Main Entrance

I laugh a little, understanding it is a little strange,"I have a monthly pension still from one of my uncles in Kent so I can spend the money on what I wish. So I suppose I am not that independent but far more than most women."

I sigh a little and continue,"I was the only daughter my father had and he was driven into finding me a suitable husband to advance my family. The man he picked was very wealthy but he was mean to me-insisting that I need to change if we were to marry and I couldn't. I ran away from home and lived in Rochford for a year-there I was trained by a nurse who was very kind to me. After I had necessary training I came to court and receive a salary from His Majesty as I give aid to all courtiers who require help."

I smile at her, impressed with her courage and determination. I am reminded of my binds back in Scotland, sometimes wishing I was not royalty to enjoy more freedom. I sigh and listen on.

I do admire you, my lady! It is noble of you to wish to help others around you. Perhaps you may still find a suitable husband for yourself!

i giggle slightly as i see men walking about

Do tell me of the most handsome men at court. I do hear that His Majesty is surrounded by handsome men!

I laugh lightly,"Well there are many...most though are now getting married! For example the Duke of Windsor-Edward Craven is a fine looking man though he is married. Of course there is the Duke of Suffolk-Charles Brandon who is very handsome but renowned for his mistresses."

I add,"I have met a man called Sir Francis Bryan-handsome but mysterious. He came to me in the night seeking my help and was rather helpless really I am...quite attracted to him."

"Is your Highness betrothed?"I ask curiously.

I frown as I bite my lower lip as she asks if I am betrothed

My brother has yet to find me a suitor. I was once betrothed to a dauphin but he has died at a young age. When my brother succeeded my father as King of Scotland, he was determined to see me as Queen, more so of England but the his Majesty has not borne a son and is already married. I am at my brother's mercy as to find a suitor!

I sigh sadly,"Do you...have any men in mind who wish to marry? Do you...love anyone?"

Sighing again, I take a deep breath before speaking

i am afraid not. My brother has me watched constantly. He receives many offers for my hand but he refuses all. He wishes me in a good position, I believe. If my father were still alive, I am certain I would already be married but I do have time, I am but young. But I must say, not having my brother's eyes here, I am most curious! But....I am not certain I would please any. I am....inexperienced ....in that manner.

my soft face blushes with embarassment

I smile warmly sensing she is very kind person and gentle in her manner,"Your Highness I am sure that you will find happiness one day. You are young...there is time to experience matters of love."

Geoffrey came into Maine Entrance. He was told to receive the scottish Princess. The whole court was waiting for her arrival. As King's cousin, she deserved of being treated respectfully. When he came closer, he noticed that another lady was with her. She was lady Anne, the nurse of Palace. Then he stopped in front of them and bowed deeply

My ladies...You must be Her Highness, Princess Madeline. Welcome to England. We were waiting for your arrival. Your cousin, King Henry himself, ordered me to escort you until your chambers. He wishes you a pleasing journey at english court...

He said with neutral voice, raising his eyes to hers

I see a handsome young man approach then bows deeply and greets me respectfully. I am pleased that his Majesty is pleased with my arrival. I should like to make a good impression on him. After all, we are cousins. I slightly bow my head with a soft smile in return.

I thank you. I am pleased to be here, my lord. Am I to meet the king this eve?

"Well I'll leave you now, good day Your Highness."

Geoffrey nodded

Yes, my lady. The Duke of Suffolk himself announced you. Would you follow me?

He bowed at lady Anne and kept on walking towards Palace's Entrance

I arrive at the palace, & look at how beautiful it is... as the servant help me out of the carriage, & they take my bags to my room..as I make my way to the great hall...

Jane walked about the main entrance, back from her morning stroll. She saw a woman, who looked new at court, but yet high in status, she walked up the pathway, and she knew it would be rude not to curtsy to someone high in rank.

She curtsied very lowly 'Her Grace' She said.

As I'm walking toward the entrance,as I see a woman walking towards me....

She curtsied low, "Your grace" she said... I smiled at her, please stand, I'm Countess Liliana from Italy, may I ask your name...I

Jane smiled and stood up 'Im the Lady Jane Bassett, im originally from France, but i moved here. I am lady in waiting to the Queen Katherine' She said with a welcoming smile.

I smile at her, "very nice to meet you Lady Jane"..she says she is from France & a lady in waiting for Queen Katherine with a welcoming smile..I have heard of Queen Katherine, but I have not had the privilege of meeting her yet, I am from Palermo, Italy it is a little bit smaller city but it is very beautiful... I stopped here for a little rest, before I head to Scotland... well very nice to meet you Lady Jane...I get in my carriage & make my way towards Scotland....

