Henry thrummed his fingers over the arm of his throne as he listened to the petitioners halfheartedly. His mind kept going back to his conversation with Anne. She had been so beautiful in the sunshine, surrounded by greenery and fresh blooms. He had been so pleased to get some time alone with her, but it had been ruined by talk of Thomas Seymour. He glared down to where the Seymour brother's were standing and his eyes narrowed at the younger brother.

Why the hell had he thought this was a good idea? He had been so sure that Anne would be miserable, but here she was, prancing around like she had no care in the world. As if she was looking forward to this marriage! And that Seymour whoreson looked as if he couldn't be more pleased. And why shouldn't he? Anne was a beautiful, young woman. Still in the prime of her life and mother to a princess of England. Marriage to her brought even more prestige and wealth and clearly the Seymour brothers were taking advantage of Henry's mistake.

Annoyed, he ended the session early and stormed from the presence chamber. His thoughts drifted to Anne. His conversation with her had been infuriating, but some things she had said had stuck with him. Her words of passion and love had inflamed something in him that he thought he had buried long ago. His lust for her had not diminished at all, but his tenderness towards her had died with each miscarriage. Standing in front of her yesterday he had seen the vulnerable, young woman he had fallen in love with. The passionate goddess who had engulfed his entire being. Seeing her today, it was hard to remember that their entire courtship had been orchestrated by her family. It was hard to think she didn't have real feelings for him, as he had for her.

Shaking the thoughts away, he turned the corner and his eyes caught Sir Thomas Boleyn, Anne's father. Determined, he strode towards the man. Clearly, bringing him back to court had not worked in his favor so far. Perhaps it was time to speak more clearly. Surely, Boleyn could educate his daughter.

"Sir Thomas." he greeted coldly, watching the older man sink into a bow, rising with a sly smile.

"Your Majesty! I thank you for bringing me back to court, my lord. I am grateful to be back and serving at your behest"

Henry snorted at the man's choice of words. If he truly wanted to serve his sovereign, he would control his daughter!

"Walk with me." he demanded curtly.

The two made their way through court, back towards Henry's privy chamber.

"I must thank you, Your Majesty, for forming such a...rewarding betrothal for my daughter, the Marquess. I was so afraid that she'd be alone for so long, without the protection of a husband. I will be much more at ease when she is under someone's protection. Marrying her into the queen's family...that will put to rest any ill-gotten ideas that there are still feelings between the two of you." Henry was surprised by the man's bluntness, but he continued. "After all, I have heard rumors that the reason as to the delay has been to wait to see when her majesty delivers. After the last painful ordeal for the queen, there are some that believe that your marriage to Anne might be valid and that you will return to her." Henry couldn't help staring at the man in shock. How dare he presume to say such things? To tell him, THE KING, what he should and should not do? Especially when it came to the succession. He opened his mouth, about to curse the man, when Boleyn continued smoothly.

"Of course they are wrong to say such things! Queen Jane is the rightful queen, her sons your rightful heirs. I'm sure her majesty will fall with child soon and put all rumors to rest. And as soon as Anne and Thomas' betrothal is announced, that will sure put a stop to anyone saying you intend to put her back on the throne."

Henry shot the man a warning glare, but couldn't well dispute him. He spent the rest of the walk telling Boleyn about issues that he needed his help on-certain diplomatic addresses and such- but couldn't get his words out of his head.

Was he being too hasty, marrying Anne off? He did have one healthy daughter from her, more than he could say about Jane, and it wouldn't be too hard to declare their marriage valid, nullifying his union with Jane... Then Anne would have no choice but to return to his bed...and what with their conversation in the gardens she had obviously learned her place and he doubted she would raise such a fuss again if he took mistresses.

Perhaps he should wait. Call off the vexing Seymour betrothal and see what happened. He had already resigned to giving Jane one more chance. If things fell though, it wouldn't be that bad to have a back up plan waiting in the wings. Elizabeth was already his heir until a son was born, it wouldn't matter much to what woman he would come from.

The more he thought of Thomas Boleyn's words, the more he liked the idea. All he'd have to do was come up for a reason to break the betrothal. And that certainly wouldn't cause him any grief.

A/N: So so sorry for the delay! Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! I will try to post again this week as an apology!