It was not until after dinner had begun yesterday afternoon that Isabel returned to Nottingham Castle with 20 would-be lancers from the southern part of the county, near the county boundary. Since the Duke of Richmond did not stay in the castle for long, the retainers did not have the opportunity to attend the dinner. While the retainers enjoyed dinner in the small dining room, the Duchess Mary sat at the rectangular table facing the main dining room and enjoyed dinner alone.

"Amy, you go and ask the butler, and if Your Excellency comes back, let her come here for dinner." The Duchess put down the silk cloth that wiped her mouth and glanced at the valet standing to the right of the table.

"Yes, ma'am."

By this time, Isabel had taken off her cavalry armor, longbow and short sword, and had changed into her usual leather coat and a cross-handed half-handed sword and came outside the restaurant. Amy, who walked to the door of the restaurant, hurriedly stepped forward, saluted and whispered, "Your Excellency, Madame is looking for you." ”

"I see." Isabel followed the maid into the dining room, and at a glance saw the Duchess sitting at the top of the huge rectangular table that could seat 20 people at a time, "Madame, I'm back." ”

"Isabel, come and have dinner with me."

"Yes, ma'am."

Isabel came to Mary's left hand side and took the first seat after removing the half-handed sword from her waist and handing it to the valet along with the belt. Mary took a sip of a glass of ale and looked her up and down, "Isabel, you're tired from patrolling the county today, aren't you?" ”

"Madame, it is my duty. So, I can't just tell you I'm tired or uncomfortable. When the valet placed a plate of beef stewed in red wine in front of Isabel, she just smiled lightly.

Mary glanced at the four male servants and her two maids standing on either side of the table, "Isn't it in public now, can we talk more easily?" ”

Isabel drank a full glass of mixed alcohol in one gulp and nodded, "Of course." If you'd like, tell me what you've done this afternoon. ”

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After dinner, Isabel planned to finish her last work before leaving the castle and returning to the manor to rest. After returning the Duchess Marie to the Lord's wife's room, she went to her office to reply to the letter she had received this morning.

The first letter in front of her was from the Earl of Lancashire, and Isabel knew what the Earl of the County had written on it without having to open it. It is nothing more than complimenting her beauty and wisdom, and inviting her to visit the new manor by the way. Pushing aside the Earl's letter, she picked up the letter written to her by Baroness Latimer, Catherine Neville, and folded it with a paper cutter to read it carefully.

Catherine wrote that Baron Latimer's health was getting worse and worse, and that she needed to spend a lot of time taking care of her husband. He also asked the baron's eldest son how his life was in the Asker manor, and how he took care of his health.

The third letter was written by Mrs. Walton, Caroline Walton, wife of her eldest son, Ernest. Ask her if she has time to go to Barnard Castle for a moment this Sunday Mass. The last letter, a glance at the handwriting, knew that it was written by his sister Euphemia. Of course, the little girl from a few years ago, Euphemia, is now married to Sir Herbert Frederick, and should be called Madame Sir.

Isabel sat down at the table and stretched out, moved a little, and began to reply to the letter. Soon, the reply to the Baroness Latimer was written and set aside. Then, he began to write letters to Caroline. Just as she was writing her book, Mary appeared outside the door.

Writing with concentration, Isabel did not notice the arrival of the Duchess. Mary walked into the room lightly and coughed softly, "Ahem, Isabel, why are you still here?" ”

"Mary...?" Isabel stood up with a swan brush and nodded to the Duchess.

"Isabel, maybe it's because the dinner is so rich, I can't sleep at all right now." Mary left the two maids outside the door and walked into the room alone, looking around at the furnishings and furniture.

Isabel sat down and wrote the letter and promised, "Okay, then now what do you want me to do with you?" ”

"I don't have to do anything, I just want to have a good conversation with you for a while. Are you writing letters? Mary walked over to the side of her desk and looked at a letter that was about to be written.

Letters are more private personal belongings, and Isabel resents having a second person present at the time she writes them. However, due to the identity of the other party, she had no choice but to put down her pen and look at the Duchess: "Mary, can you give me a little time to finish the letter?" ”

Mary suddenly realized that her behavior was a little reckless, and with a somewhat embarrassed smile, she turned around and walked to an empty seat, "No problem. I'll talk to you when you're done writing your letter. ”

After about an hour, Isabel replied to all the letters, including the Earl of Lancashire's letters of praise and invitation. Put down the pen, roll each letter into a paper tube, cover it with a fire paint seal and place it on the side of the desk. Glancing at the Duchess, who had been silent for a long time, she stood up and walked to the chair next to her and sat down, "I'm sorry, Mary, for keeping you waiting for me so long. ”

Mary looked at her and blinked, "It's okay, the most thing I have right now is time." ”

Isabel smiled and nodded, "Before lunch today, you already knew about His Highness's position and responsibilities in the Northern Council. So, are there any other matters related to His Highness that are still to be desired? ”

"Uh, what do you think?"

Mary Fitzroy pursed her lips slightly, "According to my own wishes, I don't want to marry at all." ”

Isabel glanced at the small table between the two of them, where nothing was placed on it, "Would you like to have something?" ”

"Why don't you take me for a walk around the castle, it's still a long time before sunset."

"Okay, let's go."

Soon after, the two left the main building and entered the road inside the castle, with Amy and Kelly following from a distance. Mary walked slowly and looked at the sky leisurely, "Isabel, I actually love a free life. Carefree, don't think about anything. ”

"You're the daughter of the Duke of Norfolk, do you need to think about anything?" Isabel muttered and glanced at her, "Mary, do you want to divorce Your Highness for the sake of freedom?" ”

"Divorce? Just like His Majesty and his queens? Isabel, this would never happen in the Norfolk family. ”

"I know. Since you can't divorce Your Highness, how are you going to get the freedom you love? ”