So, this is the new chapter! I hope u guys like it because I spent quite a while writing it! So, I know that Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, married Elizabeth Stafford in circa 1512-1513, but I've changed that to 1516, because it fits better with the purpose of this story.
Now, enough babbling- on to the chapter!

Chapter Two

29th January 1516

Apartments of The Duke of Norfolk and Family
Rooms of Lady Marina Howard

Marina sat at her desk, in her nightgown, and stared out of the window. It was twelve o'clock, and she was trying to compose a letter to her father's new wife, Elizabeth Stafford, the daughter of the Duke of Buckingham. She didn't know what to write. It had all happened so suddenly. The King had announced it before he had left for his hunting expedition with his friends the Duke of Suffolk, Sir Anthony Knivert, Sir Henry Norris, and Sir William Compton. And that was perhaps around the fourth or fifth day of the month. Then, two weeks ago, on the 15th of January, as it was, her father had hurriedly married a very reluctant Lady Stafford, with just the family surrounding him, and they had set off for their honeymoon.

They had returned the day before yesterday to Arundel Castle, and Marina had received a letter from her father, a carbon copy of what each of the others had received, all on the day before the newlyweds returned, stating that he wanted them to write to their new lady stepmother and welcome her to the family, and could they please, for their father's happiness, be polite and cordial. He had wanted her to receive the letters the day they returned, but that was two days ago, and Marina still hadn't gotten around to writing hers. Edward and Thomas had written their's and sent them off, albeit unwillingly, Eliza had done it happily enough, not really minding, but Eleanor's letter was very rude indeed, and she had thought that their father would be displeased, but he had not protested at all. He obviously did not like his wife very much either.

Marina remembered Eleanor's letter, and shuddered.

Lady Elizabeth Howard, Duchess of Norfolk
My lady stepmother,
I will take this chance to welcome you to my family.
You will, hopefully, in due course, become a worthy successor of my mother's position, and will uphold the responsibilities which come with this fine and fortunate match.
However, you will do well to remember that the position that you now hold was, not five years ago, held by a Princess of York, and you should not try and be what she was in your husband's eyes, for that you can never be. You probably realize that your behavior at your wedding was defiant and un lady like, the kind one would expect from someone besides a noble lady. You are, expected to uphold your role as a dutiful and obedient wife, good and polite stepmother, and proper English Matron.

I offer you all this advice only with step-daughterly concern, and I hope that you will accept and make use of it.
Your Stepdaughter,
Lady Eleanor Kingston
Countess of Tottenham

That had annoyed the Lady no end, and she had not written back.
Marina decided to avoid too much discomfort, and kept her letter plain and simple.

My Lady Stepmother,
I would like to take this chance to welcome you to the Howard family.
I wish you and my father well, and hope that your union is a happy one.

Your Stepdaughter
Marina,
Lady Howard

Marina sealed the letter, and called for Dianne.

"Dianne?"
"Yes my lady?"
"Please see that someone delivers this to the Duchess of Norfolk by tomorrow."
"Of course, my lady. And, a messenger came and informed me that the King has returned from his hunting progress, and requests everyone's presence in the great hall for luncheon".
"Very well then. Call the rest, I'd better get ready."
"Very good my lady."

The Great Hall

Once Marina was ready, she had gone down the great hall, where she mingled with a few courtiers, all of them waiting for the King to arrive.
She had had free run of the whole palace for the whole month, because Queen Catherine had gone into confinement for the last month of her pregnancy, and had taken only her closest ladies with her. They stayed in her apartments, and had been there since King Henry had left.
It was mostly her Spanish ladies whom she had asked to remain with her, and of course a few customary Englishwomen. Catherine had only known Marina for the course of a few days, and as she had no great care for the Howards, she hadn't wished to take Eleanor or Eliza into confinement with her either.

"His Majesty the King!"
King Henry strode into the room, flanked by the Duke of Suffolk and Sir Anthony Knivert, and followed by Sir Henry Norris and Sir William Compton.

