Mary Howard's Bedchamber

After finally arriving at Whitehall Mary retreated to her room to rest then to change before she went out to meet others. She stared into the mirror as she sat back happy to be here finally, her body ached from the long journey but she was excited to be here. All her life she had been taught about life at court, now finally she was here.

She smiled at her reflection in the mirror and ran through the things she had been taught. She was to act like a lady at all times. Never do a thing to shame her family name and always remember her plae but in her mind she was dying with excitement to see the Queen for her family was related to the Boleyns and the thought of any possible kinship with the one who had enchanted King Henry the VIII was something Mary so wanted to explore.

She laid back on her bed thinking of parties and grand events while she rested.

I'd stayed out late drinking and playing cards. It was mid-morning when I finally got back to court. I found a doorway I thought was mine and opened it, stumbling into the room. It took a moment to realize these surroundings were unfamiliar. My chamber was not as beautifully decorated... I saw a young lady upon the bed and I could've kicked myself for my stupidity. Forgive me, my lady. I confused your chamber with mine I said, smiling.

When the door opened Mary turned her head curious to see who was there. It was a man, a man she had never seen before and she felt her cheeks turn red as she quickly sat up pushing her book to the side as she looked at him. Something about looking at him felt wrong so she bowed her head but then peeked back up at him through wisps of her long blonde hair.

At his words and his smile she relaxed and smiled back at him. "You are forgiven, the doors here all look the same to me. I fear when I leave this room I shall get lost at once." She admitted then laughed softly. "I am Mary, Mary Howard."

I was put at ease immediately by her warm smile, though her admittance that she was new to court also helped. A pleasure to meet you Your Grace I said, realizing this was the Duchess of Richmond. I'm Francis Bryan. I don't know if you've yet heard of me, but I would advise you to only believe the good I said grinning. Once you are used to the palace you will find your way around quite easily, but if you should ever need assistance I would be more than delighted to help. She was a very pretty girl, and quite young. I knew I had to be courteous.

His words and his charm put Mary at ease. She laughed again then nodded. "Be sweet my lord as I am new. I would like to have good experiences at court and my family is around as well." She sat up and moved to the edge of her bed as she listened to him.

"Francis Bryan, I have heard a few things about you." She blushed red as she thought of what she had overheard. "Would be a pity if it were true, those things and you here in my room. The rumors would spread widely." She teased him.

I am nothing if not chivalrous I said sweeping into an exaggerated bow. I could not help another wolfish grin as she mentioned she'd heard of me already. My dear duchess, in my defense I can only say that rumors are often started by those with jealous natures and idle time. I sensed the teasing flirtation between us and continued on it. If you would wish me to leave I shall but I will be very forlorn the rest of my life.

Mary laughed harder at his bow and stood up to swept an elaborate curtsy at him. "Oh my lord, from what I have been told rumors are the life's blood at court. If one does not have at least one rumor about them they simply do not exist." She teased him more by pretending to think about if she should let him stay in her room.

She curtsied to him again. "My lord if would make me sad to make you forlorn forever and I like talking with you. The rumors about you do not scare me but intrigue me to want to get to know you better."

If that is true my lady, then I shall have enough for a hundred lifetimes! I laughed. I would like that as well. Perhaps you would care for a walk? I can show you one of the gardens and we can have a nice chat in the sunshine.

The more she talked with him, the more at ease Mary felt and the more she was enjoying herself. She never thought to meet someone like him. He was charming and so funny, she laughed again then nodded to him, "I think you do, the things I heard about you are very....beyond my experience." Mary covered her mouth and turned red having said that. Then she whispered to him, "I would love to walk outside with you, perhaps you can be my guide here at court so I do not get lost or fall in with the wrong ones."

She blinked her eyes innocently at him then gave him a grin, she was loving teasing him but she had to admit that she was very glad he had wandered into her room. There was something about him, she would be very sad if he left her company just yet.

'Beyond your experience?' I smirked as I repeated her innocent words. I require no experience, which I suppose is fortunate for you.. shall we walk in the garden? I should love to show you around court, and perhaps in time you will come to trust me in other matters as well.