The great court is on the move, from the palace Hampton Court to another of The King's houses called Whitehall. The noise is constant, of people coming and going, striking deals, having arguments, musicians practising, tradesmen offering their goods, even pedlars come to sell things to the housemaids. It is like a village filled with people who have no real work to do but gossip and spread rumours and cause trouble.

All the great tapestries, carpets, musical instruments, treasures, plate, glasses and beds are packed on a train of wagons on the day of our departure, as if a city were on the move. All the horses are saddled and the falcons settled in their special wagons, standing on their posts with wickerwork screens around them, their hooded heads turning eagerly, this way and that, the pretty feathers at the top of the hood bobbing like a knights jousting crest.

The dogs are whipped in by their huntsmen, they will spill around the courtyards, yelping and tumbling over in their excitement. All the great families pack their own goods, order their servants, prepare their own horses and luggage train and we wait to fall into procession,early in the morning, like a small army, to ride out through the gate of Hampton court and along the river to Whitehall.

The Princess Mary clothed in her new riding dress, longer at the sides so it may slip around the horse like a soft silk saddle, protecting the beast from the wind, stands with her maids and Lady Bryan. Already her household have left so her rooms may be prepared for her arrival. They could afford to wait for just half of an hour or so…

The Lady Bryan paced back and forth, wringing her hands together-her grey horse whined and spurred impatiently, kicking it's legs against the gravel,"Why do we still wait,"she suddenly snaps. Her words are like a cold bitter wind.
Everyone looked up and remained silent,"We are waiting,"Mary replied cooly with her gloved hand embraced by her maid Susan's.
"What for…Your Highness,"she replied in the same sharp tone and hit her horse's back. This done the job and it settled with the rest of the litter-the other well behaved horses seemed to look at her's with disapproval.

Mary simply smiled but she had been warned at supper the night before by Susan and all her maids. Do not trust Mistress Cordelia, they warned, she tells lies, they would whisper like dark shadows enveloping all that was bright.
And Mary would reply, no. No, she is my sister.
She was still unsure of Cordelia but they were sisters and therefore joined together whether they took pleasure in it or not.

As Mary saw the now familiar figure of Cordelia, her sister she smiled. Her wide smile revealed her white teeth and her porcelain skin stretched over her well structured face, highlighting her pretty little features.
"Lady Bryan...we are waiting for my sister."

as i get my horse from the stables and ride down to the entrance i see Mary, and smile as i appoarch her. Ready for my journey to whitehall

Lady Bryan stood as straight as a poker as she saw Cordelia. Her fingernails, even through her gloves, sunk into her hands, now covered with a map of violet and sapphire veins with her old age.

The maids sighed and reluctantly curtsied to Cordelia who approached on her horse-riding annoyingly with skill. Mary smiled with pride as she saw that her sister rode well and with as good a grace as any woman in court...perhaps with more. Susan Clarencieux stood a little in front of Mary, almost as if to protect her from Cordelia.

The Lady Bryan however did not curtsey politely or stand guard before Mary. No.
Instead she shot a sharp look to Mary and marched forward. The gravel cried beneath her heeled shoes and all the maids bowed their head into submission. Even The Princess Mary's favourite maid, Susan, sunk to the ground. Their pretty gowns spilled around them-the sea of rich fabric swam around Mary like the Thames.

And out from their tight embrace The Lady Bryan raised her right hand and clenched her left into a fist. With her right hand she grabbed Mary's arm. As the soft whisper of pain from Mary escaped her mouth she tumbled forward. Lady Bryan tugged on her arm and pull her closer still-almost like a Queen forcing a subject to before them. Mary bent her knee's and winced in pain, feeling Lady Bryan's long finger nails dig into her young flesh.
"Your father,His Majesty, will hear of this wanton act,"she spat, her dull eyes stared at Mary. Finally she pushed her away.

Mary held her arm close to her chest and Susan Clarencieux stepped forward whispering furiously to Lady Bryan whilst the other maids flocked around her. All of them in shock at Lady Bryan's brazen behaviour. Mary desperately looked up and searched for Cordelia amidst the see of maids.

I walk out to my awaiting carriage feeling sadness overcome me at the thought of leaving Emilie and Olympe. However the job of a King is never an easy one and I had been gone for far too long as there are many things in need of my attention. I look around almost hoping that Emilie would run out to me and tell me fo her deisre to instead return to Italy with me and kiss my lips. I know that there is no possibility of this happening as I board my carriage and wince as it moves slowly from the courtyard. I then find an unopened bottle of wine and pop the cork from it taking a large drink hoping to drown my sorrows for the time being as the long journey back to Italy begins.

seeing Mary vanish as the maid gathered around her, i dismount my horse and run towards Mary seeing the Lady Bryan holding her arm and seeing Mary in pain i summon my strength and shout at Lady Bryan Madam, stop what you are doing and realise the Princess now. I shall tell the King that you have hurt her mark my words. as i start to get angry at her, pushing my way through the maids to the princess

Susan Clarencieux argued with The Lady Bryan, her hands flailing before her. She pleaded desperately as she knew how compromised she could be after her actions. Mary was sacred-the court fawned over her and every need or want was catered for. To harm her was as good as harming The King and anything which posed a threat to His Majesty was an act of treason,"She is The Princess of Wales-any harm to her is treason, Lady Bryan!"

