Chapter Seventeen: Dreams and Schemes
"Now I know you want to go back to France," Queen Jane was saying, her husky voice sounding lazy in the warm, steamy air. "And I'm sure I can arrange something. Only I'm a little worried about your father."
"Worried about father?" Mary Tudor came awake with a start. She hadn't really been listening, more like dozing after her workout. Mary was relaxing on a low, cushioned massage table while her cheerful, chatty stepmother caught up with her favorite masseuse. Jane always requested Inga, a strong, silent Swedish woman with marvelous hands. Mary and Jane were taking a day off at the spa. They both needed rest after their busy week in northern Scotland.
"Henry loves to eat and drink," Queen Jane continued, sighing deeply as the Swedish woman soothed away all her aches and pains. "But I wish he would get more exercise. When I went to see him the other day he was snoring in his study with the shades drawn. A little exercise would do him good! Remember how the two of you used to take those long walks at Ludlow Castle?"
"Mm." Mary shifted her bare shoulders, allowing her own masseuse to soothe away all the tension in her tired muscles. She liked the tall, slim Nigerian girl with the warm smile and the gentle touch. But she didn't like where this was heading. Her glamorous and sophisticated stepmother was scheming again.
"London is such a bore at this time of year," Jane said, yawning as Inga wrapped her from head to toe in a soft, fluffy towel. "I'd love to get away with your father for a few days in the country. Only my schedule won't allow it."
"So you want me to go in your place." Mary tried to feel excited. She understood that Jane was being kind. But the truth was that she just didn't have the same feelings about her father as before.
"Your father loves you," Jane murmured, her eyes sinking shut. "This trip will be good for both of you. And I'll see if I can fly over to France . . . and arrange a little visit with your lady scientist."
"She's not a lady scientist, she's a scientist!" Mary was annoyed, but it was no use trying to argue with her stepmother. Jane had clearly made up her mind. The queen was already fast asleep.
"Does my lady wish for me to continue?"
"Huh?" Lost in her own thoughts, Mary had almost forgotten the tall, slim Nigerian girl who was still gently rubbing her shoulders.
"My lady seems very tense. Have I not pleased my lady?" The girl sounded anxious, and the worried look in her slanted, jet-black eyes made Mary feel very powerful and very sure of herself.
"You were wonderful," she said, rolling over on her back. Impulsively, she reached up and patted the girl on the arm. "If you like, you can start all over again. I really do need to relax. Now, what was your name again?"
Mary had a plan about the country. She wanted to take Selma with her. The Nigerian girl was in England to study nursing, but had taken a job at the spa because she needed money. Mary planned to visit a few hospitals and bring Selma with her, to see if perhaps a scholarship or work-study program could be arranged.
"This isn't your job. Why are you doing all this?" King Henry was panting and out of breath. He scowled at his daughter as the two of them were climbing a big hill together in the deep woods just behind Ludlow Castle.
"I love hiking, father. You know that!" Mary was enjoying the open air. Yesterday she went riding with Selma. It was the African girl's first time on a horse, and Mary had enjoyed giving her pointers and seeing her smile. Slim, dark Selma had a lovely smile.
"That's not what I mean." King Henry was tired. He stopped and sat down heavily on a rock. "That girl you brought along, the black girl. Why is she here? Did your stepmother put you up to this?"
"Selma is here because I like her," Mary said, looking her father in the eye. "Queen Jane doesn't know anything about it. Bringing a friend along was my idea. The truth is, father, the queen has been worried sick about you. You've been worrying us both because you've been eating and drinking so much. Jane's noticed it. And so have I."
"My health is not the issue," Henry grumbled. "Jane's gone off to France again. Supposedly she's arranging an internship for you."
"I asked her to do that," Mary said quickly. "I asked her to go to France. Father, Jane loves you. You know she does."
"Then why isn't she here?" Henry asked roughly. "And why are you here with a long-legged black girl with the body of a goddess? The tall, slim girl you went riding with yesterday doesn't look like a nursing student to me. She looks like supermodel!"
"She's not! She's just my friend," Mary stammered. Her cheeks were hot and she felt herself blushing.
"Go back to the castle," the king commanded. "I need some time to think about Jane, and your plans for France. It seems I've been blind to what both of you have been up to for far too long."
Mary stumbled down the hill, feeling devastated by her father's harsh words. He had only to snap his fingers to put an end to everything, all her dreams and schemes. And the same was true for Jane. But Jane was beautiful and had many admirers.
What did Mary have?