Author's Note: I don't own the Tudors or its characters. They all belong to Michael Hirst and Showtime. I only own my OC, Bridget Talbot and her family.
Sapphire Among Rubies
Chapter 1: Arriving at Hampton Court
December 1533
A soft sigh escaped from Bridget's mouth as she stood still while her maids got her dressed for the day.
Bridget Talbot was a 23 year old fair skinned young woman. Her dark caramel brown hair was curled and long. The bangs were straight cut with a small tilt to the right while several curled strands of hair hang loose. Her eyes were hazel green. She wore a long red dress with a layered skirt. Each layer of the skirt has thin gold stripes running vertically along with black frills. The bottom layer of the skirt had fancy gold patterning. The top layer of the skirt was covered by two pieces of black cloth with gold beads, covering the top layer at an angle. The top of the dress was striped red and black. The sleeves were long and puff out near the top before becoming form-fitting. The sleeves were black from where the sleeves puff out down to the cuffs which were a solid gold. Gold frills decorated the dress' neckline and where the top meets the skirt. Around her neck was a brass coloured gold ball chain necklace with brass coloured gold heart shaped charms along the chain and a small dark red gem hangs in the center. On her feet were a pair of dark red high heels with a thin black lace poking out over the top of the toe area and a dark red ankle strap decorated with a gold chain.
Once she was ready, Bridget made her way to the dining room to join her her father; Gilbert and her younger brother, Desmond.
Gilbert Talbot, the Earl of Shrewsbury, was a man in his early 50s with caramel brown hair and copper brown eyes. He was dressed in a stylish cream yellow doublet, black hose and an overgown brown robe. His shoes were brown.
Desmond was a fifteen year old boy with dark brown hair and hazel green eyes. He wore a dark purple long-sleeved suit with puffy sleeves and a collar. His hose was the same colour. His shoes were black.
The Talbot family lived in Alton Castle; a Gothic-revival castle, on a hill above the Churnet Valley, in the village of Alton, Staffordshire, England.
But unlike other noble families that were ruthless, shrewd nature and greed for status, the Talbots were a good-hearted and caring family that treated everyone with respect whether they were around nobles or commoners.
As for their religious beliefs, the Talbots were genuinely devoted to the Protestant Reformation, despising the corruption of the Catholic Church and seeking to protect and/or elevate prominent supporters of the Lutheran cause.
At the dining table there was one chair that remained empty and it was where Lady Audrey (Gilbert's wife) used to sit when she was still alive.
Lady Audrey Talbot had been a descendant of King Henry IV of England from his illegitimate son Edmund Leborde by an unknown mistress.
She had been a headstrong, caring and loving mother to Bridget and Desmond as well as a good wife to Earl Talbot.
But Alton Castle had not been filled with laughter since Audrey passed away five years ago.
As he lowered down his glass of spice wine, Gilbert noticed Bridget quietly eating her slice of bread with cheese while Desmond ate his plate of bacon slices and eggs with a bright expression.
"Bridget, are you alright?"Gilbert asked, his voice sounding warm and concerned at the same time.
Bridget smiled lightly as she brought her attention to her father.
"I'm alright, father."Bridget responded kindly."Just a bit nervous of serving Queen Anne and Princess Elizabeth."
Gilbert smiled as he slowly placed his hand onto Bridget's free hand to comfort her.
"You'll do just fine, my angel."Gilbert assured."Don't doubt yourself. Just be sure to always be yourself and serve the King's new queen faithfully."
The small smile on Bridget's face became more brighter due to feeling now more confident from her father's words.
Desmond glanced at Bridget.
"Big sister, will you come back home to visit?"Desmond asked.
Bridget brought her attention on Desmond.
"I'll try and come back to visit you as often as I can, Desmond."Bridget responded."But if I'm away at Hampton Palace for too long, I'll be sure to write you letters."
"Promise?"Desmond asked.
Bridget smiled. "I promise."
After saying farewell to her loved ones and servants, Bridget headed out of her family home to go into the carriage that was to take her to Hatfield House in Hertfordshire.
As she sat inside the carriage, Bridget couldn't help but think about the current events that had occurred before Princess Elizabeth's birth.
King Henry VIII had been seeking an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.
