Chapter 4: Choice

Calmly she peered around the empty room and crept silently towards the vacant bed. Her fingers trailing along the smooth decorative sheets as she slowly paced towards the headboard. Soundlessly she caressed the stark white pillow and leaned forward to inhale his Majesty's masculine scent. Bitterness emanated from her slender form as she raised herself and swiftly pulled the vibrant red coverlet and snowy white linen back and began to prepare the bed for the freshly cleaned sheets.

"My own darling" he had whispered "I must do my duty" his voice dripped with condescension. "You need not concern yourself with my personal matters" he sighed as his arms encircled her waist "I care only for your Majesty's happiness " she demurred. "I want so very much to engage in our own future contentment". Her eyes lingered earnestly on his impassive face. "My gratification" he exclaimed "Is bound to the conception of a male heir"

His agitation was evident as he ran his hands rapidly through his auburn hair. "As is your Majesty's Right" she fawned "I only wish to aid in the preservation of your Majesty's true and future line" she simpered. "Am I not the King'' he snapped. Hastily disentangling himself from her tender embrace and marching towards the door. "You can not yet conceive our son madam and I am disinclined to wait". She blanched at his parting words. Carelessly thrown over his shoulder in the course of his retreat. "Your Majesty" she breathed as his tall broad figure disappeared from sight.

Bitterly she struck the immaculate pillow at her heated reflection. Henry had not sought out her company for the past month and every morning found him ensconced in the harlot's bed, her pliant figure nestled into his possessive embrace. Jane knew not how she bore the humiliation. He had promised her Queenship and now designated her to servitude. A wife in waiting or a failed mistress she knew not.

Sighing, she gathered the crumpled quilt and placed it upon the footboard. Her cornflower blue eyes unwittingly drifted towards the concubines Ivory pillow and lingered on the delicate strands of ebony hair that marred the immaculate shade of alabaster. Her footsteps followed her unconsciousness as she meandered forwards. Her mind recoiled at the image of the courtesan cocooned in his Majesty's arms and her vision blurred as tears pooled in her eyes. "It was all for nothing" she breathed as the first tear breached her eyelid and dropped to the bedding below.

Regretfully she peered down at the splash of moisture upon the bed and startled. Promptly wiping the tears from her eyes she glanced back down at the sheets below and noted the crimson smudge upon the blanched white linen. In sudden astonishment she ran her fingertips across the moist stain. "Blood" she whispered as she examined the steak of red that besmirched the tips of her fingers. "A few meagar drops," She grumbled.

Closing her eyes she contemplated her innocent knowledge of the intimacies existing between husband and wife. "Perhaps enough to signal she will not produce no heir" she surmised. Swiftly she turned and dashed towards the discarded collection of clothes awaiting the laundress. Rifling through the pile she quickly claimed the Queen's forsaken night clothes and found the corresponding blemish.

Exhilaration pounded within her "Queen in waiting no longer" she whispered. A breathless laugh escaped her lips "This farce is at an end" she breathed. A brilliant smile encompassing her lips and illuminating her eyes. "I must tell Edward" she muttered " We must be the first to bring this news to his Majesty".

Silently she walked towards the dividing curtains and in a quiet manner slipped between the drapes. "No" she whispered to herself as she scanned the surrounding room. Swiftly masking herself behind the screen "The less who knows the better " she breathed. In haste she returned to the bed chamber and diligently removed the linens and precariously ensured the stained sheet was entombed at the bottom of the laundry. "Hidden for all intent and purpose from immediate discovery" She smiled.

Quietly she grasped the white night cloth and steadily paced towards the outer chamber. "Mistress Holland" Jane called quietly " I have completed my appointed assignment" she demurred "If It pleases you might I attend to a personal matter quickly while Her Majesty breaks her fast?" Smiling Jane behaved with all decorum and waited patiently "You may take your leisure time Mistress Seymour" Elizabeth Holland sighed "But do not tarry. The Queen will not stand for such insolence"

Curtsying Jane quietly advanced towards the door and steadily made her way to her family chambers.

Soundlessly Anne sat ensconced before the mirror. Her silent reflection staring back in contemplation. Lady Zouche stood silent gently combing the dark endless tressels that cascaded down her shoulders. "Lady Zouche" Anne whispered her head inclined, their eyes meeting in reflection. "Your Majesty" the lady breathed, calmly withdrawing at the evident dismissal. Lightly Anne rose, her graceful figure pacing restlessly before the fire. Her mind dwelling on the faint drops of blood that she had discovered upon rising and their sudden cessation.

Her hands locked before her stomach in pressured tension, finger twisting together in agitation. Pivoting she changed direction swiftly and continually paced the short distance heated by the flames."Henry" she murmured. "I must inform him soon" she muttered "or all else is lost". Discomposed she stopped "nonsensical, foolish girl" she seethed "Always passion, never prudence" Exhaling sharply she pressed her hand unto her face and sighed "I had thought I knew my own weakness" she laughed.

Inhaling she grasped her hips and raised her head. "I know not what to tell him" her hand reached up to tangle in the long length of her hair as she ran her finger though and clasped the ebony mass at the base of her neck. Her eyes focused on the fire as her hand slipped down her side and silence entombed her.

"Anne" the thunderous boom roused her from her unconsciousness. Curled upon the velvet seat before the dimming flames Anne had dozed. Serene and drowsy, her mind adrift. "Anne" the intense pitch roused her protective instinct and jolted her awake. Dazed, she scanned the room. Her sight locked with the cold, impassive eyes of her husband. "Henry" she demurred "I had thought to wait up for you but I must have drifted" her words cut short "You think to welcome me to your bed" he spat. His eyes aflame with fury.

"I think not to have my person stained with the blood of our unbegotten sons" he sneered. Shocked, Anne stared in astonishment. Her mind is unable to comprehend the cruelty of his scathing temper. "Silence will avail you nothing" he seethed. "We shall sign the contract tomorrow madam and then this foul farce shall be done". Raging, he strode towards the door. His shoulders taut with anger "Pity" he spat "Your deceptions avail you nothing". His seething figure disappeared into the darkness.

Anne sat her mouth agape "It is done" she sighed, her eyes drifted closed as she clutched her arms and leaned back into the comfort of the chair.