Lady Flora took a manor in Cardigan. Mary and Paisley were expected to go to lessons twice a week during the summer season. These days the instruction is all about sitting correctly and party planning. So far, they've learned there are two correct positions for sitting, either the slant or the cross. In both instances, the big faux pas is to sit, leaving the leg to dangle about freely. Mr. Harris forbids it. He says, "The upper leg should be tightly attached to the other leg- if one must cross the leg at all." He sniffed in derision of leg crossing.
The girls were ushered into the tea room upon arrival at the Dowager Countess's manor. They both noted this home is larger than the one in Penarth. They also recognized that Mr. Harris seems a touch grumpy, but he usually seems that way at first. Plus it probably has something to do with Hattie. The new maid is still learning, after all these months.
Their conversation began with Lady Flora inquiring about the trip to Kleve, which Mary told her it was wonderful. She described the lace and chocolate in Bruges, the lovely homes they stayed in along the way, and the Clevian Court. "I felt so under-dressed. I thought the Lord might strike me dead for the gowns I wore compared to the Clevian women's oversized habits."
The Countess shook her greying head. "That My Dear Girl is the primary reason your father set Lady Anne aside. No, not because of her clothes alone, but because her morals are superior to his. She had been raised in modesty and propriety, not given to whims of fancy or those of brash impulse. Your father is the total opposite of her, which is why he's yet again marrying his mistress."
Mary and Paisley both shared a look. Her Highness spoke. "How do you know about that? How do you know he's marrying that child?"
Lady Flora waved them off with a flick of her hand. "Have I taught you nothing? I know everything a person should know about the goings on of the English Court. Nothing escapes my notice or my ears."
Relief flooded Mary's spirit. Of course, she should have known her mentor would know about the child. Her eyes brightened, and a tentative smile filled her face. "Good. Then I can discuss my frustration. I've told this to Charles, but he just doesn't get it. My father is marrying a child! I cannot fathom that, not to mention he's old enough to be her father twice over. Plus, she's the head maid of honor to Lady Anne. It's tactless and disrespectful." She took a bite of her teacake.
The Dowager Countess could tell her young companion radiates vexation and discontent. "I wonder, have you let your emotions get the better of you?" Mary nodded and proceeded to tell her about snubbing the child's invitation to tea and her complaining to Charles about it all.
This led Lady Flora to say, "I see. Stop being led by your emotions, as I have told you, Paisley, and Dot. Tuck them away for private. And by all means, never get into controversies with ugly people. They have nothing to lose."
Paisley, who had been relatively quiet, spoke up. "The child isn't ugly per se." She dunked her cookie into the tea to soften it. Then tried to avoid Lady Flora's thoughtful gaze.
Raising a sharp eyebrow, the Countess needed to remind the girls of something. "No, but an ugly personality ruins a beautiful face." Then she went on to recount, "The girl is a Howard. Nothing good comes from that family. Let's remember the first mistress the King married was this girl's cousin, Anne Boleyn. She was part, Howard. Now he's doing the same thing with this one. The child has not been appropriately raised as a lady. She grew up in the care of her step-grandmother, the Dowager Duchess of Norfolk. Who is one of the nastiest women I've ever met. The lady's supervision of her wards is lax and lenient, so much so that untoward things happen between unmarried girls and men."
Both Mary and Paisley gasped in shock. The Princess wondered, "Are you saying the child is ruined?"
Tapping her fingers on the table, Flora declared, "I cannot know for sure. But I do know the Dowager Duchess spent most of her time away from home, which meant that her young charges were afforded more fun and freedom than they otherwise might have been. Along with the other girls, Catherine spent a reasonable amount of time with young men. I also know the girls entertained them in their bed chambers late into the evening. I need not give my sources away, you understand?"
Of course, her young companions understood perfectly. But all the same, it's shocking to hear this. Her Highness had to wonder. "I shudder to think what my father will do if he ever finds out. Do you think I should tell him?" Part of Mary thinks she should tell, but the other part of her doesn't.
Staring the ladies down, the Countess frowned slightly. "Your father is a volatile man. You never know which way the wind blows with him. If you tell him and he disagrees, then you could find yourself at the end of defeat and collapse. However, it could go the opposite way with him listening to you. My advice is to let this lie until it might be necessary to speak up. Regardless if you tell him or not, there's too much controversy surrounding this child's past for it to stay buried. One way or another, the truth will come out, but not from me. I foresee a lot of blackmail in her future for things I have not disclosed to you and I won't. Your conscience needs to be clear."
This only made Mary cringe. The child has a past, a very shameful past. It's all the more reason why she cannot support her father in marrying this girl. Marrying this Howard child is wicked and wrong. It will bring shame to the throne, the kingdom, and the family. But her opinion doesn't matter much.
