Anne was making her way towards Jane's rooms, when the herald called out, announcing the king. She swept into an elegant curtsy with the rest of the court as Henry approached. He passed her without a glance and Anne couldn't help but be nettled by it. She still didn't quite know what she wanted from him, but was considering asking him leave to head back to her estates in Pembroke. It had been far too long since she had visited and if Henry was going to blatantly ignore her, there was no reason for her to be here. There hadn't even been any other news in regards to her own marriage. Ever since the betrothal between the Seymour scum had failed, there was no movement to seal her to another. Henry had made such a big deal out of her submitting to another marriage, but now he dragged his feet, acting as if it was not of any importance. The man was insufferable.
Anne rolled her eyes as the royal procession passed her and she continued her way towards the queen's apartments. She entered without any fanfare and began her work. She immediately noticed something different about today. The rest of the queen's ladies were mulling around silently, trying not to wake their still sleeping mistress. Anne glanced towards the window and gauged that it was well into the morning. Jane normally rose quite early and typically at this time she would be finishing breaking her fast and moving on with the rest of her day. For her to still be asleep at this hour was certainly unnatural. Anne sent a quick prayer that her friend was feeling alright. There were rumors of the sweat in the countryside and Anne prayed it had not found it's way to court.
Her looks of concern did not go unnoticed though, as Ursula caught her attention. They were polishing a few of the queen's jewels when her friend muttered under her breath, "Poor dear. This one's hitting her harder than the last time..."
Instantly, Anne's eyes snapped from the ruby in her hand to her friend. "What? What's harder?"
"The pregnancy!" Ursula hissed lowly. "It's practically draining the life from her! You can't seriously have missed it..."
Anne was shocked into silence. She had had no inclination that Jane was pregnant. She was so wrapped up in her own drama that she had not spent as much time with the queen. Jane hadn't confided in her. Anne glanced towards the bedchamber, where slight rustling had started. Jane was finally rising, and Anne quickly rose. She ignored Ursula's sharp words at being abandoned and made her way into Jane's private chamber. She didn't usually assist the queen in such personal, lowly activities such as this and her arrival brought out wide eyes in the queen's new maid. Little Kitty Howard rose an eyebrow at the intrusion.
"Can I help you?" She asked haughtily and Anne wanted to scoff at the flighty little thing. Her little cousin had all the Howard beauty, but had none of the respect a young girl should have towards her betters.
"You can run along now, Mistress Howard." She said sternly. "Go make sure the queen's gown is ready for her. She will be out momentarily." The girl looked conflicted between not wanting to obey Anne and wanting to get out of her duties preparing the queen for her day. In the end, her laziness bought out and she skipped past Anne.
Anne rolled her eyes at the foolishness and parted the curtains, making her way into the darker room. Jane had just risen and Anne picked up her robe from where it had been discarded the night before. If Jane was surprised by Anne's presence, she didn't say so. She only raised her arms and allowed Anne to help her into the robe. She cinced it around her waist and before she could do much else, she had doubled over her chamber pot. Anne had jumped at her sudden movements, but rushed forward, pulling the queen's undone braid out of her face as she heaved. Anne smiled wryly, remembering her own morning sickness from her multiple pregnancies. It was certainly not a fun time, and she no longer begrudged her friend the extra sleep. Once Jane had emptied her stomach, she flopped onto the floor.
"Well I guess you know what's happening now, don't you?" Jane practically whispered. "Soon they'll all know and be speculating how far along I am. Placing bets as to when I'll deliver..."
Chuckling slightly, Anne moved to the basin of water by Jane's vanity. She dipped some cloth into the chilly water, wringing the extra out and making her way back to the sweaty queen. She pushed the limp blonde hair from her clammy forehead and wiped her face clean.
"How did you go through this three times?" Jane croaked hoarsely. "It wasn't near this bad with...the last time." Anne nodded sympathetically. Her own morning sickness had been brutal each time she had fallen with child and she didn't envy Jane.
"It'll pass soon enough. You'll forget about it in no time." Anne assured. "And soon you'll start showing. Let them place their bets. It'll mean nothing to you once the babe is placed in your arms. Trust me." She held out a hand and the queen took it gratefully. After Jane was back on her feet, they moved towards the privy chamber together.
"Won't you sit with me?" Jane gestured towards the seat opposite her and Anne took it gratefully. "Mistress Howard? Would you fetch the marquess a plate as well?" Jane spoke evenly, but the girl sent an envious look towards Anne before turning sullenly. Anne bit back a smile.
"I actually wanted to speak with you, Your Majesty..." Anne said formally. Now that they were around others, she needed to be as deferential as possible. "About my daughter, the Princess Elizabeth."
Jane nodded. "Yes, of course. His Majesty has just informed me of a possible betrothal for the princess. The dauphin's little brother Charles, Duke of Orleans..."
Anne gritted her teeth. So he had told everyone but her...Elizabeth's own mother. "It is a fine match..." She managed to say pleasantly. "..I only wish I had been consulted in the matter..." Jane nodded sympathetically. "But the king will do as he wishes."
"Yes...Yes he will..." Jane's eyes roamed towards Kitty as the woman approached and practically slammed the plate in front of Anne. Anne watched the interaction with knowing eyes. When his wife was pregnant his eye would always roam to her ladies. If it wasn't pretty little Kitty, it would be another. Perhaps he would even succeed in seducing Ursula. As Anne surveyed Jane's waxy complexion and exhausted eyes, she did not envy her position in the slightest.