Jane's rooms were hectic as everyone rushed to be ready for the king's arrival. Only minutes ago a page had delivered the news that Henry would visit his wife for the first time in over a week, and now everyone was scrambling to look their best-none more so than the queen. She pinched her cheeks to make them appear rosy and glanced into the mirror-practicing a welcoming smile. She had been determined to not let her impatience show. However furious she was at Henry ignoring her for so long, she could not let him know. She would push everything away and welcome him graciously.
Her practiced smile came in handy only a few moments later, as her husband swept into the room with his retinue. She could see the stress from the last week etched into all their faces and she felt a wave of sympathy come over her for them. After greeting her husband, she turned towards one of her ladies.
"Fetch Master Smeaton for us please" she directed at Henry's latest mistress and then to her sister "And run to the kitchens for some pastries and meats. I'm sure these fine gentlemen deserve some rest" her words were met with an approving nod from Henry and grateful smiles from the whole room. The ladies rushed to carry out her orders and she and Henry walked to the window seat, catching some privacy as the others began to mingle. However, as they sat, his words surprised her.
"How has the Marquess been received in your rooms" Jane stared at him open mouthed for a half of a second before she composed herself.
"Anne?" he nodded and Jane felt all her frustrations that she had forced away come back tenfold. She had not seen her husband for over a week! And the first thing he wants to talk about was his ex-wife?! "She's been well, Your Majesty. Things may have been a little strained in the beginning, but they have been calm for quite some time now." she struggled at keeping the irritation out of her voice, but Henry was too distracted.
"Your ladies have not been mistreating her?" he asked expressionlessly "YOU have not been mistreating her?" now an edge of accusation cut through his tone and Jane was speechless.
"Of course not, Your Majesty! Has the lady complained of any mistreatment?" she racked her brain, trying to recall the last conversations she had with Anne-but could think of no ill will between them.
"No, she would never complain. I just want to assure her well being. She is the mother of my beloved Elizabeth, after all" At this point he glanced away from her as Anne Bassett returned with Mark in tow. Jane flushed with embarrassment and anger as her husband strode away from her to join his mistress. Jane couldn't believe that after ignoring her for so long he would walk into her rooms and speak to her like this. She was glad that the other occupants of the room seemed distracted by the entertainment and were not noticing her humiliation. One person, however, noticed everything. Jane met eyes with her older brother from across the room and Edward glared at her. He had been warning her about her friendship with Anne since they had first met an understanding. She had remembered his words clearly
"That harlot will never be a friend of yours, Jane" he had hissed into her ear. "Her interests will always run counter to yours-the birth of your son will be the fall of her daughter. You can never trust her"
Jane had been determined to believe that Edward was wrong. Anne had accepted the fate of her daughter when she had stepped down as queen. By allowing Henry to remarry she had almost guaranteed that Elizabeth would not ascend to the throne. She would remain a princess, but Jane's son would be the next king. Jane's fingers moved over the swell of her stomach and urged her heart to stop pounding out of fear.