King Henry had just finished a meeting when he was approached by one of his spy masters informing him that his brother the Duke of Orleans had gone missing from his estate. In light of the Duke Orleans' recent behaviour the council thought it was best to keep an eye on the Duke so he doesn't get into anymore trouble. Sadly despite their best efforts Charles had somehow manged to give the slip. "He has probably gone to see one of his mistresses." Henry tried to reassure himself.

However his spymaster shook his head, "I'm afraid not your majesty. We have spies placed at everyone of his mistresses households. He's not there Your majesty."

"Then where is he?" Henry was losing his patience with the man. Henry didn't want his brother causing anymore problems for himself or for France.

Sadly it seemed like Henry's fears were true as the spymaster informed, "The Duke of Orleans was spotted heading toward Boulogne your majesty."

Henry looked as though he was about to lose his temper. He knew exactly why his brother wished to go to Boulogne and the King knew that his brother would most likely fail. Henry also knew that his brother would not take no for an answer which would cause further strife between the Stafford family and the Valois family which the King could not afford.

Henry turned to one of his advisors, "Send some men to patrol the roads. Tell them if they see brother they have my full permission to arrest him on sight."

"Are you sure that is necessary your majesty?", his advisor queried.

"Based on my brother's recent behaviour I will take no chances." Henry confirmed, "I shall head to Boulogne myself to see the Countess. If I'm lucky I can make it there before my brother does." Little did he know that by the time the King was preparing to travel to Boulogne he would be too late.


Sir Francis Bryan paced as his wife Madeline and a physician checked Mary's injuries. He began to wish he had never persuaded Mary against ending the Duke of Orleans' miserable life. A mistake he was going to rectify as he was on his way out to go and hunt the Duke down he stopped by his cousin calling out to him. He quickly rushed to Mary's side. He could tell by the look of despair in Madeline's eyes that nothing could be done. Mary was going to die and all because he allowed that man to live.

Mary saw her cousin's despair and quickly reached for him, "Don't do this to yourself Francis. You were right to stop me. I can now go to my husband with a clear conscience."

Sir Francis wasn't willing to accept that he wanted the Duke to pay, "There is still time cousin, he can't have gotten that far."

"No cousin." Mary held onto her cousin tightly to prevent him from leaving, "Annie is just learning to open her heart to her child. If she finds out what her husband has done she will turn away from the child as will George. For my grandchild's sake Francis, please."

"You want us tell everyone it was an accident?" Madeline wasn't sure how they could hide this. The maid who found Mary was hysterical. Many other servants saw the Duke of Orleans flee the castle in a panic. Many people at the castle loved the their mistress and would want justice despite Charles being of Royal blood.

"I had my servants send him away." Mary spoke weakly crafting a believable lie, "We never spoke. I fell down the stairs."

Sir Francis clearly didn't like this plan, "So there will be no justice for what he's done?"

"God will bring me justice." With those final words Mary Stafford passed away leaving behind a grieving cousin. In that moment Sir Francis felt like a failure. He had promised Elizabeth to look after her family in France. Not only was Annie hurt under his watch but now Mary had been killed by the same man that hurt Annie. If God did not grant the Stafford family justice Sir Francis Bryan would and this time he would not hold back.


Unaware of what was going on in Boulogne George held his little girl close to his heart, "She is the most beautiful little girl."

A tired Katherine looked at her husband with worry, "You're not disappointed?" Her mother had always told her that men had wanted sons to carry on their family name. Katherine's father Henry did not seem to be disappointed with Frances for having no surviving sons but he did however allow his wife to torment his daughters. He was even planning on selling Katherine off to Norfolk's son without any thought to the risk. Everyone knew of Norfolk's ambition and his willingness to sacrifice members of his own family to achieve this. It would only be a matter of time before he would found out and Katherine would have faced charges of treason.

Fortunately George had saved Katherine from such a fate. George hadn't even known Katherine then and chose to save her anyway. Even now George was trying to reassure his wife that he was happy with a daughter. George sat next his wife and kissed her on the forehead, "You forget dear wife that there are strong women in my family and I believe that this little girl shall be no different." George looked at the little girl in his arms with pride.

Katherine could already see the devotion in her husband's eyes and looked at her daughter. "Do you really think so?"

