It was a Friday. Nothing special, just an ordinary day of the week. This is the day Mary likes to finish her goals. It's her day to celebrate all that she set out to accomplish on Monday. The day she likes to wish the servants, the guards, Sir Glyn, Lady Enid, Lady Ashdown, Dot, and of course Charles a job well done.
She was walking around the house wishing everyone a "Happy Friday!" Her bubbly voice echoed throughout the halls. Her feet carried her to His Highness's study and knocked on the door, before entering. Looking up from the ledger, he smiled. As she walked toward him, she shouted "Happy Friday!" Her arms went about his neck.
His arms welcomed her to sit with him. She did and he told her "Happy Friday Love." A kiss was placed on her cheek. His eyes closed as his head rested on her neck. His voice asked, "Are we ready for the birthday celebration tomorrow?"
Her fingers massaged his neck. Just as she was about to respond, the sound of a carriage could be heard. "I wonder who that could be," she questioned. Getting up from his lap, Mary scurried to the large, oversized window. Pulling the citron and blue brocade curtains back, she peeked out of the glass.
A girl with long strawberry blonde curls, wearing a brocade shirt and long black velvet skirt, stepped out. She looked around the grounds and surveyed the manor house, as she took off her bonnet. Mary stepped back from the view, not wishing to be seen yet. "I bet this is my new lady in waiting. I should go round up Dot and greet her. I'll introduce her to you later."
Charles is forever thankful for that. He'd really rather not go greet the new girl. Instead, he kissed his wife before she left his office in a flurry of skirts. She rushed to the other side of the house in order to fetch Dot. Situated in a large room with tons of windows, itself, Dot sat drawing the back yards. Hearing the commotion, she turned around to see her friend rush to her side. "Is everything alright Mary?"
Placing her hand on Dot's shoulder, she caught her breath and then answered. "I think the new girl is here. A carriage arrived with a girl who doesn't at all look familiar. We should go greet her. Do you think I should change first? Do you think this dress is too casual?" She wore a black and white printed panel dress, with white lace sewn on each panel, the bottom of the sleeves, and at a V on the neckline. A white stone belt cinched her waist.
Dot laughed. "No. I think you look fine. Besides, you're pregnant and can wear whatever you want." She stood up from her artist's station and wiped her hands on the apron she wore. After taking it off, she declared "Now let's go meet this new girl." She linked arms with Mary and the two of them went downstairs to meet the new lady in waiting.
As they walked the Princess also fretted over her hair. "It's down. Maybe I should go have Joan put it up, or stick a bejeweled headpiece in it."
Squeezing her friend's arm, Dot reassured her "Like your dress, your hair is fine." The two of them spied the new counterpart, on the foyer landing area, at the bottom of the stairs. She appears about their age and wears a kind face. Whispering to her friend, Dot mentioned "I hope she's sensible and not flighty. I also hope she isn't one of those simpering airheaded idiots of the court either. We'll have to send her back otherwise."
The two ladies walked down the stairs together. When they got to the bottom steps they saw Lady Enid talking with the girl. "Oh, here's Her Ladyship now. Your Highness allow me to introduce you to Lady Paisley. She said she is here as your new lady in waiting. I told her she has some big shoes to fill, big, big shoes." Lady Enid went about her duties instructing the servants to take the lady's trunks to her new quarters, beside Lady Dot.
A smile and a chuckle left the Princess's mouth. She walked over to Lady Paisley and greeted her. "Hello, Lady Campbell. It's so good to have you here with us." Dot came to stand beside her.
Lady Paisley dropped to a curtsy. It was near flawless, except for the nerves taking over. Mary noticed this, as the girl's hands and legs trembled. "Your Highness, I am ever so grateful to you for being willing to take me on. I am a hard worker and a quick learner. I promise to absorb all I can from Lady Dot. In time I hope you can think of me fondly and enjoy my own unique qualities." She curtsied again.
Her words made Mary pause. Despite the Scottish brogue, she is an eloquent lady and very nicely dressed. She gave respect to both her and Dot. Putting on her kind voice and friendly attitude, Mary spoke. "Lady Paisley I echo again, it's good to have you here. I look forward to learning all about you. Lady Dot and I will show you around and take you to your chambers. But first, you must be parched." She turned to Lady Enid and asked for refreshment to be brought to the sunroom.
The Princess and Lady Dot led Paisley there. All the while they gave her a tour along the way. Mary started "Over here is the grand ballroom. We use it off and on throughout the year. My husband and I decided to begin some traditions last year, mainly the Christmas and Springtide Ball. But tomorrow we're having a birthday celebration for our twins, so you've come at a good time."
