– No, no, just think how Anne would feel about my request. She's soon to be the new Queen of England, and she will certainly not forget that I begged her rival to take you as her lady in waiting. It will cast a shadow over you, my dear. And on all the Nortons! And I do not wish to end up like Brigid's father.

– Then beg Anne! She will be pleased to hear that the young daughter of Henry's councillor stays awake at night, so eager to serve her! – Alienor pleaded.

– What if Henry should die? Anything could happen! Would he die without divorcing then Catherine will remain Queen-mother of the heir to the throne! This woman is soft, but she will not forget those who have hurt her and trampled on her name! No, my little bird, I can't risk it! We will wait," Sir Norton insisted stubbornly.

– Wait? But, Father, I'm already seventeen! I don't want to enter the palace as an old woman! – Alienor snarled resentfully.

– My dear, you know that I am always on your side, but this time I insist on my own: we will wait for a convenient moment, – said Lord Norton in a serious tone, and his daughter did not argue, but only sighed sadly.

***

When Brigid knocked timidly on the door of the room where her father usually worked and was allowed to enter, she slipped in silently, and her gaze immediately met that of a young, richly dressed man she did not know.

– Father! – The girl made a deep curtsy to Sir Guise, and then did not forget to greet the guest as well. – Sir!

– Truly, sir, there is no girl more beautiful than your daughter in England or in the whole world! – The stranger smiled broadly at Sir Guise, but kept his admiring gaze on his daughter. At the girl's appearance the young handsome man's sky-blue eyes lit up like torches with the coming of darkness.

– Brigid had inherited her beauty from Elizabeth Woodville, her ancestress. As you must know, sir, there are still legends goes about that legendary Queen's beauty," Sir Guise said contentedly. He stood at the window, with a large map in his hand, and, in the daylight, scrutinised it. Then, distracted from his study, he laid the map on the table, came to his daughter, and took her hand in his.

– I beg your pardon, father, did you call for me? – The girl asked quietly, not understanding why her father would send for her while he was receiving visitors. And who was this blond handsome man? She seemed to have seen him before, but where and when? His face seemed so familiar, and his blue eyes so dear! But she could not remember, nor did she wish to.

– Have you given your father notice of your return, sir? – Sir Guise asked his guest, as if he had not heard Brigid's voice.

– Not yet, sir. My heart demanded an answer, and the first thing I did was to rush to you," he said, not taking his eyes off Miss Guise's beauty, and that intense, passionate gaze made the girl blush and her mind fill with hundreds of questions that she did not dare to ask aloud.

– Oh, even so? – Mr. Guise laughed cordially, but Brigid, who knew her father, immediately recognised the falsity in his laugh. – But, sir, before embarking on such an important and responsible path, you need your parents' permission!

– My father would be delighted, as would my mother," the stranger smiled warmly, not even thinking of taking his eyes off Brigid Guise, the Flaming Rose.

– Father, I apologise… I don't understand what's happening," the girl turned to the smiling Sir Guise in a whisper.

– 'My good, naive daughter! – Sir Guise affectionately touched the girl on the shoulder. – Don't you recognise our guest?