** Hi there! I'm so glad you all are enjoying this story. Thanks so much for all your support! Now we are almost to the halfway mark in the story, which means things are about to speed up a lot with more twists and turns. Hope you're ready for an adventure! One thing I'd like to mention... Conde does make a small appearance in this story, but I've changed things up a bit. Mary and he never had an affair like in the show. I never liked that storyline because to me it seemed so out of character for Mary to cheat on Francis. Anyway, they were friends, there was an attraction between them, and she was tempted, but she nipped it in the bud early on and nothing happened. So, without, further ado... here comes chapter 9! Happy reading. ~ Sweet R. **
Chapter Nine: Shifting Seasons
A Few Months Later
Francis slipped from underneath the covers in the early light of dawn and paused for a moment to admire Mary's angelic face. He thought of waking her before he left for his ride with Bash but in the end, he decided against it and simply kissed her forehead. She'd retired early the night before, saying she felt tired. He'd been a little worried, but now she looked peaceful and smiled in her sleep. A few extra hours of sleep would do her some good.
He wrote Mary a quick note and left it beside her pillow. Then he dressed and headed outside, whistling on his way to the stables. The servants smiled at him and bowed along the way.
"Well, someone's happy this morning," Bash commented while leading his horse out of the stall.
Francis grinned as he approached. "It's almost harvest time. Everyone is always happy around harvest time, right?"
"Yes, but the way you and Mary have been practically glowing around court the past few months, I thought you may have been keeping a little secret from us all."
Francis adjusted his horse's saddle, avoiding Bash's teasing gaze. "No, it's nothing like that…not yet anyway. I think Mary would have told me. We're just very happy right now…and closer than we've ever been."
"Well, I'm happy for you, brother."
"Thank you," he clapped Bash on the shoulder. "Now let's head out in haste before someone finds out I'm missing. They'll put me to work for sure."
"Ah…a king's work is never done?"
Francis smiled at his brother's pun while climbing onto his horse and leading the way out of the stables. "Unfortunately, no." As they rode out of the courtyard, one of his advisors called behind them, asking to have a quick word. Francis simply called that they'd be back in a few hours. He then turned back to Bash. "See? They always find me." They both laughed and pushed their horses into a gallop until the castle disappeared from sight.
After coming to a wide path through the woods they slowed down and Bash came up beside him. "Thanks for coming along. We've hardly had a chance to talk since you and Mary returned."
"I know. It's been far too long, brother. How have you been?"
"Fine," Bash answered, but Francis could tell from the tightness in his jaw, he was lying.
"No really. You've been avoiding the castle at all costs lately. Something is troubling you. I can tell."
Bash sighed and kept his gaze straight ahead. "It's Kenna. Ever since Antoine came sniffing around, things have been…different between us. It's like what I have to offer her isn't good enough anymore. She wants a man with prestige and riches."
Francis lifted an eyebrow. "I did offer to make you a duke once. The offer still stands if you want it."
His brother shook his head. "I want my wife to love me for who I am, not for my title."
"She loves you, Bash. I can tell. Mary was just telling me the other day how much Kenna has been missing you. She's been throwing herself into planning the harvest festival just to keep busy."
"I didn't know that." He looked off into the trees, appearing deep in thought. "So, what should I do?"
"Well for one, stop gallivanting off into the woods all the time. Show Kenna you have something to offer that's better than what Antoine has."
Bash let out a sardonic chuckle. "And what's that?"
"Love and time. I mean, sure he's a king and has riches and charm, but Kenna could only be his mistress. What kind of life is that? If you truly love her, fight for her. After the harvest festival, take her to Paris. Reconnect. Life is short and fragile with no time to waste over petty differences. Believe me, I know."
Bash rubbed his chin as they continued on. "Paris huh? I really hate Paris but I know Kenna loves it." He peeked over at him, still appearing uncertain. "And you're sure you'll be all right with my absence for a few weeks?"
Francis chuckled. "Yes, as king I'm ordering you to take some time off. You deserve it."
