Mary Dawn's Bedchamber

Very well my lady.
I get the guards to treat her nicely and the porter brings her things.

We will now continue our thread at the Tower Mary as that is where you are going now see you there.

I get the guards to go on ahead with her and prepare her for auesfioning and I tell them that I will be there soon.

I return to my chambers under guard, my face burns as I see my friends and other members of Court stare and gossip but I hold my head high. I open the door to the room where I once felt so safe and eye the mess left behind by the search.

I scan the room in distaste as I see ripped materials and broken furniture, I walk towards the window and run my hands along the wall and my heart quickens as my fingers brush against my secret safe, I close my eyes and pray it had not been discovered

Opening my eyes I gently prise a piece of window frame away from the wall, revealing a small hole and to my great relief I notice the letters from my family, friends and the Duke of Norfolk are still there. I quickly read them through and check they are present and correct.

I turn to face the guards "Here is my evidence now take me to His Grace the Duke of Suffolk so he can read for himself that i am innocent"

I inform the guards to bring straight back to her cell at the Tower and I ask her to read me the letters as the Duke of Norfolk never wrote any.

I understand fully Master Secretary that you shall believe the word of a Duke over that of a Lady in Waiting but I swear to you that he sent me messages many times I hold the letters against myself to protect them

I will read them aloud to you and His Grace The Duke of Suffolk when I return to the Tower after all I have nothing to hide

Folding the letters I place them in my bodice Tell me Master Cromwell is Lady Mary backing her Uncle? I smile serenely I do believe Lady Mary to be a lady of honour and despite our much different lives has been a good friend and confidant

I cannot tell you what any one else says but I will tell you this she has given me interesting information.

Now we must return to the Tower.

It was approaching the Christmas season and the court was in a joyful mood, I only wish that I could join in with the gaiety yet there still felt like a heavy burden inside me. Thankfully the gossip about me had quietened to a few snide looks but knowing I had the support of the Lady Mary and my dearest friend Margery.

I look up from my desk at the window and sigh, the day had passed quickly and it was time to ready myself for the Christmas Party. I prepared my bath and carefully choose my dress

"My lady. I hav e a letter for you here concerning that gift on table.

"Or will you not my lady. Why not open the gift on the table overthere.

Startled by the unannounced arrive of Master Cromwell into my chambers I grab a sheet to cover my body "Your Grace" I splutter as I feel my face blush "I was about to have a bath, I did not hear you knock"

I look over at the gift on the table, for some reason I had overseen it. I eye it wearily a sickening feeling in my stomach incase it was from His Grace the Duke of Norfolk

"I shall see to it later Your Grace" I hold the sheet around me "Now please leave" I point towards the door and wish my friend Margery was there

"Very well my lady sorry for thethe intrusion but you maid opened the door for me.

"I accept your apologise Master Cromwell" I give a tight smile "My maid must still fear my return to the Tower hence why she let you in"

I look towards my maid and give her a kind look, it is not her fault that we are both still so scared from the way I was treated over the Duke of Norfolk.

"If you wish to return Your Grace then you may but I ask you wait an hour" I look from Cromwell to the gift "Do you know who sent it?" I ask

"I am afraid not my lady I am sorry.
"It was delivered to me this morning by my porter and I bought it to your chamber.

Then I thank you for bringing it to me and please pass my thanks to your porter I smile and watch him leave, I sigh and sink into my bath my mind a whirl.

Unable to relax as I had wanted I dress for the Christmas party, and with a glance at the gift i make my way to the hall.

Guards stormed into Mary's bedchamber and arrest her and Cromwell follows.
"My lad y Dawn you are under arrest and I have a warrant." The guards come forward andto handcuff her and blindfold her and she is escorted outside.

OOC - I'm not in my chambers I am with my friends in the Great Hall so your attempt to alter the direction of this topic has failed

I sit at my table staring out of the window, my mood is heavy as I contemplate if I should stay here as Lady in waiting to Queen Anne or should I take up the offer of moving to Camelot.

As much as I don't wish to leave my friends, it has become quite unbearable here with Norfolk and Cromwell watching my every move and waiting for their chance to punish me for crimes I haven't committed.

