《L a s t m a l e d e s c e n d a n t of the S t u a r t》 Duke of York His Eminence Cardinal Duke of York 'Henry IX & I'

— brother, Michael died, she was very sad." "That must have been the hardest cross to bear," the Queen said. "We were grief-stricken —

— ourselves to hear the news." She squeezed Eleanor's hand. "But today let us speak of happier things, for you are to be married tomorrow, —

— and there are going to be great celebrations and disports! Lady Laura tells me that you like to dance. She was with the King's party at —

— Dogmersfield and saw how accomplished you are." "I love to dance!" Eleanor cried. "Do you know any English dances?" the Queen asked, —

— rising to her feet. "No, your Grace." "Then I will teach you some!" Clapping her hands, Mary bade her ladies leave their embroidery —

— and summon the musicians. Eleanor was enchanted by her spontaneity and warmth. Her own mother had never been so informal, even with her —

— children. Soon the Queen and her ladies had her gliding across the tiled floor in a branle or skipping in a lively saltarello. It was a —

— wonderful evening; she had not enjoyed herself so much in a long time. When it grew late and the time came for her to bid the Queen —

— farewell, Mary took her hand. "I know you will be a good wife to Stephen," she said. "Be patient and kind with him. He has not been —

— well, and he is not himself. He thinks I fuss too much, but we all pray he will amend soon." She spoke lightly but Eleanor detected the —

— concern in her voice. "I know he will," she said, wishing to comfort the Queen. "At Dogmersfield he said he was getting better." Mary —

— kissed her. "God bless you for your sweet heart," she said. It was near midnight when Eleanor returned to Lambeth Palace to make final —

— preparations for her wedding day. Everything /was/ going to be all right. She knelt and said her prayers, thanking God and His Holy —

— Mother for all their blessings, and hugging to herself the comforting knowledge that Queen Mary would be there to help her prepare for —

— the role she would one day occupy, and initiate her into the realities and mysteries of life at the English court. Sleep came fitfully. —

— Eleanor was too tense to relax. Tomorrow she was to be married, and initiated into another mystery. The prospect of the high ceremonies —

— and what was to follow overwhelmed her. In the end she would lie there tossing and turning no more, got up and knelt again at her —

— prie-dieu, praying earnestly that she might be blessed with the strength to do well all that was expected of her.

⠀⠀⠀⠀〝Wait — that's it. .〞 —— ⊰❉⊱ —— ；tl.gd/n_1sq1aao. a fere solo.