The Private Chambers of Elizabeth

Now, why did you do that? 'Twould have been funnier to let him hear us making the next ruler of England!

*Elizabeth laughs delightedly*

Maybe my lord, maybe. But such things are not for common ears and certainly not for the Scots!

*she crosses the room and kisses him lightly. Partly for making such an injustice seem more like a form of entertainment, and also just because she wished it*

*grinning*
As Prince Consort, that is my job, you know.

*grinning back, but then feigning seriousness, Elizabeth doth reply.*

Indeed it is my lord, and now we are well aware of thine fine qualifications for this task.

But let us attend first to thine present offspring afore thou attends to the task of creating more.

*Elizabeth sits down on the fine cushions laid out afore the fire and beckons her husband to join her there*

The girls canst be accepted at court as thine offspring with little fuss, for tis quite expected here that men of royal blood wilt take mistresses afore their marriage and begat children.

Here they wilt be protected, schooled and prepared for some purpose at court, then eventually well married. Husbands of their own choosing, but only betrothed whenst their match ist approved by myself as the Queen of this land, and thineself as their father of course. Their placing at court and their connections here would make them better equipped at finding good husbands.

*Elizabeth thinks upon it for a moment*

After some short time, if they adapt well to England and attend to their studies in earnest we could consider giving them titles. What think thee of being the father of Contessas?

...but I am ahead of myself here. Tis thine wish that matters, they art thine children. But we would care for them well if thou wishest it so.

*mock serious bow in return*
Then I shall send for the younger. The elder it seems wishes to dedicate herself to our Faith, and as your father dissolved the monasteries there is no place for her here.

*Elizabeth claps her hands together in delight, smiling from ear to ear.*

This would please me greatly.

*wrapping her arms around him in thanks she kisses him upon the cheek*

...and the eldest, thou wilt have her progress monitored in some way? We canst have my lord Walsingham appoint some good person in Italy to consult regularly with the abbess on her progress and ensure that if she doth ever choose to leave the convent that she wilt not find herself without the help and funds she doth require.

*smiles back*
The abbess writes my secretary, and he has a local couple who drop in on her from time to time. I am sure all will be well.
I never imagined you would be so pleased by my bastards. I do imagine Her Imperial Majesty will find our little family quite funny, though. In a bitter sort of way.

*Elizabeth flinches a little at the word "bastards" as she always does, but continues to smile*

You forget, my lord, the peculiarities of the house of Tudor and my experiance of how the accident of thine birth canst change thine whole world. My life changed for the better when Catherine Parr accepted me into the Royal household and the strength that acceptance gave me hast never left me. I would offer that same chance to thine daughters.

...and I dare say Isabella's distaste wilt amuse me a little.

Such a generous lady is my wife!
*smiles*
You know, I still have trouble believing that I have a wife.

And... I have an idea!
*stands up, extending a hand to his wife*
Come with me?

I find it even stranger that I now have a husband, though I admit I am full enjoying it.

*Elizabeth smiles and takes his hand*

*grins hugely as he leads Elizabeth through the palace down to the stables.*
Now... pick us horses, my lady?

*Elizabeth gleefully steps into the stables and strides through it. She runs her fingers along the muzzle of a particularly fierce horse that will only take her as a rider.*

This one, for it ist discerning enough to only let the Queen upon it. ...and my fastest mare over there for she ist in need of a good ride.

Will they suit thine purpose?

Yes, I think they will.
*grabs a passing groom and together they set to saddling the horses.*
There! All ready!
*bows extragantly*
May I assist you, my queen?

*Sir Francis leads his own horse into the stables where he ist pleased to see the Queen. He bows before his monarch and the Prince Consort*

Your Majesty. Your Royal Highness. It pleases me to find thee both alone for I hath news that shud please thee both, and wilt then not keep thee a second longer.

*he grins slightly at the information, which ist a rare occurance for the Queen's sypmaster*

Although the realm ist not yet aware of thine marriage, it would seem that support for the match ist growing among our costal towns. My lords Raleigh and Drake hath taken it upon thineselves to loudly proclaim their support for thee Sir, among their men and in their regular watering holes. They think their Queen canny to claim Spain's greatest military leader for herself and hath descibed thee as a fine sailor indeed.

...as for myself, I hath seen fit to exploit mine Catholic connections in the north of this country. Tis apparent that the northern rebels who usually meet in full secrecy in York are now most lost as to their cause, being that their Queen ist showing full favour to a son of the Holy Roman Emperor.

Now, if you will both excuse me, I hath further schemes to plan with Burghley.

*Francis bows once again, strides across the courtyard to hand over the reigns of his horse to a young stable lad waiting there, and departs in search of William Cecil.*

*It takes a moment after Sir Francis leaves for Juan to process what he's said. When he finishes doing the mental translation, the prince consort chuckles*
Excellent news!

*Elizabeth turns to Juan*

This ist turning out to be a most pleasant day indeed, think thee not?

*she smiles delightedly as she ist helped on with her riding boots and gloves. Then she allows Juan to help her upon her horse*

Remind me whenst we return my lord to mark Raleigh and Drake down for some sort of honour or state income.

*Juan leads the way as they ride out. Once they are out of sight of the residence, he stops.*
Now, my lady, I fear you must tell me- how does one get to Richmond from here?

*Juan leads the way as they ride out. Once they are out of sight of the residence, he stops.*
Now, my lady, I fear you must tell me- how does one get to Richmond from here?

*The Franco-Scottish ambassador, peeking out from the window, is flabbergasted. His brother was the most hated man in England but Juan is loved. A Catholic Spaniard. He writes eagerly to his mistress that the time is approaching. The English are softening in their attitudes towards Catholics*.


*Seeing Walsingham, the Ambassador nearly throws himself away from the window and prays that he has not been seen*.

We canst follow the river almost the whole way there my lord, though there ist a far quicker way. I hath a palace there and know full well the route. They wilt also attend to our horse there if thou wish it

*Elizabeth sets off at an alarming pace, enjoying the freedom and getting the most from her horse, expecting Juan to keep up.*

*Sir Francis makes note of the ambassador spying upon the Queen and decides to watch the man's movements more carefully and check his missives more thoroughly just in case of trouble*

*yelling over the horses*
MOST EXCELLENT! I AM SURE IT WILL BE AN IDEAL PLACE FOR OUR HONEYMOON!

*Elizabeth laughs heartily, imagining the scholding she wilt get off William Cecil for this.*

*beating her personal best for getting to Richmond (thanks to the absence of courtiers who oft slow her down) Elizabeth leads the horses through the parkland used for the hunting of stags and toward the palace*

I have heard of this place- my brother stated it was among the most beautiful palaces he'd seen. I am glad to see it for myself.