Bash raised his eyebrow and an amused grin spread across his face. "Well then, since it's an order I suppose I have no choice."
…
Mary bit her nails while waiting at a table in the courtyard. Francis' note said he'd meet her for an outdoor lunch at noon but he was nearly half an hour late. Her stomach growled and Mary couldn't take it any longer. She lifted the edge of her covered plate, snatched a piece of bread and nibbled on it to keep her hunger at bay.
A few minutes later, Francis finally appeared with his blond curls windblown from his horse ride. "I'm sorry, my love," he whispered and kissed her cheek before joining her at the table. "I was stopped by at least three people on my way here." He let out a weak chuckle. "It seems a king can't be gone for a few hours without France crumbling into chaos and ruin." He motioned toward the covered dishes on the table. "Shall we eat?"
"Yes, lets," Mary said while sweeping away her irritation at his late arrival and managing a smile. They enjoyed small talk while Francis ate but Mary only finished her bread and a little cheese, not feeling like much else.
He studied her with concerned eyes. "Mary, are you feeling all right? You've barely eaten anything on your plate."
She nodded and put her hand over his on the table. "I'm fine, but there's something I've been meaning to tell you…"
A messenger appeared before them and bowed. "Your majesties, please excuse the interruption. One of your generals has sent an urgent message." Francis thanked him and took the letter.
Mary studied his troubled expression as he read it. "What is it?"
His face turned deathly pale. "One of our spies has discovered English troops are gathering in Navarre again."
Mary's heart raced. "I had hoped Antoine would stop his secret dealings with England after we gave him the money for the French refugees."
"Apparently not," Francis said while handing her the letter. "But that's not the worst of it. Rumor has it, Conde has entered into negotiations to marry Queen Elizabeth."
She scanned the letter and her heart sank. How could Louis betray them like this? "This might be my fault," Mary said, thinking of their last conversation about a week before she left with Francis. He had made his true feelings known and wanted to pursue a relationship with her. She may have said yes, if not for the vision of Francis' death. Instead, she'd turned him down and asked him to leave French court. He left hurt and angry with her. Now Mary looked up with guilt twisting in her guilt. "Francis, nothing happened between Louis and I, but the fact it almost did still torments me. This may be his way of punishing me or both of us."
Francis didn't react in anger or hurt like she feared. Instead, he stood and took her hand in his. "Let's take a walk, Mary."
She agreed and they journeyed hand in hand down the path until reaching the lake. For a while they just looked out over the water and watched the swans gliding through the water.
He turned to her and took both her hands in his. "I meant it back at the chateau when I said I never wanted anything to come between us again. So, you have to stop blaming yourself for the past. We're back together and we must look to the future. Our future together."
She nodded but fiddled with the hem of his cloak, avoiding his eyes. "Yes, I agree, but what are we going to do? If England and Navarre join forces against France, the result could be disastrous."
Francis sighed. "I know, but we'll think of a solution. Two are much stronger than one and with you at my side I believe we can accomplish anything." He lifted her chin and gazed into her eyes, filling her heart with warmth. "Do you believe me?"
Mary smiled and nodded. "Yes. I do. With all my heart."
With that he pulled her in for a long and tender kiss by the lake. When Francis pulled back, he cupped her cheek in his palm. "Now, what were you were trying to tell me earlier, before we were interrupted?"
She grinned and bit her lip as her worries faded away. "Well, it's funny that you said two are much stronger than one."
A perplexed look spread across his face. "Why?"
She paused and kissed his cheek. "It makes me wonder how you would feel about adding one more. Would three be even better?"
Francis' eyes grew wide. "Are you saying that you're…"
Her smile grew wider as she placed her hand over her stomach. "I am. The physician tells me she will arrive in the early spring."
He laughed and spun her in a circle. "Truly?"
Mary nodded and leaned her forehead against his. They were lost in their own happy world together where nothing else mattered. Not even the news about Navarre and England could spoil their joy. "Yes, my dream is coming true. Our daughter will be here soon."