But she heard after failed attempts to have his marriage to Catherine annulled by the Catholic Church, the King of England ran out of patience and married his lover Anne Boleyn in secret.
However, Bridget was stunned upon hearing that Anne was already pregnant by the time that King Henry married her and crowned her the new Queen of England.
Though she heard Queen Anne's Coronation was more like a funeral than a parade since the people weren't cheering and not fond of the King's new consort.
On the other hand, the King of England even appointed the young Lutheran Thomas Cranmer to succeed the deceased William Warham as Archbishop of Canterbury and stripped Queen Catherine of her title and status, along with Princess Mary.
They were henceforth to be known as the Princess Dowager of Wales and the Lady Mary.
A frown of disapproval appeared on Bridget's face upon hearing how the King mistreated his first wife and their daughter.
The youngest child of King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella I of Spain was once married to Henry's older brother, Prince Arthur.
But Queen Catherine claimed that marriage was never consummated.
Yet, King Henry still believed God has punished for marrying his late brother's wife.
But even if she had failed to provide a male heir to King Henry, Catherine of Aragon had always did her duties as Queen admirably, donating to and even mingling with the common people after church services and she was loved by the English people despite her background.
Though Bridget couldn't help but feel worried about the Princess Mary.
The Princess of Wales early years were full of happiness, receiving love and adoration from both her parents.
Now Mary's place in the line of succession was lost with her parents' marriage annulled and now referred to as 'Lady Mary' with any contact with her mother forbidden.
Bridget gently bit her lip at the thought of how deeply angry and hurt Mary was at what had occurred to her.
Perhaps she could try and befriend the King's first born when she meets her for the first time?
Though for now she would have to focus on being one of the ladies-in-waiting of Queen Anne as well as earn the trust and friendship of the new Queen of England without any trouble.
If only that was true.
Bridget walked inside Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, looking around her surroundings in astonishment.
Gold leaf gleamed from ceilings and woodwork.
Fabulous tapestries lined the walls.
The hearths were laid with costly Seville tiles and the rich furnishings were in the antique style.
Servants were going importantly about their business and Sir Francis Bryan gestured Bridget to her privy chamber.
After they crossed her empty chamber of presence with its rich chair and canopy of estate bearing the arms of England on a dais at the far end, they then caught up with a small procession of women.
Bridget smiled faintly as Sir Francis led her to where his mother Lady Margaret Bryan was and few other female servants.
In the wet nurse's arms, she cradled a tiny swaddled baby wrapped in a rich robe and wearing a bonnet banded with cloth of gold.
Sir Francis looked at Bridget.
"Bridget, this is the Princess Elizabeth."Sir Francis introduced.
At his urgent nod, Bridget dipped in a hasty curtsey.
"Mother, may I present Lady Bridget Talbot, who has come to serve the Princess Elizabeth."Sir Francis introduced."My mother is the Princess's lady mistress, Bridget and governs her nursery."
Lady Bryan smiled graciously.
She had a fine-boned face with twinkling brown eyes and an air of serenity about her.
It was easy to see why the King had appointed her.
Bridget remembered that she had once been lady mistress to the young Princess Mary.
Bridget then peered at the infant princess.
She looked much like any other baby with her chubby cheeks and dimpled mouth.
But she could see the infant princess had greyish blue eyes and looked completely healthy.
Thought it was not hard to believe that the King and England were all still poised to hear news of the birth of a prince.
Surely, if Queen Anne could give birth to a healthy daughter, then she could give birth to a healthy son.
"The princess is a beautiful girl."Bridget murmured.
"Yes, she is, Lady Talbot."Lady Bryan agreed."Princess Elizabeth is now three months old, but she is shown to be strong and healthy."
Then Queen Anne stepped into the room causing everyone to bow to her.
Queen Anne had a powerful yet alluring presence despite her petite stature. Her piercing blue eyes were shadowed and watchful. She wore a sumptuous velvet gown with rich white furs. Her dark hair was loose with a silver crown on it and velvet earrings.
Bridget curtseyed and Lady Bryan bowed to Queen Anne, making her smile.
"Lady Talbot."Queen Anne spoke up."Welcome to Hatfield."
Though her head remained down, a firm yet gentle smile on Bridget's face.
"My chamberlain will administer your oath of allegiance when he returns this evening."Queen Anne informed.
The manner of King Henry's new queen was friendly.
