Mary began to improve as the journey continued through the night and morning. Her sea sickness subsided enough to eat breakfast and take a stroll on deck with her husband. Joan had her wear a sleeveless pink-printed summer dress to keep her cool and calm, which was clever considering the sea breeze and moisture in the air. She dabbed a little rose oil in her palms and rubbed it through her hair to keep the humidity from making it fluff up.
While she worked on fixing her hair, the Princess reflected on her maid, Joan. Since those first few weeks of interesting styling selections, the sweet girl has come a long way. She remembers all too well helping Joan choose specific dresses with certain colors. Her maid has grown more confident in herself and the gowns she chooses. Dress lessons from Mr. Harris aid part of that confidence.
Since becoming her father's heir to the throne, no one has been untouched without some sort of lesson. Mary recalls Joan's face when she told her that Mr. Harris wanted to have a sit down with her. The expression was priceless, for her eyebrows shot up to the ceiling, and her mouth dropped open in apparent surprise. But since the instruction provided to her, Joan has been choosing dresses with a purpose. That is not more obvious than today.
It makes Mary proud that Joan has come into her own and feels a sense of intent with her job. She's happy and likes what she does, which is not always the case with lady's maids. She knows many of them who would rather suck a lemon than help dress certain noble ladies. But they do so begrudgingly, unlike Joan, who is also her friend. At that moment, the Princess spritzed her fragrance and went into the sitting room to meet her husband.
During the stroll, Charles held her close to his side, keeping an arm around her shoulders. It made her feel safe and cared for by him. They reached a shaded area where the ship's crew set up a few lounge chairs for ocean viewing. He led them to sit side by side. While they sat, he asked, "How are you feeling? Is looking at the ocean too much? Do you want to go lie down again?" The concern is evident in his voice.
She reached out and took his hand in hers but kept her head looking out at the blue of the sea as she spoke. It kept her head from swimming and made her consider nature's beauty. "No. Sitting here is fine. I haven't been on a boat in a long time, so like a ninny, I'd forgotten how much it makes me ill. If I had remembered, I would've taken the clove oil before we left the palace. After doing nothing but sleeping and resting, I feel better today."
Brushing wisps of Mary's hair off her cheek with his fingers, he scooted his chair closer to hers. The lounge chair is big enough for two people to share, so he beckoned her to share his with him. She got up and made herself comfortable in his arms, her slender frame wrapped around his. Charles kissed her forehead. "I'm glad you're feeling better. The boys and I missed you yesterday while we were on deck."
Playing with the ties of his tunic, she asked, "What did you do?"
Not thinking anything of it, he began telling her of their afternoon. "The boys were eager to see dolphins again. So Captain John had Mr. Barrow take the boys into the crow's nest."
She stiffened, her muscles tensed, and she struggled to get her thoughts out. "Wh-wh-what do you mean the crow's nest?"
Oh, bother. Charles forgot he hadn't told his wife about that yet. When he returned to their chambers, she was still in deep slumber. She stayed that way for most of the voyage yesterday, except to empty her bladder, eat, wash, and change for bed. Honestly, his wife was in a poor state.
"Well, My Darling, the boys were eager to go with Mr. Barrow to the crow's nest. So they climbed with him to sit," he told her. Then he smiled one of his charming smiles, hoping it would help diffuse the situation.
It did not. Mary tensed up further in his arms, and her finger poked him in the chest. "Are you telling me you let our almost four-year-old sons climb up to the crow's nest themselves?" Her eyes narrowed at him.
Swallowing thickly, he struggled to speak. He huffed several times before saying, "The Captain assured me it's perfectly safe. He explained how all the ships' sailors had taken their children up there. Plus, the crew had put a safety net in place underneath. So, you see? There was nothing to worry about."
