The Unsuspected Spy

Chapter 4 October 2nd, 1583

Frances sits across from Philip at lunch. Philip would look at Frances flirtingly occasionally and Frances couldn't help but blush. For Frances, the lunch felt like hours. Frances's head had gotten worse by now and she just wanted to be alone in her room with her thoughts.

She gets up after she is finished eating. "I do apologize Philip but I am unable to spend the rest of today with you. My headache has gotten worse and I think I should just get some rest." She says walking to the doors holding her head, not waiting for a reply or for her father to try and convince her to stay. She was already exhausted and her head just pounding mercilessly. It is very painful as she walks up the stairs slowly, the pain causing her to slowly lose her vision. She grabs onto the rail, scared she will fall.

James is carrying trays when he sees Frances starting to sway. "Ms! Ms are you alright?" He sets the trays down quickly running to her and taking her in his arms to hold her up.

"James." She smiles that he is there. "My head.. It's worse, and I can barely see... Will you help me to my room please?" She asks softly, almost never shows her pain like this.

"Of course Ms. Come on." James says to her then helps her carefully up to her chambers. He helps her inside and has her sit down. "I'm going to fetch Jane alight? You stay here and wait and I'll be right back with her I promise." He quickly runs downstairs and tries to find Jane.

He finds Jane and brings her up to Frances quickly. Frances still remains sitting on the chair holding her head. Jane runs over to her side. "Ms? Can you hear me."

Frances nods, "Can you help me get undressed? I think if I just rest that I'll be okay."

"Of course. James would mind leaving for a moment? You can wait outside just give us a minute." Janes says and helps her to where she can help her get undressed but where she can still sit if she needs to.

James nods and quickly leaves. He stands outside her room worriedly. Jane helps Frances get undressed slowly, making sure it isn't too quick for her.

After Jane has her undressed and in her night gown, she helps her over to her bed and has her lay down. "Just get some rest Ms. I'll have James remain outside incase you need anything and you can always call for me as well." Jane says softly. Frances nods and Jane leaves. Frances tries to sleep, her mind wandering and her head pounding, stopping her from being able to be comfortable.

When she finally falls asleep she begins to have a nightmare like she used to as a little girl. The nightmare is about the time that was the most terrifying for her and her family. This time was the time of St. Bartholomew's Day. The time where Frances's father was the french ambassador, and her mother and her were in constant hiding in their home. Frances remembers the blood and screams of the people outside. She remembers the fear of never seeing her father again because he could possibly be murdered. She remembers the fear in her mother's eyes every time the sun would go down. She dreams about the time that her father didn't come home for a few days because he had gotten held up by threats and couldn't leave. Frances dreams of all of this, remembering it all like it was yesterday even though it was 11 years ago.

She wakes up screaming, tears running down her face and her whole body shaking. James runs in and over to her side holding her close. "Shh, Frances it is alright, you're okay, you're home and safe, nothing can hurt you here." James says in a soothing voice holding her close. Frances cries into his chest. She start to calm down as she is in his arms. She hears her mother coming.

"James, my mother is coming, I'll be okay, you go stand outside like you were before and I'll make an excuse later." Frances said quickly having James go out quickly before her mother sees James inside her bed chamber. James does as she said quickly and goes outside the door. By now it is late at night and Ursula walks in quickly and over to Frances.

"Oh my dear girl. Was it the nightmare again?" Ursula asks going to Frances's side. Frances nods and leans against her mother, crying into her shoulder. Frances and her mother had always been close. They have always believed in the same things and they have the same way of thinking. Frances's mother was the one person she knew she could count on. Frances knew she could rely on her mother to understand. Her mother was the only one she could tell of her cyphers and spywork.

Eventually Frances calms down with her mother by her side. Ursula kisses Frances's head, "Lay down and try to sleep honey." Ursula heads back to her room and Frances lays her head back down and falls back asleep, sleeping peacefully the rest of the night.