Thomas Wyatt was normally a calm man but learning of his wife's affair made he was mad with fury. Her being with the King made it even worse. There was nothing he could do. Learning that the child she loss wasn't his made him feel even worse.
Now that she was his official mistress it was even worse. He became cold and distant with her. Seeing her become giddy over the dresses and jewels he sent her made him blind with anger. Made him want to choke her. Or beat her. He thought back to when he smacked her. He was livid.
Thomas paced back and forth in front of the fire. He was on his fifth goblet of wine. He looked back as Elizabeth came in. "Where have you been?" he asked.
"With His Majesty," she replied.
"You're nothing but a whore! Once he tires of you you'll be nothing."
"That won't happen. He loves me. He'll find a way to divorce the Queen and we will be wed."
He stared her. "He told you this?"
She didn't reply. So it was something she made up in her head. "You're fooling yourself. He'll never leave Anne. He loves her. She's safe. Secure. She's given him two sons now."
"And I will give him more!"
"No! You need to stop. How do you think this makes me look?! Do you care nothing for me? For our marriage?!"
"You're the one who started it. You slept with that whore!"
He smacked her. "Do not speak of her that way!"
Elizabeth stared at him in shock. Five years. Five years of marriage and he never struck her. Until now. "Get out!"
He said nothing and left.
Thinking about it now he regret what he did but he meant ever thing that he said. Everyone whispered about how tragic it was. Finding out in the worst way that his son wasn't his son. In a way he was glad. He found out early on and not until the boy would grow into his looks and then he would see.
The King visited him the next day after his wife was given her title. Just looking at the King made Thomas want to punch him.
"Sir Thomas."
He half bowed. "Your Majesty."
"I'm sure you're pleased, yes? Your wife is a Viscountess now. She'll be respected and treated as she should."
"Yes. It's a great honor," he lied smoothly. "I'm glad it was your child rather some unknown man. Makes me feel good knowing that my wife is your capable hands."
"Hmm. Her Majesty must be restless. Why don't you pay her a visit? I'm sure she misses you dearly."
Against his better judgement Thomas did visit her. Anne was surprisingly calm about the situation.
"Sir Thomas. Are you enjoying your stay here at court?"
She knew he wasn't but she did want to tease him just a bit.
"You know very well how I feel."
"No I don't. Tell me."
"Hmm. The so called love of my life is not mine. She tortures me when she holds his hand. Looks him in his eyes. Her mouth says 'I love you' and he whispers it back. My heart break seeing that what's mine was never mine to begin with. For who can refuse a mighty Prince as great as he. Who can say no to a night of passion, sweet wine, and the gifts that go along with it?"
"Do you speak of me or your wife?"
He sighed. "I don't know. But she is not my wife. I'm going to divorce her."
"Henry won't agree to that."
"Maybe."
It was quiet between them. Thomas thought of something. "If I weren't married at the time would you have married me?"
"Perhaps. There was also Henry Percy. To think. I would be a Countess instead of a Queen. I think I would have liked the country life better."
"Yes. You would have."
XXXXXXXX
Elizabeth giggled and sighed in pleasure as Henry kissed and nipped at her neck. "Why couldn't we have met sooner?"
"Hmm. I don't know."
"Do you love me?"
Henry hesitated. He remembered that his father told him that any king who said that he loved his mistress rocked the foundation of his own throne. "Never flaunt a mistress above your Queen," he had said.
But he had ignored his father's advice. Many times over in fact. He felt bad but it was his right to take mistresses.
"Elizabeth. You know I do."
She sat up. "Then say it."
"No."
She pouted. "And why not?"
"I can't."
"Fine." She turned over with her back facing him.
He groaned. Why were women so difficult?
"Elizabeth. Don't be that way. You know I care about you. And we will have more sons."
She turned to him. "Promise?"
He smiled. "Promise."
XXXXXXXXXXX
Anne didn't know how far along she was but she knew she was pregnant. She also knew Lady Wyatt was most likely pregnant too.
"Nan! Fetch a midwife."
After Mistress Porter finished examining her she sighed with relief. "Well?"
"You're about two months along. I say the child will be due around late May or early June."
Anne felt a rush of happiness. Finally she would have her Elizabeth.
During the night Anne would constantly rub her belly. Whisper words of encouragement for her daughter to grow and become strong. "Elizabeth. My own heart."
When Anne's house arrest was over her household came back to court. King Francis made it safely to England. He was excited about the betrothal.
"Your Majesties," he greeted.
Henry stood and hugged him. "No. Brother."
"Brother," Francis amended. He turned to Anne.
"Queen Anne. A great honor."
"I'm delighted you are here. The journey was safe?"
"Yes. No troubles. Where is the Prince of Wales?"
"He shall be here for the feast," Henry said. "You will met him then."
Francis nodded.
"There is also someone else in would like you to meet."
When Elizabeth stepped forward the court gasped. They couldn't believe that their King was introducing his mistress to the French King.
Francis was a bit surprised and felt that Henry was being disrespectful to his wife and Queen.
"Viscountess of Beauchamp. She is my official mistress."
Francis bowed slightly. "Madame Beauchamp. A pleasure."
Elizabeth smiled charmingly and with triumph while Anne glared.