Their eyes locked in a familiar dance. While those words reassured her somewhat, the fact remains, "That's a very high height for two boys under the age of five to climb. What if they take the notion of climbing a tall tree at home, where there's no safety net below? They just might because they were able to do so here. You know how much Owen loves to climb."
Breaking their eye contact, he swiped a hand down his face. He does know and hadn't even thought of that scenario playing out at home. Letting out a breath, he curled a strand of her hair on his finger. "I will talk to them both and make it clear they are not to climb alone at home."
Feeling a little more reassured, Mary told him, "Thank you. Did they at least have fun?"
This made Charles smile. "As you can imagine, they had lots of fun. Mr. Barrow let them take turns looking out the telescope. The boys saw a pod of whales. They wouldn't stop talking about that. They also saw more dolphins, pelicans (which Owen hates), and fish. But the whales ruled the day. And before you worry any further, I had the boys wear their sunhats."
She lifted her head enough to gaze into his eyes again. "Thank you for that. I worry about their skin being out in the sun. I'm glad they had fun. I wouldn't want to withhold that measure of enjoyment. How are the girls?" Her head laid back down on his chest.
A dry chuckle left his mouth. "Well, the girls are feeling the same as you. When I went to get the clove oil, Gillian and Liz were either throwing up or laying down with a rag on their foreheads. I checked on them this morning after breakfast, and they were sound asleep. Lady Agnes told me they were pitiful all night."
Mary's worry returned. "Oh, the poor dears. I should check on them." She hates thinking of the girls sick. But Charles had a terrific idea and told her to stay put. He got up and left. While waiting for him to return, Her Highness stared at the sea. It's another beautiful, sunny day. Despite feeling miserable yesterday, today is better. Today she can enjoy breathing in the fresh air and sunshine. Today she can enjoy the journey.
In the distance, she heard babbling and turned to see Charles carrying Gillian. She wore a little white sundress with floral embroidery and smiled with her hand held out at seeing her mother. He handed their daughter off and reclined on the lounge chair, holding Mary again.
Mary snuggled with her husband and daughter, peppering their daughter's face with kisses and adjusting the pink hair bow. Then she commented, "Gilly Bean, I heard you were sick."
Gillian patted her mother's arm. Her little voice let her mother know, "I sick and Liz."
Making a pouty face, Her Highness kissed her daughter's cheek. "I'm sorry, Baby. Are you better?"
Their baby girl said, "Yes, Mamma." She took her finger and pointed it to the sky, where a group of pelicans are flying.
Sitting up but still reclining, Mary asked, "Is she, Charles? Is she better? How is Liz?"
Gillian moved to sit on both their thighs, looking at the sea. "Gillian is fine. Lady Agnes told me that she ate a hearty breakfast when she woke up and kept everything down. She's been lively ever since. But Liz is still unwell, so I left her in the room to be tended to."
Still looking at the pelicans, Gillian told them, "Sad Liz." With a smile on his face, her father smoothed her brown hair down in the back. "Tank coo," she declared. Then Charles tickled her on the sides, and she began giggling.
Mary smiled at their daughter's peels of laughter. The trio stayed basking in the shade, content in each other's presence. They would have remained like that until lunch, but the Captain wanted Charles's opinion on something. So mother and daughter returned below deck to check on Liz.
When they entered the girl's suite, Liz was up eating a bowl of chicken broth. She looked puny and miserable. Mary sat beside her sister and stroked her back. She asked, "Are you feeling any better?"
Liz told her, in a puny voice, "No. I'm sick." She pointed to her head and tummy.
After kissing her forehead, Mary shared with her, "It's OK, Liz. I was sick the same as you yesterday. I don't like to travel by boat because of it." She ran a hand over the child's hair. Then she asked Lady Agnes if Gillian was alright to stay in here or be taken elsewhere.
Lady Agnes replied, "Lady Mary, I think Gillian will be fine here. She's an unfussy, quiet child. If she starts to bother Elizabeth, I'll send for you."
