Matt Ford

Elizabeth snaps back.

I am sure, like me, she simply wishes for a sisterly alliance between two queens.

Your Majesty, even if that's true, the Catholic rebels already see her return as an opportunity to stir up resistance to your rule.

In some quarters she is seen as the rightful heir to your throne.

Mary's Tudor blood threatens all that has been achieved these past three years.

Well, maybe, but they are two very different people.

Mary is way more impulsive.

She's got Tudor blood.

Lots of the rebels think that she's actually the real queen.

And, as Dudley will attest, she's quite good looking.

So if she finds a man and has a baby, that child would be a Catholic with a claim to the English throne.

And that would terrify Protestant England because that would then be a threat to Elizabeth's sovereignty.

So Elizabeth has the throne.

Mary has the blood.

So that is why Mary is such a threat when she returns back to the island.

A chill runs down Elizabeth's spine as she recalls the difficulties she's overcome.

I advise caution, Your Majesty, and that we resume discussions about securing your own position with a strong political marriage and heir.

Elizabeth stiffens as she catches Robert's eye.

No.

Mary is my blood.