They passed the ballroom and a few other rooms where Mary and Dot explained the purposes for. When they entered the sunroom Lady Paisley gasped. "This is such a lovely room, My Lady." She turned this way and that taking it all in.
The ladies sat down to snack on the tidbits and tea. It was then they all learned more about each other, especially Paisley. Dot asked "Lady Paisley tell us about yourself. Why did you decide to take this position and how do you know Lady Flora?"
Lady Paisley removed her gloves and took up a teaspoon. She stirred some sugar in her tea. As she stirred she talked. "I hale from Giffnock. My father is a Count, The Count of Giffnock— Graham Campbell. My mother is the Countess, Blair Campbell. I have one older brother, Duncan. I also have two older sisters, Amelia and Sophie."
She paused to take a sip of the tea. Then she continued on. "The way I know the Dowager Countess, Lady Flora, is this. Her youngest son, Douglas, sought the hand of my sister Sophie. But Sophie is a snob. She wanted to hold out for a marriage to a Count, telling everyone she would not marry down. So she declined him. Remarkably my family is still on good terms with Lady Flora, even though the huge slight."
This intrigued Mary. "And what about you? Aren't you afraid that being here would ruin your own prospects for marriage?"
With a smile all to herself, Paisley responded to the question. "Well Your Highness, I am not worried one bit. You see, I'm only going to marry if I am utterly and entirely in love." She dunked a biscuit in her tea to eat. Before she bit into it, she told them "As for me, I'm not concerned about being here. I grew tired of being looked at as the only sister unmarried and following my mother around. I would help her with running the house, you see. I knew I needed a purpose and when the letter came, and my parents posed it to me... Well, I accepted straight away."
Lady Paisley started to bite the cookie, but then stopped. She looked at both of the elegant ladies in her company. "The other reason I accepted is because I know that one doesn't get many chances in this life. If you miss them, and they pass you by, then they might fail to be repeated. And that's a real travesty. To be able to be a lady in wait, to one such as yourself Princess, is an honor I couldn't afford to squander." Then she ate her cookie.
Over the course of the refreshments, they learned Paisley likes playing the lute, gardening, dogs, and reading. She also enjoys trivial pursuits like clothing and is quiet enough to go unnoticed to learn the most interesting gossip. She equally likes a good cake and pudding. Having learned a lot about the new girl, Mary and Dot decided they like her.
"Can we keep her?" Dot asked. They all three laughed. It's seldom one feels at home right away, but Lady Paisley felt that with these three ladies. And Mary, not having many companions over the years— namely Dot, felt a kindred spirit among the two ladies sitting around the table. Plus the Princess has the intelligence to know that with the right people there to support you, anything is possible.
After the light refreshment, the tour of the house resumed. This time they toured the upstairs areas, as well as the room Mary has claimed for her own office. Paisley was curious about all of the baskets of soaps, hand creams, and jellies. This is where Dot took over to explain things, as this pertains to some of her job duties. "The Princess is an industrious lady. She enjoys making these things and they're really expertly made. The whole point of it is to sell in the marketplace. The reason for doing so is to fund the foundling house orphanage."
Paisley's eyes grew large with wonderment. Both Mary and Dot noticed this. Dot returned to informing the new girl about this venture. "We like to keep the purpose of it hush-hush and secretive. No one needs to know what the objective is, only that we are selling the items. That is where I come in. You will be taking this over. Every Saturday morning I go down to the marketplace in the village, with all of these baskets. I set up our booth, along with Joan. Joan is Mary's lady maid and a lovely girl. I think you will like her as well. But I set up the booth and we sell the things. Then we come home and give the money to Mary, and we put everything away."
After hearing this, Paisley asked, "Do you sell a lot of the goods?" The other two ladies nodded. "Wow! I can't wait to do this and if you don't mind, I'd like to help you make things too."
This made Mary pleased, as Dot also helps her in the process of creating the items. "Of course, you can. But there is something you need to do. As long as we're in polite company, as we are now, you can use my given name—Mary. You don't have to formally address me. The same with Dot."
The strawberry-blonde accepted this and remarked "Please do the same with me as well. You can call me Paisley or Lee. My close acquaintances do so."
Before they left the office, Her Highness turned their attention to a small writing desk situated on a side wall. "This is Dot's desk, which will be yours. She sits here and goes over daily events with me, as well as corresponding to any unimportant letters I might receive."
The trio continued their walk and tour until they came to Paisley's new living quarters. It overlooks the front of the house and is very spacious with elegant furnishings. Of course, Paisley approved and even if she didn't she would have held her tongue. Then she was taken to meet the children.