As the weeks wore on, Mary struggled with keeping the knowledge about Catherine Howard a secret. She wants to tell Charles but doesn't want him complicit in the truth. So she stayed silent, and it greatly aggrieved her to do so. The Prince took to noticing Mary is not acting like her usual self. He, too, kept quiet, not wanting to press the issue. She'll speak when ready.
By early July, when the afternoons are hot, the nights are sultry, and the days are filled with picnics and peaches, a Royal invitation arrived. Charles received it first, read it, and then located his wife. He saw her upstairs rummaging about in the library. Sneaking up behind her, his arms encircled her waist. Not expecting it, a shriek left Her Highness's mouth, and his laughter filled the air.
Willing her heartbeat to come back down, Mary lightly reprimanded him. "Charles, what do you mean by scaring me half to death?"
He placed a kiss on her neck. "Nothing. I didn't expect you to startle easily. I actually have something I think you should see besides searching through books. Why exactly are you scouring the library for anyway?"
Turning around in his arms, she explained, "I'm looking for more to read on King Arthur's knights. I'm finished with Sir Bedivere and need something else to read. I don't really want to read Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, but if that's the only one, then I will. What is it you want me to see? If this is a trick like the last time you told me that, and I saw you naked instead, it can wait until later."
A smirk came over his face in fond remembrance of that time. The shock on Mary's face was hilarious. "You're funny. Actually, I want you to see this." He held out the gold leaf invitation to her.
She took it and scrutinized the contents. "My father's really going to marry her, isn't he?" The wedding is scheduled for late July.
"He is. There's nothing you can do about it except grin and bear it. Are you going to play nice with your new little sister- I mean stepmother?" Charles couldn't help the jest that left his mouth. It earned him a playful swat to the arm.
However, Mary knew there is something she could do. She could tell the truth of what Lady Flora told her. But then she needs to protect her husband, so she kept the information tamped down. "I will try to mind my emotions, but I can only take so much. I vehemently disagree with this union. It disgusts me for so many reasons. I've heard my father spoils the airheaded twit by buying her jewels, clothes, ornaments, and all manner of things. Not to mention he's given her the castles, lordships, and manors that he bestowed to Jane Seymour as a pre-wedding gift. This too sickens me." And it does. It makes her want to vomit.
He enclosed her into the bookshelf with his hands on either side of her face. "You've heard that have you? No doubt Lady Flora mentioned it. She knows everything that goes on, even before me, and I'm your father's closest friend. Yes. He dotes on the girl, as you say. And while it revolts me too, I'd rather keep my position than not. So, I'm proud that you're going to try to be nice."
Mary tsked. "I did not say I was going to be nice. I only said I will mind my emotions for my father's sake, befitting my station. Which is also absurd, this child outranking me." A pinched expression crossed her face.
Before she could get any more frustrated, her husband's lips crashed upon hers. He hushed her with his kiss. Her back pressed into the books, and her fingers wound into his hair. His beard tickled her, and she giggled, breaking the spell woven around them. He rested his forehead on hers as they caught their breath.
She brushed her hand over his back. "Regardless of whether he marries the child or not, I married the better man." He smiled softly and kissed her forehead.
Then her "better man" picked her up and carried her outside to the orchard. From there, they walked around gathering ripe fruit. Mary has returned to canning jams and jellies, her summer hobby. Except now, she is trying to see if she can use the pears and chuckleberries for the lotions and soaps. Her goal is to create a unique fragrance from them, too. She just has to play around with the chemistry of things.
As the hot July sun shone brightly and the sea air worked its aromatherapy, Charles did less work than he expected to do. Upon returning to Wales, His Highness had anticipated being overwhelmed with petitions and letters. However, he and Mary run their region so smoothly that very few things go amiss even in their absence. That is a blessing, to be sure. So while he did have to respond to letters and take petitions on Governance Day, they were small in number.
He counted this a blessing also, as it allowed him to spend time with the children. The boys are mischievous troublemakers, just like himself. He supposes this is his payback for all the times he misbehaved for Lady Agnes. For all accounts and purposes, they have learned they can accomplish so much more with a bit of cooperation and teamwork.
William likes to build, and Owen enjoys climbing. So William will arrange large toys for his brother to climb upon in order to grab off-limits, out-of-reach items. Owen made the French patio doors swing open and close the first time they did this. They would pivot open and close in a continuous pattern. It was baffling how the two did that feat. The second time they cooperated together was at the palace, and the boys made off with an expensive glass candlestick. To this day, no one knows where the candlestick got off to. Another time, Mary had just put her giant cookie down on the table. She had to go respond to a question a servant had. When she returned, the cookie was gone, but the twin's faces had chocolate smears and crumbs as evidence.
Every time he hears the tales of his twins, Charles grins a wide, proud fatherly grin. If they work together like this as children, there's no telling what they can accomplish when they're older. May the good Lord have mercy.
Today the Prince is taking them to the bay. There have been dolphin sightings, and he feels confident the boys will love that. Charles dressed in lightweight trousers and a white tunic. Since his hair has grown out, he pulled it back with one of Mary's hair ties.
