March 1541

His brother, Edward Seymour reflected, was an idiot. He'd hoped that the years spent cooling his heels on the continent as an envoy might have taught him better but it seemed that all Thomas had learned was an even higher opinion of himself and even less of an ability to not let the world know it. Oh he was charming, Edward thought, at least on the surface but he was still an idiot.

"Cromwell is a duke now - he is firmly in favour with both the King and the Queen - if Norfolk could not dislodge him then we certainly will not brother."

"But why should he have the ear of royalty when we, who are far better born do not? I say it is..."

"A hopeless cause. And if you are thinking of putting another one of our sisters before the king? He has not even looked at another woman these past years, let alone bedded one. So brother, it is better to find other ways to advance."

Edward was marginally pleased to hear his brothers grudging assent as he departed but he could tell it was through gritted teeth, which meant that his idiot brother no doubt bore some watching. Edward briefly put his face in his hands in frustration - just one more headache his brother was the cause of.

Thomas Seymour was fuming - why could his brother not be so damned timid and cautious and instead see that bold action was needed to restore the Seymour family fortunes, especially as Jane's time as the Kings mistress had bought them nothing but sneers and laughter. No, someone would have to do something to advance the family and if Edward would not, then Thomas would.

(The failure of the enterprise of the Earl of Norwich and the Duke of Norfolk is not in his mind).

His first thought had been to use one of his sisters but it was impossible - Dorothy was betrothed and Elizabeth was married now ( to Cromwell's son of all people) and, Thomas had to admit grudgingly that the king had eyes only for his wife. No, it would have to be something else. Something, thought Thomas Seymour smugly, more final. He could poison the Queen but then there was the still the matter of her children, all of whom were lauded as Princes and Princesses and all of whom would stand in line to the throne before any other children of any other wife, even if he could get his father to break Dorothy's betrothal agreement in the first place. While Thomas was sure he could talk Dorothy into doing her family duty and enticing the King he was less sure the King would be drawn to her (it would have been better if it was Elizabeth he could dangle in front of him, Thomas thought sourly - but Elizabeth would have no bar of him).

And then it occurred to him - what about Princess Mary? It was known that the King and the Queen were looking for a betrothal for her and it was also known that they were allowing her an unusual amount of choice in who she wished to wed. Why not put his suit forward, when it would be easy enough to charm the girl (she was comely, Thomas thought, so it would be no chore to court her) and marry her. And when she had birthed a couple of healthy sons, well, he was sure that the country would prefer a return to a good Catholic monarchy, he would be King, the Queens children could go the way of the Woodvilles and then finally he would have the power and acclaim that was only the due of a man of his stature.

Jane was content. Her husband had given her two beautiful children - Edward and Margery (even if it discomforted her that her husband's family liked to believe that Edward was the kings child, though he was not) and he adored her entirely, giving her the freedom to manage their house and family in way that many husbands would not. It makes her even gladder to have Mary Stafford so close by, especially as Jane could be there for Mary when her husband had died two years ago, leaving Mary alone with her children - though her future was a secure one, the lands and estate that had been granted to her husband automatically went to Mary to manage on behalf of their daughter Annie, who would eventually inherit her mothers title as Countess of Stafford, Jane knew it could still be lonely for Mary, especially as her daughter Catherine was married and her son William had gone to his Carey relatives to learn the running of the estate he would one day inherit.

She was glad to be there for Mary but lately, lately Jane had been feeling strangely around her friend. The kind of warmth and giddy feelings that she had heard other ladies talking of feeling around men, something that Jane had never felt. Oh to be sure, she had been delighted by the attention of King Henry but she had never felt this way before. Never lost herself in such detailed daydreams of King Henry's hair shining as he moved as she had about Mary's. No, Jane had slowly realised she was in love with Mary Stafford and she had no idea what to do with such feelings.

Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk looks down at the letter that has been sent to him by one of the servants he still pays to spy within the palace and considers its contents. There is no doubt that Thomas Seymour is an idiot, without the intelligence and cunning of his late and lamented Earl of Norwich that had made him a perfect agent but Seymour is a charming and handsome idiot and it's certainly possible that Mary could be dazzled by a handsome face and manner - but would it be enough for her to take the crown? After all he knows that the girl is overly fond of her half siblings and so is the country, Thomas thinks sourly, for having waited so long for a prince they now have three healthy boys.

He steeples his hands together, thinking. It is true that Mary would never attempt to wrest the crown from her half siblings but...perhaps she could be persuaded of the necessity of doing so in order to restore Catholicism to England. And if not, she could certainly be made to say the right words, as she is but a woman after all. And Thomas Seymour would make a useful figurehead, seeing as his oldest son has thrown his lot in with Cromwell, though perhaps Reginald Pole might also be willing to put aside his religious calling for more secular ambitions and Seymour can be disposed of just as he can send his cursed niece in to a nunnery.

The Duke of Norfolk sets himself to write several letters, all of which will be in code. It would not do to be found out, of course.