In the children's rooms, Lady Agnes sat holding Owen, while William and Elizabeth played on the floor. The minute they saw their Mama, the twins toddled over to her. They clung to her legs. Elizabeth tried to walk as well, but she is still shaky on her legs. Dot went over and took her up into her arms.
Trying to heed her husband's advice, Mary only stooped to kiss each boy. Charles doesn't like the idea of her picking them up, due to the fact she is pregnant. He thinks it might put a strain on her and somehow hurt the baby. She went to sit in a chair beside Lady Agnes and the twins followed. They climbed up to sit on her lap.
Once she was situated, Her Ladyship introduced Paisley to Lady Ashdown. "Paisley this is the children's governess, Lady Ashdown. She was my husband's governess and housekeeper at Suffolk. We stole her away to come here." She and Lady Agnes chuckled.
"I wasn't stolen. I wanted to come. I've long since missed you both terribly," the older woman told Mary. Then she addressed the new girl. "Lady Paisley it's so lovely to meet you. You could not be a lady in wait to a more kind-hearted, caring woman than our Mary. I believe you will like it here."
Hating to be ignored, Owen began patting his Mama's cheek. "Me, Mama. Me," his voice said.
With a kiss on his head, Her Highness introduced the children. "Paisley allow me to introduce you to the children now. This cheeky thing is Owen. He loves everyone and especially when they give him full consideration. Also on my lap is his twin brother William. William is more reserved, but once he warms up to you he's just as attentive. In Dot's arms is my sister Elizabeth. She is our ward, but she is also a member of our family. If you hear her calling me Mama, or my husband Papa, don't correct it. Sadly we're most likely the only parents she'll ever know."
At the hearing of her name, Elizabeth held her head up from Dot's shoulder. She regarded the new lady with curiosity. Owen did not. He climbed off his Mama's lap and wobbled over to her with his little legs. He held his arms out. Paisley smiled at him and picked him up. "Your twins are very cute little gentlemen and Elizabeth is a beauty in her own right," Paisley shared. Owen began touching her face and showing her the toy knight he has in his hands.
From there, after leaving the children, the ladies led Paisley to the backyard. Knowing that their new acquaintance enjoys gardening, Mary and Dot watched her face light up upon seeing the grounds. Her Highness has to admit the yards at Hapus House can rival those at any of the King's palaces. Paisley turned to them and stated "You have a huge library and all of these gorgeous gardens. You have everything you need."
Her Ladyship was telling Paisley all about the backyard when her Prince happened to walk out of the stables. Sir William was with him. It's perfect because now he can meet her new lady in waiting. His eyes caught hers and gave a handsome smirk. But Paisley asked, "Who is that?"
Mary chuckled. "That is my husband, Charles Brandon— Prince of Wales and Suffolk." Her hand motioned to him across the way. Although he is much nearer now than he was.
With a smile, Paisley stated "No, no. Not him. Of course, that's your husband. Anyone as handsome as he would have to be. I meant the man walking with him."
Dot and Mary's eyes caught each other. They have long wanted to set William up with a nice woman. "That is Sir William Compton. He's my chief guard and one of Charles's dearest friends, along with Dot's soon-to-be husband Anthony Knivert and my father." Mary responded with a dreamy expression, as Charles grew nearer to her. After all this time he still gives her butterflies.
On the men's arrival, Charles bowed a big bow and kissed his wife's hand. He's in a silly mood. "Honorable Princess of Wales and Suffolk, I am but your humble servant." He held out a wildflower he picked for her.
Acting coquettish, Mary took the flower and stated "Oh thank you, my Dear Prince Charming. Whatever would I do without you?"
Right on cue, he told her "Live a dreadfully boring life. And it would not be nearly as satisfying either because I am perfect for you." He looked smug at his statements.
Shaking her head at him, she fixed her eyes on his. "Such a humble Prince too. Why I was just telling Lady Paisley, here, how modest and unassuming you are."
He stood up from the ground, on which he was still bowed on one knee. "You have jokes, do you? You're hilarious Mary." He kissed her temple, then turned to the new lady. "Welcome to our house. I'm very glad my wife has someone willing to help her. I trust you have been shown everything and will be told even more. Despite what she says, the Princess is a workhorse. Up before dawn and working all hours of the night. Never a moment's peace with her." Mary nudged him with her bony elbow, for that is entirely untrue.
Laughing Charles spoke again. "I was only jesting. She's not like that at all. I hope you'll like it here. And this young man, which he's not young at all- he's my age, is my friend and Mary's chief guard, William Compton." William gave his friend a dirty look talking about his age. He bowed at Lady Paisley, who blushed.
Charles leaned down and whispered something in his wife's ear. It caused her to giggle and smile. The October wind started to pick up and His Highness shared "We're going inside to sit by the fire. You're all welcome to join us, or not." They walked towards the house hand-in-hand, laughing and smiling all the way.
