~Home Again~

Constance knew she would remember the night of the masque for years to come, perhaps even on her deathbed for she was certain she had never felt so free. She and Richard danced together many times and even when he moved away to a quiet corner, she would not be swayed from the dance floor.

She danced with Charlotte, with her sisters, with nobles she'd never encountered and never would again but that mattered not, she had her memories and she would treasure them. It was a mystical swirl of happiness, taking her through the night and morning until dawn struck the earth. She had eaten and drunk her fill by the time Charlotte told her it was time to leave and giggled all the way back, gazing out of the carriage window.

When she returned to the York camp awoke later in the day she wasn't certain at first that the masque hadn't been a dream. Even if it had, she'd thought, the happiness inside her would never melt when she thought of it. It was confirmed to be real when Richard called upon her later that day, asking if she'd recovered for the last time he'd seen her she'd been partaking in a drinking contest with Joanna!

Usually, she would've blushed at such an unladylike performance but did no such thing as Richard grinned and she replied she was most well and most proud of the victory she'd won over her sister!

A smile danced across her lips at the memory as she stared up at the ceiling of her cabin, the royal ship rocking beneath her as it sailed back towards England. Away from dreams, returning to reality.

'At least I shall see my children again' She mused, tucking a hand beneath her head. She'd missed them terribly and hoped they'd missed her; longed to hold them in her arms.

But what would her life become, she wondered. She and Edward were on no better terms and she'd recovered from the birth of Aliénor. Would the return to England mark the dawn of a new chapter of cold duty done on her back as she waited for it to be over, of endless feasts sat by her husband's side yet further away from him by the day?

Were they to become permanently what most royal matches were?
Stone?

She'd meant what she said to Richard at the masque, that she missed Edward and her anger was dwindling but she also was determined for him to be the one to admit fault. She was not to blame. Not in the slightest. And there had been too many times were she was complacent, where she simply looked the other way.

"Are you well, your grace?"
She smiled as Margaret approached her, softly perching on the side of the bed.
"I am well, indeed. I simply pray we reach shore safely!"

༻᯽༺

Westminster Palace....

"Anne!" Constance exclaimed as her sister in law entered her chambers, cradling her swelled belly. The royal party had entered Westminster mere moments ago, tired from the journey but the Queen still sent for her Lady in Waiting, eager to see how she fared with her pregnancy.

Anne glowed as she embraced the Queen, her hair shining under her veil, her cheeks rosy and her smile wide as she proudly cradled her belly "You look well!" Constance laughed when she pulled away "More than well! Is the babe well?"
"Very!" Anne replied, smoothing a hand over her bump "She grows stronger every day!"

"She?" Katherine repeated, earning a happy nod.
"Yes! I am sure this one is a girl! I shall name her Anne! For my dear departed cousin and my dear departed daughter. She shall keep their memories alive!"
"That is lovely....come! Sit!" Constance invited, leading Anne to the hearth where they sat "I shall see the children soon, they're being brought from Eltham, you see"

"They shall be most excited to see you! I visited them while you were in France and they missed you terribly! How did you find the people?"
Constance sighed, folding her hands in her lap.
"They cheered us hoarse as always, though I must admit there was a slight sadness in the air, a disappointment....is there unrest here?"

"There is" Anne admitted "Particularly in the North. The taxes raised for my brother's war have crippled some and now they have nothing"
Constance's heart sank, though she'd expected as much, in truth she'd known it, and it pained her to think her people were unhappy. George would be dancing with glee, she thought, he hadn't even returned with the royal army and his brothers, returning to Richmond Castle as soon as they landed.

"I must find a way to repay them. To comfort them"
"You will think of something" Anne assured her "You always do and, despite their anger, they still love you. It is Edward who is the object of their ire, they know you'd never wish them distress"
"That I would not"

A knock came at her chamber door and Constance called for entrance, looking up when a pageboy entered and bowed.
"Your grace, his grace the Prince of Wales and their graces the Princesses Marie, Isabella, Cecily and Aliénor have arrived and wait upon your leave to enter your presence"

"Send them directly" She answered, her heart leaping in her chest, all sadness leaving her body at the thought of her children. The boy bowed again and exited the room, leaving the chamber silent for a moment until the door opened and the royal children processes through, each dressed exquisitely with nary a stitch out of place to look their best for their Mother.

