Finally, things were to be finalized. It had been a grueling process, sealing his precious daughter to the French king's second son, but Henry knew it was the right thing to do. Until Jane provided him with a son for England, little Elizabeth would be his heir. She had already been named the Princess Royal, but with her betrothal she would also be deeded with the duchy of Somerset. When the pair was wedded, he would also be granting the pair another title. Perhaps Charles would like to be the Duke of Calais. A duchess twice over and a Princess Royal: his daughter would be one of the highest peers in the realm. Until Jane gave him a son.

The reminder that he only had a little girl as his heir weighed on him heavily. Yes, Elizabeth was a bright child, one no father could ever find complaint of, but she was only a girl. A woman could never hold the throne of England. No, he needed a Prince of Wales to follow him and he had already waited too long. He glanced around his council chambers and bit his lip when he remembered that no Seymours sat the council right now. He would have to invite a few of them back. Perhaps Edward could be invited back. He had certainly been in the country too long. But not that cur, Thomas. The man had been insufferable during the brief betrothal to Anne and he had dared put his hands of what was Henry's.

As he dismissed his council, his thoughts dripped back to his raven-haired enchantress. He had tried to stay away from her since thoughts of her had led to him defiling Jane...but God it was hard. Even after all these years, she still held her beauty. Her face remained unlined, her thick, dark hair luminous, and her bright eyes...they ensnared him whenever they glanced his way. He had made a point to keep from dancing with her or speaking with her, but that didn't mean his gaze had not followed her around his court. Her lithe body twisting to the music every night had just about driven him mad. His hand clenched tightly at the memory of her just the other week. The scarlet silk had swirled out behind her as she danced and he couldn't help but remember when they had first begun their courtship.

When she had become his wife, she had abandoned the deep colors and adopted a more modest style. Now that she was again a single woman, she dressed as provocatively as she had before. The little vixen must be trying to entice him...

His thoughts were interrupted as the woman's own father stepped before him. "Your majesty!" Thomas Boleyn said respectfully, dipping into a bow. Henry gestured towards the seat opposite him.

"Sir Thomas. What can I do for you?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I was only wanting to talk about my daughter, Anne. Ever since that bastard Seymour showed his true colors, there has been no more talk about a further betrothal..."

Henry stared at the man in shock. Why the hell had he brought the man back again? He wanted him steering his daughter into the royal bed again, not into any others. Annoyance seeped into his tone as he bit out a response. "I have been quite busy, my lord. You have seen the struggles I have dealt with sealing the betrothal between your granddaughter and the french prince!" Boleyn nodded hastily.

"Of course, Your Majesty! I mean no disrespect. I had just wanted my darling Anne settled. She is still of a fertile age, but if she is to have any more children, it would do to have her married sooner rather than later. And there have been some troubling rumors..."

The mention of Anne pregnant again with a child not his own had him reeling and he almost missed Boleyn's other words. "What rumors?" He croaked.

"Oh nothing Your Majesty need concern yourself with!" Thomas said quickly. "Just courtiers talking about their betters like always."

"Tell me." Henry demanded. Anything about Anne he wanted to know.

"I have heard it said that if her majesty fails to deliver a prince for England then it is God's way of showing that you are still married to the marquess" Thomas said dramatically, clearly insinuating he did not believe what he was saying. "That she is your only wife to deliver a healthy, obedient, godly child and that Anne is your true wife and queen."

Henry felt the blood pounding in his ears as Sir Thomas spoke. How dare his courtiers gossip about such things?! He was the king! He had declared his marriage to Anne over and his marriage to Jane was truly lawful! They dare say he was wrong?! He slammed his hand on the table. "Who is saying this?" He demanded hotly, but Boleyn just raised his arms in the air calmly.

"Who is to say, Your Majesty? Foolish people who think they know God's work." Boleyn's own flippancy did little to calm Henry's temper though. "Hence why I thought another betrothal for her would end these rumors. Especially when the queen delivers and Anne herself has a child."

Again, Henry's heart raced at the thought. He had spent so many years wanting to share that with her-wanting to see her present a little boy in the image of his father in all ways. He didn't even want to think of another man sharing that moment with his Anne.

"I will think about it, Sir Thomas..." he said weakly, waving the man away. He left with a short bow and Henry was alone again with his thoughts.

He was furious that people were speaking that way about him-as if they knew what was better for him. As if they knew God's plan better than he- an anointed king! He tapped his fingers on the wood in annoyance, thinking about how he would punish the gossips if he ever discovered the origin. I mean...they did have a small point. Anne had been the only one to truly give him an heir worthy of royalty. Elizabeth could not take the throne, but she was a perfect princess in all ways. A true jewel of England. Katherine had only given him dead babies and one sickly, stubborn, disobedient daughter. And Jane...so far she had yet to give him anything different. Only Anne had provided a true Tudor. Perhaps a betrothal for her could wait until Jane had given birth. If it was a healthy Prince of Wales, Henry would find a good match for his former wife. Someone who wouldn't mind the king's favor. But if she didn't...well...who knows what could happen.