Jane had no opportunity to speak to the King again for almost a fortnight. Edward had become convinced that the King had lost interest for the second time.
"The Queen keeps me busy and when the King comes, there is always an excuse to send me away on an errand." said Jane irritably, when Edward cornered her in the same alcove off the Great Hall that he had dragged her to last time.
"So tarry awhile. Linger in the corridors. Drag your feet in the Great Hall. Do whatever it takes to speak to His Grace." Edward hissed "Don't just trot off whenever the Queen snaps her fingers. You have the attention of the King and well she knows it! She is trying to keep him off you so that he won't stray."
Jane shook her head at her brother.
"Only in part I think. I imagine she thinks she is being kind and protecting me from the advances of her husband as well as prevention. She knows as well as anyone how the King treats his women. At first they are the centre of his world, his only love, then poof." Jane clicked her fingers under Edwards nose, "He leaves them in the dust, discarded and shamed. Their marriage prospects ruined forever until they are foisted off on some ignorant squire who in gratitude buries them deep away until they are no more than a distant memory while the King jaunts off to find another ripe peach for the picking. Well, that won't be me brother, I promise you."
Edward fell back in surprise as Jane's speech grew more passionate and her voice rose accusingly. He hitched a sly smile onto his face, folded his arms and leaned against the wall.
"Well, well. Dear sweet Jane won't be another Bessie Blount then will she? So how do you plan to break free of the King's vicious circle?"
Jane had not spoken to anyone about the idea that had come to be the only thing she thought about, day and night. She knew that Edward could only see so far as her being the next notch on the royal bedpost and a way for him to obtain power, titles and riches. There was absolutely no precedent for a commoner to use the King to push a rightful Queen off her throne.
Ironically however, it had been the Queen who had given Jane the idea of a way it could be done. But she would not say anything about it until she had sounded out the King in that matter.
"I think the King needs a new wife." she said evenly. "A younger wife with more possibility to give England its heir."
The look of incredulity on Edward's face was almost her undoing. He looked so comical that Jane was hard pressed not to laugh.
"You must be mad Jane. What you suggest is treason. The King can't marry you; he has his Queen."
Jane pushed roughly past him out of the alcove and turned to face the entrance to the Great Hall.
"He can, I assure you. A simple way and all it takes is a little push in the right direction. Had it not been for the Queen, I might never have found the answer at all."
As luck would have it, Jane managed to see the King the next day. The Queen's morning prayers had run late as she prayed earnestly that the child growing within her was a prince for England. The way back from the Queen's chapel went past Henry's Catholic one and as the ladies in waiting filed past the chapel door that the King looked up and saw Jane framed in the doorway looking lovely in Tudor green and white. The King liked to deal with state matters during time he was meant to be devout in chapel. It meant that he could enjoy other pursuits during his day. Henry gestured sheepishly to his papers that littered his lap and the accompanying councillors all turned to look at her. Jane saw many a lip twist disapprovingly, but she ignored them, focusing only on the King. A minute later, a note was passed from the King via the councillors into Jane's hand and the doors were closed by young pageboys.
Meet me where the rose grows sweetest HR.
Jane headed straight for the rose garden. She dithered for a moment, trying to decide if she should change her gown or re do her hair, but she knew that the King could be there at any time and it would not do to keep him waiting. She did not have to wait long before he was there, sweeping his feathered hat off his head and bowing to her.
He did not wait until she was up from her curtsey. As Jane sank to the floor, Henry grabbed her under her elbows and hauled her into his arms.
"You Grace!" shrieked Jane, trying to fight him off. "What are you doing?"
"Only taking what is mine sweetheart!
"Don't you dare call me sweetheart. That is what you call the Queen."
At the mention of the Queen, Henry released her slightly, but still kept hold around her waist while Jane's arms rested on the slashed velvet of his doublet.
"Oh Jane, do not let her come between us. She cannot come between our love. We were made for love you and I."
"Our love as you call it is not honourable. You have a wife and I my dignity and virtue. If you love me as you say you do, you would not ask me to give either up."
The King released her fully, turned and strode away a few steps, gnawing on a knuckle in evident frustration.
"This is a card no maid has played before. Make sure Jane that you do not play me." he pointed a threatening finger at her as his face darkened. "I will not have it. You should be grateful that I should condescend to have you. You are not a noble, I should be able to have you whenever and wherever I choose!"
Jane knew she must tread carefully. Edward had warned her that the King had a black temper when roused. Making a snap decision, she turned her back abruptly and forced herself to shake her shoulders in a storm of planned despair. After a moment, she felt a hand come to rest on her shoulder in a gesture of comfort.
"There, there." said the King stiffly, sounding awkward.
"I'm sorry Your Grace. I only resist for the sake of my virtue for it is all a maid has before she is married. Only chastity can prevent a woman from being totally corrupted. Please, please forgive me."
The hand moved and gripped her arm, gently bringing her round. Jane lowered her eyes and sniffed as the King scrutinised her face, looking for any sign of treachery. He seemed satisfied for his eyes softened and his hand slid round to her throat, the thumb raising her chin so that they were eye to eye.
"Aye sweet Jane. I forgive you for the love I bear you. But you must see how intolerable this is."
"I know, Your Grace. It pains me too." she whispered.
"Truly Jane?"
As Jane nodded mutely, the King brought his other hand to rest lightly on her neck as well.
"Such a pretty neck. Like a swan." he murmured, tilting her chin up with his thumbs so Jane had no choice but to bend her head back as Henry bent forward. His lips had barely brushed the hollow of Jane's throat when they both heard a strangled cry.
It was the Queen. She stared at them with a look of horror on her stricken white face. But horror quickly changed to acute pain as Queen Anne's pale hands suddenly clutched at her swollen belly in panic.
"Go Jane, just go!" the King shouted as he dashed toward his wife whose knees had started to buckle.
Suddenly terrified, Jane immediately fled down the path of the rose garden into the shadow of the Palace. At the door, she looked back, trembling as she heard the King bellowing for help; the Queen sobbing hysterically. The tears that stung Jane's eyes did not prevent her from seeing the bright trickle of blood that flowed steadily out from beneath the Queen's trailing grey silk skirts.