"Another problem Anne and I have is our father," George continued. "We love him, but he uses us as pawns to further his own ambitions. Sometimes I feel as if he cares more about advancing his own station in life than he does about us."

"I know how you feel," Jane replied. "My own father is the same way. I'm not saying that it was a bad thing, but I wasn't sure at all that I was ready to go through with our wedding, but he forced me to anyway."

"My father forced me as well," George said softly.

"Do you regret it?" A tiny smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

"Not one bit!" He grinned and planted a passionate kiss on her lips. "I missed you today," he whispered into her ear.

"Make love to me, George," she murmured. "I want to feel you inside me."


The next time Jane saw her sister-in-law, Queen Anne Boleyn, Anne was crying as if her heart would break.

"What's wrong?" Jane went to Anne and embraced her.

"I lost the baby," Anne sobbed.

"I'm so sorry," Jane said.

"Henry...Henry said that I miscarried my savior."

"He's just upset and disappointed," Jane told her. "He'll get over it, and you can try again soon."

Anne shook her head. "This is the third time it's happened. I heard Henry say he'd never get a son from me. I've already been replaced in his affections. I saw him with that Seymour whore on his lap. That made me so upset that I lost the baby, but even that wasn't the worst thing."

"How could anything be worse than that?"

"My father accused me of doing something to kill the baby."

"He didn't!" Jane was shocked. "Doesn't he realize how much pain you're in? Why would he say something like that to make you feel even worse?"

"Because to him, my baby and I are merely objects to be used to advance his own position," Anne said miserably. "So instead of being heartbroken over the loss of his grandchild, he's instead angry that he's now in danger of falling from Henry's favor."

"I'm so sorry, Anne," said Jane. She held her sister-in-law and let the other woman cry on her shoulder.


"Do you understand now what I meant about him?" George asked Jane after she had told him about the incident. "I consider my other sister, Mary, to be fortunate, as even though she's been banished from court, at least she's out from under our father's influence now."

"Why can't we leave court as well?" asked Jane. "I'd much rather be safe with you somewhere else and away from all the envious gossip mongers."

"Ah, Jane, you know it's not as simple as that." George sighed deeply and ran his fingers through his hair. "This is the kind of life I've been brought up to lead. For me to try to live as Mary's husband William Stafford would be like a fish trying to live on land, not to mention the hell my father would put me through if I ever even tried anything like that."

"Why can't you and Anne stand up to him?"

"We've always been too afraid of losing his love," George told her.

What love? Jane thought, but she didn't say anything.


A few days later Jane received a surprise visit from Thomas Cromwell. The look on his face sent chills down her spine.

"Come with me," he said coldly.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"Somewhere where we won't be disturbed. I want to ask you some questions about your husband's relationship with his sister the Queen."