A week later Kenna decided it was time to talk to Mary. She could tell that Francis and Mary had started to realize something was wrong with Henry and she knew they were looking for Bash. She found Mary in her chambers sitting at her desk. "Oh Kenna. I've been meaning to talk to you, but we've been so busy since returning." Mary said when the maid announced Kenna's arrival. "You have?" she asked curiously. Mary rose from her desk and made her way over to the settee motioning for Kenna to sit. "You seemed somewhat distracted when we returned, and you've been like that ever since." Kenna seemed to relax a little. "Oh Mary. You know how much Henry has been trying to get my attention? Well it's been getting worse lately." Mary took Kenna's hands in hers. "I'll see if there is anything Francis can do. Maybe get one of the potential suitors to come to court. Maybe if Henry sees one of them interested in you he'll back off." Kenna smiled and ducked her head. "Thank you, Mary, but I may have found someone already." she seemed to be holding back a little bit. "Go on." Mary said. Kenna sighed and pulling her hands away she stood and paced. "I know Bash didn't make it to Spain and I know they are looking for him." Mary looked at her curiously. "What are you not telling me?" Kenna stopped and faced her. "I don't need a suitor because I've been seeing Bash." she said matter of factly. Mary stood and clasped her hands together. "I didn't know he was sent away and he happened upon me when I ventured outside the castle walls. He noticed something was bothering me and so we talked. I found out what had happened and told him he should disappear, but he couldn't leave without figuring out who wanted him dead. Then recently we both realized the other reason he was staying." She fell silent and Mary guessed the rest.
Bash threw his catch down on the table in the cabin. He'd been out investigating and figured he would get some supper while he was at it. So far, he'd learned very little except that they were still looking for him and that the guards were paid by someone. He hoped Kenna could get some help. After two months he hoped Francis was over his anger. He dressed the pheasant and put it on the fire to cook. He changed out of his wet clothes and hung them up to dry. He was growing tired of living alone and loving Kenna was making the loneliness worse. "Help me find the people responsible." he whispered the prayer realizing it had been a long time since he'd uttered one.
Mary looked Kenna straight in the eye. "Are you carrying his child?" she asked bluntly. Kenna was taken aback for a moment, but she regained her composure. "No. We hadn't gone that far until last week when you arrived. I love him, Mary and he loves me. I want to help him, so he doesn't have to hide." she replied her voice never wavering and her gaze fixed on Mary. "I will have to discuss this with Francis, but I promise we will keep this secret. You must take every precaution. If anyone were to find you sneaking around it wouldn't bode well for either you or Bash." Kenna gave a simple nod. Mary moved to where she was standing and pulled her into an embrace. "I hoped Bash would find happiness." she pulled back enough so their faces were a few inches away. "This may not sound like something I would say, but perhaps you should become pregnant. I have no doubt Bash loves you. A child would make that love stronger and could even persuade some people." Kenna gave her a curious look. "You're right it doesn't sound like you." Mary stepped back and smiled. "Let's just say that advice comes from my own experience." Understanding seemed to dawn on Kenna. "What did you really think was the reason for my slight change in appearance?" Mary asked placing a hand on her slightly rounded stomach. Francis and she had decided to tell everyone that week. She was done hiding behind things or wearing concealing clothes. Kenna smiled and embraced her again. Kenna left to relay the message to Bash and Mary called for her maids to help her change for their announcement.
Bash was carving the pheasant when the door opened, and a draft of cold air blew in. He held the knife up until he realized it was Kenna. "I talked to Mary and she said she would figure something out." Bash finished cutting up the pheasant and grabbed two plates. "You really should stay at the castle until they do work something out. You'll be safe now that Mary and Francis have returned." Kenna took a bite of the pheasant and then handed some to Bash. "I want to be with you." she said. Bash pulled her close and kissed her till her knees went weak. "The pheasant will get cold." he said teasingly. Kenna took another bite and fed another one to Bash. "I'm not hungry for pheasant really. I'm craving something far sweeter." she said tilting her chin higher to meet his lips. The taste of seasoned pheasant and wine mingled together as she kissed him hungrily.
