The Tudor dynasty, from the first king, Henry VII, restored the king's right to dispose of the lands and marriages of minor noble courtiers who inherited estates. Although the king once again had such power, the second king, Henry VIII, rarely exercised this power. Except, of course, his illegitimate son, the Duke of Richmond.

Just because the king had the power of disposition over the nobles' courtiers did not mean that the upper nobles had the same powers. For the sake of land and economic interests, the duke, as a nobleman, could arrange economic marriages for poor female relatives in the family.

In terms of economic interests, the Duke of Richmond could do the same. However, legally speaking, he does not have any right to arrange a marriage for Isabel that satisfies him. Therefore, if the Duke of Richmond did not approve of Isabel's marriage, his only excuse was that he was in love with Isabel and that he did not want to get along with his Duchess, Mary Fitzroy.

Isabel knew very well that the Duke of Richmond would definitely prevent her from marrying Francis. When she first arrived in Richmondshire, she had no one to rely on, and she had to swear allegiance to her lord, the Duke of Richmond, to survive. Now, the relationship between her and the Duke is no longer something that can be explained in a sentence or two.

When the sun appeared in the sky just after 11 a.m. on Ascension Day, the dancing festivities at Asker Manor came to an end. Before lunch, Isabel and Caroline, who had put on their riding boots and socks again, went to the fish pond of the estate.

Jazz lady Caroline Walton wanted to do her best to broker the marriage of her lovely companion to her brother, and seeing that Isabel had not said anything before sunrise, but intended to get an affirmative reply before lunch. While walking slowly by the pond, she glanced at her female companion: "Isabel, do you know why Francis didn't get married in the year she was knighted?" ”

Isabel clasped her arms around her chest and paced unhurriedly: "I think it's probably because the woman's dowry dissatisfies him." ”

"You think so? I don't believe that after Francis swore allegiance to His Highness and became a Guard, you didn't have the slightest affection for him. ”

"Carrie, I did have a very pleasant time in contact with Francis of Will. It's just that you have to understand that everything for everyone, including me, has been given by His Highness. ”

"His Highness's bestow is a celebration of his kindness and generosity. I have heard that His Majesty the King also often bestows clothing and wealth on nobles, ministers, or lady-in-waiting. However, His Majesty rarely prevents his subjects from marrying someone he loves. ”

Isabel did not object to her statement and whispered: "His Highness did not live with the Duchess after he married the eldest daughter of the Duke of Norfolk four years ago. Do you want to know why? ”

Caroline stubbornly asked her, "Why?" ”

"Because of me. However, it was also partly due to the Duchess's preference to live in the countryside of the South. ”

"Your Highness wants you to live separately from the Duchess? 4 years? ”

Isabel stared at the startled Caroline and nodded, "Yes, you're right, even His Highness's playmate, Lord Surrey, and his wife have only lived apart for three years. ”

After saying that, Isabel walked to the edge of the pond and sat on the lawn, picked up a small pebble and threw it at the surface of the pond: "Carly, now you understand what I'm thinking, right?" ”

The silent Madame Sir sat beside her, looking at the ripples on the surface of the pond: "I don't understand why His Royal Highness the Duke loves you so much. ”

"Carrie, I'm a very special woman. His Highness has made me his Privy Counsellor and Duke Secretary for the purpose of being with me from time to time. ”

Caroline then understood why the Duke of Richmond had made Isabel a privy counsellor in the first place. After thinking for a long time, he said slowly: "On this year's Ascension Day, I didn't see the Duke's coat of arms raised on the roof of the main building of Nottingham Castle, and His Highness doesn't plan to celebrate the festival in the county?" ”

"Of course, such an important holiday should be celebrated. It's just that His Highness celebrates with his wife and her family. ”

"What do you mean? Has His Highness returned to the estate of the Duchess of the South? ”

"Yes, that's what I suggested to him as a privy counsellor."

Caroline didn't understand Isabelle's thoughts even more, and glared: "If you are willing to be His Highness's female companion, why do you want His Highness to go back to the south to meet the Duchess?" ”

Isabel's expression was calm: "His Royal Highness is the Duke of the Royal Family. As a respected royal duke, you can't do without a male heir. Even if a female heir is born first, Her Royal Highness will not lose face in front of His Majesty the King. ”

That's a good explanation. Isabel, if Your Highness had an heir in a year's time, would Your Highness love you less? ”

"Maybe. So, my marriage will have to wait a few more years. ”

"My God, Isabel, you will be very old in a few years. By the time the time has come you won't be able to find a suitable knight or nobleman...... I'm afraid you'll have to spend your life in a monastery. ”

"Hahaha...... Monastery? Kari, you know, can't eat any kind of food happily, can't do every thing you love, can't go through some of the processes of love, I'd rather His Majesty close the monasteries of the whole kingdom. ”

At this moment, a maid walked briskly from the direction of the manor. When the maid came to Caroline's maid and Isabel's, she whispered, "My lord commands, lunch has begun." ”

"Miss, lunch has begun, please go back to dinner with Madame Sir." From behind Isabel came the maid Anne? Cook's voice.

"Alright, let's go back." Isabel stood up and held out her right hand to Caroline.

Caroline stood up and patted her buttocks, looking at her with regret: "Do you have to be a lady like Madame Latimer to make yourself a lady?" ”

Isabel glanced at the three maids walking in front of her and whispered in her ear, "Actually, Madame Latimer is only 28 years old this year, and she is still very young. ”

"At the age of 28, he has been married twice and can still own the property of two barons. Even Mrs. Latimer, who is in such a situation, is much better than you. ”

"It can't be. Has she ever been in sword fighting, knife fighting, sword and shield fighting, dagger fighting, hand-to-hand fighting, and horse fighting, with and without armor? Did she practice archery? Isabel was very disdainful of Caroline's one-sided view of herself.