with a flick of his wrist. Before Sir Edward could leave the room however he stopped him. "Sir Edward, I want to say two more things. First of all, if you are asked about the transfer of households for the Prince, you are to say that I deemed it in the Prince's best interest that the two children grow up together. If you take this opportunity, or any other opportunity to slander either the Duke or Duchess of Suffolk, I shall have to deal with that situation directly. The loss of your stewardship is entirely your own fault, as her Grace gave you plenty of time to remedy the situation and did not bring it to my attention immediately as perhaps she should have. Secondly, Mistress Stafford will be dismissed from Court immediately which you will handle directly. However, before she leaves she will offer her most heartfelt apology to her Grace and her son Charles. Anything less than heartfelt, she will end up in the Tower for some period of days." Brianna turned in shock to the King.
"Your Majesty, surely nothing has been done to me that would warrant such punishment! Please, I beg you, she is an old woman and only was doing as she saw fit. I think dismissal from her charge and Court will be enough."
"Your Grace, it is of great benefit to yourself that you always are thinking of others, but here it is my punishment. How heartfelt you feel the apology is will determine her punishment." Brianna had tears in her eyes but knew that the King had specifically provided her an out for Mistress Stafford.
Brianna sighed, wiping away a small tear, "Your Majesty." She bowed her head in acknowledgement of his absolute decision in this matter.
Sir Edward was dismissed and they returned quietly to their dinner, everyone suitably subdued by the last conversation. When dinner finished, the King asked to speak with Brianna first in his chambers and then he would rejoin Sir Francis and Brandon shortly. They were not to leave.
Brianna followed the King into his most Private Chamber. "Brianna, you are one of two of my closest friends and so I give you a special honor of being able to speak plainly to me. However, you must never disagree with me in public like that again. I tell you this both as your King and Sovereign but also as your friend. Your closeness to me has earned you many enemies. If people felt you could influence me in any way, you would be in great danger. This I would not be able to tolerate. Do you understand?"
Brianna's tears spilled over and down her face as she dipped her head and then fell into a deep curtsy, "Your Majesty, I'm sorely sorry for any offense…"
The King pulled her out of her curtsy and wiped her tears from her face. "There is no serious offense Brianna. I speak mostly out of concern for your safety."
"Your concern is noted, Your Majesty. Thank you."
"I'm afraid I will keep your husband with me this evening to discuss other topics while we play cards. Why don't you leave through the private door?"
"Thank you your Majesty."
As she turned to leave, the King asked, "Brianna, when will you begin to combine households? And where do you wish the apartments for the two children to be?"
"Your Majesty, I will begin tomorrow. And I would like for the children to be kept here at Court with me, unless you will allow myself and the Duke to retire to the country for some time. I will be hands on, and will not let them be governed from afar."
"Then I will have the apartments next to yours cleared and we will set up the nursery there."
"Thank you Your Highness. And Your Majesty, have you noticed how similar the children look. They are almost twins of each other."
"Really?! I had not seen them together. I will have to see that shortly. And did you know Holbein has almost finished the portraits? I am waiting excitedly to see them!"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I will retire now and write up my plan for combining the households. Thank you Your Highness. I hope that I can do right by you and the Prince."
"They are both Prince's Brianna. And I have no doubt you will honor them both with your service."
Brianna smiled, her mind already spinning with her own personal list of things she needed to care for.
TBC