William Parr and Isabel Walton, led by the manservant, returned to the underground passage again. As the two of them walked in the direction of the hall, William spoke of Viscount Lyle's purpose, "Isabel, what is Lord Lyle visiting you for?" ”

In fact, Isabel is thinking about the same problem. When he looked at the earl, he asked with a more serious expression, "William, do you know the news that Francis I (King of France) is about to send an army to invade the kingdom?" ”

"Yes, I heard that." As William walked unhurriedly through the underground passages, he said in a puzzled tone, "However, many nobles and court ministers do not think that this is true. ”

"The nobles and court ministers think that the French will not invade the kingdom?" Isabel was a little puzzled by what she was saying, and she felt that the news of the French invasion of England would have at least 50% credibility.

"That's right. His Majesty's army has been guarding the city very close to Paris since the capture of Boulogne last year. William thought for a moment and immediately said, "Francis I did not save his own city, but instead sent a large number of troops across the English Sea to attack us?!" The idea of the King of France is somewhat ridiculous. ”

"William, you can't deny the fact that His Majesty's spies have come back from Europe."

"Isabel, what if the news that His Majesty's spies have heard is false?"

What William said was also a possibility, which Isabel could not arbitrarily deny. However, she knew one thing, Henry VIII had already ordered Viscount Lyle to prepare an all-out defense against the French. Even if the French fleet, with its large infantry, did not end up on the long coastline of southern England, it would not be a bad idea to do a little more coastal defense.

Isabel pondered and said, "William, you're right. Well, suppose the French did want to attack us, but because we didn't build the fortifications, the French captured a certain area or town on the south bank of the kingdom. Do you think Your Majesty will let this happen? ”

William simply believed that Francis I would not dare to venture across the sea, and there was probably nothing wrong with Isabel's hypothetical suggestion. His brain was racing, and his eyes were looking at the lady beside him from time to time, and he was about to answer the other party, but he heard the other party say something terrifying, "The news of the town of Ge on the south bank of France will soon be sent to the Scots." At the border, the two 'Old Alliance' kingdoms attacked the city of London from the north and south... William, do you think this is going to happen? ”

William Parr was indeed taken aback by Isabel's words. Fortunately, William, who had never been a military aristocrat, did not argue with the other party. He knew that his performance in the military was hardly satisfactory, so he just looked at the other party hesitantly, "Isabel, I don't know if this will happen." However, Your Majesty will definitely have a way to deal with this kind of thing. ”

After a while, the two of them came to the stairs leading to the hall in the underground passage. When the valet took the lead up the stairs to report to Viscount Lyle, who was waiting in the hall, Isabel stopped the Earl of Essex, "William, I know that you are not good at knighthood, and you have not learned how to fight. But, you are a count! Do you know what kind of aristocrat the Count was during the Dark Ages (Middle Ages)? ”

The Earl of Essex fell silent, powerless to refute every word of the other man. Seeing this, Isabel only shook her head, then turned her head to look at the door at the top of the stairs and said, "William, I hope that you can take the position of lieutenant general, admiral, or governor of the Calais territory in the future. Only then can you gain more power and more wealth, won't you? ”

"Isabel, are you thinking about our future family life?" William wanted to know what she was saying for.

"Well, not just for the possible marriage and family, but also for yourself." Isabel nodded.

At the moment, there were only Isabel and two people in the underground passage. William Parr took two steps forward and hugged her, and said with some emotion, "Isabel, I'm grateful that you can tell me everything you want to say." ”

Isabel was hugged but didn't use her arms to wrap around each other's bodies. With his hands still hanging at his sides, he just whispered, "William Parr, you must not let me make the decision to marry the Duke of Richmond, can you do it?" ”

William let go of his arm and stared at her face, nodding, "I will." Don't worry, I'll start learning how to be a respectable earl right away. ”

As Isabel took his arm off her body, she whispered, "Well, let's go." Otherwise, Lord Lyle will think that we have done something in the underpass. ”

———————————

Isabel sat on a bench in the hall, her upper body straight, and looked at John Dudley, Viscount of Lyle, on the other side, reservedly, "Your Excellency, what kind of emergency will make you come to the Winchester residence to find me?" ”

Viscount Lyle, dressed in the garb of a Tudor man's aristocracy, nodded and smiled as he stared at her, "I'm sorry, Lady Ripley, but I vetoed your request last time at sea outside Stirling Castle. ”

Isabel shook her head, "No, Your Excellency, you are right. Fighting the French attack is far more important than my revenge for my engaged husband, isn't it? ”

Previously, Viscount Lyle had told the Earl of Essex that he had met with Lady Ripley to discuss military matters. Therefore, he wished to meet with Lady Ripley alone. Count Essec had no choice but to agree to his request and chose to avoid it for the time being. At this time, there were only two people in the hall, Viscount Lyle and Isabel.

Viscount Lyle stood up and slowly paced in front of Isabel with his hands behind his back, his eyes fixed on the other party's face, and said, "Your Excellency, do you have any good advice for the French to attack us?" ”

Isabel was slightly stunned, and said with a reserved smile: "Your Excellency, my suggestion is... You may consult with the Counsellors of His Majesty's Privy Council. ”

John Dudley did not immediately take a stand at her claim, but simply paced back and forth in thought. After taking two or three steps, he turned to look at her and said, "Your Excellency, how many Privy Council Advisers do you think will know about maritime affairs?" ”

A young admiral consults with a female intelligence officer with only the rank of second lieutenant in the navy on naval operational matters?! Isabel Walton immediately felt flattered. However, this feeling disappeared in an instant. Of course, an admiral of the near middle of the 16th century simply cannot be confused with the admirals of later generations.