Everyone seemed to know my destiny before I did. I am their Hope, I am His Hope. Hope is what I was names and Hope is what I shall bring. To my father, to my family, to my King.
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I was being fitted with my dress and jewels for the day. I practiced my smile in the mirror then looked down at the beautiful flowing purple gown that hid the child I carried. The door opened and a my new maid stepped through
"Your Grace." she curtsied "The King is calling for you." I nodded dismissing her then made my way to Henry's chambers. The doors opened and I walked inside with a small smile fixed to my face. I curtsied.
"Are you well?" he asked me. I walked forward as he thought I mean to kiss him, he was about to reciprocate when I pulled away with a smirk. I made my way around him and picked up and apple
"I am well, Your Grace." I bit into the apple "My sickness has almost past." I chuckled seeing the stunned look on his face.
"We have a performance to attend do we not?" I took another bite out of my apple "Well, don't just stand there, gawping." he cleared his throat and offered my his arm. I took it and we left I there the unfinished apple to one of the spies and we left.
Henry and I sat side by side watching th performance. I smiled through it and once it was finished I clapped. Henry went to his mother and I went to mine and my sister.
"Your smile looks almost convincing, sister." Lizzie comments taking my arm
"Yes, my face aches from it." I sigh "Although If I should have to endure another story about his time in exile choke him with the pheasant legs he seems to love so much. I might pass out from shear boredom. How shall I keep it up for eight weeks on Royal Progress?" I complained
"Don't be downcast." Mother replies as we watch Henry meet with Bishop Morton "We shall make it work to our advantage. I just wish I was coming with you." Lady Margaret approached us
"Bishop Morton has arrived at court. I wish..." mother cut her off
"My daughters dress is cutting in and troubling the baby, we will change it in her rooms." Mother and Lizzie guided me away. Once we were back in our rooms, mother spoke her mind.
"Royal Progress is our chance to flush out who is still for York, our first contact is crucial as we'll know who else supports us." she told me undoing my dress
"The de la Pole's are out they turned their coats so quickly, it made even my head spin." I replied Lizzie brought over a different dress.
"The Staffords have refused to bend their knee to Henry but he knows them all as rebels so we cannot go to them."
"Frances Lovell." I told her remembering my conversations with my Uncle
"Lovell, I though he's sworn fealty to Tudor?" I shook my head
"Richard said he was the purest, whitest York in all of England. He said he would trust him with his life. No matter what he said to his enemies he is York to his core." I informed her
"Then he is our man, where can we find him."
"York." the door opened and Margaret's spies has arrived. Mother continued to under my dress and I was changed into another.
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I was with Henry as he was making final preparations for the Progress.
"Which route will the progress take?" I wonder eating another apple, I had quite a fondness for them "I have old friends I would like to see if we journey close."
"Old Yorks?" he questioned.
"They were once. But now my house is broken." I looked down at samples of fabric. Picking them up to examine them more closely
"Thanks to me." he added
"If I do not pay my respects they will think I am your prisoner. Which would not support you image of two houses united by our happy and peaceful marriage." he thought about it before he spoke
"We will journey via Northampton through to Nottingham and up to Lancaster." He informed me
"Not York?"
"Of course not York. The place is for it's name sake, your old house. The last stronghold of Traitors has it's nest there." I chuckle shaking my head "Why do you laugh?"
"Because if you fear them you give them more power which makes them stronger than you." He looked slightly shocked "What? I can be nice, beside Three stray Stafford rebels? With all the Tudor guards and myself with you, yet three men without an axe between them? Tell me do you wish to make them heroes if you make them successful in keeping you away?"
"Tell who you wish to see and we will meet them in public. You will say you're happy with your lot." he agreed
"Okay." I walk off continuing to eat the apple. I made my way back to my rooms to write a letter to Francis Lovell.
Dear Francis Lovell,
our lives are very change since the last time we met. But I would like to see you as I travel via York on Progress with the King. There are some matter which I think I would be better to discuss in person rather than letter but it would be brief as to not arouse suspicion. I would be forever grateful for your attendance
Princess Hope.
I finished the letter and handed it to my mother, she swapped the letters hiding mine within her sleeve. She then handed Ruth our maid a false letter which we knew would be taken to Lady Margaret. She then turned to my little sisters who were playing with delight.
"Girls time for your riding lesson." They cheered and we all grabbed our cloaks and headed outside. I watched arm in arm as the girls were lifted onto their horses. I shared a secret smile with my mother as Ned our stable boy took the letter from Anne's cloak.
