Thomas Howard's bedroom

Mary came as requested and stood quietly waiting for her father to be free.

"Mary my dear please come and sit down".

"Are your sisters here too Mary"?

"No Father they are not, I haven't seen anyone in a while." Mary told him quietly as she stood in front of him wondering what he wanted.

"Well then Mary I will tell you would you like to have your own estate?".

"Can you do me a favour Mary can you tell Anne Boleyn that I wish to speak with her hear as she has not replied to my messages and then give me your decision okay?"

"Why would you give me my own estate? With no husband how would I ever afford to keep it and wait, no I do not want to go back to court. What makes you think that Anne, Queen Anne would see me either? Father, please... just let me go back to the country. I hate being here at court." Mary said wishing that he had not summoned her again, being here just reminded her of Francis and then she thought of how stupid she was to have ever dreamed that he cared about her.

Very well Mary if that is your wish then so be it but how will you survive out in the country all on your own? You must find a husband Mary and then when you have promise me you will return to court.

"Father no one wants me, I cannot forget the only man I have ever loved. Not even an arranged marriage worked for me. If I go to the country I won't return." Mary said softly, she had given up hope for love in her life and now she just wanted to escape being at court.

But where would you go Mary? Who will you stay with?

"I don't know." Mary said with a sigh. "I just want to be alone for now."

Very well but I still don't want you to be alone.

"So you are trapping me here then." Mary frowned at him. "Please I can't stay here,."

I am not trapping you anywhere Mary I am just concerned for your safety and if you want to leave then so be it.

Mary just stared at him blankly then sank down to the floor with her head down.

Why are you upset my dear?

"I just feel lost, I don't want to stay at court but I don't want to make you angry." Mary said softly still sitting on the floor.

You wont make me angry Mary I am just concerned for your safety abroad. Here you will have my protection.

"No one wants to marry me Father, I have already lost my maidenhead to Francis." Mary started to cry thinking of him and holding her stomach.

I cannot see why nobody would want to marry you my dear as you are my prettiest daughter and very wealthy I will arrange one for you then.

"I don't know why Father, maybe its because I don't want to play games here at court that the other girls play. I don't want to flirt and act silly all the time, I also don't want to make promises that I cannot keep." Mary answered him honestly.

If you leave court Mary yoy must write to me and your mother then.

Mary nodded to him, "I will stay here at court if you insist. I just don't want to spend my days here feeling like a puppet. No man wants me but I blame myself for that. I do not to marry a man that I cannot love."

"As long as you stay here in England Mary where I can protect you if needs be youcan have whoever you choose for a husband. You are my favourite daughter after all.

"Father it doesn't matter who I want, he doesn't want me that way. I thought maybe but he doesn't." Mary sighed then walked over to look out the window. "I might as well remain at court, at least here if you or our Queen needs my services I am here." She hated the thought of remaining here as a pawn in this game but she had no other options.

Please stay Mary for I cannot imagine court without you and with your beauty and your rank how can a man refuse you.

"Father, you flatter me too much but for now I will stay." Mary said softly wanting to make her Father happy at least.