But there was a brittleness about her and no wonder, for after all that had passed, she had not borne the hoped-for prince.
"This is a godly household and a religious one."Queen Anne exclaimed."While you are in my service, you will show a virtuous example and eschew infamous and lewd persons, on pain of instant dismissal."
"Yes, your highness."Bridget murmured.
Bridget kept her eyes lowered and wondered how it was possible that a woman like Anne Boleyn could be exhorting her to virtue.
Then she silently realised Queen Anne was clearly intended to steer her away from sexual encounters with others at court.
Especially her husband, the King.
The moment Bridget returned to her private room that she was going to stay in, she let out a small groan of tiresome as she carefully collapsed on her bed.
She was given to wear a simple cream gold gown and matching headband like all the other women that were ladies-in-waiting to Queen Anne.
Today included meeting the new Queen of England and the infant princess as well as learning the areas of the Hatfield House, but she had no doubt tomorrow will begin the real hard work.
Since Elizabeth was three months old, King Henry established a household for her at Hatfield, which was convenient for London, yet well away from its noisome often plague-infested air.
In the capable arms of Lady Margaret Bryan and attended by an army of nursemaids, laundresses, officials, and servants, the Princess was taken north from Greenwich by a roundabout route, the better to be seen by the people and impress on them her status as the King's heir.
Bridget glanced at the view outside her window and saw the sky was dark with very little stars decorating it.
The moon was a perfect crescent and Bridget gazed at it for a time, trying to make out a face, as she had done in childhood.
Instead of changing into her nightgown to get some sleep, Bridget carefully went out of her room and made her way to the kitchen to snatch a few shrewsbury biscuits before placing them on a white handkerchief.
It was wrong to take food without permission, but she wasn't doing this to satisfy her stomach.
She was taking the treats just to give to someone she hadn't been introduced to.
Princess Mary Tudor.
Bridget quietly went over to the front of the room that belonged to Queen Catherine's daughter.
After taking a deep breath, Bridget gently knocked on the door.
"Go away."
The voice of the King's eldest daughter was mixed with anger, bitterness and sadness.
However, Bridget was most eager not to turn back and leave her be.
"Princess Mary. It's alright."Bridget assured, her voice tone was firm yet friendly at the same time."My name is Bridget Talbot. I'm a friend."
There was no respond.
Just as Bridget was about to turn away, the door of the room opened and she saw Princess Mary's face for the first time.
"What do you want?"Lady Mary questioned.
Bridget curtsied at Lady Mary before presenting her the biscuits she bought for her.
"Forgive me, your highness."Bridget apologised."I know it's the middle of the night, but I wanted to check if you were hungry."
"I'm alright."Lady Mary lied casually."Thank you."
Bridget didn't say anything as she silently looked at the disowned daughter of the King.
"I mean you no harm or insults, Princess Mary."Bridget assured kindly."I promise."
Lady Mary gave Bridget an expression that expressed a glimpse of surprise and confusion.
The woman was surprisingly treating her like she was still a princess even if it was announced that her parents' marriage had been annulled and she was now an illegitimate child.
"Come in."Lady Mary insisted.
Lady Mary silently opened the door of her room more causing Bridget to come in before she closed the door.
Bridget placed the handkerchief on a small desk before giving Lady Mary another curtsy.
"Thank you, Princess Mary."Bridget thanked.
"Lady Talbot. Why are you calling me, Princess?"Lady Mary questioned with a small frown."Haven't you heard? I am now known as the King's illegitimate daughter."
Bridget shook her head.
"It doesn't matter to me."Bridget assured kindly."To me, you're still the King's daughter and deserves the highest of respect as all royal family members should. You are a Tudor."
Lady Mary looked at Bridget with a silently stunned expression.
Neither of the Boleyn whore's servants treated with her no respect and just been giving her the cold shoulder.
But the new lady-in-waiting that she heard arriving today was treating with such kindness and respect that she hadn't had for a long time.
"Thank you, Lady Talbot."Lady Mary thanked.
Bridget smiled back at Lady Mary.
"You're welcome, Princess Mary."Bridget responded."But please call me, Bridget."
A small yet bright smile appeared on Lady Mary's face which expressed gratitude of the new friend she now had.
See you all in the next chapter and have a wonderful day!