Henry walked up to the top table, where he sat down. The Duke of Suffolk was on one side of the King, with Compton beside him. Knivert sat on the King's other side, and Norris sat next to him.
"My Lords! You must all be wondering how our trip went! It was wonderful! In fact, we caught a magnificent Stag, who's great white horns are now hanging above the council room!"
The courtiers cheered, and most of the men hooted. The women, all eager to catch the king's eye, applauded demurely, batting their eyelashes behind their painted fans. The king did not notice them in the least. His eyes studied the room, and landed on Marina. She didn't blush, or look away. She just glared at him, very silently, for a few seconds, before walking off to the other side of the room in irritation, to speak to Dianne, and some people she seemed to have made friends with.

Standing with Dianne, were a man, and a woman. The man had dark brown hair, and deep brown eyes. The woman had soft, hazel hair, pulled up at her neck, and bright green eyes, framed with lighter eye lashes.
Dianne saw Marina coming up.

"My lady Marina!" Dianne said, in her polished French accent. Dianne was not exactly a maid, she was what was simply called an attendant. Marina didn't know whether or not it was the same in England, but in France, ladies of her own class, who had Dukes and Princesses for parents, were supplied with three or four women of a slightly lower class to attend to them. Dianne, for example, was the youngest daughter of a knight, while Irene, Claudine, and Olivia were all younger daughters of gentlemen. The four of them were her Maids in Waiting. Therefore, she was basically the daughter of a nobleman, and the other were all gentlewomen, meaning that they weren't servants, and so, were permitted to attend feasts and balls and such. It was down to their Mistress, in this case Marina, to find them good marriages.

"Dianne, I see you are enjoying yourself? And who are these lovely people you are speaking to?"
"My lady, this is Lady Matilda Kenningford, Viscountess Oglivy, and this is Lord Robert Lester, 3rd Marquess of Pemberly." She said, gesturing to the woman and the man in turn. "This is my mistress Lady Marina Howard."
The man smiled. "Oh, you're the Duke of Norfolk's daughter?"
"Yes, I am."
"I see.. Your father and mine were very good friends before he left for France.. But they fell out over something stupid, before my father died. Oh dear- I shouldn't have told you that- now you wont speak to me."
Marina laughed, deciding she liked this gentleman. He had perfect humor.
"Well, my lord, I'm afraid you won't find me not wanting to speak to you, of all people. You are far too likeable." She laughed.
They branched off, walking together through the great hall, and chatting. Lord Robert was friendly, easygoing, humorous, and Marina found him a very easy person to speak to. She felt rather at ease with him, and felt the barriers she so often put up descending almost immediately. As she laughed with him, she noticed someone's stare on her face She glanced to the side, and saw that it was the King. He looked annoyed. He pulled Charles Brandon's ear to his lips, and whispered something to him, still looking at Marina.

Brandon stood, and clapped his hands. "The King wishes to dance!"
The courtiers cheered, and bustled about trying to find themselves suitable partners.
"May I, my lady?" Robert extended his hand.
She took it. "Certainly Lord Robert."

Just as they made their way over to the dance floor, she saw Henry coming over to them.

"May I cut in?" Asked the King.
"Of course, Your Majesty." Robert replied courteously, smiling at him.

Henry took Marina's hand, and led her across the dance floor, where a slow, stately Pavanne began. They began dancing, and Marina sighed.

"What is it?" He asked.
"This dance is so dull.."
"Well, then, we shall have to fix that."

He gestured to the musicians to stop the music.
"Gentlemen." He said to them. The whole hall became silent. "My partner finds this dance far too dull!"
Marina blushed. "There is no need for this Your Majesty.." She said, quietly.
"No, no, Lady Marina, I insist! What would you like to dance to… The Galliard, say? Or the Gavotte?.. How about, the Volta?"

Marina turned a bright crimson, although she tried to stop herself from doing so. The Volta was a passionate dance, full of lust and closeness. What the devil was wrong with him?

"Yes, yes, gentlemen- play a Volta!"
The Volta began, and Henry pulled Marina close, and twirled her around.

