Jane Seymour Part 6

I am to see the King once more. I have not seen him since the day of our first kiss. The King and I are going to go for a stroll in the gardens today. The King has insisted on chaperones. This is somewhat frustrating but it pleases me to know that the King respects me enough to take such precautions.

I am helped into a blush pink gown which I choose out specially as I feel that the colour compliments my fair skin tone and light hair. I hope that I please the King and that he finds me attractive. I leave my blonde hair tumbling down my back in loose waves. As I leave my chambers I am filled with great anticipation. I couldn't wait to see my love once more.

I curtsy before him and kiss the ring upon his finger before we make our way out to the gardens. It is still winter so I put on warm furs which to my disappointment cover my dress. Dew covers the morning grass and signs of frost sit upon bare bushes. The gardens seem lifeless at this time of year however his majesty's presence makes the walk as pleasurable as it would have been in the midst of summer.

We begin our walk with pleasantries filled with stiff manners which I have been taught to use while in the company of others. As the walk goes on the King begins to enquire into my life back home and the family to which I belong. For the first time in my life I feel like someone is genuinely interested in what I have to say. I tell him of my home, my siblings and my parents and he holds on to each word like I'm spelling out the secret to eternal life. As I spoke I felt the loneliness of a life disappear.

When I finished he asked me a question " Do you care for me, Jane?"

I was unsure how to react to such a question. I was careful with my answer knowing it was the King with whom I was speaking.

" Of course your Grace" were the words in which I choose hoping to god they were the right ones.

There was a short pause filled with silence before the King opened is mouth again.

"I'm glad for I care for you very deeply"

I smiled bowing my head downwards towards my feet in a bashful glare.

" I have reason to believe that my wife has been ... well disloyal to me. This offence is treason and she will be placed before a court to be tried for the crimes in which she has been accused of."

The Kings words shocked me. I gulped down the lump which had grown in my throat as I thought about the possibilities that such a situation could give me. The King then placed a chaste kiss upon my lips and spoke the soft words " I hope to see you again soon, my love."

We bid each other farewell and then he was gone. Everything felt so still and so empty without him around but he left me with hope. Hope of a new life which would be filled with so many exciting new experiences. I couldn't help but feel that soon my life may change forever.

Days passed without any word concerning the Queen her crimes or when her trial would be held. Rumours flew around court. Some people claimed that she was a witch. People said she slept with the musician Mark Smeeton and most shockingly of all it was said that she had lay with her own brother. I knew that these crimes were punishable by death and as bad is it may be I prayed to god for a guilty verdict.

It was not until over a week after our garden walk that it was announced that the Queen would be tried the next week. The Queen was being imprisoned at the tower awaiting whatever was to come next for her. Between the announcement and the trial his majesty and I met every single day. We got to know each other occasionally sharing gentle kisses. Rarely did we speak about the trial or Queen Anne but the King still managed to make his intentions towards me clear. He wanted me to be his wife. This role in which he wished me to undertake scared me in more that one respect. For one I had never been a wife and was unsure of some of the duties which one must undertake however my main concern was the fact that the King longed for a son above all other things. I feared that I would be unable to provide him with a male heir. Would he also dispose of me if I could not give him the thing he has longed for most of all?

Next chapter will be the trial of Queen Anne.