Frances wakes the next morning her head pounding as it does at least once a week. Jane comes in opening the curtains wide, letting in the harsh sunlight. Frances groans at the early morning sun. "I'm sorry Miss but your father is insisting on you being up and ready soon." Frances gives another groan from under the blankets. Jane and her were like sisters. Since all of Frances's siblings had passed away over the years, Jane became not only a servant to her, but a best friend and like family. Jane pulls the blankets off of Frances. "Come on Miss, do you wish your father to be cross?"
"No, but what is so important that I must be there for?" Frances sits up rubbing her head painfully. "My head pains me and I wish not to go anywhere this morn."
"I apologize but your father is persistent on you being there." Jane tells Frances and she reluctantly begins getting up. Jane begins to get her dressed. Frances tries to ignore the pain in her head as she gets dressed.
After she is dressed in her dark green and navy gown, Frances sits down and has Jane apply her cosmetics and do her hair to put under a riding cap. She figured she wouldn't need to be completely properly dressed considering her father hadn't instructed so. She puts on her riding hat and her riding gloves and walks down to the kitchens to grab something for a quick breakfast. She sees James and smiles.
James reverances her then smiles back at her. "Good morning Miss. How are you today?" He asks looking at her kindly.
Frances smiles slightly. "I've had better and worse days." She admits, her head still pounding.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" James asks and Frances notices the worry in his voice.
"Nay, I am well, I am needed by my father anyways. Thank you James." Frances says and there is an obvious blush on her cheeks as she takes a roll and begins walking to her father's garden. knowing she could find him there at this hour of the morning. tending to his flowers.
When she gets to the gardens, she sees her father and smiles. "Good morning father." She smiles at him and goes over to him placing a light kiss on his cheek.
"Good morning my darling girl." Sir Francis smiles slightly up at her. "Why do you wear a riding hat and gloves?" He says looking at her raising an eyebrow.
"Father, how do you expect me to dress for the occasion when you don't tell me what the occasion is or what is proper to wear." Frances replies with a bit too much sass and she regrets it immediately.
"Frances do not use such a tone with me." He told her sternly.
"Sorry father, my head, you know how it makes me..." Frances says rubbing her head again.
Sir Francis looks up at his daughter, "You have a headache again? That is the second time this week.." He mutters the last part to himself.
"I'm fine father. Anyways, what did you need me for this morning?"
"Sir Philip Sidney is coming to Barn Elms (their home) today." Sir Francis says smiling slightly again.
Frances groans, "Father, you made me get up just to welcome Philip?"
"And to spend the day with him. You are an unmarried woman Frances and almost sixteen."
"Father.." She protests with a groan, dreading spending a full day with him. "I had plans to go riding today," She pouts.
"Frances please, for your mother and I can you please cooperate?"
"Fine, fine. I'll waste my whole day on Philip because that is the only point of me in your opinion isn't it?"
Philip's carriage pulls up and he gets out slowly approaching them. Sir Francis quickly gets up. "Philip.. You are early.."
Frances turns around quickly and is completely embarrassed. "Philip, I'm sorry I-"
"Don't worry dear Frances." He takes her hand and kisses it softly.
"Thank you Philip. My head, it pains me again." Frances blushes slightly at his kiss on her hand.
"Maybe you two could take a walk through the garden? Ursula hasn't finished the preparations quite yet and you two could spend some time alone together." Sir Francis says smiling and giving Frances a look saying "behave, and make me proud." Frances rolls her eyes slightly and reluctantly takes Philip's arm and walks with him through the garden.
YOU ARE READING
The Unsuspected Spy
Historical FictionThe story of a girl named Frances Walsingham, who's father is the head of spying and a high member in the privy council. She is very bright and very ambitious and wants to be more than just someone's wife. She wants to be one of her father's spies...
