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BETAED by the greatest Lady Eleanor Boleyn!

Lady Elizabeth put aside the rope which she had prepared for herself. For many weeks now, she'd been getting ready to take her own life. After all, even if God punished her for it, what did she have to live for? She wasn't married, she didn't have children. She'd given her innocence to Thomas Wyatt, for what? Nothing more than a few moments of companionship. Her family had disowned her when she stayed loyal to the rejected Queen and now her Queen was dying trapped in this gloomy castle. Death seemed to be the only logical solution, but for now it had to wait. First Bess had to make sure that her Queen would safely leave her prison. Only then she would make use of the rope.

Ever since sir Anthony Knivert had brought the news about the birth of Her Majesty's grandson and the King releasing her to tend to her daughter the Princess Mary, a bustle had persisted in the otherwise quiet castle. Queen Catherine seemed to gather new strength upon hearing that she would be allowed to see her daughter and grandson. Packing was commenced instantly, Her Majesty not wanting to lose even a second of her possible time with her daughter – and perhaps fearing that the King would change his mind if she delayed.

Bess prepared a tray of food for the Queen and her guest. Sir Antony had ridden to them non-stop and of course was exhausted after the journey.

"Bess, my dear, I was just talking about you," The Queen stretched her hand out to her as she entered " Sit down for a moment."

Obediently Bess put away the tray and sat down by the Queen's side.

"Sir Anthony, as I was telling you Bess is my companion and the most loyal lady-in-waiting I could ever wish for."

Bess blushed upon hearing the praise.

"My Lady, as I was saying the decision belongs only to you," Anthony assured Bess, who looked at him, confused. What decision?

"What do you say Bess? Will you join me at Bradgate and help me care for Mary and her child? I know that I ask a lot, you are so young," Catherine smiled warmly.

"My Queen" Bess pressed her lips to Catherine's hand "I would be honoured if I could further serve you, but will the Duke of Suffolk allow my presence?" Worried, Bess peeked at Anthony. In response, he eyed her attentively. Nothing escaped his thorough inspection: her slim figure, her fine blonde hair, her ordinary, but sweet face on which hope wrestled with resignation.

"As a close friend of the Duke's, I can assure you, My Lady, that you will be welcome to Bradgate, and your help will be accepted. You are of a similar age to the Duchess. It will be good for Her Grace to have somebody young about her for company, and your service here, if her Majesty is to be believed, has been nothing short of exemplary"

Bess smiled widely, not even noticing how her face, which was now transformed by happiness earned her another curious gaze from the man. For the first time in years, she was happy. It looked like her rope would remain at the More along with all her bad memories.

When the carriage with Catherine and Bess in it arrived at Bradgate, it was Charles himself who greeted them. Smiling widely, he offered Catherine his hand to aid her in getting out and bowed low.

"Welcome to Bradgate, My Lady"

Catherine kissed him on both cheeks, glowing with happiness, "Charles! How is Mary? And your son? " she asked.

"By God's will the danger passed but Mary must regain her strength. She's still in bed, but she is getting better with each day. I didn't tell her about your arrival not wanting to raise her hopes in case it didn't come off. We both know how fickle His Majesty can be."

Catherine raised an eyebrow at Charles's bold words, but nodded and said nothing. Meanwhile, Anthony had helped the younger woman leave the carriage and led her over to the talking pair. Surprised, Charles glanced at the young woman who seemed to shake with fear and clung to Anthony's arm.

"Charles, this is my faithful companion, Lady Elizabeth. I took the liberty of inviting her to join me " Catherine hesitated slightly, not knowing what else to say.

"But of course! Forgive me, in my haste I forgot about your companion! I'm glad to meet you Lady Elizabeth" Charles smiled warmly, now understanding the young woman's uncertainty "Welcome to Bradgate. My wife will certainly be glad of another female companion."

"Thank You My Lord" Bess curtsied

"Mrs Nurrows has prepared your chambers" Charles summoned the embarrassed women standing on the sidelines with a gesture, "She can take you up there to freshen up if you wish."

"Later Charles! Please. I wish to see my daughter. Take me to Mary!" Catherine couldn't hide her impatience a moment longer.

"I will take care of our baggage, My Lady," Bess murmured and Charles nodded in agreement, clearly understanding Catherine's impatience.

"Of course. William and Anthony will certainly help you, Lady Elizabeth. They'll show you where it all goes." So saying, Charles offered his arm to Catherine, "Now, My Lady, if you please."

"Mother? Mother! " Mary almost floated from the pillows at the sight of the woman standing in the doorway.

"My child, my precious child!" Catherine, forgetting about appearances, hurried to the bed where her sick daughter lay.

Seeing the women embracing each other tightly, Charles blinked violently, fighting tears. At last. He'd made a success of something. His family was safe, if only for the moment.