Young Edward led them, followed by each of his sisters from eldest to youngest, Aliénor being carried by Marie, hands behind his back and head held high. They looked perfect, Constance mused, and all of them had grown, she was sure of it!

They came before the hearth, and while Edward bowed, holding his velvet cap to his chest, the girls curtsied, bowing their heads in respect.
"Lady Mother" They chorused and Constance smiled, opening her arms to them.

"My loves! She invited and their lips split into grins, loosing formality to rush into their Mother's arms "Ah!" She laughed when their arms flew around her and she kissed each of their heads in turn, inhaling the sweet scent of baby Aliénor's soft skin. Oh how she'd missed it! "You may leave us!" She called to her ladies and they promptly left with curtsies and affectionate smiles.

"We missed you, ma Mère!" Edward crowed and Constance hummed into his shoulder before taking baby Aliénor into her arms. The child was more awake than she had been when she left, now three months old instead of only a few weeks, peering at her Mother with her large doe-eyes. In a way, she wasn't hers anymore, she belonged to France and that made her hold her all the tighter.

"I've missed you too" She replied as the others sat at her feet, staring up adoringly "Utterly, truly and deeply. To be so far away from you, my loves, was a torture all it's own! Are you well? Has Uncle Jamie looked after you? Has baby been good for you?"
"We are all well! Uncle Jamie took me hunting!" Marie replied with a nod "and I've ensured my brother and sisters attended to their lessons and that baby is content! She hardly ever cries"

"That is very good!" Her Mother praised "I see you are a capable leader, little love!" Marie blushed a deep red at the praise, bowing her head with a smile and murmuring a pleased 'thank you' "Perhaps you would all like to take a walk with me in the gardens? It is after all, a lovely day!"

"Oh, yes please, Mama!" Edward enthused, scrambling to his feet "I must show you my archery!"
"Then it is decided!" She laughed, rising to her feet and kissing little Aliénor's plump cheek before calling for a page to fetch her nurse.

༻᯽༺

Arm in arm, Constance and Marie watched the little ones play ahead of them as they walked steady along the garden pathways. Her beautiful girl was growing by the day, the Queen noted with pride (and a certain degree of sadness) and had already told her many of the accomplishments she'd achieved while her parents were away.

"Isabella has learnt a new composition upon the psaltery" She now remarked, looking upon the little girl who was skipping with her sister "and I one upon the viol, I find it a pleasing instrument to play"
"It was one of my favourites as a child" Her Mother replied, smiling softly at her "I am glad it has brought you the same joy!"

"Did you see any of your kin while you were away, ma Mère?"

Her smile grew and she nodded.
"I saw your Uncle, Charles, my elder brother, and two of my elder sisters, Joanna and Margaret, though you mustn't tell your Father that!"
"Of course not, Mother, if that is your wish!" Marie promised, her Mother could always rely upon her to keep a secret, their bond was stronger than steel. Constance sighed happily, bending to kiss her daughter on the head.

"You are a blessing to me, my daughter, my little love you are and always shall be"
Marie smiled, resting her head on her Mother's arm.

"Will all be well between you and Father again now the war is over?" She asked and Constance's breath caught in her throat. She had no wish to lie to her children, especially of all Marie who would be able to see through her words no matter what.

"I do not know, little love" She replied "What matters is that we are not at each other's throats. There is peace between England and France, that is what counts"

"Which one of us is to be married?" She arched an eyebrow at her little girl's question and Marie tilted her head "I am eleven now, ma Mère, I have been taught that most alliances are sealed with marriage, as yours was"

"Ah, my bright child, you are right of course. Let me put your mind at rest and assure you it is not you, it is Aliénor that is to be the Queen of France"
"Aliénor...."
"Yes and if she is to be....taken from me then it will be Isabella"

Marie frowned a little to herself, turning the revelation over in her head.
"Will I still be a Queen?" She asked and Constance chuckled, nodding.
"Of course, my love. Your Father will make you a Queen and so shall I. We will not allow for you to not have a crown upon your head. It is your destiny, just as mine was to become Queen of England"

"My destiny" Marie breathed, her free hand snaking up to play with her necklace "I think I like that. The Lord, you and Father shall make me a great lady"
"Indeed we will, little love. In truth it shall soon be time for you to form your own household, in a year or so, as you are growing older"
"Must I be away from you?"

Her voice was pained and Constance's heart clenched at the sound. If she had her way, Marie would never leave her but she was a Princess and had to have her own household as befitted her station.