Lady Bryan clasped her hands in-front of her embroidered stomacher, her gaze vacant and although she looked at Susan, it was not entirely clear whether she saw her at all. She conveyed no emotion is those lifeless grey eyes that were pretty when she was a girl ...but now they were faded and their vibrancy had gone almost completely,"That child invited that Cordelia on progress? How dare she,"Lady Bryan spat but retained composure this time. One would be forgiven for immediately looking upon her and thinking she was the most serene and calm among the gaggle of maids and servants.

Meanwhile Mary could see Cordelia and hurried towards her. With no real thought she wrapped her slender arms around her waist. She was a petite child and was quite smaller than Cordelia-who had the height of their father. And as Cordelia cried out at Lady Bryan the governess cooly gathered the reins from her horse,"I shall ride to Whitehall alone,"she murmured. The present stable boys hesitantly assisted her onto the horse, her only maid clambered onto her's which was significantly smaller than Lady Bryans. As they rode away a stream of gravel spilled underneath her horses hooves and rippled towards the rest of the household left.

Susan looked up for Mary and saw her cling onto Cordelia. She smiled sympathetically,"Come ladies, The Princess is well cared for."
The maids left Mary and gathered around Susan. They whispered amongst each other-asking what Lady Bryan had said, what Susan had said, what they should do. Susan explained calmly but then glanced to Mary and approached her.

"Your Highness,"she said as she swept a gracious curtsey. Susan then carefully tugged on her sleeve to see if Lady Bryan had left any mark. No.
Only a faint blob of red however it could all too easily turn into a bruise,"Your Highness lets to Whitehall-the sooner we leave her then the sooner you can become accustomed to your chambers and rest."

as Mary reaches me and hugs my waist i stroke her hair, come your highness Lady susan is correct sooner we leave her sooner we will get to whitehall. hiding my fears for the last time i left court i was alone and heading to a school when i was attacked this time the guards are doubles to protect Mary. I still feel unsure. going off to the unknown. I just hope i can find Lancelot when we arrive at Whitehall

Susan smiled kindly at Cordelia- she possessed the greatest qualities in a human; kindness and empathy. Even the Lady Bryan was even shown kindness by Susan-she could see the goodness in all…even if it was more difficult with Lady Bryan.
Whilst she was wary of Cordelia and her claim to be His Majesty's daughter-she could understand how difficult life at court must be for her. She was ridiculed in court-few believed her. Even those who did believe her, usually only gave her their trust for their own financial gains-in the hope she may intercede with The King on their behalf.

She noticed her worried expression-perhaps she was fearful of leaving the safety of Hampton Court, perhaps she was concerned for Mary? Susan wasn't sure but in her unfailing kindness she beckoned a one of the royal guards forward,"Ensure that Mistress Cordelia's person is cared for at all times during our journey-you are not to leave her side during this progress."
The royal guard obediently obliged and swept an elaborate bow to Susan-winking mischievously. She was quite fawned over by men in court and was known as one of the prettiest ladies to reside at His Majesty's pleasure. However she rarely entertained them as she was betrothed to a good man Thomas Tonge.

She rested her hand lightly on The Princess Mary's shoulder,"Your Highness, are you quite ready to depart?"
Mary looked up and nodded, but still held onto Cordelia. She smelt of rose water and soap-a delightful smell and it was homely…like The Princess Margaret.
Susan nodded and at that nod one of the stable boys approached and assisted The Princess Mary onto her horse. She held onto the reins and thanked the young stable boy-his blemished young flesh smeared with mud and dirt, obviously he had been working all morning. Mary looked round searching for the Master of Her Household to give the young boy a gold sovereign. Finally she found him and he nodded, calling the boy aside and rewarding him with a handsome sum of money.

The other maids and members of the household then clambered onto their horses…some with more grace than others. Finally the were all on horse back-Mary though young was skilled on her horse however she was still left feeling shaken by Lady Bryan's harsh behaviour therefore she allowed her horse only to canter at a gentle pace and no more.
"Sister…has my father arranged a betrothal for you?"

as i re mount my horse ready to leave Mary ask me a question the one thing i wish i had but i do not No he has not yet