"This letter details a plot against Queen Catherine. The White Rose Party plans to accuse her of treason!" Neville was stunned by the audacity of the conspirators. The Queen was a virtuous woman.

"Who signed it?" Simone looked over his shoulder.

Neville continued reading. "It implicates  Cardinal Wosley, Norfolk and his supporters. Norfolk has conspired with both our Princess Mary, and also the Princess of Scotland, Mary of Guise's daughter. He's attempting to arrange a marriage with one or the other. Either one would be a political catch for him."

"What about the king? Should we tell him?"

"Right now he is too upset with Edward's failing health to be burdened with openly confronting these anti-Protestant officials. The line of succession is already in turmoil. It would cause the Kingdom more harm than good to openly expose them."

"I think we should approach the Queen. Let her bring this treason to her husband's attention. Neville, you cannot draw attention to yourself and be scrutinized. If there's one thing I learned from Ingle, it's to stay in the shadows."

"You're right, Simone. We have to shelter from the storm while the Queen reconciles these accusations with her husband."

"Neville, there's something I want to tell you." Simone leaned forward. "You're more important to me than my allegiance to The White Rose Party." She lowered her head, tears brimming in her eyes. "They've been using you as a pawn. Unless you stop Norfolk, you'll be exposed and hanged. The White Rose Party will not protect you." She gripped his wrist, looking into his eyes.

Neville shyly looked down. "I've missed you Simone. More than I've ever missed anyone in my life." 

She smiled at him. "When the time is right, we can both escape this royal life of slavery. We can go to France. Live with the peasants, and be free of the political pendulum that crushes everyone in its path."

Neville's heart skipped a beat. He leaned forward and kissed her, the blood roaring in his ears. When they broke apart, Simone's face was flushed with heat and happiness.

"I don't believe that is the best course of action. France has it's own political problems."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

With the strict prayer requirements, the Chapel had been built deep within the fortified castle as a private place for the Lord and his family. In reality, more of a secluded fortress. That evening, after mass, Neville sought out the Queen in the solitude of her prayers.

"Your Majesty, if I might have a word."

The Queen rose from her knees, smiling with pleasure. "Princess Elizabeth. What is the occasion of your visit?"

"I've come to warn you. There's a plan being hatched to accuse you of betraying the King."

"Betraying my husband?" The Queen grew pale with fright. After a moment, her fear turned to anger. "What do you mean spreading these false rumors about me, especially in this sacred place."

"I apologize for interrupting your prayers your Majesty, but Norfolk and Cardinal Wolsey are plotting against you because of your Protestant faith."

"Do you take me for a fool, Princess Elizabeth? How do you know this?"

Neville held out the letter to the Queen. "Here, this is proof you are being framed. You will be accused of the same treason that caused Anne Boleyn to be executed."

Disbelieving, Queen Catherine took the letter from him. Her hands began to shake as she read it's contents. "Oh God, it's true."

"You must speak with the King immediately to convince him of your innocence."

"Edward is succumbing to his lung ailment. I fear for his Majesty's spirit if he loses his son. Now, I must alert him a coup is brewing in his court?"

"Yes, if you don't want to die! You're not Anne. You've been a good step mother to Edward, Mary, and I. The King will listen to you. Have Norfolk and his supporters arrested on suspicion of treason. They will panic and turn on each other, not expecting a counter attack this early."

A/N * Since Jane Seymour died shortly after childbirth, I've changed Queens to Catherine Parr, the most married Queen in Tudor history and the only one to have survived Henry VIII.