27th of July 1532 - London, England
"The Dowager Princess of Wales has again requested your presence, Your Grace. She says that she wishes to say her goodbyes before she returns to Kimbolton," her lady said relaying the message that had been sent to her mistress.
The Duchess of Hertford had been married for a couple of days now and was due to retire to Ragley Hall with the Duke, she was most eager to get away from court and enjoy their marital home in the countryside.
This also meant that it was time for the Dowager Princess of Wales to return home, she had been invited to court to see her daughter married to the Duke of Hertford and her welcome here was over.
The court would be moving to Hampton Court and it was expected for Katherine to take her leave with her ladies and head back to the estate that the King had granted her in his kindness.
"Send my apologises to Her Highness, I am indisposed," Mary replied not looking up from her book, she had not seen her mother since she had wed and she had no intentions of changing that.
It had not escaped her that her mother was committing treason and that if she was not careful then she could find herself on the chopping block.
Her eyes did not leave the book that she was reading, more than grateful to Clarice for giving her the book; she had several others that had also been sent to her that would teach her about the family that had married into.
The history of her husband's family was rather interesting, they had come from nothing and had risen up in the world as bankers making several advantageous marriages.
So far, they'd had two members become Popes and were the Rulers of Florence in all but title, she was most impressed and most certain that they would continue to do great things.
Her son would follow in his father's footsteps, she would learn what she could and become a wife that would be of not like the women that had come before her having married into the family.
Mary would ensure that her heritage would be of benefit to her husband, her children would have many ties to royalty and they would be sort after marriage material when the time was right.
Perhaps one of her children would feel the calling to enter the church and perhaps even become Pope, she would ensure that they would not do what pass Pope's had done and fall to the whims of Kings or Emperors that sort to have their own way.
"You have been avoiding her," Ippolito noted catching Mary by surprise, she looked up to her husband who had returned from the privy council meeting that he had gone to attend.
He waved his hand to dismiss her ladies, the King had been most kind with his allowance and there was no doubt that Mary was firmly in her father's favour especially now that she was married.
"I am your husband Maria, I shall share any burden that I can with you," Ippolito stated approaching her, he intended to be a good and kind husband to her and he would ensure that she was comfortable for the rest of her days.
Even when they left England and travelled to Florence, he would make sure that he valued her and her opinions; the history of his family weren't just built on the backs of the men.
Mary was silent, her eyes searching his face for any sign that she could not trust him; she had nowhere to turn and Ippolito did currently have the King's ear and his trust.
With her ladies gone and no one else around to report what she might say to the wrong people; Mary knew that perhaps sharing the burden of her mother's treason with Ippolito was for the best.
"She plots to place me on the throne. With God as my witness, I do not want it," Mary insisted quietly shaking her head, she would place her hand upon a bible and swear it for all to see if that was what it took.
In the safety of her chambers, Mary felt like she could share with him what bothered her but she dared not speak louder than needed in fear of someone listening to their conversation.
"I don't know what to do. The King will be furious and he will have no mercy for those who conspired with her to start a war," Mary whispered staring up at him, she feared that perhaps her father would think that she was of the same mind of her mother.
That he would see her not as the obedient daughter that she was, that he would see her as a threat to her brother and would decided to execute her along with anyone else that had taken part in her mother's plot for the throne.
Ippolito was silent for a moment, he had not been expecting such an admission from his wife and so soon after their marriage; he had hoped that Katherine had come to accept that she had lost.
It was just as the King had predicted, someone trying to use Mary as a figurehead to start a war and place her as Queen instead of her brother; it was a relief that this matter was already being dealt with.
Though there were no doubts that Katherine didn't realise that the King had already planned for this and Mary would not be remaining in England; though plans were still being discussed about them returning to Italy to take back Florence.
"The King must be informed. It shall not be pleasant nor shall he be inclined as to be as kind," Ippolito murmured knowing that such a thing would not be pleasant and dealing with Katherine was something that had to be done carefully.
The last thing that they needed was to make a misstep and end up at war with the Emperor; Katherine's act of treason would not be forgiven this time.
"We shall speak with the Queen first, perhaps she will be able to help us approach the King with this. We must ensure that our loyalty is not questioned in anyway," Ippolito insisted taking Mary's hands, he pressed a kiss to them knowing what would happen to them if they were implicated in this.
No, Mary was wise to stay away from her mother at this time and avoid being seen associating with her; they could not be stained with her treachery and they had to act now.
Katherine was due to leave for Kimbolton tomorrow, they could not allow her to do so in fear of what she might be doing there; given the chance the all evidence against her could be destroyed before they had chance to find it.
If they were quick then they could catch the Dowager Princess in the act and ensure that this did not blow back in their faces causing their own downfall as well.
***
Anne had been most surprised when it had been reported to her that the Duke and Duchess of Hertford were wishing for an urgent audience with her; she had not expected such a thing and she hoped that all was well.
It pleased her to see Henry's daughter with Katherine happy, she had been a good and loyal daughter since the annulment of her parents marriage; she had been reward for such and deserved all the happiness that she could get.
The child should not pay for the sins of the parent and Anne was a firm believer in that, although things had been frosty at the beginning, she saw no reason to worry about Mary now.
It was her son that would one day take the throne while Mary would leave England in a few short years and would likely never see English soil again after that.
"Your Majesty. We have come to see your assistance on a most sensitive matter," Ippolito stated offering a bow to Anne, he was hopeful that with her involvement that they would be able to convince the King that Mary had nothing to do with what Katherine had planned.
They had no idea how far spread this was or who Katherine might have convinced to take her side, they only knew that Katherine had made her intentions known to Mary about what she was plotting.
"Of course, my Lord Hertford... what can I do for you both this day?" Anne asked signalling for them to be seated, she glanced to Mary seeing the worried look on her face and hoped that whatever help that could be offered would help ease the worries that bothered her so.
If it was in her power to help then she would do so, the look that passed between the Duke and Duchess did little to ease Anne's concerns; she couldn't imagine what it was that they might need her help with.
"I am afraid it is a rather sensitive matter one that must be handled with the upmost care," Ippolito insisted hoping that Anne would understand, he didn't want to think about what would happen if this conversation was repeated to the King or even worse if the news got back to Katherine.
It was not going to be easy but Ippolito was sure that with the Queen's backing then perhaps the King would be convinced that Mary had done nothing wrong and he wouldn't find himself joining her on the chopping block for something that they had no part in.