The Italian Rose

Eight:

Isabella rode through the woods that surrounded the outskirts of Ludlow Castle. Her grandfather was right about the mare suiting her well.
Slowing down to a stop, Isabella catches her breath, inhaling deeply and closing her eyes. "Lady Isabella!"
Glancing back, Isabella's eyes widened as Henry galloped to catch up to her. "Your majesty," She spoke, eyes glancing around for the dark-haired Boleyn woman, had Anne returned to the castle? "Where is Lady Anne?"

"The Lady Anne sadly had to return, I am on my way to visit the Princess Mary. May I ride with you instead?" Henry replied, giving her a generous smile. "I assure you that I would be a gentleman, we are friends, are we not?"
Isabella nodded. "I must admit, your majesty, that you have caught me off guard, but I can not deny your request as we are headed in the same direction."

Henry clicked his tongue, his steed proceeded onwards into a slow trot, enough for Isabella's mare to keep up.
"I hear that Lord Rochford is to be entering a tournament in your majesty's name. Congratulations, my Lord."
The King's eyebrows knitted together, and annoyance danced across his face. "It is much appreciated," He then leaned towards her. "And please, whenever we are alone or in trusted company, do call be Henry."

Isabella gasped. "I can not, for you are a King, and I am nothing more than a humble severant-"
Henry let out a booming laugh, which echoed loudly. "And as your King, it is also respectful to do as I ask."
"As you wish...." Isabella sighed, knowing that he was right. "Henry."

He could not help but love the way his name rolled off her tongue. Even though Isabella spoke fluent English, there was a slight Italian accent in some words.
"Do you have another name that people call you?"

A soft smile danced across her face. "My grandmother, before she passed from the sweating sickness, called me Bella."
"Bella?" He repeated, smiling. "Well, your grandmother was right. You are a beauty."
"I thank you, your... Henry, for your kind words."

They stopped at Ludlow Castle, Princess Mary seemed to be getting better as her fever broke during the early morning and was in good cheer. It was then that Henry decided to stay the night, Isabella being in the Queen's service could not, but Princess Mary commanded that she stay.

The Princess had her own court of noble lords and ladies, but she wished to have a familiar face amongst the crowd, and Isabella was that face.
Henry and Isabella ate, danced, and talked the night away. It was the longest time that Henry ever spent in someone else's company other than Anne, and he enjoyed it.

Isabella was worried about returning to court in the king's company. "Be of good cheer, Bella, I shall make it my duty that your virtue and honour remain intact. I wish to assure you that if you have any problems do come see me."

Upon arrival back to the stables, they ran into Lord De Angelo.
"Your majesty, Daughter." He came over to help Isabella dismount from her mare.
Once Isabella was dismounted, Henry followed suit and approached. "Lady Isabella," He spoke, taking hold of her hand and placing a kiss upon her knuckles. "I thank you for the lovely ride."

Isabella and Lord De Angelo fell into a low bow as Henry walked away, Lord De Angelo then turned to face his daughter with a raised eyebrow but said nothing.

"It was not my fault."

He sighed, offering his arm for her to take. "I just do not wish to see you hurt, Isabella."
"Believe me, Father, I wish for the same." Isabella spoke, taking her father's offered arm and allowed him to escort her inside. "His majesty seems to be respecting my wishes though, so far. It is like the friendship we all see that the King has with Lord Suffolk, but I swear to you, nothing will happen. His majesty is married, and I intend for it to stay that way."

_______

When Catherine heard of the ride between Isabella and the King, she was indeed a little hurt but this was her plan coming together quite quickly and effortlessly, the King seemed to be getting rather bored of Anne Boleyn and his sights was set on Isabella De Angelo.
Her spies in the King's service even told tales that he had stopped writing to the Pope for a divorce, Catherine knew it was reaching to high to even think that the King had stopped all plans in the annulment of their marriage but perhaps Henry realised that she is his lawful wife and Queen.

But, she also knew that was wishful thinking.

"Your majesty, a letter has come from the Emperor of Spain." Cromwell spoke, bowing before allowing the Queen's pageboy to hand over the letter, Catherine instantly noticed that the seal had been broken, someone had read the letter before it reached her hands, annoyance danced across her face.
"What is this? Since when has my letters been opened before I had a chance to read them?"

"His Majesty has given orders for all letters between England, Spain, and the Pope be investigated."
Catherine arched an eyebrow, rising to her feet as Cromwell challenged her stare, but she was Catalina of Spain, and Catherine had mastered her mother's disapproving glare to the point that Cromwell avoided her gaze after a few seconds.

"I may be a Spanish Princess, Master Cromwell, but I am his majesty's true and lawful wife and Queen of England. It is time you remember that," She spoke, her unspoken threat lingering in the air. "Now, you may go."

________

In the days that followed the unfortunate incident between herself and the King, Anne paraded herself around court as if the whispers of the King being in Isabella's company spread throughout the nobles like wildfire, a small part of her wanted to run and hide in her chambers but she forced herself to move forward, she could not help but believe that Heney still held love for her.

In their private moments amongst the thousand passionate kisses and touches, Anne still maintained her virtue, reminding her King every opportunity what he could have if he just cast his wife aside.

Love, passion, sons.

But it seems her words were all for naught as the King seemed more focused on a war between England and France than annulling his union with Catherine.
They ate dinner in silence as the King's mind seemed to be preoccupied elsewhere, Anne pushed her food around with her fork, her appetite decreasing as her father's words rang in her mind. If she were to become Henry's Maîtresse-en-titre, perhaps she could use it to her advantage and remove the thorns in her side without casting blame onto herself.

Catherine, Mary and Isabella De Angelo.

"My love," Anne spoke, bringing Henry's attention to her. "I was wondering if your offer was still vaild."
"What offer would that be, Anne?"
"I..." Anne swallowed the lump in her throat, consequences be damned, she was a selfish person, and Anne will not lose the man that captured her heart. "To be your Maîtresse-en-titre."
Her hand reached for his, desperately clutching him and claiming him as her own.

"I wish to be your Maîtresse-en-titre."