No one has to know

Chapter 30

The next day Francis summoned Catherine, Bash and Mary in secret to discuss the matter at hand. Francis looked at them awkwardly as they entered the room.

"Mother...are you...feeling better?" He asked, trying not to sound overly worried. He wanted them to know he stood strong in his position.

"A bit, I suppose." She said not sure of what tone she should take.

"Good. Then I trust we can discuss what to do about last nights events?" He said. She nodded, still unsure. "I have thought about the circumstances from every angle I could manage and I have come to a decision..." he began, but a guard entered the room.

"Sorry to interrupt your Majesty, but letting you know, the carriage bound for the boat to Spain is ready." Said the guard.

"Thank you, Ben." Francis said and the guard left.

"So that's it then? You're sending him away? How could you do this? I understand your anger and your resentment, but banishing him from France?" Catherine said, as the anger rose in her chest. Francis held up a hand.

"The boat is not for Bash. It's for Diane." He said. "She has proven herself too unpredictable to stay." Catherine sighed with relief.

"You're... you're not sending me away?" Bash asked. Francis didn't look at him as he spoke and directed his speech to the three as a group instead.

"I simply could not allow... a father...to be...separated from his child." He began to pace a bit.

"Francis, I..." Catherine began.

"But don't mistake this as me forgiving you or for accepting this...relationship. I'm only trying to do what's right." he interrupted. Bash interlaced his fingers with Catherine's. Francis noticed this and cringed. Catherine pulled her hand back. "I will allow him to stay and I will even allow this travesty to continue, but there are conditions." He added.

"Conditions?" Catherine asked worried where he might be going with this.

"As I'm sure you already understand, the second someone finds out about you two, the rumors will spread faster than the plague did." Francis said.

"What's that got to do with anything?" Mary asked.

"It has everything to do with it. The people will not respect me. They'll wonder how I can control this country when I can't even control my own family...so...if this is to be done, it is to be done my way." He said.

"Dare I ask what your way is?" Said Bash.

"You will make this appear to be as normal a relationship as possible. It's bad enough your together, having it found out you've been having an affair under my nose is worse. You will court her, publicly."

"Court her? What do you mean court her?" Bash said.

"I'm sorry, I thought you knew how to court a woman? Or do you only know how to bed them?...Bring her a drink, flirt with her, ask her to dance. Make sure the residents of this castle are aware, but not when we have guests. Then you will keep it a secret. That will keep the rumors as just that, rumors. When visitors come and don't see you together, they will just perceive them as gossip...When an appropriate amount of time has passed, you will be engaged and married, as to keep your child from being considered a bastard." He explained. Bash cringed at the last bit. "Are there any questions?"

"How long do you expect us to be your puppets in this little theater production?" Catherine asked with an edge to her tone.

"Until I say so...There is a party in two days. You'll begin your courtship then...Have I made myself clear?" He spat.