Arrival in England

*Isabella falters, but smiles genuinely*

Perhaps you wouldst like to come dine with me,
and Charles, my husband and, your.. your.. your father?

For now, I have many things to do.

Goodbye Juan.

*Ysabella rises without a second glance to anybody and briskly glides out of the room*

*Charles catches his wife's arm as she leaves*
My love? I saw you speaking with Juan. Are you well?

I am well enough Your Grace,
*Isabella kisses Charles's delicate lips before departing once more*

(ooc- delicate?)
*calls after her*
That is your "I do not wish to speak with you right now* walk, isn't it?

(OOC: Idk, it's late i'm tired I ran out of words heh..)

Charles, if you do not mind I really do not feel very well as of late.

I have invited your son to dinner with us.

Be content with that, my love.

*Isabella turns around and this time there's no stopping her*

(lol OK)
In your presence I can be no other than content.
*makes a sweeping bow to his wife*

*Juan watches the empress leave- he never really knew his own mother- then returns his attention to the two queens*

*Elizabeth, who watched the whole scene unfold before her, faltered in her gracena dn ease at the words 'bastard child'. They stung her gravely and in that she felt true kinship with her betrothed. She crosses the room to place gentle hand upon his arm. She speaks quietly to him.*

My lord, you are a true gentleman and a strong soul indeed. I would truly have struggled to hold myself in check when the faults of the parent are imposed upon the inoocence of the offspring. Tis a burden we both do carry.

However, your gallantry has already won the kind heart of Her Imperial Majesty methinks. She is a good and strong woman, and will learn to love you as the son of you father.

*she smiles warmly, slips an arm around his and leads him away*

Come my lord, let us sit together to partake in the good foods and wine laid out. We shalt need fortitude, if for nothing else than the eve's dancing. ..and I shall reveal to you the scandal of the one I admire wudst meet.

*smiles gratefully at the queen*
Why, thank you, my lady Elizabeth. It is hard, indeed, for me at times. As my father's acknowledged son I am part of a family, but I am not Her Imperial Majesty's son, so I am not at the same time...'tis a challenge and I am most thankful for your kind words.

Oh, I think I see some of those marvelous fruits of the New World! We shall sit and eat and drink, and I shall listen all attenatively to your tale!

*enters the room, staying to the side, and smiling*

*Elizabeth smiles and nods her head to Charles in greeting as she sits with his son.*

Now, I didst promise to tell you a scandalous little secret didst I not? Though a sensible mind canst not see why it must be so scorned upon, and think thee man enough of the world not to pale at my mention of it as Master Cecil doth so oft do.

The lady I have wish to meet is one by the name of Veronica Franco. A famed courtesan hailing from Venice. I see many parallels between us and yet she hath great deal she could teach me... and not in the ways you may think my lord.

*Elizabeth laughs*

She is a rare woman of true learning, a poet, a strong female with deep influence over the minds of great men. She sees fit to dazzle those in her presance with music, beauty, wit and grace. I would learn how she controls the world around her with gentle persuasion rather than the powers I have behind me as a Queen.

...now, my lord, I have full explained my choice but is it still full scandalous a wish?

*Juan laughs a little embarrassed, blushes a little...*
Why, no, I certainly do not think so!
I have met the lady in fact, while I was in Venice, uh, recruiting their assistance in building a fleet and she is all you say and more. Her poetry is divine, truly inspired.

*Elizabeth raises her eyebrows with a smile of jest*

From what I hear, twud be a waste of the delights of Venice just to seek shipbuilders my lord!

*laughs*

I hear tell tis a land of decadence and as a good Tudor I delight in such things. I am also full pleased to hear my lady Veronica not entirely wasted upon Henry of France.

*bids that more wine is poured for them*

Master Dudley didst declare mine outfit this eve worthy of a courtesan, though I think I have long way to go afore I reach their heights of decadence. Methinks he thought is full slur upon mine taste, but it didst delight me instead. My love of grooming, luxury and ornament knows no bounds.

...so my lord, didst my lady Veronica permit thee worthy of her time, or is it improper for thine betrothed to ask such?

*laughs*

I am of course wondering of her approval of mine match and if thou art able to introduce me to her.

*smiles broadly*
I do not know if such conversation is appropriate or not, but it is certainly quite engaging.

She did indeed find my worthy, and for my own sake, not for who my father is or who my brother is. And I would be honored to introduce you.

*leans back, looks Elizabeth's outfit up and down with an appraising eye*
I believe you have captured the very essence of the Venetian style, without descending into vulgarity, as do some of the ladies there. Most well done, my lady!

*Is most bugged that I am not the center of attention and begins gulping down champagne*.

(OOC: Then maybe she should have snubbed poor Nicholas lol)

(OOC: Yeah, lol. But Marie is an Amazon. And he did kind of tell her worst enemy all about her terrible humiliation at the hands of the man who Marie was then forced to make English ambassador, thus he will see Elizabeth to negotiate. Therefor prejudicing Scottish interests in England because Elizabeth knows what he did and that Marie can't fire him no matter how bad he may be. No pity for nicholas)

(OOC: poor smuck lol )

*lifts his glass slightly towards Elizabeth and Juan, and heads towards Marie*
Good evening, your grace! What a pleasure to see you here.

*Isabella appears, looking worn but it doesn't dim her beauty. She sidles up to Charles and curtseys deeply at his feet*

Hello, your Imperial Highness. *Marie has had a few drinks, but she's still standing*. Your ch-ch-in is looking tres shexshy tonight. Can I toush it?

*Isabella glances over to Marie before returning to her husband, still on her knees*

Hey, yshabowl! You look major cute in that gown!

*Isabella remains in deep thought, an image of devotion to her husband. She waits for Charles to adress her so she may pitch the question she is longing to ask*

*Nicholas leans against the wall across the room watching Marie. He can tell she has had too much to drink and she seems to be interefering with something the Empress would like to say to her husband. Nicholas knows that he is not Marie's favorite person at the moment and realizing he is likely to anger her even more, he takes a deep breath and crosses the room to collect her anyway. *


Emperor, Empress *Nicholas bows* Marie dearest *he smiles sweetly and loops his arm around one of hers and leads her away* Can I have a word with you my darling?