The Mistress of King Henry VIII

Chapter Thirty-Five: Shopping

Queen Victoria

May 10th, 1519

True to my word to Henry I had decided to take Mary and Henri along with me for a little shopping in the shops.

I held onto Henri's hand as Mary climbed into the carriage with Julian and Morgana. I lifted Henry up before taking the pageboy's hand and climbing inside the carriage.

"Why is father not coming?" Mary asked as Henri sat on Morgana's lap and she began to play with his hair.

"Your father is very busy now Mary. We just changed courts and he has to have meetings almost daily." I explained as I fixed my crown.

"But he wanted you and Henri to see the shops. He planned this day for us." I added and she smiled as she looked out the window.

"May we go to the bookshop?"

"Of course! We are going to visit the bookshop, the fabric shop, the jewelry, and then the stationary shop." I listed as I thought of all the things we needed.

"Edward?" Henri asked and I smiled over at my step-son.

"Edward is too young to come. He cannot walk just yet." I said and Henri's lower lip quivered before sighing.

"They are close?" Julian asked and I nodded as the carriage stopped and I peered out the window to see all the shops.

"As close as two brothers can truly be," I said as the door opened and Morgana climbed out first with Henri in her arms. Julian stepped out next before he turned around and offered his arm to Mary.

Mary bowed her head slightly before taking his hand and climbing out. I heard the cheers before I stood up and grabbed Julian's hand and stepped down.

"Look!"

"It's her!"

"It's Queen Victoria!"

"Long live Queen Victoria!"

I smiled softly at the crowd as I waved to them before I held my arms out for Henri who threw himself to me.

"Come you lot. Let us go into the bookshop first." I said as I looked up and saw Lord Faire's BookShop sign hanging above us.

Julian stepped inside first before nodding for us to enter.

"Your Majesty! What an honor!" A man said who must've been Lord Faire.

"Lord Faire! My husband has told me great things about your bookshop and said I should come and see for myself." I said as he bowed.

"That is the greatest thing I have heard. I see you brought Princess Mary and Lord Henri! I have children book in the back." He said and Mary rushed over.

I handed Henri over to Morgana again as she rushed after Mary.

"Mary loves to read. I promised her I would take her hereafter we settled in." I explained as I placed my hand on my stomach.

"And for you? Any books you are searching for?"

"Yes, Epigrammata by Thomas More, The Trilogy of the Ferries, and Utopia by Thomas More." I listed and Lord Faire bowed his head before turning to his shelves to find my books.

I heard footsteps and I looked up to see Mary coming with a small stack of books.

"Please tell me some of those are for your brothers as well?" I asked and Mary giggled as Julian took the books and placed them on the counter. Lord Faire returned with my books before he began to add the total up.

"Seventy-Five gold coins is your total, Your Majesty," Faire said as he began to wrap up the books.

I reached into my purse and counted the coins before handing them to Lord Faire. Julian took the packages and went to put them in the carriage.

"May I pick out fabric for a new dress?" Mary asked as I held her hand as we walked out of the bookshop and across the street for the fabric store.

Once we stepped inside I was amazed at all the different fabrics that were around the store.

I stepped over to fabric that I would like for Mary's dress before an attendant walked over to me and bowed.

"Your Majesty, an honor." She said as she bowed low to me.

"Pleasure is mine. This red and gold fabric I want enough for a dress made for my daughter Mary." I ordered and she nodded as she pulled out a parchment and quill. I saw Mary running her fingers through a piece of fabric and smiled.

"She seems to like that one as well. Enough of that one." I added before I walked over to a wonderful blue. Henry loved when I wore a light blue. It brought out the color of my eyes as he said.

"This would be a wonderful blue on you," Morgana said as she bounced Henri on her hip.

"I believe so. Enough of this blue fabric and add an extra panel. This child just keeps growing." I hissed as Henri reached his arms out for me. I gladly took him and he snuggled into my neck.

"Along with these three fabrics, I would like to reorder the usual fabrics and have them sent up to court," I said before I dug into my purse and handed her fifty coins.

"As you wish, Your Majesty." She said as Morgana led us all out of the store.

"Mama I'm tired," Mary whispered as she rubbed her eye and leaned against me.

"Alright, I'll send Lady Megan to the stationary store and to pick up my jewelry tomorrow," I whispered as I reached over and took her headpiece off. Julien came with the carriage and carried Mary inside.

I stepped in next with Henri and lastly Morgana. I let Mary and Henri cuddle into me as we began our journey back to court.

"Well, today was fun while it lasted," I said and Morgana chuckled.

"Are you ready for another one?" Morgana asked as she looked down at my stomach.

"I hope it is a girl. I gave Henry his son already and I know he wants a spare but I want a daughter. One I can raise from the very beginning." I whispered and Morgana smiled.

"I know just how you feel, Your Majesty."