"I know it." George said with absolute certainty. He could already see intelligence in his little girl's eyes which almost reminded him of his cousin. "Elizabeth. That is her name."

"For the Queen?" Katherine had discussed certain names with George. Originally they were going the name the child after George's mother if it was a girl but the Scots Queen's visit during Katherine's pregnancy had soured that idea. She had thought to name her after her sister but given the bad history in George's family with women who were named Jane seemed like it was a bad idea. Jane Seymour who had caught Henry VIII's eye during Anne Bolyen's downfall who would then years later conspire with the Spanish to steal Elizabeth away from her home. Katherine's own sister Jane Grey who had unwittingly taken part in the plot by leaking import information to Elizabeth's enemies. Also there was Jane Boleyn who had betrayed her husband by lying to authorities about her husband's relationship with his sister Queen Anne which played a part in their execution. Elizabeth was a safer option in name.

"I can't explain it but those eyes remind of my cousin." George reasoned not taking his eyes off his daughter.

"You don't have to explain it to me my love." Katherine rested her head on her husband's shoulder. "I think it's a beautiful name for a beautiful girl."

George saw that his wife was drifting off to sleep not that he could blame her. The birth had been long but the result was worth it. He had heard stories of how his uncle King Henry would not look at Elizabeth after she had been born and whilst holding his newborn in his arms George could not understand it. George's own father loved his children dearly. George hadn't even met his father before George was taken hostage by the King of England but according to his brother Henry their father had wept for him when he was told the news. George could understand that feeling looking at his daughter. He would ensure that no harm would come to her and she would never know the pain his sister endured at the hands of Charles. He would make sure of it.


Charles had managed to put some distance between himself and Boulogne. He knew that any hope of him being reunited with son would be gone now. If Mary had survived there would be no way she would allow her grandchild to be near him. He would rather not think about what would happen if she didn't survive. At times it seemed like Mary Stafford was indestructible. She had already survived a poisoning and escaped King Henry VIII of England's wrath. Mary would survive her fall Charles was certain of it and it was only a matter of time before word of the incident would reach his brother the King which is why Charles had to get to his brother first and explain his side of the story.

He was just working out what he was going to say when he noticed that his horse getting tired, Charles would need to find shelter soon. He had thought to stop at some nobleman's estate. As a Prince of France no doubt he would be welcome however there was no noble that lived nearby. Not only that if Charles had chosen to stay at nobleman's house there was no doubt questions would be asked and depending on the noble they could to use the situation to their advantage. Charles could not afford that so he decided to stay at an inn.

He had found one at a nearby village which looked to be deserted. Charles was too tired to figure out why and approached the inn only to realise it was closed. Charles banged on the door demanding to be let in.

A man from the inside shouted, "I'm sorry sir but we are not receiving visitors."

"I'm a Prince of France and I demand to be let in!" Charles was beyond angry and frustrated. Nothing it seemed was going according to plan for him.

The innkeeper opened the door bowing apologetically, "My apologies your grace."

Charles stepped into the inn looking around, "I need a room for the night."

"I'm afraid that is not possible your grace." Any other day the innkeeper would be delighted to have royalty stay but now was not a good time.

"Don't tell me there is no room." Charles observed, "I can plainly see there is no one here."

"For good reason your grace." The innkeeper explained, "Plague has struck this village. Some of my customers have already caught it which is why I advise your grace to find somewhere else to stay."

Unfortunately Charles refused to heed the innkeeper's warning, "No prince of France ever died of plague." Seeing that the Duke of Orleans was not going to be deterred the innkeeper reluctantly gave the Duke of Orleans a room. The room wasn't as luxurious as he was used to but it had suited his purpose. Hopefully everything would look better in the morning.


AUTHOR NOTE: The final bit with Charles is in no way shape or form related to the recent pandemic. It is related to a story I heard regarding Charles' death which stuck with me and is what I based his character on. I didn't intend for him to be quite so dark. Originally I intended for him to be an arrogant, overconfident buffoon but as the story progressed it became difficult to redeem his character so I made him darker. I honestly don't believe the real Charles himself was like this nor do I believe Philip of Spain and his father were evil this is pure fiction. Sadly as I was writing the bit with Charles COVID struck and I thought it was in bad taste to release the chapter the way it was but I was reluctant to change it. Now that a vaccine is on the horizon I felt it was safe to show it. Maybe I'm over thinking it.