Garden of Ludlow

Although the clouds were blue their was still a hint of coldness in the air Mary wrapped a light cloak around her shoulders looking at the daisies appearing on the grass glancing at Elizabeth.

What would you prefer I called you I know that the name Elizabeth can be shortened to lizzie or beth even. My grandmother was named Elizabeth I often wish my farther told me more about her my grandparents came from the time of the war of the roses my farther fears of a rebellion he may not speak of it but he is king.

Smiling Mary took in the beautiful flowers in bloom and the blossom on the trees soon the apple trees would start to bud.

What part of England are you from Elizabeth tell me what it is like. I like to hear the voices of the people and their opinions what do they think of my farther banishing my mother.

Elizabeth was walking with Lady Mary. She was away from her home, Whitehall Palace. Away from her mother and father.. It was so hard for her.
She looked at Mary and smiled gently.

My family and friends call me Bess. But you can call me what you want, your highness. I was born in Thurleigh, Bedfordshire. It is a small village. My father, Sir George Hervey is a soldier in the service of the Henry VIII's army. I have a brother. His name is Nicholas Hervey and I have an illegitimate brother, Gerard Hervey. My family is living at Thurleigh.

Mary noticed that she did not mention her mother was it out of respect for Mary knowing her current situation? It was always best to not pry and her family were loyal to her Farther which was nice to know.

I think that I shall call you Bess as it suits you did your Farther ever meet my Farther personally? He might also know the Duke of Suffolk my Farther never goes far without him.

Although Mary didn't spend any personal time with the Suffolks she admired and respected them for staying loyal to her Farther no matter what had happened.

When the Duke of Suffolk married my late Aunt it was then that I felt he truly was apart of our family.

Emma entered the garden. Princess Mary and her new lady-in-waiting, Lady Elizabeth was walking. Emma smiled at them and she curtsied. She was carrying a large painting.

Your Highness..

Mary was very surprised to see Emma back so quick but also happy about it to.

Emma I am very glad to see you back let me introduce you to Elizabeth she is from Kent.

Mary wanted to talk privately with Emma about her farther and to see how he was she smiled but with her eyes she spoke hoping Emma would understand.

Emma has just come back from court Bess and tell us how is my most beloved Farther.

Bess stared Emma from head to toe. She was a blonde, beautiful English girl. She was carrying a great pocket and Bess understood that was a special pocket for Princess Mary. She decided to leave them alone.

Your highness, I'll leave you alone. I have some work to do in the castle. If you need me I'll be inside.

She smiled and went in.

Mary watched Bess walk away she was hoping to find out more about her all in good time she thought but what was on her mind she would now tell Emma.

Emma do you think we can trust lady Bess their is something that I can't put my finger on just yet I think she is a spy because she is from Kent the very same place as you who I shall not name.

Little things were starting to annoy Mary the fact that she did not curtsey to her after leaving. She had a gut twisting fear that something terrible was going to happen at the hands of that concubine.

Emma watched Bess carefully. She was a young and beautiful lady. Before coming to the castle she had done a little research about lady Elizabeth.

Your highness, I did a little research. Lady Elizabeth is a soldier's daughter. Her father still is not in the military. Her mother was a lady in waiting of the queen Katherine, your mother. Her family has nothing to do with the Boleyns. They live in a small house in Kent.

Bess came running. There was an envelope in her hand and she curtsied

My lady.. I'm sorry I'm interrupting your conversation, forgive me but this letter has now arrived. Written by the son of the Duke of Suffolk.

She handed her the letter.

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Mary relaxed a little after Emma spoke she heard Elizabeth calling her and turned to her.

A letter for me to this very day I still expect all letters to come from my farther. I shall read this letter in the shade with a cool glass of water. Bess would you mind sitting with me as I write it. These are dangerous times anything I write could be taken out if context or a plot even.

Mary gave a fake smile to them both but it hurt her deeply to have no freedom of speech to not see her mother for her farther to treat her as a bastard.

Bess smiled and she gave the letter to her Princess, Mary. She was very happy with her

My lady, I heard that there are still a lot of supporters of your mother in the court. They are still supporting your mother as a queen and your father's true wife.

Mary was very grateful to Bess for her words of comfort. Mary needed honest people around her during times like these and it seemed she had that in Bess and Emma.

Thank you Bess for your honest words. I need honest people around me so if you ever hear anything be not afraid to speak it in thine presence.

Mary smiled warmly how quick the seasons were changing, half the leafs on the tree were crisp in brown.

Louise of Burgundy looked around the gardens which she had entered, she had long dark hair as well and her brother Louie also resided in Ludlow, Louise entering the gardens after seeing her older Yorkist brother named Louie, Duke of York who was her half brother Louise was now in the gardens walking with her brother Louie "Brother, will you come to Burgundy with me" Louise asked Louie of York and he nodded "Of course little sister, my time at court hadn't been well but sometime in Burgundy with you and away from England might do me well" Louie spoken to his little sister as he was much older then her by 6 1/2 years almost, looking around Louie smiled "Little sister you though must make yourself known to these Tudor's, I trust they will adore you and I hear the Princess is in need of a friend, she is our cousin of the blood after all" Louie smirked and kissed her forehead, Louise couldn't help but blush a bit and she looked ahead seeing the Princess Mary Tudor with her ladies, she was nervous of their meeting as she hadn't been to England before many times but she loved her brother and trusted him very much and simply nodded

"Yes brother, are you certain she will like me" Louise asked nervously and Louie nodded "Of course, now go, enjoy yourself" Louie spoken and gestured her forward to the Lady Mary, Louie looked at the Lady Mary "My little sister, she wished to meet you" Louie spoken to the Lady Mary then bowed to her in respect and walked off, Louie was a alliance with the Lady Mary and got along with her well.

Walking off Louie went to tend to his duties, Louise stood looking at the Lady Mary and curtsies to her "Your highness" Louise spoken nervously to her and smiled a bit, she was young and beautiful but she was a Princess of Burgundy as well, Looking at the Lady Mary after being announced as a guest wanting to see her.