A/N: This is based of a challenge "Bess of Ubervilles" posted by Blue Ocean. Enjoy.
Her name didn't matter since she was just a noble in contrast with her best friend, the lady Elizabeth Tudor who was of royal descent. Technically, she was too, but since she was not a direct descendant of Henry VIII, nobody cared.
She thought it had been a godsend when her mother told her that she would become a ward of her aunt, the Queen Dowager and present Baroness of Sudeley, Catherine Parr. Her aunt was one of the greatest women that ever lived, and the smartest as well.
Bess was eager to please her in any way shape or form. The minute she got there, she found that the Queen's household was a center of theological debate. She, Jane Grey and Elizabeth would spend day and night discussing the old and new testament of the bible and the works of saints, from the old church.
Aunt Catherine always stressed the importance of doubt. "Doubt" she said "is important because doubt allows us to reinforce our faith by asking the important questions and distinguishing honest preachers from false prophets."
The false prophet in her aunt's book were those of the old church whose debauchery knew no bounds. They were also corrupt, and didn't want the people to learn the truth because the minute they did, their flock would leave them for those that preached the true word of God.
Bess of Ubervilles truly felt lucky. Nothing could ever spoiled her time with Catherine. Nothing except one man who looked at her from afar, intrigued and seduced by her beauty.
The name she had was not important, but her age was and if his wife were not to survive the pains of childbirth than that meant he would have to look for a new wife. He could theoretically marry the lady Elizabeth. She had the same bewitching eyes as her mother, but that meant being royally tied to the crown more than what he already was.
Thomas knew his limitations. He was ambitious and being someone else's puppet, especially his wife's was not in his plans. The Lady Mary ... Out of the question as well! The girl looked like an old hag and with hips so small it was unlikely she would ever produced children.
That left Jane Grey, but Jane was only a child and too diva for his liking. No, he had to settle for someone simple, yet noble enough to bring him more connections and since his wife's niece was yet uncalled for and she had other family members who could help him oust his brother when the time came, made her the perfect candidate. A smile crept up Thomas' face that none noticed as he continued to watch the four women, especially Bess, recite a bible passage.