Paisley turned to Dot, "Are they always like that?" Most couples she knows aren't so lucky in love or as happy.
With a sweet smile all her own, Dot watched the couple retreat to the house. "Yes. But that's nothing. You haven't seen them when Charles is in one of his more amorous moods. If you think they're sweet now, then watch them then. Right William?"
William nodded and smirked. Seeing his good friend in love, even after all this time, is wonderful. Even Anthony is in love. He wants that too.
Saturday arrived and it was the day of the twin's birthday celebration. Mary and Charles stayed in bed longer than usual. They were reminiscing on their boy's birth. "You were a nervous wreck. I will never forget your face, Charles." She laughed thinking back to that time.
He lightly pinched her side and it made her squeal. "I had every right to be a nervous wreck. It was the birth of my children. Having one baby is worry enough, but you were having two of them. The thing I will remember most is when my prim and proper wife cursed up a storm." He chuckled.
"Naturally, you would say that." She turned her head to look at him. "I can feel the baby move now. It's been moving a lot recently. No kicks yet." Taking his hand, she placed it on the bump. It's a small bump, but it's there and growing.
His hand massaged it all over. Then he got up and asked one of the servants to bring the twins. Which they did and he returned to the bedroom holding both boys. William crawled over to his Mama, while Owen stayed with his Daddy. Charles sat him up on top of his belly and played like he was coming to get Owen's nose. It made the little boy laugh.
William on the other hand is still tired. He laid his head on his mother's chest and drifted back to sleep. Mary did not complain about that. It only meant he'd be awake for the birthday celebration that afternoon. She kissed his head and whispered "Happy born day Baby." Then she tickled Owen and wished him a happy born day too.
Around lunch, Farmer Howell came over bringing a few of his lambs and ponies. Her Highness wanted an animal petting area, for the twins and guests. She also wanted backyard lawn games like horseshoe and a miniature version of golf, as well as a miniature version of bowling. Her reasoning is "It will help with the boy's modality skills." So His Highness saw to it that each of these things was done.
Lady Dot and Lady Paisley helped with floral arrangements. Dot told Paisley all of Mary's favorite flowers and the girl took to creating the most beautiful arrangements she had ever seen. "Wow! Paisley this is brilliant. You have a real talent with flowers." She inspected the creations from every angle.
Paisley bloomed under her praise. Even Lady Enid and the Princess, herself, were impressed. Mary was excited because now she had someone on her team who could rival the palace's florist. "What do you know about growing roses?" Mary asked her. She and Paisley entered a long conversation about the back gardens, after which both were ready for the Spring season to come.
Mid-afternoon all the guests arrived, even Lady Flora. It was a given that she was going to be here for the twins, but she also wanted to see the new girl. As Mary was busy welcoming guests with Charles, Dot introduced Paisley to the Countess. This trio of ladies sat by each other during the festivities. By the end of the event, Lady Flora gave the girl her approval. This went a long way in Mary and Dot's eyes.
Guests from all over the region came to celebrate the twins. Ever the glorious cook, Mrs. Evans whipped up succulent dishes of roast duck, hearty stew, roasted fall vegetables, vanilla cake with a pudding garnish, pear pie, and a chocolate custard just for Mary. Everything was fabulous and the guests raved about the meal.
The boys grew tuckered out after an afternoon of pony riding, playing with lambs, and revelry with their father. Owen was so tired he fell asleep in his baby chair, with his spoon still in his hand. Lady Ashdown promptly put them to bed along with her assistant's help. And once all of the guests departed the proud parents sat by the fire, in the music room. Charles nursed a glass of wine, while Mary ate her chocolate custard.
As the two enjoyed the quietness, and each other's company, a knock sounded at the door. The Prince called for whoever it is to enter. It's Glyn carrying a letter. "Sir this arrived for you." He handed it over and left the room.
Taking one look at the paper, the writing, and the seal he knew it's from the King. "He sends birthday wishes to his grandsons," Charles told his wife. Then he read the rest of the letter and let out a sigh. Casting the note aside, he took Mary's hands. "I need to tell you something and I need you to listen to me." She nodded, wondering what could be wrong.
Locking his eyes with hers, he began. "There's no easy way to say this, so I'll just say it. Your mother is very ill. The Royal physician doesn't give her much longer to live. Your father wrote in order for you to be able to see her. Tomorrow you and I will depart for Kimbolton Castle. Whatever you want to say to your mother, be thinking about it," he explained.
Then he held his wife as she cried in his arms. He cried too, for her sake. Life is good one minute, then blindsides you the next. It's the things you least expect that strike the hardest.