Kenna knew Bash forgot about the pheasant when he lifted her up and carried her to the bed. So far, her backup plan was working. She'd taken Mary's advice wholeheartedly and seeing both the danger and the hope in it she went with it. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back with all she had. His hands found the ties on her dress and he rid her of it along with her corset.
Bash was enjoying getting lost in the sensations of making love to Kenna. He hesitated a little hoping he wasn't letting his guard down too much but was soon brought back to reality as her lips touched his neck. It felt like she had lit a fire under his skin. He began kissing her neck, lips and shoulders with much more passion. All his thoughts melded into one and that was Kenna. The taste of her, the softness of her skin and the connection they arms came around her and he kissed her hair. "I don't want to leave." she whispered. He rubbed her back in small circles and she relaxed. "I know."
Kenna woke a few hours later to find Bash sitting at the table eating cold pheasant. She smiled and sat up pulling the sheet to her chest. She crossed her arms over her stomach as she watched him. If she wasn't already pregnant she certainly was now. She rolled off the bed and began to slip her clothes back on. She heard Bash come up behind her and began to lace her corset for her. "This isn't as fun you know." He said. She smiled. "I know. But I have to get back to the castle before someone comes looking for me." Bash wrapped his arms around her middle and kissed her head. "I'm finding myself hoping for the day you don't have to leave me." Kenna leaned her head back on his shoulder to look up at him. "Let's hope that day comes soon. Or we shall have to run away together." Bash replied with a soft kiss. He lifted his head and winked. "Now you must stop tempting me and return to your Queen." He dropped his arms from around her waist and swatted her bottom as though she were a spoiled child. Kenna gasped and lunged for the fire poker and chased him around the cabin as he laughed. She gave up a few minutes later and just laughed with him.
Francis found Mary walking in the hallways with Greer and Lola. "Ah Francis I wanted to talk to you about some news I received." Greer and Lola made their excuses and left the couple alone. "I was just coming to talk to you as well." He took her arm and they continued down the hallway. "I was thinking about announcing the news tonight at the banquet. I'm sure waiting three months is long enough." Mary nodded. "I think that's a good plan. I'm getting tired of hiding it. Which brings me to the thing I wanted to mention to you." She led Francis into their chambers before continuing. "Before I say anything you must promise me you will hear me out before doing anything." She said growing serious. "I will." Francis grew curious and leaned against the desk. "Kenna knows where Bash is. He happened upon her when she was avoiding Henry by playing with the boys outside. They confided in one another and have been meeting since then. You know Henry was trying to have Kenna since we came to France. Since we were gone she found refuge by going to Bash and he in return got information on why the guards tried to kill him." Francis walked over to the fireplace and stared into it. "Bash has returned?" Mary pursed her lips and tilted her head. "Look I know you two didn't part on good terms, but the point is he was trying to leave when I'm pretty sure it was your father who bribed the guards to try and kill him. There is something wrong with your father and there are people out there who are starting to figure it out. That's what Kenna told me Bash has learned." She kept talking before Francis could reply anymore.
Francis was quiet for a few more moments and Mary hoped he would understand. "Mary what you are saying could sound like treason to some people." he said turning to her looking slightly upset and little worried. "That's why I chose to tell you in secret rather than do anything behind your back." she replied. "If what you are saying is true then we could have a rebellion on our hands. Protestant to be exact." Mary stood and walked over to him. "Then we must do something. If there is to be a future for our little one." Francis seemed to soften at the mention of the child. "Francis, I know you want to part ways with Bash, but we need everyone we can get to be on our side." she said touching his cheek ever so softly. "I'm wholly yours. There is nothing between Bash and I except friendship." She hoped he could see the truth in her eyes. He was silent at first looking back into the fire and then he looked back at her and smiled. "I believe you. For the sake of our babe and the kingdom of France we must act now." Mary embraced him dwelling on the feel of him in her arms. The next few moves they made would determine the future their child would have.