"You must learn how to run a household of your own, my love" She replied gently "You must learn to command and to control, you must become the woman all Princesses are meant to be and you cannot do that at my side. If I were to keep you, it would only do you a disservice. Many Princesses have their own households from birth and Isabella and Cecily have theirs at Eltham where Aliénor shall one day join them! You were my only living child for a very long time, Marie, my only hope, I could not bear to have us parted and still cannot but you are growing and I must allow you to grow"

Marie nodded, raising her chin a little as they turned a corner. Her Mother was right, of course she was right, it was her duty as a Princess to govern her own household away from the court.
"You will write to me, ma Mère?"
Constance smiled.

"How could I not?" She laughed "I will write every day as I do to Edward and shall expect you to write in return as I expect him to soon! If I cannot have you in my arms I shall have your love through letters"
"Then I shall be content" Marie decided "but I will miss you terribly, more than I could ever miss anyone in all the world!" Her Mother smiled, kissing her on the head.

"Lord knows I will miss you too, little love, more than you will ever comprehend until you have your own babes"

"Connie?"
She turned, letting out a cry of glee as James strode down the path towards her, signature grin on his face.
"Jamie!" Leaving Marie, she gathered her skirts and rushed into his arms, ignoring his polite bow "By God I've missed you! Are you well? Have the children been good?"

"They've been angels!" He replied, kissing her cheek as she pulled away "As have you I hear, saving the sons and Fathers of England!"
"I merely proposed peace instead of war" She said with a pleased blush "It was nothing"
"It was everything!" He corrected "No Queen of England has done what you did! No two Queens have decided the outcome of a war before! Father would be very proud of you, Con, very proud"

Her heart swelled with pride and love at that, she certainly hoped he was proud of her.

༻᯽༺

October 1475, Windsor Castle....

My Dearest Edward, my son....

Constance brushed the tip of her quill across her chin, wondering what words to write to her precious boy. He had returned to Ludlow with Richard at the end of the month prior (as Isabella, Cecily had returned to Eltham) and just like before, she wrote to him every day.

I miss you terribly and eagerly await the moment when I may hold you in my arms again. I hope your training is going well and you are happy in your life at Ludlow even without our dearest Annie. I know that you miss her dearly, I do too, but also know she is watching over you from heaven and will always be by your side in spirit.

Before your Uncle Richard departed, he informed me that a few of his friends would keep him company for a while and I hope you find them agreeable as he does! I am willing to trusts any friend that your Uncle does make for he would only bring the most honourable men into his heart and your presence, my love.

Your Father and I have requested your presence at the Palace of Placentia for Christmas and we both cannot wait for those days were we may see you! You must simply tell me everything, as you always do, that has happened, all of your training, your lessons (I do hope your Latin is coming along nicely, Richard says you have an apt mind for it) and what you do to pass the time. Your Father has promised to take you on the New Year's hunt which you know is a great honour!

I love you my dearest Prince and wish you all the joy and health our Lord can bring upon you.

Your ever loving Lady Mother,

Queen Constance of England

"Your grace?"
Constance looked up as Lizzy addressed her. The girl looked worried, scared even and her hands fidgeted in front of her bodice.
"What is it, Lizzy?" She asked gently "Whatever it is I shall not be angry with you, you know that" Lizzy nodded, swallowing.
"There is....well...she is...."
"My dear are you quite well?"

"You're not still feeling seasick are you, Liz? You do realise we disembarked from our ship a month ago?" Katherine teased, glancing up from where she and Anne were laying out jewels for dinner that night. Lizzy nodded again.

"Yes, thank you, it is just....Jane Shore is outside, she has requested an audience with you"
"Jane Shore!" Anne cried, dropping the necklaces she held, seemingly more shocked than Constance who's eyes had gone as wide as saucers "The cheek of it! That she dares come here to you, send the whore away Elizabeth!"

"No"

All eyes turned on Constance as she spoke, all staring in surprise.
"Constance?"

"No" She repeated, swallowing her shock and replacing it with a cool facade of calmness "If I send her away it makes it seem I am afraid to face her. I am not. I have dealt with my husband's whores before and I shall do so again, bring her forth to me. The rest, leave us"

Her ladies were silent for a moment, looking at her and one another in disbelief before dipping into curtsies and gliding from the room.

