Mary Dawn's Bedchamber

As I make my way towards my awaiting carriage I hear whispers that his Grace had arranged for chambers to be made up for his mistress, I blush and keep my head down as I know they are speaking of me. I enter my carriage and start the journey back to Court, I silently pray that His Grace is able to persuade her Majesty so that we can become the lovers that he desires

It was with a joyful heart that I made my return to Kenninghall, ever since I had received word from my love I had felt like I was dancing upon air. In my best gown of silver and blue I alighted my carriage and was shown to my new chambers to await His Grace

"I am pleased that you have come Mary. I have news that the queen Anne may grant me a divorce then we can marry."

"I have a gift for you Mary". I signal to the servant to bring over the box of the most beautiful jewels ever seen.

"They are a gift from me for you to have. Hope that you like them".

His Grace enters my chambers with the great news that we can be married, I smile and run towards him, I place my hands upon his arms and plant a kiss on his cheek "My love" I whisper as he beckons to his man.

My eyes widen as I see the jewels, I had only ever seen such precious gems when I have dressed Queen Anne. I look towards His Grace "Sir you do not need to buy my love for I give you it freely" I look back at the jewels as he asks if I like them "They are most beautiful Your Grace, I like them very much"

"I am planning for us to get married on the day that my niece Anne becomes queen and take those jewels as a gift from me to signify my love they were Elizabeth's but she never visits her children so I give them to you and when we are married would you like to meet the whole family?"

I smile in reply "Sir I would dearly love to meet your family before we are wed for I would not wish to cause any ill feeling" I gently run my fingers over the jewels "May I humbly ask that our wedding takes place after the Queen's coronation, as you know I am one of her ladies in waiting so I will be expected to attend" I gently bite my lip in the hope Thomas understands

"Mary i have someone here to see you this is my niece Mary Boleyn the queen's sister".
"Yes Our marriage will take place after the coronation".

Of course I had seen the Lady Mary around court and I curtsy "My Lady I am most pleased to meet you, I pray you are well?" I smile and notion towards the chairs by the fire "Please do seat My Lady" I am uncertain how to be towards her for in court I am beneath her while here I am being introduced as her dear Uncles new bride.

"Sir I look forward to our wedding" I place my hand upon his

"Tis a pleasure to meet you also." Mary smiles "Yes, I am well. Thank you." She says as she sits down by the fireplace.

I sit next to both ladies and I explain to Mary Boleyn about the wedding.

"We are going to get married soon after the queen your sister has been crowned and I would like you to attend and be a good friend to her is this okay Mary?"

I get up and pour some wine and ask Boleyn: "Do we know when your sister is coming here?"

I look at my future wife and say: "While I talk to the rest of the family I would like the two of you to get to know each other better why don't you both go for dinner.

I whisper in Mary Dawn's ear: "I would like to meet the rest of your family if I may".

The Lady Mary is so calm and approachable that I begin to relax, I listen as my beloved explains about our forthcoming wedding "Lady Mary I would much like for you to help with the dress, if you do not have any objection" I smile "You have such wonderful style"

I make a mental note to watch and learn from Lady Mary on how to act within such a large well known family, it will be a steep learning curve for a simple lady in waiting.

I kiss his Grace's cheek as he whispers in my ear "Sadly I do not have much family for you too meet, I have a cousin who often comes to court I shall try to arrange a meeting"

"Of course I will be a good friend to her." Mary says to her Uncle with a smile. Mary doesn't know how she feels about this, so she covers it with a smile "Nobody knows when that woman has time to be free from her duties." She says as she takes a goblet of wine "I would be more than happy to help with the dress." She smiles as Lady Dawn compliments about her style.

"I look forward to meeting your cousin and whoever else you can provide for me".

"I shall talk to the lady Mary my niece and arrange for her to talk to my wife's mistress of the robes".

I turn and talk to my niece:" I hope that you and the mistress of the robes can help to make Mary look wonderful on the day and I hope you will get on very well with her".

I turn back and talk to the lady Dawn:" I will see you in my chambers later".

"My love you are being most kind to me" I smile and raise my glass to the Lady Mary and my soon to be husband "I do hope that you are not uncomfortable with the situation between your Uncle and myself" I ask Lady Mary "I do not wish to cause any trouble within this family, nor did I seek such a fine marriage" I take a slip of wine "His Grace, your Uncle asked for me" I blush with a whisper

As I enter Mary's bedchamber I see that the both of them are still getting on very well and I give a great smile to show my appreciation.

I approach my niece and say: " Ah Mary so pleased that the two of you are getting on so well with each other and I am glad that you like my bride to be".

I then turn around and talk to the lady Dawn: " Do you have any idea when your family are coming to see me?". I then tell her about earlier: " In my study earlier I saw your reaction to the way I was treating my daughter but I want you to know that I do not want you to interfere with the way I treat my daughter's for now and besides the only one who can is their mother and she is not here and you can treat them how you want when you are the Duchess and my wife ok".

I leave the room in a temper.

As soon as her Uncle left the room, Mary moved closer to Lady Dawn in case she needs comforting. "Of course not. I'm just surprised about this." She finds it extremely odd for him to just ask her to be his mistress and to marry him when he hasn't spent days knowing her and allowing the special bond to develop."How do you feel about all of this, if you don't mind me asking." Mary understands if Lady Dawn doesn't want the marriage to happen.

"If she wants to know me better tell her to come and see me later."

"I hope she accepts the proposal".

I swallow hard as my beloved shows his temper "I did not mean any offence Sir, I myself felt embarrassed by being in the same room during such an personal moment and I had not yet been introduce to your beautiful daughter" I fight back tears as I reply

I watch him leave and Lady Mary comes over to my side, I am so grateful for her calm presence "Lady Mary, I too am surprised it has all been very quick" I smile and brush away the tears "I have always noticed your Uncle in court and thought he was handsome and he is the only man who has treated me with respect" I give a sad smile "There are not many men at Court that would offer marriage and would rather have a girl to be a mistress" my cheeks redden "I do believe I love His Grace and that love will only grow"

Mary starts to wonder what her sister will say about the divorce of their and the new marriage of Lady Dawn "Well, If this makes you happy, I won't make you change your mind She thinks if she were in Lady Dawn's shoes, I would wait to see if his wife tires of him like he does of her. "I hope everything goes right in the marriage." Mary may not like what is happening but, she wants her sister's ladies to be happy

" I hope you are helping with the marriage plans Mary my dear niece".

I turn and talk to the lady Dawn:"Come walk with me in the cherryblossom garden."

"I am sure Anne will agree to this niece".

"Lady Mary has been a great help and comfort to me, I pray we shall be good friends" I smile at His Grace and Lady Mary "I would very much like to see the cherry-blossom garden my love"

Before I leave I gently kiss the Lady Mary upon her cheeks "I understand your concerns and I have no wish to try and replace your Aunt" I whisper

I escort the lady Dawn out of the room and take her to the gardens to talk:" I hope you like my gardens my lady and I would like you to come with me to Whitehall to meet Mary's sister Anne"

" Do you like this garden my love and do you like Kenninghall I know it isn't that grand but I like it".

"Come and sleep with me tonight my lady".