Court

Part One


“Welcome back at Court Mistress Stuart.”

I lowered myself into a deep curtsey.

“Thank you, Your Grace,” I replied.

“And how did you find country life? You have been away for some time,” the Queen asked, bringing her goblet to her lips.

“The time I had away was lovely, Your Majesty, I must admit. I do love being here with Your Grace, but I find the quiet of the country vastly amusing.”

“I wish I know of what you speak,” she admitted.

“Your Grace, if I may speak freely?”

The regal queen nodded and looked intently at me.

“Your Majesty has indeed missed out on a pleasure that everyone should have,” I smiled.

“You are quite right. Welcome back.”

Just like that I was excused from her chambers. I lowered my head, my skirts pooling around my ankles and walked slowly from the Queen’s presence.

Just on the other side of the door was my father, Lord William Stuart.

“You have met with the Queen?” he asked impatiently.

“Yes.”

“Good. See to it that you do not mess up. We have wasted a great deal of time.”

I nodded. We walked in silence together toward our family apartments. Once inside, he walked with me to my private chamber.

“Good day, Father,” I said dutifully as I kissed his hand.

“Do your duty, my daughter, “ he replied quickly and walked out of out apartments toward the King’s chambers.

My father was never really one to show great affection to me. After all, I was only a daughter. My brother was truly my father’s gem. His affection surrounded little Peter- as well as my affections. My brother was much younger than me. Between Peter and me there were four stillbirths. But little Peter came in and saved my mother. Peter now served as my father’s heir to whatever title he would surely receive for attending the King for so many years.

Inside my private bedchambers, I changed from m travel gown. From my large trunk at the foot of my bed, I pulled a square-necked, emerald green, satin gown. The bodice fit quite snuggly at my waist and flared out to the hemline. I required the help of two chambermaids to help me put it on. I bent my head as they lifted the heavy gown over it. The maids pulled and tugged at the laces in the back to ensure that I could not breathe- typical of the English Court. I smoothed the trumpet sleeves- that were thankfully not lined in fur, as it was late spring. I sat in front of a large mirror and one maid attached a matching green hood to my head. She braided my long flowing hair and pinned the braids to my head- like that of a Greek Goddess.

A knock came at my door moments later. It opened without permission. I jumped from my seat to protest. But I stopped mid breath and gasped. Mary Carey ran into my room.

“Bella! It is so good to see you. It has been so long,” she cried, running to me.

Mary and I grew up together at Hever Castle. I had known her so many years- we were like sisters.

“Mary! It has been only a year, but it feels like an eternity has passed!”

We embraced each other. It had been hard to leave my best friend and confidant. It had been even harder to lie to Mary.

“How are you? I see you have recovered well.”

“Yes, I definitely need the time away. Our country home is so relaxing,” I replied, pulling her over to the fire to sit with me.

“I am so glad that you’ve recovered quickly,” she smiled.

“As am I. I am much better now.”

Mary smiled at me again. She had always been a kind hearted and happy person- quite the opposite of her younger sister Anne Boleyn.

“Are you ready to resume your place as a maid?” she giggled, “You have missed so much!”

“Oh yes. I know that I’ve been gone for a while but I’m still good at my job,” I laughed.

“Ah yes, but there have been so many additions tot eh Queen’s ladies.”

“Oh? Do tell!” I cried.

Mary moved closer to me as if to tell me a secret.

“Well, the little Jane Seymour has come to join us as well as Jane Parker.”

“Little Jane Seymour? That child? She is far too light headed to serve properly,” I laughed heartily.

“Yes. But she does seem to please Her Majesty. Perhaps she is a reminder of the Queen’s younger days?”

I shook my head, “I do not know, clearly.”

Mary stood quickly.

“Come, we must get to the feast. Their Majesties will be expecting us.”

“What on earth could there be to celebrate?” I asked, puzzled.

“Perhaps I should start from the beginning. Just after you left, His Majesty took a mistress- Bessie Blount.

“Bessie Blount? Her Majesty’s closest lady? How could this happen?”

Mary stood and walked over to the mirror and adjusted her hood. She breathed in deeply and turned to face me.

“The Queen has not become pregnant in quite some time. His Grace has not visited her, intimately, for almost as long. His Majesty is not one to resist. Mistress Blount was given no choice, I suppose. Soon she was with child. She passed it off as her husband’s, but no one really believed her. The King sent her away. He went to visit her and came back a fortnight ago crying of a son! Apparently he was given a son by Bessie.”

“Oh Mary, so much has changed! Poor Katherine! How is the Queen faring with this news?”

“Her Majesty welcomed Lady Blount to Court only yesterday. She is a very brave woman.”

“Incredible,” I added.

I sighed. I could believe that the King would find solace in the bed of another. But I could not believe that the innocent Bessie had betrayed the Queen.

“We’d better be going. His Majesty will be offended if we do not go.”

Mary nodded and crossed the room once again. She took my hand and helped me to my feet.

“Ready?” she asked, smoothing her crimson damask gown. She was quite a beautiful woman. Her husband was a lucky man.

I nodded.

The Great Hall was decorated in fine splendor. Millions of candles lit up the hall. The King sat in the middle of the long table at the head of the room. He was joyous and laughed heartily at the jokes told by his surrounding courtiers. The table before him was covered in all kinds of celebratory foods- roasted goose, fig pies, spiced plums and dates, venison and gallons of wine and ale. The room was bustling and people were dancing. It was quite a site to see.

“Mary I have not seen such splendor here. Even when the Princess Mary was born,” I whispered to her.

“Yes, but His Majesty has had a son bestowed upon him. Mary is a girl. A girl cannot be an heir to the throne. Not for King Henry anyway.”

I nodded. It was true. His Majesty needed a son, an heir to the English throne. Only a son would be able to protect our country. The King would never accept a female heir. England needed a strong, male heir and King Henry would have his heir regardless of how it happened.

His Majesty was laughing so loud that he could be heard over all the other people in the colossal hall.

“He must be happy,” Mary noted, walking closer with me.

We made our way to the Maids of Honor’s dining table. We sat down together and got as comfortable as possible.

“Of course he is happy. God has finally given him a son. He has proven to all that he can sire sons. It also means that it is Queen Katherine’s fault that England has no legitimate heir,” I said in a low voice.

“Shhh! Bella, do not speak of the Queen like that! What if someone were to hear you?”

“I was only saying what every other courtier will be thinking,” I reasoned.

Mary nodded. She knew I was right. She took a large gulp of her spiced wine. I didn’t much care for ale so I also took a goblet of wine.

“Look at that!” Mary pointed across the room.

“What am I looking at?”

“Ivan Buckingham. He is staring at you. He has no shame! Be wary of him, dear friend,” she warned, taking another sip of wine.

“Why?” I asked, looking dreamily at the most handsome man I had ever seen.

“He is known very well at Court. And he is not known for his discrete liaisons. He is a terrible man for the Maids of Honor. He is always with one. Just stay clear of him.”

“I see.”

I said no more of the Lord Buckingham. He was incredibly dashing. His muscles could be seen through his ornate doublet. His doublet and breeches were gold in color and were clearly made of the finest material. He also wore an Italian bonnet with a large white feather. He was quite well dressed. I could see how the other ladies may fall for him.