UNANSWERED PRAYERS

This is just a brief scene between Catherine Howard and Lady Rochford that fits with the Season Four episode, "Something For You." I do not own the genius of Michael Hirst. Please comment nicely!

Jane throws open the window curtains, letting in the cold northern sunlight. The people of Lincoln are early risers, and they expect the same of their rulers.

But the Queen of England is not a hard-worker. Except at night. Jane turns to see her mistress, seventeen years old and completely spoiled, lying face-down on a fancy lace-trimmed pillow.

Catherine does not want to rule this morning. Catherine wants to sleep. Nights are for sleeping, but pretty Catherine has spent her night doing other things, behind the king's back. Things that make even the most bright-eyed and energetic young lady feel sleepy and sluggish in the morning light.

Jane shakes the queen's shoulder, hissing her usual worried warning. "Your Majesty! Catherine! You must wake up! You must! The king and Lady Mary are addressing the people of Lincoln!"

"Mm . . ." Catherine's voice is muffled by the satin pillow, which she hugs as if it were her lover. "Feel beastly," she murmurs, in a throaty voice, though she sounds satisfied and content. "Say I'm sick!"

Cold as the northern air, Lady Jane Rochford's voice drops to a hissing whisper as she turns away from the bed. Some might fear the young queen is listening. Jane knows she is not. She knows Catherine has already dropped off, is sleeping peacefully, with a smile on her face. Catherine Howard loves her sleep almost as much as she loves the other pleasures one finds in bed.

"Say you're sick," the older girl mutters, picking up the queen's rumpled clothing from the floor. The bodice is torn as if male hands removed it in a great hurry. "I'll say you're sick, all right! You've got a sickness, Catherine Howard, and it's a burning fever that's getting hotter by the day. I pray to God it won't prove fatal for all of us!"

Off in the distance, honest northern subjects are cheering for their king. They have asked for mercy, and now their prayers have been answered.

Lady Jane wonders if there is a special place in heaven for those who die with unanswered prayers.