Something in his teasing tone made her blush again but she liked it. She liked being with him and she was very inexperienced in this, everything she had heard about him told her that she should have pushed him out the door but instead she was glad she had welcomed him instead. He was very entertaining and something else she was not used to, charming. He was charming in ways she had never seen. She laughed then answered him. "I have told you too much I fear, you know all about my lack of experience. A lady should not share such things but you have charmed me. I would love to walk in the gardens with you."

I assure you, you are in good hands my lady. Shall we? I asked, offering my arm as we prepared to leave

With a bright smile Mary nodded then tucked her arm under his very eager to explore.

Sabrina had heard her cousin to be at court and she walked down the corridor to Mary's chambers. As she was in front of the door she knocked lightly, hoping Mary was there.

Hearing a knock Mary opened her door slowly not sure who to expect when she saw Sabrina her face lit up and she rushed forward to hug her. "Oh it has been far too long, I am so glad that you found me." Mary spoke quickly very excited then stepped back pushing her door open further, "please come in."

Her smile get wider soon as she saw her cousin and she hugged her with joy. Oh, Mary! I've missed you. She pulled back slightly, looking over to Mary. You become such a beauty I must say. She said honestly and entered in the room. When did you arrived?

Mary blushed at Sabrina's words and then grinned at her, "Thank you, it has been far too long since we saw each other. I just arrived at court a week or so ago." She turned towards her window looking outside, "it is so beautiful here, tell me have you been kept busy here?"

You were just a little girl the last time I saw you, but look at you now! You're so grown up. Sabrina said with a warm smile. Of all cousin's Mary was always her favorite one. You know me... I'm always busy. My job don't give me any rest. What about you? How have you been? Tell me all news? She asked eager to know everything.

"I have missed you so much!" Mary hugged her tightly then pulled back to smile at her. "There is not much to tell yet but I am very happy to be here. The country is dreadfully boring, now I can see if court is all I have heard. I want to dance before the King and feast with the Queen. I love this place already and I cannot wait to see more."

Mary pulled her to sit on the edge of her bed, "So are you kept quite busy here? Do you attend all the ladies of the court?"

Sabrina smiled at Mary amused, she was once like her so happy to leave home and seek a fun at court. I think I'm more fond of country and peace. Oh, you'll like it here. It's never boring, that I must admit. She said as she fallowed and sat down. I do attend to every lady at court. But you know how much I like my work, so I don't mind.

"No it has been far from boring." Mary grinned brightly then leaned against her cousin's shoulder, "There are so many people here to talk to and one ...." She thought of one then got quiet at once not wanting to speak of him yet. It was too soon so she quickly changed the topic, "I wish I had a skill such as yours. You can help others, I wish I could do that."

It was wonderfully good to have her beloved cousin with her, wrapping her arm around Mary's shoulder she smiled. There's one? She asked with a raised eyebrow, knowing that look very well.  You've many skills Mary and one day you shall help the others. Maybe not in way I do, but there's a lot different things you can do to help people.

Mary blushed shades of pink to bright red as she held Sabrina ask about the one. She thought of him and then his reputation, she liked him. She liked him a lot but the question was would he like her for more than just a passing fancy like the rumors said about him. She knew the risks but her heart wanted him but did she dare name him or would her cousin think she was nothing but a foolish girl. He was well known at court. She looked at Sabrina, "I am afraid to say his name. He has quite a bad reputation here but he has been nothing but a gentleman with me. And.....being with him does something strange to me."

With a sigh Mary went to her window looking outside. "I wish I had something like your work to lose myself in. I need the distraction right now."

Sabrina could sense her cousins troubles as well to see the love in Mary's eyes. You're in love, sweet Mary. She said. Every man here has quite a bad reputation. what is his name? I shall no judge or get mad at you. She smiled honestly, and walked to window next to Mary. You can do a many things to distract yourself, but it'll be only temporarily. And once again you shall be left with your thoughts.