Scotland Yard, Kingdom of England, September 1516
The two of them Giovanna and her eldest stepdaughter had just met for the first time. Margaret was somewhat distant to the woman, which Giovanna took in stride. The Dowager Queen of England had thought it fair, for Margaret was not nearly as young as her sisters Mary and Catherine were when her predecessor, Elizabeth of York, had died, and had less use for a stepmother. Despite this, Giovanna had hoped that she could be some of assistance to the other woman, for she felt great sympathy for her. “What may I do to help you, Margaret?”
The solitary musician in the room continued to play his fiddle, the notes calming both women. Margaret stood quiet for a moment, enjoying the music before she deigned to reply,”Convince my brother to defend my rights as mother of the King of Scotland. Tell him that I must go back to Scotland from my exile, and that he must put those fuckers Albany and Douglas to the sword.”
Giovanna sighed, she knew this would not be easy, but Margaret turned to her with a knowing glance,”Perhaps you could have his mistress, the Boleyn girl, advocate for me as well.”
The older of the two smirked,”Now that is a grand idea, my Queen.”
…
Greenwich Palace, Kingdom of England, September 1516
She had met with her stepson with Catherine in tow, where she found the young man standing near the fire, leaning towards the mantel.
“Ah hello” he said blankly, apparently distracted
After quickly bowing her head, Catherine quickly chattered out a plea,”Brother you must help our sister Margaret, she must be allowed to rule for her son!”
Henry shook his head dismissevly,”Now Catherine I must not do anything that is not in the interest of my realm. You are my sister, not a member of my council, and I expect you not to meddle.”
The girl lowered her eyes and pursed her lips at the rebuke apparently the most even-tempered of her stepchildren. Giovanna put her hands on Catherine’s shoulders and sought to placate the King,”Perhaps Catherine was too... eager, in what she had asked of you, but she is right.”
“How so?” The King of England asked
“It is for the honor of your sister, and the defense of England that you must intercede. If Albany is allowed to rule Scotland in your nephew’s name, it will surely mean that the Scots will continue their alliance with France. He will manipulate your nephew into thinking that France has his best interests at heart, and should there be another war, he would surely help your enemies.”
Henry took a minute to consider this before responding, walking across the room,”My Lady, your reasoning has its merits. I shall dispatch a force under the Duke of Norfolk and his son Lord Surrey to throttle Albany and his supporters. They will then be given a choice; accept Margaret as Regent or Scotland will burn.”