Author's Note: Okay, so this is more of a shorter chapter too. I'm not gonna babble on to all who reviewed the first chapter! I'm glad you like it! Read and Review!
The room fell silent, even the bustle of ladies and servants ceasing as they heard the doctors pronouncement. Anne's gut-wrenching sobs fell quiet as she stared in disbelief. Even Henry was stunned.
The doctor was the first to recover, sending orders for servants to fetch Anne's goblet from the day before from the kitchen. The bustle resumed as they hurried to obey. King Henry gaped at Anne, whose face was tear streaked, before open and closing his mouth a few times, as if about to speak. Just as abruptly, he turned and left, needing time to absorb the shock. Anne's keening started again as what the doctor had said finally sunk in, crying for her murdered prince. No one paid her any attention now, lost in their own shock. She lay in her grand state bed, the sheets still bloody, blood seeping out of her, holding a pillow to her chest, her nails clawing at her chest and stomach in pain, as the bustle around her continued, oblivious to her grief.
Henry stormed into his privy chamber, Cromwell looking up, noting with glee the murderous look on his sovereign's face, thinking it was directed at Anne. He bowed to the King, who bellowed, "Somebody has put pennyroyal in the Queen's wine to kill our child! I want the person responsible found and thrown in the dankest, smallest dungeon cell in the Tower, and racked half to death, then I want him executed as a traitor!". These words caused the smile on Cromwell's face to drop, and he just stared, causing Henry to proceed to grab the nearest object, a glass vase, and throw it at the wall, inches from Cromwell's head.
"NOW!" he yelled at his terrified counselor, who scurried as quickly as his great bulk would allow from the room. Henry gave a roar, chucking another goblet at the wall before promptly falling into a chair and giving way to tears of anger and grief.
The goblet was brought down from the kitchen. The doctor examined it thoroughly. He then looked at the midwives.
"Somebody has been dosing the Queen for awhile. This was a well-thought out plot. We must tell the King." He told them.
They nodded, and a messenger was dispatched. He then concocted a sleeping draught for the Queen. She needed rest, and it was likely she wouldn't fall asleep on her own.
Cromwell paced his chambers, trying to plan his next move. He had already written out a list of possible suspects, and set his spies on them. He just needed evidence. But he knew this latest incident was going to destroy his plans. The King would be too full of anger to even consider putting his wife aside. He may have fallen out of love with her, but someone trying to harm her, his wife, Queen, then pregnant with his son, would turn his anger from the Queen to anyone else. He would never put her aside know, and to even suggest it would draw suspicion on his own head. No, this ill-timed plot was the ruin of his plans. It was now obvious that the Queen would stay.
He looked up as he heard a knock at his door. He nodded to a servant to open it, revealing one of his spies. The man entered, bowing.
"What is it? Have you found something?" Cromwell demanded.
"Yes, Master Secretary. I was tailing William Brereton, as you know. He went to the Seymour's chambers. I overheard him talking to Sir Edward and Lady Jane.. He mentioned that his plan was successful. He didn't refer to the Queen's miscarriage, but it seems likely that was the plot he referred to. Both Seymours seemed overjoyed. While he was busy there, I went to his chambers. I found this in his desk." The servant reached into his pocket, pulling out a small bag. He handed it to Cromwell, who opened it, peering inside. A grin stretched across his face.
"Pennyroyal… Good work…" He nodded, passing a bag of coins to the man, before turning to a servant. "Send word to the King." He then turned to a man-at-arms. "Arrest Sir William Brereton, Sir Edward Seymour, and Lady Jane Seymour, and have them conducted to the Tower on charges of High Treason."
TBC
A/N: I know it's short. What do you think about the plot so far? Is it believable? Read and review, please! Next update soon!