A/N: A big 'Thank You!' to Redluna, the dark euphie, Guest, ValueMyHeart, EugeniaVictoria, CocoRocks, Lily Anne Rose and ReganX for your reviews. They mean a lot to me. Thanks also to those who added this little story to your favorite/follow list. I really did not expect such a reception to this little plot bunny.


"Tell me, Sir Henry. Are you engaged yet to Lady Margaret?" Henry leaned back into his heavy, carved chair after asking his old friend that question.

After hearing that conversation between the Seymours, he was not in the best mood. However, he was determined to put it behind him and think it through later. After all, he had reasoned, the Seymours were nothing. They had no allies or friends and were fully dependant on his good favor – his good favor upon Jane which he was reconsidering.

"No, Your Majesty. I have not so far asked for her hand," replied Sir Henry Norris, moving a piece forward on the chess board.

"Well, for God's sake man. She's young. She… " at this point, Henry paused.

He remembered the short period of time when Lady Margaret, or Madge as she had insisted to be called, had been his mistress. She was a pleasant, agreeable girl, not particularly captivating or witty but even through their brief courtship, he could see that she would make an obedient wife. A bit dull, perhaps, but she would be proper and discreet. He could not imagine Madge throwing fits or demanding to know where her husband went, which was just as well. It was never proper for a wife to be so arrogant to presume that she could control her husband – the man she promised in her wedding vows to always honor as her lord and master.

"Where are you going?" she had strode out of the castle and into the courtyard as if she owned the place and put herself right next to him, obstructing him from mounting his horse.

"Out." he replied shortly, his tone curt and leaving no room for argument or comment. She should have taken the chance and left him but she never did have any sense whatsoever, always determined in getting her way and giving in to no man. Her strong spirit had formerly enticed him but was now just cumbersome.

"Where?" she asked, her tone light. But he could hear the hardness in her voice. She would make a scene and no doubt had no qualms about embarrassing him.

"Get back inside," he said, lightly shoving her aside. For a moment, he thought that she would leave, as an obedient wife would, but she persisted.

"Where are you going? I want to know." She positioned herself so that her eyes which were once so captivating to him seemed to hook deep into his soul, not letting go. He tore his gaze away from them. It was easier now for him to do so then it was in the past when she had him practically a slave to her beautiful, blue eyes.

"It is none of your business," he said coldly, unable to believe that she would try shame him by deliberately flouting his expressed wishes in public. He laid his hand firmly on her shoulder and pushed her harder towards the castle. "It is my pleasure that you go back now." He felt a tinge of guilt as she stumbled. What if he had hurt her? However, that brief sense of guilt was quickly extinguished. It was a wife's duty to bow to the wishes of her husband and he could not be faulted for using force if she insisted in disobeying him.

"Majesty," she replied, her tone deferral but her curtsy was mocking him and so was her face. There was not a hint that she respected him as her Sovereign. Her whole manner spoke of a woman far too confident and pleased with her lot in life until she had forgotten who had raised her to those heights to begin with.

He watched her leave, her stride graceful despite her anger, her dark curls streaming down her back. Was it only a short while ago when he deeply loved everything about her, from her penetrating eyes to her slender neck? Now everything about her displeased him, from her total disrespect towards his exalted state over her to her inability to shut her mouth and endure.

His mood soured due to her impertinence and he turned away from her not even taking the time to make sure she had followed his instructions to return to the castle.

"Your Majesty?" at Norris' concerned tone, Henry was brought back to his chess game. He pursed his lips in displeasure. Damn her. She would not leave him alone even in his thoughts. Anne, for all her faults, captivated him like no other. And now she was with child. His child. There was the possibility that she would finally fulfill her promise and bear him a son. If she did, he would gladly pardon her of her past offences towards him - her Lord, Master and King. If she did not, however... If (God forbid) she miscarried the child or it was just another girl... Henry felt a tight knot of displeasure in his stomach.

Henry was aware of Norris staring at him with a tinge of worry on his face when he failed to say anything. "Sir Henry. I was just thinking of... certain matters." Henry had no intention of revealing to Norris his most private and personal thoughts. He tightened his lips and forced his mind back to what they were discussing before that woman had managed to cast her spell over him and utterly consume his thoughts. Madge. They were talking about Madge.

"You know what, Sir Henry? You're courting a young lady. And I'm…" at this, Henry paused. Was he courting Jane? Or was she ensnaring him? They would like to see the Queen replaced… I should be Queen instead of her?

Norris was looking at him expectantly, waiting for him to finish his sentence. But Henry could not. For the seed of an idea was forming in his mind.

How much would the Lady Jane do to be Queen?


A/N: So here it is! The first chapter. I work under the assumption that although Jane might penetrate Henry's thoughts now and then, he is still very much obsessed with Anne. This fic is not going to end up with Henry/Jane, in case you haven't guessed. Do leave a review or send me a PM!