Before the three departed, his wife made sure to see them off. She handed her husband two smallish sunhats. "Be sure to put these on them. I don't want the boys coming home looking like lobsters. On that thought, please be mindful and keep them out of the sun as much as possible. Their skin is sensitive." She paused and looked thoughtful, then stated, "Just be mindful of them, period. Who knows what they'll find to get into." He nodded in reassurance.
She turned and bent down to the twin's eye level. "You are to obey your father. Stay close to him and be good. Do you understand?"
Both boys responded, "Yes, Mama." They gave her kisses and held their father's hands. She stood up, smiling. Charles gave her a kiss and exited with the boys.
The carriage took them to the pier, where they boarded a boat. The twins were pointing and asking about everything. Their curious minds are like sponges soaking it all in. A huge wave came as the ship rode out into the seawater. It splashed a bit of spray onto the trio. William and Owen loved it. They laughed and clapped their hands in glee. It made Charles happy seeing them so cheerful.
At last, the ship dropped anchor. The captain came down from the bridge and told them, "Your Highness, we've been seeing dolphins all week long at this very spot. We're sure to see them today if we're patient."
They waited and waited, and the boys grew restless as the sun beat its heat down on them. "I tired," William stated. He looked hungry too.
But his brother told him, "No, Will. We wait." Sure enough, they were rewarded for their efforts, but not by dolphins. A massive marlin jumped out of the water off to the side of the boat. The boys pointed and wore surprised expressions.
The captain brought the boys a bread bag. "If you throw the bread into the water, it'll call up the fish." Owen threw a whole piece into the ocean before their father could tear tiny portions off for them.
Feeling proud of himself, Owen declared, "I did, Daddy! I did! See!" However, a giant pelican swooped down and took the bread from the water. The little boy's face scrunched up at the sight of it. He yelled at the bird. "That for fish! Not you, bird!" His finger pointed at it as the pelican flew away. Owen turned to his father. His bottom lip quivered a bit. "It took it. All gone."
Charles tried his hardest not to laugh. For Owen wore the same expression, his mother wears when she's put out about something. He took his son into his arms, at his eye level. Then he told him, "That was a very naughty bird, but we have more bread. So, no tears Son. Now, let's try smaller pieces. Like this." He showed both Owen and William the small amount he tore off.
After handing it to William, he tore another piece for Owen. The boys took turns throwing the bread into the water. As the captain said, fish began to break the surface and grab the treat. The boys were amazed.
It began to be lunchtime, and still no dolphins in sight. Charles didn't want to keep the boys out any longer than necessary. They were already growing uncomfortable and hot. So the captain retook his position on the bridge and had the crew raise the anchor. Just then, a pod of dolphins was spotted off the stern while the ship turned around.
His Highness snatched up his sons and rushed to view. The look of wonder on both boys' faces is something Charles will never forget. In the eyes of his sons, there are seven million wonders of the world, but this one, at this moment, is everything.
Somewhere along the way, he lost his own sense of wonder. Perhaps due to growing older and more jaded with the ways of the world. Regardless seeing this through the eyes of his children reawakened something he'd been missing inside of him. They asked what was jumping out of the water. He told them, "It's a dolphin." The boys tried to say dolphin but couldn't. The lph combination kept tricking them up. So they both settled on "fin" instead.
When they returned home, hungry and tired, the twins rushed to their mother. Their little feet could be heard from the sitting room. Mary stepped into the hall, and Owen propelled himself into her arms. "Mama, I see fin!"
She looked to Charles for interpretation as she hugged both boys. "They saw dolphins," he explained. While she nodded, he went on to say, "Tell Mama what you did with the bread."
The first to speak was Owen again. A cross look came onto his face. "A bad bird, take it."
His mother looked offended on his behalf. "It did? A mean old bird took your bread?" Owen nodded, and she kissed his forehead.
William spoke up. "We toss it like this," he told her. He mimicked throwing so she could see.
A big smile came over her face. "You saw dolphins, a mean old bird took your bread away, and you tossed some more into the water. My, you've had a busy day! Why don't you tell me more about it while you eat lunch? Mrs. Howell has fixed a yummy meal of fruit salad and cold ham sandwiches."
"Oh boy," Owen said. He loves ham.
When Mary stood up, she turned to Charles. "Husband, you should come too. I want to hear all about your adventure. Plus, you look like you could use some food and a cool glass of ale." She held her hand out to him. He smiled and kissed it. They walked together into the dining room, with the boys tottering in front.
Life would be easy if all the days could be like this one. Of all the blessings in his life, the love of his family is tops. Their little family is also his greatest accomplishment- his wife, his boys, and his daughter. As he took his wife in, helping the boys get seated, he couldn't be more thankful. His wife and children make everything in life more bearable and pleasant. It makes him feel sorry for his friend and father-in-law. He hopes that this wife will be the one to finally make Henry happy, but he doubts so.