"Forgive me Your Majesty, but, what are you playing at?!"
"I'm just being accommodating, my lady." He replied, winking.
"Why will you not leave me alone. Didn't I make it clear enough that I did not wish to speak to you after your dishonorable insult?"
"You do realize that I am your King, and could have you horsewhipped just for speaking like that?"
"But you won't."
"And what makes you think so?" He lifted her up, and put her down, with a twirl.
"You're a man. And men like you are just too resourceful to waste a pretty woman in such a way."
"Oh, but, do forgive me lady Marina- you aren't pretty."
"Oh, aren't I?"
"No." He said, twirling her for the last time, and as he did, his mouth passed by her ear, and he whispered, "You're beautiful."
She twirled out of his arms, and fell back into line. She curtsied, he bowed, and, before the next dance could begin, he turned to the musicians, and applauded. The rest of the court followed suit, erupting with cheers. But when Henry turned his head back to where Marina had been standing, she was gone.
He was glad that Catherine was in confinement- she wouldn't have liked this.

The Apartments of the Duke of Norfolk and Family
The Rooms of the Duke of Norfolk

"Are you making this up, Marina?" Eleanor questioned, concerned.
"I swear to you sister, I am not." Marina replied.

"Marina, listen, listen very carefully. This sort of incident can damage your reputation GREATLY. I suggest you return to Arundel- or, if you wish to be closer to court, to Wolfson Castle in Oxford, and wait for a few weeks. Then, once Queen Catherine has delivered of her child, hopefully a son, for her own sake, you can return. And by then, Papa will have sorted out one of the prospective marriages he was planning for you.. Then you can put this behind you. But I am telling you now, Marina. Do not become his mistress."

Marina's face hardened at the word.
"His MISTRESS?" She spat. "I am not a whore, Eleanor. I am a lady. And I would rather be hung by the neck than become a man's mistress, least of all a man as lecherous as this King seems to be!"

"Calm down, Rina! Leave for Wolfson tomorrow, and return in a few weeks. Now, get some sleep, please darling."

30th January, 1516

The King of England's Privy Closet

"What do you mean, she's gone!?"
"Your Majesty, my sister found court life a little overwhelming, and felt rather bored without Queen Catherine to wait on, and so she has gone to Wolfson Castle, she left yesterday morning, and will return once the Queen has given birth to your heir- a son, god willing-" Edward was cut short.

"I do not wish to hear about sons and heirs, my lord, I wish to know why I was not informed of your sister's departure!"
"I did not think it was of any great interest to Your Majesty.."
"I have a right to know who leaves and enters my court, Lord Oxford! When does she return?"
"As soon as the child is born."
"I suppose that isn't too long to wait." Henry muttered to himself.
"What was that, Sire?" Inquired Edward, pretending he hadn't heard.
"Oh- nothing at all, Lord Oxford- you may go."
"Very good, Sire."

All Henry could do now was wait.

18 February, 1516
The Queen of England's Apartments

"Just a little longer Madam! Here comes the baby!" Cried the Midwife.
"Argh!" Catherine's screams echoed through the palace.
"I can see the shoulders! And here comes the middle, one more push your majesty, then we will know the sex." Mistress Nollys, the midwife, cried.

Catherine gave a scream, and a push, and out came the baby, who gave a loud, scream.
"A beautiful, healthy daughter, Madam." Said Mistress Nollys.

"But the pain- It won't stop- argh it still hurts!"
"Dr Lincare! Dr Lincare, the pains continue!"
Dr Lincare examined the Queen.
"It seems" He said. "That the Queen will deliver a second child."

The Queen screamed, and moaned, as the head of the child began to appear.
It was all so slow! After hours and hours of anguish, the legs bgean to come out. Catherine felt as if she would die. She was so tired, and it hurt so badly. The pain was so great.
"Please Madam, don't give up!" Cried Mistress Nollys.
Catherine gave a last, huge scream, and collapsed back on the pillows, sighing with relief.

"A son, Madam. A healthy son. Perhaps slightly small, but very healthy."

"Oh my god. Thank the lord. I have two children. Two beautiful, living children. Give them to me. Give them here! Now!"

"Madam.. Perhaps you should rest before you hold them.. we wouldn't wish for any accidents to take place.." Dr Lincare cautioned.

"I suppose not. Take the children to their cribs- has someone informed the King?"
"Yes Madam, he is on his way."

So, Henry was on his way. He would see his two, lovely children- his heirs, and he would see his wife, and his anger at her would fade, and all would be as it was before.

So. There is was! BTW, Wolfson Castle, is a fake place, tots made up.
So.. should Catherine die in childbirth, or should she stay alive and complicate things? Review, review, review, and I will update!

Kisses
-V