mon joli jardin

I brought Alice to my little section of the garden it was very lady like and humble not to expense but just right.

'Instead of having an office or study I prefer to write and read here. I have three wolfs in my house now not that I am complaining but this is my little relaxation area.'

"It's so quaint," she said admiringly. "I can see how one would be at peace here."

The look on Alice's face made me happy that another woman adored the same things was a nice feeling.

'It is very quite here which is just what I need. Sometimes I will bring our sons out with me if it's not to hot for them. I decided not to hire a governess I have a close family and want to keep it that way.'

Taking of my shoes I went to sit down undoing the tight knots in my hair asking Alice to join me.

'Tell me Alice how are you're family at the moment.'

I asked with a sincere and truthful tone of voice .

"I'm sure your children will enjoy it immensely. Such a beautiful place for them to run around in," she confirmed with a smile. "My family is very well thanks," she said seating herself after the princess. "Although I worry much about my husband. He's not so much in the king's good graces these days."

I frowned not liking what I was hearing I thought that they had accepted each others differences and moved forward in their friendship one that was to precious to lose.

'That is not good I thought their friendship was continuing smoothly. It saddens me that it has come to this Thomas has been apart of our family since we were children. If you need any help then you just need to ask. But I alone cannot change the opinions of my brother we just have to grin and bare it.'

"I know," Alice said with a sigh. "But it is this Boleyn girl who has him at her command, so much so that he knows not which way is up or down. She has been the the cause of the rift between my husband and the king. But being away from court has proved to be a great respite from all that."
[

At this moment in time I had conflicting thoughts going through my mind. Why did people hate Anne Boleyn was it because she had shown my brother how to think his own mind and make his own decisions. Or was it that she came from a new faith a faith that scared people.

'I can understand that this must be a distressing time for you but my brother is his own person. Thomas hasn't fallen from grace as if he had then my brother would banish him just like Charles Brandon. So go back to court with a refreshed piece of mind that if my brother wanted to act against Thomas he would of done so by now.'

I smiled hoping that her mind was at ease.

'Have you ever tried cream tea the cream in Scotland is so pure and creamy and instead of a tea cake with currants in we have shortbread a crumbly biscuit which is also creamy would you like some.'

"I'll take your word for it," she said with a little smile. As Mary Rose described the tea and shortbread, Alice's mouth watered. She adored sweets and this sounded like the perfect Scottish treat. "My lady, I'd gladly accept both!"

I went and brought out a tray of tea with a plate of shortbread that had been cut into ladies fingers before being baked. I poured the tea adding milk and sugar with a drop of clotted cream which melted into the tea. I felt at ease with Alice taking a sip I sat back.

'It also goes well with lemon cake as well. I have a very sweet tooth when it comes to the fine things. How is your little family back at court my boys have started teething their cheeks are so rosy red I could just stare at them in awe all day.'

"You are so fortunate to be in the first days of motherhood. It is a blessing, but the time goes by so fast. Enjoy it, I know you will." She smiled over her teacup. "My children are well thank you. Far from teething of course, they are all nearly grown. I adore having them all at home, though. If I had it my way they'd stay with me forever, even when they started families of their own." She took a bite of the delicious shortbread and nodded her appreciation to Mary Rose.

'As soon as James was born I was happy and then soon came out Oliver I never heard of people having twins it was a laughing and crying moment. I feel as though I have found a missing part of me.'

I nibbled on my shortbread I wondered how Alice had coped when she was a widow.

'I received a letter from my brother he seems very happy and proud about the fact that Thomas is godfarther to our boys. To me it was like he was saying we are still friends.'

"Did you not feel yourself grow greater with child, madam?" Alice asked in surprise. But the princess' words did much to allay her fears and she smiled at Mary Rose. "That is wonderful. I hope that means there will be an improvement in their relationship."

'I see your point Alice but it twas my first pregnancy every time the baby moved or kicked I thought that ot had a strong pair of legs. Being with child is a great worry especially when you find your own sister flung across my late sister's tomb.'

I shook my head when I recalled that moment I was receiving a nice blessing from Thomas.

'I hope so too. Now tell me what is it like to have a daughter. I think for now we shall just have two boys but I would love a daughter once my boys have grown. At least they get to roam around here young boys don't suit to court life.'

'I am sure Thomas loves his children all equally I have never met Margaret but perhaps you could introduce her to frippery things as perhaps she has never been introduced to them before.'

I played with some cream at the bottom of my cup dabbing some shortbread in.

'You yourself are an avid book reader so you both have that in common. Perhaps you could tell Margaret what you remember of her mother. My farther was heartbroken when my mother died he was a loyal husband one is such a rare quality now days.'

Alice laughed softly. "I myself am not interested in frippery either. My love lays within knowledge. Books are my treasure. But I have to agree with you, loyal men are a dime a dozen these days, " she sighed. "I don't know much about Meg's birth mother. I met Thomas after he was widowed. I bet they speak about her all the time," she smiled.

'Each of us all have our own different tastes and likes which is why it is so great to talk with those who are different.'

As the pressure of the sun was hot I picked up my Ivory laced cloth umbrella and opened it up twirling the handle around my fingers.

'Is Thomas still writing. Are you a writer Alice I have always wanted to ask you that. I haven't read a book in ages it all seems to be about reformation.'

Alice smiled. "And I am enjoying your company quite thoroughly, princess. I only hope this old lady is not boring you." She blushed at the thought of her own writing which she had done profusely when she was younger. "Oh, I used to write all the time, but that was before I was married. When my first husband died I had a little free time, but now with Thomas and our wonderful children I'm afraid I can't find the time."

Alice's company was a great distraction for me and the impending meeting with Royce's brother.

'Nonsense Alice I like all peoples company. We have a new visitor Royce's brother I have never met him before.'

I added briskly brushing crumbs away.

'Have you ever thought about going back to writing for one would like to read it.'

"Oh, that's interesting, I didn't know His Grace had a brother. I hope that you will get along," she said politely. "Oh, I don't know..the young have so few worries about that sort of thing. When you get older you lose faith in the things you haven't done in so long."

I smiled weakly my thoughts were of the warnings Royce had told me about him.

'Their shall be no quarrels among brothers especially since we have babies present. I have no idea how to greet him he is a bit of a ladies man the last thing I need is for him to go after Lady Prue. It's wrong to cast judgement unto those we do not know but Royce is my husband I shall support him.'

"That's as it should be," Alice said in response to Mary's support of her husband. "Although his reputation precedes him, it doesn't me he is not a good person at heart."

'Everybody deserves a chance in my eye's but the effect it had on Royce I shall tell you now Alice I have never seen him so passionate.'

I blushed quickly fanning myself as if I had just admitted something forbidden to my mother.

'I still think you should give your writing another chance too who knows it might unlock something hidden.'

"Oh, now we are getting to the good part," Alice laughed as she saw the blush in Mary's face. "Children are very good at bringing a couple together in a tighter bond. As for my writing, I suppose I could begin again. I've missed it so."