Jane flushed with embarrassment. You'd think after the months of her pregnancy, her difficult birth, and every check-up since she'd be used to Doctor Linacre looking at such a private part of her, but as she smoothed her skirts back over her knees, she doubted she'd ever be comfortable. Even if the doctor was only seeing to her health.
Just under three months had passed since Prince Edward had left this world. The court had moved on quickly, resuming normal affairs with the King presiding over them. Jane had been allowed the respite of hiding away in her rooms for this long, but her sanctuary was coming to an end- if Linacre's smile was anything to go on.
As she suspected, his words were optimistic.
"Good news, Your Majesty! It seems your rest has paid off. I see no lasting damage from your birth and no reason why you would be unable to conceive again." The ladies in the room all released a sigh of relief, as did Jane. Now all she had to do would be wait and see what Henry would do. He had come to visit her only twice. Once a few days after her little Edward took his last breath and then once a few weeks ago. He had been angry with her both times, but markedly less so the second visit.
She knew that when he first came to see her it was purely for appearances sake. He had asked after her health with a completely emotionless voice and she had answered him humbly. It had been a short visit-one made purely to satisfy the courtiers. So no one could accuse him of neglect. Then he had left her to alone again.
He had come back just the one other time, and although it was still obvious that he was angry with her, she could detect a hint of warmth in his tone and he seemed genuinely interested in her progress. She had listened to Edward and Thomas and did her best to convince him that she was recovering nicely and he had responded to her enthusiasm in the best way she could honestly expect. He had even kissed her hand and called her sweetheart. She knew it was calculated though. She had seen him respond positively after Elizabeth's birth and had watched as he had even forgiven Anne's first miscarriage. She was grateful that Henry was signaling that she would be given a second chance, but she knew that she wouldn't be given a third.
She knew that he would be pleased at this new development and sent the doctor with one of her ladies, and her sincere thanks, straight to his chambers to deliver the news. Her brothers had made it clear that she should rejoin court as soon as possible. They had been irritated that she had taken this long-but Jane had been adamant that she should go off of the advice from Linacre. She was glad she had stood firm, as Linacre had hinted that rushing it would be dangerous.
It had actually been on Anne's advice that Jane resisted her brothers. She had been the only one who had been solely concerned with her overall health, and not of other benefits. She had been there for Jane through almost every stage of her grief and Jane now found her indispensable. When she had recounted how Henry's second visit went, Anne had been insistent that Jane use the grace she was given to make the most of her recovery time.
"He's already insinuated that he forgives you" She remembered her saying. "It is not worth endangering yourself further by trying to get out of bed a week or two before your body is ready. Take your time, your brothers are no experts on the female body-no matter how much Thomas thinks he is- Doctor Linacre IS."
Her words had made her laugh, but they had been so sincere. Jane knew it was what Anne had wanted to hear from family after her miscarriages and she pitied her for not having someone in her life at those tough times. She just thanked God in all her prayers that she had spoken up when Anne had been arrested. Her actions had given her a second chance to know the amazing woman.