Nodding at the response, Mary then asked Gillian a question. "Do you want to come with Mama or stay and play?" Of course, Gillian wanted to play with the dolls she had brought. She left her daughter to it and went to spend time with Paisley.
When she entered Paisley's suite, she became pleasantly surprised to see Joan there too. Both ladies, who had been embroidering, immediately cast it aside. Joan made as if to leave, but Mary stopped her. "Joan, don't leave. Please stay. We're all friends here." So her favorite maid sat back down.
Paisley welcomed her friend into her suite and inquired about her health. "I've been worried about you. You went to your room yesterday and never left it."
With a sweet smile, Mary commented, "I know. Yesterday was a difficult start to this trip. I'm better today. I feel terrible knowing my daughter and sister were in the same state I was. Liz still is."
Once the Princess sat down, Paisley offered her some fruit and mint water for refreshment. The three ladies sat around snacking and talking. It wasn't until Paisley said something shocking that the conversation turned serious. "Before we left, I found out your new stepmother hired a gentleman by the name of Francis Dereham as her new secretary. He's a handsome man and might be capable of the job. However, never has a man been a Queen's secretary before."
This new information made Mary pause for reflection, and her face scrunched in disdain. She wondered at the idea of "A man secretary! It's indecent. He'll be in and out of her private chambers all the time. I can't help but think back to Lady Flora's remarks about the child. Her past behavior with men makes me believe this man already knows Catherine in a familiar relational way. Honestly, with all that the Countess shared with us, I think the girl is ruined, and her family knows it but has kept it quiet. No good will come of this man as her secretary. It brings further shame to the Court of England."
She is beside herself with this news. Her father's new child bride will bring devastation to the Queen's title and himself. He fails to realize any of this because he's infatuated with the girl. Unfortunately, there's nothing to be done about that now. So she prays for peace and prosperity.
Paisley took a few more apple slices from the platter. She is of the same opinion as to her friend's assessment. "I concur with your analysis. The girl seems much too frivolous and silly. Plus, I don't think she really cares for your father. It's only about what he can do for her with his title of King."
With a groomed eyebrow raised, Mary blurted out, "Thank you. I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees that. She's led a life of pleasure and leisure, the likes of which put The Whore to shame. At least my dearly departed Stepmonster had an air of sophistication about her. Not this child. This child has not been groomed for the position she holds, same as Lady Anne of Cleve. She is going to be the ruin of my father. Mark it down that I said this." She tapped her fingers on the table in the way Lady Flora does when she makes a profound statement. Mary continues to grow increasingly frustrated with this sham marriage.
It further made her wonder about something. Turning to her other friend, who has been relatively quiet, she inquired, "Joan, what do the attendants at the Palace say? What are their thoughts on this new marriage of my father's? You know you can speak freely with us. Hold nothing back."
Joan looked uncomfortable. Her friendly face blanched a little. "Well, I don't like to speak ill of His Majesty, but..." She trailed off in thought. That's when Mary knew this was not going to be pleasant.
Picking back up where she left off, Joan led with, "As we've discussed over the years, His Majesty has made some rash decisions. The palace staff agrees with you, Your Highness. They don't care for her or her ladies in wait, especially Lady Jane Rochford. The staff thinks the new Queen sulky and immature." She picked up her water glass and sipped.
Mary caught Paisley's eyes, and both shared a look of agreement. She's adamant that no good will come from this child.
After discussing the King's matrimony, talk turned to Dot and the baby. All three ladies wish Dot and Tony could have come on the trip. They dearly miss their blonde friend, but they wish her well. Mary and Paisley decided to purchase items at the Spanish market for the baby and Dot herself.
"I think that is a splendid idea! Think of all the Spanish fabrics and things we can buy her," Paisley declared gleefully.
Her enthusiasm made Mary smile. "I think we'll have fun visiting all sorts of places in Spain. My cousin's palace is in Madrid. I've never been, but I hear it's as big as my father's Whitehall Palace. I also hear the palace gardens are beautiful. I can't wait to see them."