The tiny boy in the cradle by Mary's bed whimpered quietly and his grandmother instantly whirled round and snatched him up, humming an old Castilian melody, wanting to calm him.

"He is exquisite, he's the most beautiful child in the world" she declared some time later, sitting down with the child in her arms.

"Of course he is, My Lady" Bess agreed, busy with mending cushions for the Duchess. She'd fallen in love with the young master on their first day in Bradgate and decided to serve his mother as devotedly as she did her beloved Queen. She didn't even think about finding another rope. She was needed here to care for the still weak Queen, the young Duchess who had indeed longed for the company of somebody her own age and to help in the upbringing of that sweet child who has stolen the hearts of all of Bradgate's inhabitants.

"Mother" Mary addressed her mother, "Do you feel resentment against my actions?"

The uncertainty in Mary's voice squeezed Catherine's heart painfully. Hastily she gave her grandson to Bess and hurried to Mary's side. Even though it had been a week since she'd arrived at Bradgate, so far she'd avoided having this serious conversation with her daughter for fear of damaging Mary's health, but it looked like Mary desired discussing the matters that lay, heavy and silent, between them.

Knowing they would want to be alone for this conversation, Bess hastily slipped from the chamber with the child in her arms.

"Mother," Mary's hand grasped Catherine's when she sat down by the bed "Forgive me if my actions in the York matter offended you, but I thought then - and still believe - that it was the best choice I could make. I had to protect my family and the villagers around Bradgate, as well as our tenants."

Catherine looked at her daughter's determined face It seemed so different from the one which she'd carried in her memory for so long. The daughter she remembered was a child. A little girl. A carefree, innocent and inexperienced little girl. Yet, a woman sat before her. A woman who had experienced pain, disappointment and love. Mary's youthful naivety had transformed into an awareness of the world around. Catherine knew that she must reconcile herself with that, changes came inexorably. Mary was now a wife and a mother. More, she was mistress of Bradgate and the Duchess of Suffolk. She could ask her mother for advice, but she didn't owe her the obedience she once had. Mary was Charles' wife; her obedience was his to command now.

"My child, my dear, dear child, you've become a grown woman." Catherine smiled and kissed Mary's forehead, "You chose wisely: you strove to keep the peace. Any mother would be proud to have such a daughter, and I am no exception."

"I love you Mother and I thank you"

"Thank me? Whatever for?"

"For loving me, for caring for me, for choosing Charles to be my husband," Mary blushed slightly at those last words and Catherine felt peace blooming deep inside her broken soul. Her daughter was happy.

"The whore is with child" William Brereton announced as soon as Ambassador Chapuys seated himself at their table.

"Are you certain?" the worried ambassador wrinkled his forehead. That was unfortunate news. A healthy child now, even a girl, could give the Boleyns the upper hand and endanger Mary and her child.

"Yes, her ladies tell me she hasn't bled for two months. The midwives confirmed the pregnancy last week, but King Henry has decided wait with announcing it publicly till she feels the first movements of the child."

Chapuys frowned, weighing up this new information.

"Let me kill her," William begged, his deep brown eyes shining with fanatical fire. He'd always dreamt of being a martyr for his faith, and killing the one whom he blamed for all that had happened seemed to be the noblest of acts.

"No!" the ambassador hissed in protest,"You are not allowed to act! The entire blame would fall on my master or your Queen!"

William sighed, his desire to kill Anne wrestling with his will to protect England's rightful Queen. His haggard face solidified in an expression of concentration mixed with confusion.

"What I am supposed to do then?"

"Observe," Eustace instructed his loyal spy, "Pregnancy is a start, but that's all it is. It's not a delivery of a healthy son."

Anne joyfully acknowledged another courtier. The entire attention of the court was yet again focused on her. Everybody avidly followed her every move and awaited confirmation of her possible pregnancy. With the chance of another child, another chance of a son, everybody had forgotten about the previous disappointment, and even about that bastard and her son who were buried deep in the country. Now, as she had been once before, she was the most important, because it was her body that carried the heir to the throne.

She smiled happily at her brother as he approached the table, before noticing his grim face.

"Why the gloomy face brother? Is Jane annoying you?" Jokingly she patted his arm.

George bent down to her to avoid eavesdropping, "The King is trying to form an alliance with France. He wants to get Elizabeth engaged to the Duc de Anjou or even the Dauphin," Anne nodded, beaming. Henry's attempts were fulfilling one of her most secret desires. Being betrothed to the dauphin of France, or even his younger brother, would shore up Elizabeth's position. It would mean that no one would ever dare to question Elizabeth's right to the throne and status.

"I know about that, brother and I fully support the King's efforts."

"And do you also know that Henry appointed Brandon as the one who will welcome the envoy of the King of France and bring him to court? More importantly, that the new Duchess will act as His Excellency's hostess during his stay in England?"

Anne's face solidified in an angry grimace.

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