Constance rose to her feet, clasping her hands together and glancing around for a moment. Had she truly just admitted Jane Shore into her private chambers? Agreed to an audience with her? When she'd spoken, she'd known it was right, as if her years of Queenship had overtaken all her fear and anger and she was grateful, despite her shock, for it. 

She was the Queen, no one could take that from her and no one ever would, she though, just as Warwick would've told her. She would show the court she was not afraid of her husband's mistress. She would show them she was secure in her power.

The doors opened and Jane Shore swept through, prettily dressed in a pale pink gown and a diamond necklace with ribbons woven into her hair. It was something Constance had noticed and often thought on, the way Jane dressed herself. She dressed well but not extravagantly as Elizabeth had, she was never bedecked in jewels and the rarest fabrics, she never paraded herself about with forced airs and graces as if she were the Queen.

Constance always found it strange she never seemed to ask Edward for anything - she found it suspicious.

Coming forward, Jane swept a low curtsy, her head bowed and knees almost touching the floor.
"Your grace"

"Mistress Shore" Constance greeted as she rose, keeping her head high and expression cool "you requested an audience with me instead of his grace, the King?" Jane nodded.
"It is you I wanted to see, your grace, not Ed...." She stopped herself, visibly biting her tongue with a grimace "not the King"

The Queen arched an eyebrow.
"Then, I must admit you have captured my curiosity, for I see no reason why you would wish an audience with me nor why I would wish to receive you and yet....I have"
"May I ask why, your grace?"

"Because I have spent too many years avoiding my husbands scheming harlots" She snapped and instantly Jane's face fell, causing an unexpected pang of guilt to prick Constance's chest.
"Forgive me, Mistress Shore" She found herself saying "for speaking so plainly I must admit, I am more used to sharp tounged rivals who would sooner see me cast aside then show any respect....I suppose my mind has been trained to strike first to avoid becoming prey" 

Jane's expression lightened a little and she shook her head.

"There is nothing to forgive, your grace, it should be I seeking your forgiveness for the offence I have bestowed upon you"
"For sleeping with my husband?"

"Yes...." She admitted before raising her head a little "but I wished to come here today to tell you in person that I am no threat to you, nor do I wish to be any threat to you. It is true, I go to the King willingly but it is he who chose me, had he not looked my way I would not have pursued him. My only wish is to please his grace, I seek no glory or power nor do I seek to offend you, your grace. Pleasing the King is all I desire, I harbour no more ambitions than that and if it so pleased him to cast me aside, you would not find me clinging to the doorframes, I would do as he commanded. Perhaps I would wish a little money to live upon as he has procured a divorce for me so I cannot return to my husband but that is all and it shall remain so. I am not here to be a cause of worry to your grace, that is the very last thing I would wish. I know you do not look upon me kindly and I do not ask you to but I know the troubles of the past and I wished to tell you, that I do not intend to repeat that past, not ever"

Constance opened her mouth to reply but found no words formed on her tongue or in her mind. She didn't know what to say. Never had she expected such honesty, such plain truths from a mistress of her husband, such respect and reverence. She was so surprised and, in truth, moved, she found not a thought of doubt in her mind to weather what Jane said was true.

Her voice was gentle and open, no trace of deceit or falsehood, her eyes looked into hers, letting her search for the wickedness she couldn't find. Not one speck of it. And it removed a weight from Constance's shoulders, a heavy one she'd borne for so long she'd forgotten how much strength it took to carry.

She felt free.

"Thank you, Mistress Shore, for your candour" She managed at long last "I find it is a rare thing in this court and this world" A small smile flitted across Jane's perfect pink lips.
"Thank you for receiving me, your grace" She replied with an elegant incline of her head.

"I believe I would've regretted it had I not....I do not condone my husband's infidelities, Mistress Shore, but he is a King with a King's appetites and...." She gave a small nod "I am glad the one he's chosen to sate that hunger is not as her predecessor was"

Jane's smile widened a little bit more and, gathering her velvet skirts, she sunk into another deep curtsy before gliding away and out of the chamber, leaving the Queen in a state of confused peace she'd never felt before. She didn't know how long she stared into the heavens for, she only knew Margaret Beaufort entered her chambers and curtsied, bringing her from her trance.

"Is all well, Constance?"
She nodded slowly.
"Indeed, Margaret, although....I believe my hatred of Mistress Shore may have been.... misplaced"
"Misplaced?" Margaret repeated "Well, the scripture does teach us to love our enemies...."

"That's the thing" Constance replied quietly "I do not think she is my enemy"