Two months earlier, when William Parr was about to go to London to marry the daughter of Henry Boucher, Earl II of Essex, he made a formal promise to Isabel Walton that whenever she traveled to London and passed through Northamptonshire, she would stay indefinitely in his father's Houghton estate and enjoy the treatment of the lord's wife. Of course, William's father had died by this time, leaving him with the steward and the land.

Before parting, the two walked slowly in the flower garden south of the manor of Baron Walton I. Isabel glanced at William beside her as she walked, with a look of guilt on her face, "William Parr, you don't have to. ”

William sighed secretly, his eyes staring at the two ancient trees ten or so steps ahead, "Isabel, I only hope you can forgive me." I know that your mother, Mrs. Walton, once wanted you to marry me. ”

Isabel looked at the empty swing hanging under the ancient tree and shook her head helplessly, "William, don't be stupid. One is the daughter of an earl who can inherit titles, domains, and possessions, and the daughter of a baron who can inherit nothing. I believe that any man would choose the former. ”

"Isabel, but, I... I don't love her. ”

"Whether you love her or not, you always want to marry her."

William stopped, looked at her excitedly, and said in a trembling voice, "Can you give me a year?" ”

"A year? Do you want to divorce the earl's daughter and marry me again after a year? Isabel crossed her arms and breasts in thought, and looked at the other party in silence, "A year? A lot can happen in a year. ”

"No matter what happens, I'm going to leave Anne Boucher with everything."

"William, don't you think what you're doing is cruel? To treat the daughter of a nobleman with such means. ”

William Parr was about to argue, but Isabel stepped towards the swing, "Okay, don't say any more." Lord Essex, I wish you and your wife a wonderful life. ”

William caught up with her in a few steps, walked up to her and looked at her as he walked backwards, "I'm sorry, Isabel. My promise to you, though, will always be valid. I have written to tell my father's butler to be as loyal to you as the Lady of the Loyal Lord, and to obey your orders. ”

"Your Excellency, the county boundary of Northampton is ahead." Isabel rode forward and was still recalling William's words when the voice of Joorman Jr. Beard Smith rang out.

"Hmm," Isabel agreed, looking up at the starry night sky, and gave an order, "Beard, tell Baldwin and Fast to spend the night at Houghton Manor tonight. ”

"Baldwin, let's go to Horton Manor!" Little Beard, who held a torch in one hand and a reins in the other, stretched his neck and said loudly to the two flag guards in front of the line.

"Got it!" Fast turned around and agreed, and as he continued to ride side by side with Baldwin, he whispered to his colleague, "William, that kid went to the South to get married, why did Your Excellency go to his father's manor to spend the night?" ”

Baldwin, who was holding a torch, squinted at him, "Don't speak. If you fall off your horse and are injured, you will have to go back to Yorkshire early. ”

Fast snorted softly, "I'm not going back if I'm injured, I've wanted to go to Plymouth for a long time." Did you know Baldwin, Plymouth is the most famous port city in the whole kingdom, and it's even more famous than Liverpool? ”

"Yes, there are more taverns in Plymouth, and more young and beautiful tavern maids are waiting for you."

"Don't you want to go? You're also a man, and men always want to find a young, beautiful woman to play with, hahaha......"

In the dark of night after sunset on Friday, the procession arrived at Horton Manor, and the butler, Mark Layton, treated Isabel as respectfully as the lord's wife. Before going to bed, she did another thing, writing a letter to Catherine Neville, who was staying in Miss Mary Tudor's estate in Hertfordshire.

Isabel glanced at the two treasure chests placed next to her desk and muttered as she wrote, "Mary Tudor, Mary I, Bloody Mary." Did you know, Catherine, that this young lady you know will be very famous in the future......"

Reading in his mouth, the quill pen in his hand writes quickly on the letterhead. Suddenly, Isabel felt some sympathy for Mary Tudor, who had suffered all sorts of misfortunes. She felt that she was very similar to Mary, both of them were illegitimate daughters abandoned by their father, and they had been psychologically and spiritually hurt by their loved ones.

After writing the letter, he put down his quill pen and leaned back in his chair and thought to himself, "Heading south through Buckinghamshire to Hertfordshire, may we visit Catherine, and then Mary Tudor?" ”

"It's June, and in a month Catherine is going to marry Henry VIII. Now, it is likely that she lives in the palace. ”

"Tomorrow when we depart through Hertfordshire, we will deliver the letter to Mary's estate. If she refuses to see me, she can continue on her way. ”

"Woo hoo woo woo ...," there was a soft knock on the door, "come in." With her hands behind her head and her legs straightened, Isabel quickly lowered her hands, withdrew her legs, and returned to the appearance of a noble woman.

Mark, the housekeeper of the manor, pushed open the door and stood inside the door and bowed to her, "Miss, the hot water you want is ready and ready to be delivered to your room." ”

Since William Parr had allowed her to have the status and treatment of the lord's wife in Horton Manor, she should take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy it. Unfortunately, it was too late and I had to take a hot shower. Isabel, who was sitting precariously, nodded reservedly, "I see." ”

When the butler was about to ask several servants outside the door to carry the bucket with hot water into the room, Isabel looked at the busy butler, "Aren't you curious, Mark?" Why should I ask the servant to boil the water and bring it to my room? ”

Mark turned to look at her and smiled slightly, "Miss, the lord has written to me that no matter what kind of request you make, I and everyone in the manor will obey your orders. ”

"Oh...! Don't you want to know why I need hot water? ”

"Miss, you must have your reasons for doing this. The lord says that whatever you want to do, you can't stop you, except for the economic affairs of the estate and the realm. ”

"Well, this guy is cunning!" Isabel nodded thoughtfully, "Mark, do you know why Lord Essexhire would treat me like this?" ”

Mark still had a smile on his face, "Miss, the lord wants you to be the lord's wife. ”