Eleanor' s Living Room

I was sitting down by the fire when Isabelle came in.

"Lady Isabelle please come in and sit down.

I looked at Isabelle as she sat down next to me and I called one of my ladies forward who brushed my hair as I spoke.

"Isabelle as I am sure you are aware Queen Anne of England and King Henry are coming to visit France soon and we shall welcome them to France. I do have a request of you. I know you are very close to Princess Madeline and always loyal to her. I would like you to take this bag of coin to the tailors in Paris and for the upcoming visit purchase a new gown for yourself and for the young Princess and inform the tailor on behalf of Queen Eleanor of France. I also mean to ask what does Princess Madeline like as I am buying gifts for the children of my husband? I say handing her the gold.

I smiled at Isabelle.

"I hope that the tailor can make you both something splendid and I have a gift in mind for Madeline which I think she will like but it will be a surprise for her as I have not yet acquired it. Isabelle there is something else I wish to speak to you about if you have a few minutes before you head to the tailors?

I look up at Isabelle.

"I have been speaking to my husband lately and I have seen the service you provide to the crown and how much you care for my stepdaughter so as a reward for your service I have decided to grant you land and the ownership of two fine French chateaus equipped with their own servants as well. Will you accept my offer Isabelle?

I looked over at Isabelle and smiled.

"Isabelle I have seen from my short time here at how caring you are towards the princess and at how much you care about France too. King Francis and myself believe these two chateaus on this list here that we have marked would be suitable for you to govern over after the previous owners fell out of favour with the crown. If there are others that you would like then feel free to discuss them with me or Francis.

I looked at Isabelle

"I understand Isabelle and I can see that you will not let me down. The estates of course come with wealthy income from the lands that will come to you then the other funds that go to the crown. You may reside there at one of the castles if you wish but I do know how close you are to Madeline.

I smiled back at Isabelle.

"I am pleased to hear that the French people are proud to have me as their Queen and I do hope that all will be well in France now and I hope to offer gifts of kindness to the people too. Your loyalty to the crown will always be strong Isabelle and I am pleased to have a fine lady like yourself at my court. Tell me something how is Madeline I hope she is well for I heard that she has not been well since her mother passed?

"I am pleased to hear that she is in good health and I would like very much to spend more time with her also. It would have to be after the visit from the English court but if Madeline wants to we can walk together in the gardens at Versailles. I say as one of my servants comes in holding a letter for me.

As we spoke my servant entered and curtsied to me and handed me a letter and as I opened it I looked at Isabelle.

"Isabelle can you do one more thing for me my newest lady at court Dilara Hatun can you go to her chambers and be close to her as I have just read here in my letter I must leave for a while and I only trust you to look after her along with Madeline whilst I am away. Can you do that?