It amazes me how in such a noisy and busy court one can feel so alone. I ask my maid to bring me some food while I write a note to Lady Margery

I finish my message to my dear friend and ask my maid to pack my cases, I have decided that I need to get away for a while so will be heading for France.

Under the cover of darkness I made my return to court, his Grace the Duke of Suffolk had arranged everything for it to be as safe and secret as possible in order to give me time to readjust to my old surroundings - I was surprised to be in my old quarters as I had thought they would have been given to my replacement but my friends and supporters must have had faith in me returning one day.

I was glad to see my rooms as I had missed my time at court despite all that had happened and to know that my servants had also be recalled to my rooms made it less scary. I sat at my desk taking everything in, many little things that I had left behind in my haste to leave were still there and I smile at the clothing neatly stored - such a difference to how my life over the last years had been.

My maid pointed to a message that was waiting for me, I recognised the handwriting of the Duke of Suffolk welcoming me back and that he hopes to come by my rooms soon if I wish in order to discuss matters. I promptly send a message back consenting to a meeting which I will send in the morning along with a message to my dear friend Margery Seymour.

I look out of my window before I ready for bed 'Please let me be safe here' I whisper to the heavens as I draw my curtains

"Charles sent a message to lady Mary, knowing that she was going to be back at court, after some issues that hold her far from Palace. He reached her room and knocked at the door. He was really concerned and he hoped to find her in good health"

Lady Mary..that's me, Charles Brandon. May I come in?

"He asked wondering if she was still awake, since it was rather late in the night. He hope not to disturb her"

I awoke with a start from a bad dream to hear tapping at my door, panic rose in my throat till I hear the voice of His Grace.

I leave my bed and wrap my robe around me and check that I am presentable before I respond “Come in your Grace” I quietly reply as I unlock the door

"Charles entered the room with slow steps and closed the door behind him. He noticed that she was wearing her nightgown so he realized that she was sleeping"

Lady Mary..I'm really sorry to disturb you. You were sleeping...how rude I am. I just came to make me sure you were alright. And for welcoming back you at court, of course...

"He said, standing at the door not daring to be more intrusive"

I curtsy as the Duke enters and notice him pausing, I raise my head to look at him trying to figure out why he has come no further. I quickly rise and reach for my cloak, praying his Grace has not yet seen the marks, and put in on.

“You are so very kind your Grace” I smile “please do not apologise for waking me, you have in fact saved me from a nightmare” I reply as I motion for him to come closer and take a seat.

I busy myself at the cabinet and turn back to face him, holding two goblets and some fruit ” Please join me in some refreshments” I ask as I pour some mead.

"Charles came closer and took a seat after she invited him to do that. Taking the goblet from her hands, he finally smiled"

Thank you...I'm glad to see you are alright, my lady. A nightmare..you say? Well..then I came in the right moment...

"He chuckled and took a sip from his drink"

Also...I trust your travel has been enjoyable. And now that you are here, at Palace...you won't have nightmares anymore. You're safe here...

I smiled, it had been a long time since I had felt comfortable in the company of a man and I realised how much safer I felt in the Dukes presence “A toast to my knight in armour” I giggle as I raise my goblet

Taking a sip I sit down and look around ruefully before speaking again “sadly my time away has not been too kind” I shrug my shoulders and shake my head trying to banish the images of everything from my mind “But I am certain your Grace is right and time does heal”

I take another sip and study the Duke “tell me your Grace, what have I missed?” I ask

"Charles nodded slowly after she spoke, never removing his eyes from her"

I'm sorry to hear that...but I hope that courtlife will make you forget your bad time. Each of us have something to forget. And..if you allow me..I'll help you to do that...

"He took another sip while noticing how beautiful she was. Then he shrugged and smiled at the same time"

Well...the King has now a new Queen and a newborn Princess. I heard that they are planning a travel to France. And...the court still continue to be filled with noblemen and ladies in search of flirts, love, cheating...very normal things for this court, Mary. Ehm...may I call you Mary?

"He asked staring at her"