Bristoline Court

5

It had been decided. The new Queen of England would be Princess Margaret of Scotland. Jane had told me she saw her portrait and remarked on her youth; she is freshly 21 and comes with a favorable dowry.

My father also mentioned that maintaining a friendship with her would be easier than it was with Beatrice. With an heir already in place, Margaret's influence would be limited, and her role would primarily be to maintain order with the Scots.

"Since I suggested the match to His Majesty, I was granted the privilege of appointing you as her head lady of the bedchamber. You are to keep her company and entertained. Once she arrives, I can continue your arrangement with the Marquis," my father said as we sat in a carriage on the way back to Brownsborrow Castle. My father had business to attend to there, and as I am not currently employed at court or married, I was to travel back with him.

"Father, could you perhaps postpone that longer? I feel my perfect match would be the Duke of Glyth. He is a cousin to the king after all; wouldn't that be more favorable?" I asked hopefully. I had been dreading the Marquis ever since I met Henry.

"My darling, what about our plans? The duke is newly titled and doesn't come from any great background. The Marquis has a long and established lineage. You will be happy in France, my dear, and you will have the option to live at court there too," my father said, brushing off my question.

"But I think the potential match between Henry and me would be better for our family. You and I could both be at court, ensuring we maintain influence. My children could be related to the king and the prince!" I exclaimed, hoping he would understand my plan. My father shook his head.

"I haven't received any formal proposal of the duke's intention to ask for your hand. The Marquis's proposal is in writing and is sitting on the king's desk, awaiting his signature. Catrice, France will offer you more opportunities than life at our court ever could. You are one of my most prized possessions, and I wouldn't want to risk you on a newly titled cousin of the king.

There is no knowledge of his upbringing or how he would treat you. At least with the Marquis, we know he is a gentleman and will treat you with kindness. I can't believe you are backtracking on a path we set forth." He said. I looked down at my hands and tried not to let my tears spill out.

I felt like my heart was breaking. Once it is sealed that I am to marry the Marquis, I will never see Henry again.

In the short time I've known him, I have fallen completely in love with him, and by sheer chance at that. Not arranged, not planned, but by pure accident. I've been attracted to men before, but Henry makes me forget all of those other men. They can't even compare.

Henry makes me feel like I could be his partner. Not just his wife, but I feel like we could be truly one.

My father reached out to take one of my hands in his and patted it gently.

"Darling, you have to understand why this is for the better," he said quietly. I sniffled, and a tear dropped onto my dress. I shook my head.

"But I love him, Father," I cried, burying my face into his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around me and hushed me gently.

"I'm sure it feels like love. But you will grow to love your husband. You will love your children by him, and that is all you need in this world to be happy," he said, unkindly.

I gave up trying to convince him of my feelings and didn't plead my case any longer. I was silent for the rest of the journey home.

When we arrived at Brownsborrow Castle, my mother and three of my sisters greeted us. The youngest, Elizabeth, had grown so much in my absence—at only 14, she was nearly as tall as I was. My mother kissed me and brought me inside to catch up on all that had happened while I was away.