Jane took a deep breath, placing a hand on her stretched stomacher and willing herself to calm. The rocking of the litter did nothing to help the nausea rising, but her brother had absolutely insisted on it, refusing her request to walk to the tourney grounds with her ladies. Surely the warm spring air would have made her feel better, but her brother had taken her wrist in a vice-like grip and hissed in her ear to call for the litter. She had sent him a glare for touching her in such a way, but had called for it all the same in an attempt to keep the peace. Of course, Edward had an ulterior motive. Using his status as the queen's brother, he had taken the space opposite her and used the private opportunity to chastise her again.

"You must push Lady Elizabeth forward. You know he will take a whore when you are confined, you must make sure he does not fall in with the Boleyn witch again, or any of her slut cousins. It must be someone we can trust!" Jane's cousin, Elizabeth Darrell, had returned from the countryside where she had been mourning the loss of Queen Katherine in seclusion. But now, enough time had passed that the king had forgotten that Lizzie had been so devoted to his first wife and it was time for her to come to court to serve his third. And Edward had decreed that the best way to serve Jane was for her to throw her honor away and distract the king while Jane laboured to bring his son into the world. Whether or not Lizzie was happy with her charge, Jane did not know.

"She will be in attendance today. You must call his attention to her and away from the Howards." Jane just nodded stiffly at her brother's demands, knowing he would have railed at her if he knew of her other guest in the royal box. When Henry had sent a message saying he had extended an invitation to the Marquess of Pembroke, Jane was less angry than she should have been. In fact, she was pleased to have the lady join them with her daughter.

The litter lurched to a halt, almost throwing Jane from her perch. How was this to be safer than the short stroll to the tiltyard? She adjusted the pearl ropes wrapped around her head and allowed Edward to open the door and offer his arm to help her down. The gathered crowd roared at the sight of their queen and Jane forced her lips to curl into a pretty smile as her husband stepped forward to claim her from Edward, who reverently stepped back. Henry kissed her on both cheeks before helping her up the steps of the royal box, making quite the show of being gentle and careful with her condition. The crowds rained blessings on the royal family, especially when Jane was greeted by Princess Elizabeth and Lady Mary with matching curtseys. It was all a perfect show as Jane took her seat with her husband beside her. She sat with a pleasant smile on her lips as each rider rode into the yard, horns blaring their welcomes and standards waiving. Commonfolk and gentry alike crowded the railings and called out in support of each rider. Women waived their handkerchiefs and men doffed their caps as they cheered. Finally, when all the riders were in a row, Henry huffed and pushed himself to a standing position. The crowd stilled, all waiting for their king to start the festivities. Henry paused, milking the drama for a moment, before turning with a roguish grin to Jane, passing her his handkerchief. Jane's smile widened at this gesture of devotion and she rose from her seat as well, joining her husband at the railing and looking up at him with serene joy. She gently took the offered linen and held it out before her. The crowded tiltyard seemed to slide into silence as everyone held their breath. The linen fell from her fingers and there was a roar of approval, the horns blowing loudly as the tournament began.

As the riders fell into place, Jane and Henry returned to their thrones. In what was becoming a rare show of affection, he held fast to one of her delicate hands as they sat. She took the moment to glance around the royal box. Only a few select ladies were to attend her today- Lady Elizabeth Darrel, Lady Mary Browne, and Mistress Katherine Howard all stood behind her throne, ready to assist her at a moment's notice. Also sitting in the royal box was Monsieur Charles de Marillac, the French ambassador, in a place of honor on Henry's left with Thomas Cromwell. To Jane's right sat both of the king's daughters. Elizabeth and Mary were both chattering away, guessing which knights would be victorious this day. Anne Boleyn sat behind her daughter, along with her father, whom Henry had extended his invitation to as well.

Jane found herself drifting in and out of focus as riders came and went on the field in front of her. She felt Henry absentmindedly running his thumb over her hand and smiled softly. As her pregnancy advanced, he had treated her more and more tenderly. It was a welcome change since the loss of her previous child. The thought of the sudden loss made her gasp slightly and grip her husbands' hand slightly tighter, drawing his attention.

"What is it, sweetheart?"

"Nothing, my lord," she shook away the terrible grief and allowed one hand to rest on her stomacher again. He caught the movement.

"Are you feeling alright? If you must rest, just say the word," his tenderness touched her and she forced her smile to widen.

"Forgive me, my love. I was only thinking..." she hesitated, but the look he gave her implored her to continue. "I just...I am thankful that you are not riding today. That you are here with me. I only remember the last time you jousted..." Immediately, Henry's demeanor changed. His eyes grew hard as he also remembered the joust that had robbed him of his youth.

"Yes. It would be foolish of me to put the succession at risk. Not until I have a son to succeed me," his eyes drifted to her belly. "I pray that this time we are not disappointed," the chilly tone took her by surprise, but she forced herself to swallow this sudden change.

"God willing, our boy will arrive soon and strong, like his father," she placed both hands on her stomacher and bowed her head. Henry nodded briefly and did not attempt to take her hand again. He eyed her cautiously before dropping his volume again.

"Linacre tells me that you will be entering confinement soon."

Jane nodded. "In mid-June"

"We will have to cancel this year's progress," she couldn't decipher his tone. Was he excited at the prospect of waiting for her to birth their son? Disappointed that his summer tour was to be delayed?

"I thank you, husband," she murmured and received a gruff nod in response. His eyes slid to her ladies behind her and she knew he was thinking of how he would divert himself when she was confined. She was about to call forth Lizzie for some menial task, when her husband spoke again, louder than before.

"Mistress Howard," he called, and the pretty maid stepped forward. Kitty was dressed lavishly and Jane had to wonder where the funds had appeared from. The girl had arrived at court as a maid-in-waiting with only a few gowns and some minor pieces of jewelry. Yet here she was a few weeks later in a lovely pale blue gown with rich embellishments woven with precious gems. Sparkling diamonds were wrapped around her neck and woven through her hair, which winked as she tossed those blonde curls over her shoulder, dipping her knees before the royal couple.

"Majesty," she breathed gazing up at Henry through her lashes. Jane fought not to twist her lips as if she were biting a lemon. How brazen this young girl was.

"Come, girl." He waved her toward a little stool beside him. "Who do you wager will win?" he gestured out to the tiltyard, where some riders were taking position.

Jane smoothed her hand over her stomacher again, looking away and trying to tune out her husband's obvious flirting. Her eyes flicked over and couldn't miss the sympathetic glance from Anne.