Kenninghall

I meet the servant and he tells me that she is delighted at the gift.

I travel upstairs to meet the lady Dawn: "I am pleased that you like the gift my Lady" I tell her.

"I wish you to stay here as my mistress for a while my lady" I insist.

I had just finished getting into my new dress when the Duke enters his room, I can see why he is so admired by the other ladies at court.

"I thank you most heartedly your Grace" I reply with a smile "It is a perfect fit and so fine" I smooth my hands over the sides of the gown loving the feel of the material

His Grace's request takes me by surprise, why me of all the ladies! I blush deeply and look down "Sir" I whisper "I am but a plain lady in waiting, why ask this of me?" I look up into his eyes and feel my heart quicken

"I am pleased that you like the gown Mary" I tell her.
"That gown belonged to my wife but I don't know where she is now and I would like to wed you my lady and make you the Duchess of Norfolk" I tell her.
"Do not mention this to anyone"I tell Mary
"I will speak to the Queen and ask for a divorce from Elizabeth so that we can marry"

I go back downstairs to talk to the lady Mary Boleyn and the rest of my family: How are you all my ladies? I ask

It was the first time my father's family had made notice of me, and my invitation to Kenninghall filled me with joy at being among people again. I wore a pretty, if borrowed, gown of lightest pink and cream, with my hair loosely flowing to show my virginal state. Though that itself was quite debatable so far, I wanted to look decent for my family.

I heard of the lady Catherine Howard's arrival and I went to meet her: "How are you my lady you look lovely?"

Thomas Howard wrote:

"I am pleased that you like the gown Mary" I tell her.
"That gown belonged to my wife but I don't know where she is now and I would like to wed you my lady and make you the Duchess of Norfolk" I tell her.
"Do not mention this to anyone"I tell Mary
"I will speak to the Queen and ask for a divorce from Elizabeth so that we can marry"

For a moment I thought I had misheard his Grace, a proposal of marriage from such an honourable and well known gentleman was something I had never expected.

"Your Grace, I am highly honoured" I stutter trying to gather my wits "We do not know each other, I know you are the Uncle of our most gracious Queen Anne"

I gently sit down as I take it what has been asked of me, my chest feels tight as I look at his Grace

"I promise I will not say a word of what has passed between us Sir"

I return upstairs and talk to the lady Dawn:"Would you be interested in my offer my lady?" I ask

"I will speak with her majesty my niece and see if she will help me with a divorce and then I will make you the duchess of Norfolk would you like that?"

I was grateful towards his Grace for giving me some time to think about his proposal, I could hear his family rejoicing as they greet each other in the hall and my mind whirls as I try and imagine myself rising to such a high position within the family

I smile and stand as his Grace enters, I walk towards him and place my hand upon his arm "Sir I am beyond words, I never believed that such as great man who be interested in me and I would be happy to accept" I gently curtsey "I pray that her Majesty agrees to your request" I breath deeply to calm my nerves

"I am happy that you have accepted my proposal and now I will talk to her grace about it"

Thomas Howard wrote:

I heard of the lady Catherine Howard's arrival and I went to meet her: "How are you my lady you look lovely?"

I bowed in perfect motion. "I am very well, my lord uncle. I hope this day finds favor with you. And thank you for inviting me."

"I am pleased that you are well Catherine and this day does please me indeed"
"You are always welcome at my estate" I tell her

Thomas Howard wrote:

"I am happy that you have accepted my proposal and now I will talk to her grace about it"

I move forward and plant a gentle kiss upon his Graces cheek "I hope you do not think me forward Your Grace" I whisper as I stare into his magnificent eyes

"You are not being forward my lady I appreciate that kiss you just gave me it was pleasant".
"I will now go and talk with her majesty and see if she can help?"
"Would you like to stay here with me or go back to your house and await my request to send for you?"
"If you decide to go back home my lady do not tell anyone why you are here because all of my family are downstairs at the party".
I leave the room and prepare to meet the queen at Whitehall and I tell the servant to contact my master of the horse and for him to prepare my stallion ready for travel to Whitehall.

before I leave I went to talk to the lady Mary Boleyn: "Mary I would like to meet your children if I may". What do you say?".

I tell the cook to prepare a great feast for everyone for when I return.

I tell Mary: "I am going to see the queen about something but I will be back shortly OK?. When I return we can have the feast I have ready."

I smile and blush "Sir I shall return to Court, of course I will leave before you to ensure that no one can link us together until you speak to her Majesty" I walk towards the bed "Her Majesty expects me back to wait upon her"

I pick up the dress that I arrived in "Your Grace I will need to change" I notion towards the dress my new loved one had given me

"I will send for you when I am ready my lady and give you back the gown but do not tell anyone about us"

Mary Boleyn wrote:

Muriel Howard wrote:

Word in court had reached me of a Howard family gathering. We haven't had one of these since, well yes. I hoped that it would be a simple gathering to talk together like normally families did. Secretly, I hoped Thomas Boleyn wouldn't come as soon as he and my father got together. They would spend hours and hours scheming  about court the king even. It felt nice to be away from the clouded London air and out into the countryside once more. Upon arriving a servant announced me to the guests.

Mary turns around as a servant announces her Cousin Muriel "Welcome Cousin Muriel." she smiles as she approaches Muriel "Your father has told me much about you."

Mary! I exclaimed as we greeted each other as though this wasn't our first meeting. As children, we had all gotten together, but the Boleyn girls were sent off to France. While the rest of us grew up in the court of Henry VIII. You look lovely how is that sweet young daughter of yours? I'm surprised that we hadn't met seen each other at Whitehall still am glad to be in your company now. I had a lot of time for Mary who was now starting to be referred to as the other Boleyn girl.

I went to greet Muriel who had just arrived: "Welcome Muriel"

"She is very well. " Mary smiles "I'm surprised we hadn't met each other often like cousins should." Mary says "Now that we have met, I hope we see each other more at Whitehall."

Thomas Howard wrote:

"I am pleased that you are well Catherine and this day does please me indeed"
"You are always welcome at my estate" I tell her

"That means so much to me! I thank you from the bottom of my heart," she smiled dazzlingly.

"My Lord I promise you that I shall not speak to anyone about this" I reply from behind a screen as I change my dress, I gently fold the gown and walk towards his Grace "I look forward to meeting again soon" I smile and hand back the dress. My heart flutters as I go to leave and begin my journey back to court

" You are always welcome here Catherine and I hope that you enjoy your stay" I tell her

"I will see you soon and I will send you some gowns My lady Mary" I tell her.
"See you soon"

"We thread in your bedchamber next time Mary"