Here we go. On to chapter 15. As always, thanks so much for the wonderful support. ~ Sweet R.
Chapter Fifteen: Winter's Ease
Mary's fingers glided over a string of delicate paper flowers on the table. Her lips curved into a faint smile, remembering her dance with Francis at last year's winter's ease feast. They had been so happy in the moment, finally trying to connect with each other again after so much distance. Things went downhill fast afterward, but she still remembered their dance fondly.
She pushed all prophecies and politics out of her mind for a few blissful moments and reminisced about how far they'd come in one year. They were reunited, closer than ever and looking forward to meeting their daughter in a month. Now Mary only wanted one more thing—another dance with Francis tonight at the banquet. Even though she knew it was unrealistic in her condition, she imagined him leading her to the middle of the room. He bowed down and gently kissed her hand before they twirled effortlessly in each other's arms, seeming to float on a cloud.
"Mary…" a faint voice called but she ignored it. After all they were dancing. Couldn't the world wait for just a few moments longer? "Mary." The voice was louder now.
She looked up into Kenna's concerned eyes and blinked twice. "Oh, I apologize. Were you saying something?"
Kenna smiled. "It's all right. I just wanted your opinion on the place settings. Are you feeling all right?"
She nodded and straightened her back against the chair and pushing the daydream aside. "I'm fine." She looked at the choices displayed on the table and touched the set with delicate lavender flowers on the border. "These are perfect."
"Those are my favorite too." Her friend turned to tell a nearby servant their selections. Then she fluttered across the room to check on the decorations. Mary grinned and shook her head at Kenna's enthusiasm for event planning even though she'd been suffering with mild bouts of sickness. A small bump had become visible at her friend's midsection and her complexion seemed rosier than usual. Mary had never seen Kenna looking more radiant.
Mary only wished her pregnancy would have started as smoothly as her friend's. With only one month left, she still hadn't gained an adequate amount of weight expected during a normal pregnancy and continued to deal with severe nausea, dizziness and fatigue. Sometimes she barely had enough energy to get out of bed. The physicians Francis sent for couldn't explain why her health continued to deteriorate even with their treatments and remedies. On the other hand, Baby Anne seemed healthy and active. For that, Mary was grateful.
Catherine entered into the room in a flurry of grandeur like usual. She'd just returned from a trip to Italy, visiting her family. Mary sighed, knowing from the determined look in the older woman's eyes that she wanted something. Sure enough, when her mother-in-law sat next to her she didn't waste time on sentiments. "I've been searching all over for you. Can you spare a moment?"
She nodded with a forced smile, fearing it would be longer than just a moment. It always was with Catherine. "Have you and Francis given any thought to who will be the godparents for my grandchild?" Mary opened her mouth to speak, but Francis' mother cut her off. "Because if you haven't, may I suggest your cousin?"
Her eyes widened. Had Mary's ears started to fail her as well? "Elizabeth?"
"Yes."
Mary furrowed her brow in disbelief. "You want us to select the woman who has brought my country such hardship and is now threatening France with war as your grandchild's godmother?"
"I know it's difficult to put aside your personal quarrels with Elizabeth but if you think of it as a peace offering reserved for the future, it makes sense."
She blinked hard and shook her head. "I don't want to use my daughter as a game piece."
"That's not what I was suggesting at all," Catherine argued and her eyes took on a pleading look Mary had never seen before. She leaned forward and lowered her voice. "This is the first step…an opportunity for your heir to rule in a time of peace and not war. Please, at least consider it. We both know how complicated and dangerous the life of a female monarch can be." With that said, Catherine stood and left the room as quickly as she'd entered.
Mary sat in silence, mulling over her mother-in-law's comments about peace offerings for the future and female monarchs. Then the truth finally hit her between the eyes. Catherine knew about the prophecy.
…
Francis pushed the map on his desk away with an exhausted sigh and cradled his head in his hands. Suddenly he felt much older than his years. The responsibilities of wearing the French crown threatened to slowly crush him into the ground. His mother's return had added to his worries after admitting her journey to Italy was only a cover. She'd gone behind his back and traveled to England to negotiate with Elizabeth. Francis had never been more furious with her.
The door opened and he looked up just in time to see Mary approaching his desk, looking flushed and out of breath. He stood and met her halfway, gripping her shoulders. "Mary, what's wrong?"
Her lips quivered as she spoke. "Your mother…how long has she known about the prophecy?"
Francis sighed and turned toward the window while running a trembling hand through his hair. "A while now. Unfortunately, Nostradamus and my mother keep no secrets from each other."
"But we do," his wife murmured, her voice tainted with sorrow.
Francis turned to her with misty eyes. Mary seemed so thin and frail these days and now with that look of disappointment in her eyes, he could hardly look at her without a flood of emotions rushing in to torment him. "I'm sorry I kept things from you. I didn't want to add to your stress but now there's something else you need to know. My mother has been sneaking around, trying to negotiate with Elizabeth. She's agreed to pull her troops out of Scotland and Navarre if you renounce your claim to the English throne."
At first Mary stared at him, petrified like a statue. Then she finally spoke. "Now I understand why your mother wanted me to name Elizabeth as Anne's godmother…"
Francis gritted his teeth. "She doesn't know when to stop meddling. I'm sorry, Mary. I…"
Mary raised her hand to stop him. "No, it makes sense, Francis. A year ago, I would have refused to compromise. I always thought more power would make us safer, but perhaps I was wrong."
His heart pounded, expecting her to put up more of a fight. "This is your birthright. Would you really give it up so easily?"
Mary shrugged. "How can I turn down this opportunity for Anne to grow up in a time of peace? After all, what will my birthright mean after I'm gone? Nothing."
"Don't say that, Mary." He closed the distance between them and pulled her into his embrace. It was like someone had stabbed him through the chest, inflicting a mortal wound. But losing Mary wouldn't kill him right away. No, it would fester and bleed for years, tormenting him long into old age before he finally succumbed. "Please don't talk about leaving me. I…I can't bear the thought," he pleaded.
She leaned back with a sad smile and wiped a tear from his cheeks. "Francis…thinking about it tortures me too, but if this will protect our nations and our daughter…I…" Mary's face lost its color and her knees went weak.
"Mary!" Francis gasped and scooped her up in his arms.
He sat in his chair with her cradled in his lap. For a long time, they stayed like that, with Mary's head resting against his chest. Her breathing seemed fine and she regained conscious almost instantly, but he silently chided himself for not having her sit earlier. She'd fainted on multiple occasions during the past few months. Thankfully he'd been around to catch her each time.
"I love you, Francis," she whispered while lifting her head to kiss his cheek. "The last thing I want is to bring you pain. But we must be realistic and plan ahead…for Anne's sake."
Francis fought to keep his emotions at bay and held her even closer, admiring her selflessness. Mary loved Anne and him so much. She'd do anything to ensure their safety. "I agree," he finally said. "But don't you see? What Anne will need the most is her mother. That's why I'll fight to save you, Mary…If it's the last thing I do."