Historical romance: The Tudor Rose

May 19th

Dearest King Edward,

It is with my greatest happiness that I accept your hand in marriage. I am extremely confident that we shall be very happy in marriage. I love you with my heart and anxious to receive your reply. Please stay safe in the battle. I would like my darling back I one piece. Every second you are away from me my heart aches like it is torn from my chest. I think of you every second.

With all my love,
Evelyn Pollington

I write my note and seal it with a kiss and a sprig of lavender to remind him of me. I am beginning to fall for him. It may take time to get used to and forget about Fred. I send my note to the post squire. He rides off into the country side and passes it to the village who passes it to the next post squire and so forth. I can't wait for his reply.

24th May
Dearest Eve,
I miss you with every waking breath and it is with great happiness to read that you have accepted my proposal. I will make you the happiest woman in the land and we will make many beautiful heirs that look like their gorgeous mother. I am afraid the battle has lasted longer than expected. I am not injured just a few bruises and cuts that you can kiss better for me! I would love to see you at court next week. Please do come. It kills me not seeing you.
With all my love,
Edward

I must go. Court is always described as a magical place full of splendour. I have been a few times with my father but this time will be different. I am so excited I nearly fall off my chair. Oh but what shall I wear! I will most certainly need a dress commissioned by the seamstress.
"Evelyn. Pray do tell. Is that the letter from the king?" Mama asks intruding.
"Yes. I am so excited. He has invited me to court. Oh how splendid it will be." I reply smiling from ear to ear handing over the letter for mother to read.
"Oh my goodness he is completely head over heels for you. My daughter is going to become the queen of England oh my!" She says flushing with excitement.
"He is so romantic. However mama we have a problem I need a new dress. Court will be so fancy. I will look out of place." I say nervously biting my lip.
"That will not be a problem. I saw this coming I have commissioned the seamstress. She will be here in the early afternoon."
"Of course. Until then I will practice some embroidery." I reply before mother nods and heads out the door. She leaves me I'm silence with a needle and thread.

She arrives at 1 o'clock and begins to measure me whilst mama chooses the colour of the fabric. We decide on a deep blue to compliment my red hair. The seamstress finally stops measuring and she gets set on making the dress. She begins by measuring the fabric and making a tailored pattern for me. I sit in awe as I watch the skill and complexity that goes into making such an elaborate dress with my meagre embroidered handkerchief I feel a fool! After many hours 2 handkerchieves later the seamstress has finished the dress. Mabel helps me into the dress and styles my hair into something so intricate I didn't even know it existed. I stare into the mirror and I am transfixed by my reflection. I look like a different person. "You look stunning my lady." Mabel compliments giving a smile. The king will go weak at the knees when he sees me. "Thank you Mabel. It is most kind." I reply smiling doing a twirl in my dress so that it splays everywhere. The bust is decorated with glittering gems and it is laced with a gorgeous gold thread.

I cannot wait to see my love dearest Edward. I must think of him in this way and quite my act. I need to fall in love with the king. It will be difficult but I am sure I can manage. I undress and I sit on my big stone window ledge looking into the night sky. The twinkling stars decorate the sky as the moon lights the earth. I feel a tear slide down my cheek as I look out to the stables and remember how I said goodbye to my one true love, Fred.

Then I see him working by candle light he is hammering a horse shoe. Sweat beads along his brow as he works harder. He then removes his shirt and I gasp at my emotions towards him. I curl up in a ball and try to melt into the stone ledge. I hear the polo of tears as my breathing becomes heavier and my tears become more frequent. My lungs feel as if they have ran out of air and my heart feels like it has been ripped out and torn in two. I miss his warm embrace and his tender touch.

I trudge over to my bed and hide beneath the sheets taking deep breaths to calm myself down. I finally finish crying because I feel like my tear supply will run out soon. My eyes and lashes are wet with tears and my pillow is saturated in my sorrow. I must stay strong. I must struggle through. It could be worse.

I need to stay positive. Imagine if I ended up with one of those boring lords. I shouldn't be complaining because I have ended up with the king of England and he is extremely kind and considerate. I need to think of the bigger picture. I need to think about helping my parents in their old age. I fall asleep early in the morning.

25th May
Light seeps through my curtains casting a crescendo of sunlight over my room. I yawn and stretch as I sit up. I feel so tired. I place my hand on my pillow and feel that it is dripping wet with tears. I stand up in defiance of my depressed state. "Today will be a new day." I murmur to myself. I rub my stomach. I feel sick and awfully tired. Maybe I should stay in bed. I ring the bell and Mabel comes running. "Yes my lady. How may I be of assistance?" Mabel asks looking worried. She is very slight and small and incredibly timid. She is only a few years my elder and she is married to the groundskeeper. I have always liked Mabel because she is like an older sister that I never had.
I think that she will be a wonderful mother one day.

"My lady?" Mabel asks knitting her eyebrows.
"Oh yes sorry Mabel. I would like my mother. I am afraid that I am feeling unwell. I think I will be in bed all day. I feel like..." Too late I am sick everywhere. I am lucky that I leaned over the side of my bed. Mabel runs off to fetch a maid to clean up the mess and my mother to treat me.

"Oh my poor baby. What is the matter?" Mother asks feeling my temple with her cold hand.
"Such a hot headed one you are. What have you eaten?" She asks in curiosity trying to think of a remedy.
"I have eaten nothing unusual. What can it be?" I ask. Grabbing the bucket to be sick again. I sit up moaning with my illness. Mother suddenly looks very alarmed.
"Feel your breasts. Do they feel tender or full? Do you feel tired or like you need to go to the toilet?" Mother asks.
"Why would I do that?" I moan.
"Just do it." She snaps. I do as she says.
"They feel different. Can I go to the toilet now?" I snap back.
"I knew it. You are going to be a mother. You are with child my dear. You must inform the king straight away." She says stroking my face smiling proudly.
What? I am speechless. I grab the bucket and throw up even more in shock.