She began answering questions from Joan and Paisley about Spain. They wanted to know about The Holy Roman Emperor, the ladies of the court, the rooms the retinue would be staying in, and any customs they should avoid. This turned into a great conversation about Spain and Spanish traditions. It ended with discussing several towns and cities; Mary wants to visit.
The Princess told her friends, "What I'm looking forward to seeing most is Alcazar Castle. That's where my mother grew up. It's her inheritance from my grandfather King Ferdinand II and now belongs to me. It makes me nervous thinking about it- this castle with so much of a legacy. Ambassador Chapuys always told me it's a magnificent stately castle on a hill. To see it up close will be momentous."
Mary had a faraway look on her face as she remembered the painting of it in her mother's room. As a child, she would venture into the Queen's sitting room and stare at the picture for hours, imagining herself there. It's the perfect castle for a Princess with all the towers and turrets.
Then she shared a few of her daydreams with her friends. "When I was little, I would pretend for hours on end that I was a lovely fairy Princess locked up in one of the towers. Some ogrish-looking man kept me shut there with no means of escape and only gruel to eat. But one day, a fair knight would come to my rescue and scale the castle wall. He would fight the fiendish foe and take my hand. Together we would escape and ride off into the sunset." All three ladies chuckled at the musings of a young Princess.
Joan declared, "That's so sweet. I can see you dreaming that. I think all young girls, at some point in time, have had similar dreams of being a princess and having a knight fight for their honor." Her face held her thoughts with a bemused expression.
But it was Paisley who chose to say, "Mary, you have that in Charles. Your father may not look like an ogre, but he did keep you in a dilapidated castle for a while. And though His Highness may not have scaled the wall at Ludlow, he did come for you."
And Joan added to Paisley's words. "Your husband was a knight at one point, and now he's a true Prince. He's fought many foes over the years like your wicked Stepmonster. When he rescued you from Ludlow, you kind of rode off into the sunset. So, your dream came true- in a way."
Then as Paisley finished her apple bites, she exclaimed, "Well, unlike Mary, my Prince isn't riding on a horse or in a carriage. It's obvious he's riding on a turtle."
Mary and Joan laughed loudly at her words. "Why do you say that? I thought you and William were courting?" the Princess asked.
Paisley flipped her red hair over her shoulder. "Oh, we are. But William is such a slow-mover. We'll probably be married five years from now at this rate."
But Her Highness knows that as her chief guard, "William is just precise and incredibly careful in anything he does. But Charles agrees with you. He is a slow-mover. Sorry." This made her friend sigh with longing.
Mary thought about her own Prince as the girl's conversation wound down. He's been with her through ups and downs and everything in between. Charles is her rock and shield, her faithful defender and dearest friend. She remembers hearing a song a troubadour sang about Charles and his Princess. Except it was about her Lady Aunt. The piece the singer sang wasn't too flattering and kind of poked fun, yet it's being sung somewhere for posterity's sake.
She thinks she can do better than that troubadour. On the walk back to her suite, Mary began thinking of words. Words are some of her cherished friends, particularly poetical words. Expressions of poetry fill her spirit and sing to her soul. When she returned to her room, she took out a journal and began writing her own romantic poetry.
The Princess did not see her husband until he came to bed late that evening. He apologized as he readied himself for bed. "I got carried away in card games. It was myself, William, the Captain, and several guards and sailors. I had dinner with them. It's one of the best games I've had in a long time." Rolling onto his side, he rested his head on his hand and focused his eyes on his wife. "Hello, Darling. How has your day been?"
Casting the book she was reading aside, she scooted closer to him and traced the outline of his jaw with her finger. Instead of talking, she pulled him down for a kiss that got more than intense. Like the tide and the waves constantly washing out to sea, they got carried away with their passion for each other.