Bash isn't the only one frustrated. LOL. I'm like, Mary, girl, he's yours. Take advantage! Lol...anyway..thank you for this wonderful fluff & the UST!

love these scenes that you write about Bash's care for Mary like getting her to rest from being up with the baby to Bash's reaching out to her after their kiss...and to see the internal conflict of Mary after the kiss but how she acted on instinct after Bash's confession about what marrying her will mean to him...thank you!

Isobel's talk with Mary is just something I wished we saw in canon...love the doubts that start to creep in Mary's mind about Francis because really, the guy is a spoiled brat with the way he treats Bash and Mary, always taking and rarely giving back in return. Thank you!

You write Mash banter so well! I love it! Along with and especially your characterization of Bash. Thank you!

I appreciate these scenes that transition into the scenes in canon. It explains a lot. Thank you!

OMG...love you for this chapter (and more, lol, but especially this chapter) with Bash stating the truth to Mary, not sparing her feelings but for being fair to her about his brother so that she can see Francis the way she should see him without rose-coloured glasses, so to speak. lol...it's true that she sees Francis as someone who does no wrong when he easily wins her over with kisses and sweet words when in reality, he has faults that would become issues for them when they do marry. I wished Bash said more to Mary in canon about Francis than staying in the sidelines when it concerned his brother's relationship with Mary. So thank you so much for this chapter!

Awwwwww...that's a sweet sentiment...love Mash! Thank you!

Bash's reputation with the ladies shouldn't be surprising. The guy is gorgeous, as Kenna stated, but I still feel surprised because the show mainly showed us his devotion to Mary, but it's interesting to note that what is being shared with Mary was perhaps to dissuade her from her interest in making him king of France? im glad its not working for Mary. Thank you for this chapter!

You have always made me love Bash even more...his perceptive nature is just right, just like canon. Thank you!

I really like your story. The characters are in character and it fits do well with the show. I hope you'll continue. I also hope you'll diverge entirely from the show about halfway through the episode called the consummation. I would love to read more

This is wonderful!
I have... issues, with Bash's character during their engagement. He went from flirty, rebellious, and slightly tipsy to love-sick, responsible, and a little poncy. This story is definitely what's missing from those episodes, definitely "the conversations I wish happened on reign"!

Keep it up! I'm moving on to "Choosing Bash" now

Brea

I love the explanation for the hand wound. And I wish they had had a few scenes from the banquet honoring Bash. I love your sweet moments between Mary and Bash.

wonderful characterization and observations, as always! Love Bash appreciating Mary's "innate sense of fairness and her willingness to reconsider her conclusions", and her "choosing to judge him by his behavior to her rather than his reputation at court." I really like that about Mary too, since I believe in judging people by their actions, not gossip - We haven't really been told definitively on the show, whether Bash's reputation is true or possibly based on assumptions because of his station in life. Being a flirt isn't really the same as being a womanizer or heart-breaker - To me, that's Francis, not Bash. But I accept your interpretation of the character. :) And I do like that your Bash regrets his past and changes for Mary - although I'm not sure how many guys would change their ways in real life. ;) But I'm off on a tangent, sorry! Also love Bash recognizing he and Mary have important things in common - like "prioritizing those you loved over power" and that "His father and Francis certainly wouldn't have thought it was noble." Oh, Mash, you just belong together, that's all! Break free from your unloving families, and your society's pressures and prejudices and notions of propriety! Be Rebel Rulers! ;) Or ride off on horseback and leave it all behind again. Just be together, okay? :) Still loving your story - even if I don't always read & review promptly - sorry about that!

Hooray for Isobel! Love her helping Mary face the truth about Francis. I can't tell you how I wish someone would say EXACTLY that, on the show. Isobel would have been perfect, with her obvious loyalty to Bash and her outspoken ways. I love how you expand on her character a bit, believably - I can really believe she and Bash are related, since Isobel - in her own unique way - told Mary not to blame herself for the strained relationships between Bash and his father, and Bash and Francis. That was great! Bash, bless his heart, is always telling Mary not to blame herself, instead of making her feel worse like practically everyone else in her life. In "Sacrifice" alone, there are several moments like that - my favorite is the way Bash gently says "You were scared. We all were. Forget it." after the pagan vs. catholic fight :) - so it's very cool to have this missing scene kind of emphasize this similarity between Bash and Isobel. And get Mary to question whether Francis was really love. YES! I mean, NO, he WASN'T, obviously. ;) But YES, Mary should realize that he "...lacked something essential, something she very much wanted in a relationship." YESYESYES! Sorry, I'm excited. Your story is a dream come true. ;)

I loved this change clothes :-) Very nice chapter