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13 - 18 November 1549
Anne was almost finished dressing for Vespers when the courier arrived with a heavy but smallish box for her. She finished dressing, let her lady leave, then sat to open it. There was a bag of coins within, packed in velvet to keep the coins from making too much noise to tempt the courier, there were two sealed letters. One was addresses to Anne herself and the other was for the King of England Henry IX and his Regency Council. Anne was not surprised to find her letter from Queen Mary of Scotland, who still seemed to view her as a semi-substitute for her late mother Katherine, She set the second letter aside and began reading the one to her. It began simply enough, with the Scottish Queen telling Sister Duchess that the Spanish were taking advantage of the French King's moves towards Calais to begin discussing the reunification of Navarre under Spanish protection. If the English held fast, King Henri II was sure to hear of this and would then have to decide where the troops were needed most. Both Mary and her husband James V were certain that Henri wanted Navarre as it was and would be withdrawing his troops from the Calais area. She gave updates on her children still 'at home' but was worried about her husband - the cold he had caught in September had remained and grown much worse. His breathing was now very labored. She asked Anne to pray for him.
The third page of the letter was dated three days later, on 9 November. The writing was hard to read: Mary's 18 year old son was now King James VI. His father died that afternoon of the illness he had borne two months. Mary requested masses for her husband's soul and for wisdom for the new King of Scotland. That explained the money, Anne realized. Mary also personally requested that Anne pray for her, since Anne knew what it was to lose a beloved husband. Anne refolded the letter and put it into her correspondence box, locking it as she always did (servants were not above sneaking a peak to see if they could make money of the information); then took the money and the second letter down the hall and knocked on the Suffolk's door. Charles answered at once, obliviously dressed for the service. Without waiting for an invitation, Anne entered. Vittoria was not quite finished dressing, her Italian maid of honor (the last remaining of those who accompanied her to England) assisting her.
"Leave us," she told the maid, "I will help her finish." Giovanna looked at her mistress the Duchess and Vittoria nodded and waved her away. Only after Charles shut the door behind her did Anne continue. "There is a new King of Scotland. His father died on the 9th, this letter is for the Council and the money is for requested masses for the late king. I would prefer you to take custody of both the letter and the funds, the Earl of Essex and the Archbishop would both be displeased if they knew they were sent to me."
Charles looked at the letter. "This is still sealed, how do you know - "
"Queen Mary sent me a private letter, with the news in it." Anne turned her attention to Vittoria and helped her put on two necklaces, one with a simple crucifix and the second with hers and Charles' initials set with sapphires.
"Of course I'll present these. If they ask, I'll simply remind them that I was once married to Queen Mary's aunt." Charles assured her. He frowned at the bag of money. "I'll have to find a place for this."
Vittoria smiled as Anne was helping her with her hood. "Empty your correspondence into my box and use your box to contain the money. I'm sure the Queen tells what amount was sent; you will take your box and the key to the meeting the Council will want to hold tonight."
Charles did so, and Vittoria locked her usually unlocked box ("My letters are in Italian; who can read Italian here?" was her response to Anne asking about it being unlocked.) Charles placed the money inside his, locked it and picked it up along with his Book of Hours.
"You think I'm going to leave it here?" He asked when both women looked at him quizzically. "Besides, the Archbishop will want it in his custody when I tell him about the letter and I'll be glad for it to be out of my hands. And Cromwell will want the letter. God forbid I know something before him." He and the women exchanged grins.
Vittoria stood and Anne looked at her critically. "We're ready for Vespers," she announced. The trio left the room.
On the afternoon of Thursday the 17th, Angeline was frustrated by the cleaning and replacement of rushes in most of the hallways she could take to make a discreet exit from the building. She was forced to take the hallway with the Northumberland and Suffolk suites. She passed Anne Percy's room, but was surprised when Charles Brandon opened his door and blocked her way. But, her Queen Marie informed her that both the Brandons and the woman Marie referred to as "la salope soeur" were to be out. Marie was wrong. Behind Angeline, Henry VIII's Sister Duchess had opened her door and the rustling of fabric meant she, too, was now in the hall. No retreat.
Angeline gave a brief curtsey to the Duke. "Your grace, I am in a hurry to leave. My suitor has but a couple of hours in which we can meet."
"He'll have to wait," said Anne from behind her. "Mistress Browne, if you would come into my chambers, we need to talk." There was nothing for Angeline to do but follow her in. The door closed firmly behind Angeline and the hated 'Sister Duchess' even locked it and pocketed the key.
The next meeting of the Regency Council was held on the 18th. It was a meeting without those abroad or the Dowager Queen or the French priest (her confessor) who attended as her proxy when she could not attend.
"First, we will hear from Archbishop Pole, who received a letter from His Holiness the Pope. Whatever it said pleases him, and I am curious as to what makes him happy." Cromwell informed them.
Pole stood. "The official documentation is to be brought by special messenger; but I am informed that I am to be England's Cardinal." He smiled broadly. There was a small burst of applause and Pole sat.
Cromwell stood again. "And now, for unpleasantness: Sister Duchess, will you tell us what your search of Mistress Angeline Browne, the favorite of Dowager Queen Marie, revealed." He sat as Anne rose.
"Unfortunately, we found these," she held up papers, then handed them to the nearest Council member, who began to peruse them as she spoke. "The Duchess of Suffolk and I oversaw the search of Mistress Browne. These papers were sewn into the bodice of the gown and it looked as if this might be how the information from this Council is being leaked. Mistress Browne would not speak, but I understand my lord the Earl of Essex has had her taken to the Tower on the King's behalf. The Duke of Suffolk and I both agreed with him and we informed the King of the actions this morning. The King is pleased that we have found how the French have been told secrets, but wishes to be informed when we take a decision on Mistress Browne."
Cromwell had the papers now. "These are treasonous, and have been written by the Dowager Queen. This could be difficult, we will have to discuss all our options carefully before making a decision. Mistress Browne will be tried for treason, but the former Queen, we will definitely need not only our wits, but the wisdom of God before acting."