Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond, had no intention of rushing back to the realm at this time. One is that after the Ascension Day, only the "Pentecost" and "March 1st Sunday" in late May are religious holidays celebrated jointly by Catholicism and Anglicanism, that is, Protestantism. Returning to the territory on religious holidays to celebrate or rest was what Isabel suggested to him.

It wasn't until he was passing through the town of Darlington from Durham Castle that he didn't know what to say when he saw his wife, Mary. Talking to Mary about some of the Northern Council's various affairs over the five northern counties, he didn't think Mary would be interested in listening to it.

Maybe you can talk to your wife about what kind of cathedral is Durham Cathedral, which was built between 1093 and 1133 and is located in the highlands on the banks of the River Will. Why it was built on a small peninsula surrounded by rivers on three sides, how it differs from York Minster, the first grammar school run by the Bishop and Earl of Durham in the 15th century, and so on.

The Duke, who is only 21 years old this year, can think of talking about the customs and what he has seen and heard, and he still has a lot of ideas. However, the Duke seems to have subconsciously forgotten who he was talking to, and what important mission he was going to accomplish when he returned to his territory today. However, he was extremely excited about what he wanted to talk to Isabel Walton about.

When the Duke's procession arrived in Darlington Town, Sir Herbert Frederick, who was the captain of the Darlington Castle Guard, and his wife Euphemia waited enthusiastically outside the castle for the Duke's arrival. When Euphemia saw a large contingent of cavalry galloping from north to south from a distance, she turned her head to look at her husband, "Herbert, Your Highness's team is here. ”

"Ma'am, I see it." From the face of Herbert, who had a thick beard, it was no longer possible to find the appearance of the young would-be knight. Now Herbert became more and more composed, "Madam, your lordship says that she is going to your brother's place, do you think she will come to Darlington Castle?" ”

Dressed in the knight's lady-level dress, Euphemia, accompanied by her personal maid, kept her eyes on the road ahead, "Yes, my sister and I have always had a good relationship. ”

The Duke of Richmond trotted on his horse and followed the would-be lancers with torches to the two men, with a smile on his face like seeing a loved one. The guards beside Sir Herbert never waited for orders, and stepped forward to take the Duke's horse. When Henry jumped off his horse, Herbert and his wife saluted him.

Henry looked at Herbert, who was not much older than himself, and laughed, "Sir, I remember that you seemed to be as old as me, but how did you look older than me?" ”

Euphemia looked at her former lord and smiled, "Your Highness, Herbert is a few years older than you. ”

"Well, maybe it's the committee's business that I've forgotten about something else."

"Your Highness, you must be tired from coming from Durham Castle, right? Please go to the castle and rest for a while. Herbert and his guards made way for the duke.

Henry nodded in satisfaction, and glanced at the open gate of Darlington Castle again, "Sir, I don't have much time to stay here today, only a glass of wine. ”

"Your Highness, I know that your lady has come to the north."

"Sir, how do you know?" As soon as Henry finished speaking, he heard the lady of the knight on one side whisper: "Your Highness, Isabel is my sister, and the knight and I have learned from the letter from my sister about your lady's visit to the north. ”

Henry shook his head helplessly, turned his head and ordered the two guards beside him: "You two hurry back to the county now to inform Madame that I need to stay at Darlington Castle for a while before going back." ”

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Dressed in a tweed jacket, men's leggings and high riding boots, and with a cross-sword half-handed sword tied around her waist on her left side, Isabel stood in front of the window with her hands behind her back. Turning his head and looking at the Duchess who was still wearing her dress, "Mary, don't worry, Your Highness still has more than an hour to return to the county." ”

As Amy stood behind Mary and tied the straps of her tights, Mary glanced at her, "Isabel, I know. It's just that I always feel a feeling of my heart beating faster. ”

"It's right that your heart beats faster, because Your Highness is your husband. You haven't seen His Highness for three days since you came to Richmondshire. ”

"yes, it's only been three days." Mary glanced at the hem of Kelly's dress that she had set for herself, "Why haven't I felt this way for more than three years?" ”

Isabel turned to lean against the windowsill, clasped her hands over her chest and smiled softly, "Because I believe that love has developed between you and Your Highness, is that so?" ”

"Love? This can't be, if I have love between me and His Highness, how can I live separately from His Highness for almost 4 years? ”

"Time is not the most important issue," Isabel did not finish, for part of the reason the Duke of Richmond lived separately from Mary was because of her presence, "Mary, you just have to remember that Your Highness is your rightful husband." ”

"Sometimes, I wish Henry was still the same little friend he was."

Isabel smiled softly and walked up to Mary, "Well, little friend? Mary, if you don't know how to deal with Your Highness, why don't you treat him as your little friend? ”

Mary blinked and laughed, "That's a good idea. If I had Henry as my lovely companion, I wouldn't have been so nervous, would I? ”

The Duke's procession had already crossed the stone bridge over the River Swell, south of Nottingham Castle. The Duke of Richmond, who was riding in the middle of the procession, looked up at the towering castle standing on the other side of the river, "What will Mary do when she sees me?" Would Isabel be annoyed if she found out that I was enthusiastic about meeting Mary? ”

"Madam, Your Highness has come to the castle gates." A servant hurried to the side of the lord's wife, who was standing on the stairs of the main building, and bowed his head slightly.

"Well, let's go down." Mary turned her head again to look at Isabel who was standing on the left flank, then glanced at the retainers on the right flank, and nodded in satisfaction.

When the duke's party reached the stairs of the main building, Henry grabbed his horse and jumped off his horse. Mary and the crowd came to him and saluted. The Duke of Richmond glanced quietly at Isabel to the right of the Lady, and saw nothing wrong. He looked at Madame's face again and smiled softly, "Good day, Madam." ”

The courtesy greetings of the aristocratic class made the young couple forget what they had thought of to say in an instant.