Isabel Walton, dressed in men's clothing with a tight bandeau blouse with a strip of hard cloth and two daggers tied around her waist, did make an indelible impression on Anne Parr, who would later become the Earl of Pemberbrook.

After Anne sat down, she turned her head very curiously to look at the daughter of the knight from the north, "Miss Isabel, are these attendants of His Royal Highnesses the Duke of Richmond and Somerset following you?" ”

"Yes, Miss Anne. In fact, I and my Highness's guards were just passing through Northamptonshire. Anne Parr, who is 25 years old this year, behaves as an aristocratic woman, and in Isabel's eyes, she is almost indistinguishable from her sister Euphemia.

However, appearances do not represent essence. Because in the following contact with the other party, Isabel found that her sister was completely incomparable to William's sister. At least in terms of education, Anne, who had been reading and writing since she was a child, had now become a young aristocratic woman with a wealth of learning.

William, who was sitting opposite, looked at his sister's calm face and explained with a smile: "Anne, in fact, I am also a guard of His Royal Highness the Duke. And because Miss Isabel was passing through Northamptonshire, I was back. ”

At this time, a manservant brought Anne a glass of pear wine. Anne gracefully took a sip of her glass, then put it down. Glancing at William, who was sitting opposite, he gently turned his face to look at Isabel on the side, "Miss, I already know about this from my sister's letter. Well, I think such a position is still suitable for William. ”

"Miss Anne, you mean you wish William something better, don't you?"

"Better achievements? Well, I just don't think he should have left the Royal School too early and made his mother feel sorry for him. ”

The thoughtful Isabel captures the word "Royal School" from Anne's casual words. "William and Anne's mother, who had been a lady-in-waiting at court to Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife. ”

"Judging by the relationship between the lady-in-waiting and the king, queen, and court ministers, it is only natural that William and his sister will have more opportunities for education."

"If Queen Catherine of Aragon has served long enough, she may even become a confidant with the queen."

"By becoming the queen's confidant, their mothers can use their influence in the court to arrange the future of their children."

Isabel nodded, and said softly without showing the slightest hint of surprise: "Miss Anne, I guess you and William's mother had great hopes for the two of you after arranging for the two of you to go to the Royal School, didn't she?" ”

After taking a sip of pear wine, Anne smiled with some surprise and said, "Miss, do you know that your words remind me of Queen Anne Boleyn. ”

At this time, William interjected and explained to Isabel with a smile, "Miss, my sister has been serving as a lady-in-waiting in the court since she was thirteen years old, and she has served as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Catherine of Aragon, Queen Anne Boleyn, Queen Jane Seymour, and Queen Anne of Cleves. ”

When Baldwin, Fast and several other guards heard William's words, they had a sense of surprise at his sister and him. Several people did not speak, just stood quietly behind Isabel. At this time, Isabel glanced at William, smiled and said to her sister: "Miss's experience is not at all peculiar to me. ”

"Miss, why do you think so?"

"I have been educated since I was a child, and my mother once served as a lady's attendant to the queen, such conditions are not available to children of ordinary knightly families. So your experience of serving the four queens is a sure thing. ”

Anne was delighted by the indirect compliment, and then said the thing that Isabel hated the most, "Miss Isabel, as a token of my gratitude, I would like to recommend you to the court as a lady-in-waiting. Becoming a lady-in-waiting, not only does she provide shelter in your life, but she also ......"

Before Anne could finish speaking, Isabel stood up and saluted her politely, "I appreciate Miss Anne's kindness. If I had to enter the court to secure my life, I would not have held a position in the palace of His Royal Highness the Duke. ”

"Baldwin, Fast, go pack your belongings." Isabel turned to the two guards standing behind her, and to the other three, "Go and saddle all the horses and prepare to go." ”

Baldwin and the others agreed to walk out of the meeting room, and Fast asked his colleague in a very puzzled whisper, "Baldwin, does Miss really plan to go to Windsor now?" ”

"I don't know, it's probably William's sister who said something that annoyed Miss."

"So, are we going to go now or are we going to stay?"

Baldwin stopped, turned to look at a few of his other colleagues, "Wait a minute, we still have one person who hasn't come." ”

William Parr was the only one missing, and Fast smiled lightly, "Don't worry, brothers, Miss hasn't made a final decision yet." ”

Before that, William watched as the five guards left from their colleagues. Hurriedly stood up and took two steps forward, and hurriedly asked Isabel, "Miss, where are you going?" ”

"His Highness's estate in Windsor." Isabel coldly dropped a sentence and looked at the other party again, "William, if you think you are still willing to swear allegiance to His Highness, go and pack your things." ”

The sudden turn of events left William and his sister Anne at a loss, and they didn't know why Isabel had made this decision. Anne, who had served as a lady-in-chamber to the four queens, thought to herself, "Could it be that what I just said about recommending her to the court angered her?" ”

"How is this possible? Many girls from knightly or aristocratic families hoped to enter the court and become an enviable female squire. But why was she reluctant to enter the court? ”

"Looks like we'll need to talk to her alone."

Anne made up her mind and stood up and coughed lightly, "Please wait, Miss Isabel, I have something to say." ”

Calm down, Isabel had not yet made the final decision to leave Houghton Manor, and subconsciously she still planned to hear what William's sister wanted to say or why she was recommended to the court. Standing still, he turned to look at William's sister, "Miss Anne, what else do you want to say?" ”

"Miss, well, let's go for a walk in the garden?" Anne stepped forward and smiled, and then glanced at William beside her.