On a cloudy Sunday afternoon, Isabel Walton walked comfortably along the fishpond side of the garden with Francis Howard, Lady of Surrey, and Thomas, the eldest son of the Earl of Surrey, who is three and a half years old. As the two walked behind, the young earl's eldest son, accompanied by a nanny and a maid, stumbled to the edge of the huge fishpond to play in the water.

The eldest son, Thomas, kept pointing to the fishpond with his little finger, and kept communicating with the nanny and the babysitter around him in two or three words that a three-year-old could learn. Frances, the child's biological mother, whispered to Isabel while she was in custody of the child, "You are mistaken, Catherine went to the palace in January this year. Presumably, the duke thought that his father would bring shame on the family, so he sent her to the court. ”

Up until this point, the Howard family, including Frances, believed that Catherine's entry into the court was merely God's favor. Frances glanced at the two young maids and her eldest son in front of her, "How could Henry think of this God-favored child today?" ”

Isabel looked at the water of the fish pond that had been blown by the summer breeze and felt a little itchy in her heart. I thought that after completing this tolerance, I must go for a swim in the manor's stream when I return to Asker Manor. Glancing at Lady Surrey, who was walking on the right, "Frances, Queen Anne of Cleves has lost the king's favor. ”

Mrs. Surrey was shocked, thinking of the rumors in the palace for the past six months, "Is this true?" I thought it was nothing more than a rumor. Could it be that His Majesty still intends to marry a new queen? ”

"At the moment, it seems that it is very possible."

Lady Frances Howard of Surrey seemed to wake up a little, "The Duke is trying to make Catherine... Become the new queen? ”

Isabel nodded, "The king's second queen, Anne Boleyn, has made the Norfolk family lose face, so the Duke intends to put Catherine in the position of queen and regain influence in the court for the family." ”

"Really?" Frances looked away from her eldest son and looked towards the fishpond, "I don't believe that Catherine can become a queen loved by the people. She is too young, and His Majesty may be an old man in her eyes. ”

Frances, who is also a woman, is not optimistic about Catherine's prospects by her intuition, and her female intuition is surprisingly accurate. Isabel was still hesitant to tell her the truth, "You and the Norfolk family probably think so. However, I believe that Catherine has now become the king's mistress. ”

The reserved Lady Surrey nodded, "You're right. Her Majesty had taken notice of Catherine since she became the lady-in-waiting of Queen Anne, and had given her a lot of beautiful clothes and some land during the last few months. ”

"The king hoped that his new mistress would bring peace and joy. Francis, I think you know about the 'Law of the Six Creeds' issued by the King, right? ”

"Yes, I know. Unfortunately, it is too late for His Majesty to go back, and the English will not willingly kiss the Pope again. ”

As the two continued to walk slowly, Frances turned the conversation to Isabel's trip south. He smiled a little happily and looked at the other party, "You said in the letter that this time you came to the south to accept His Highness's new manor?" ”

Isabel smiled and nodded, "After all, His Highness spent a lot of money to build the manor this time. Also, ask me to find a painter to paint the manor and bring it home. ”

"Did the painter find it? If you can't find a suitable one, I can ask Henry to introduce you to a court painter. ”

"Found it. As I passed through Northamptonshire, I met a lady of the court who had written me an invitation to the court painter Hans Holbein. ”

Frances suddenly became curious, "Oh, actually, I was trying to introduce you to this court painter. Who is this lady-in-waiting, and how is she in Northamptonshire? ”

Isabel had to give a general account of the series of people and events she had encountered, "This lady-in-waiting, named Anne Parr, had come to visit her father, who was a magistrate in Northamptonshire. Since her brother William had recently become one of His Highness's valetses, I spent the night in the manor house of my father, a lady-in-waiting, last fast. ”

"Well, I see, does this Anne Parr's brother live in Richmondshire?"

"Her brother, William, met me when he went to visit his sister, Mrs. Latimer. I have mentioned to you before, Catherine Neville, the wife of Lord Latimer. ”

At this time, neither William nor Catherine Neville was in the spotlight. Therefore, the second wife of a lowest-ranking nobleman living in Yorkshire and her relatives could not have attracted the attention of Frances, a countess of high nobility.

"Well, now that you've sent an invitation to Hans Holbein, when are you going to leave for Sussex?" Clearly, Frances was more interested in a trip to Sussex.

"Relax, Frances. Well, will you agree to you and me going to Sussex? Isabel asked with a smile.

Frances, who is legally required to obey her husband's orders, is not a noble lady who dares to defy her husband's wishes. So, she needed to seriously consider the other party's words, "I'm going to make this request to Henry after dinner today." Isabel, what if Henry doesn't agree with me? ”

Isabel deliberately joked, "If Your Excellency doesn't agree, there's nothing I can do." You are the wife of Lord Surrey, who has royal blood, and you cannot do anything contrary to the law and your wishes. ”

"yes, I know you're telling the truth. However, I'd like to take Thomas with you to Sussex. ”

"Well, before I left Richmondshire, the Duchess had asked me to bring a letter to the Duke of Norfolk and to my mother. I think you can pass on this letter for me. ”

Frances stared at the other party's face with a wicked smile, "Isabel, are you coaxing me or am you joking?" Tell me, if you're not kidding, I'll have someone take you... Throw into this fish pond. ”

Isabel giggled and walked a few quick steps, then turned to look at Lady Surrey, "Well, anyway, I've always wanted to jump into Lord Surrey's fish pond and play in the water, and catch a few more fish to take home and roast and eat." ”

"Gurgle... How could God, Isabel, let me know such a noble woman as you!? ”