AN: Thank you all so much for the reviews and the alerts and the favorites! I love them so much and I go home bragging to my husband about how people want to read MY story! I LOVE IT! BTW I wrote this while waiting for my Harry Potter movie to start. I waited at the theatre for 3 hours before it started so I was able to finish this and then some of next chapter too. AND IT WAS THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER! I mean I cried so much. I was by far the loudest crier there. Maybe the only one. :p
Chapter Four: Lunch With A Side Of Murder
January 22nd 1536 (7 days until Katherine's burial and Anne's miscarriage in history)
Anne's point of view
Waking in a cold sweat, Anne Tudor nee Boleyn, barely had time to lean to her right to vomit, barely missing her bedding. It had been two nights since her mother visited her, if she could call it a visit (she still hadn't eliminated that she was going insane). And every night since she had terrifying dreams of Henry burning her while he married Jane next to he dying body, Elizabeth banished and unloved. The dreams were so gruesome she could smell burning flesh and it scared every ounce of rebellion Anne had in her.
Wearily, Anne called for a maid with the bell next to her bed. Within minutes several of her ladies were rushing about, cleaning the sickness.
"I'm sorry," Anne said quietly. "I couldn't wake in time."
It was a low maid who looked up startled. While Anne didn't have the reputation of being an harsh mistress, it was still very un-royal to apologize.
"No need to apologize, Your Majesty, it is a natural part of being with child and means they are alive and kicking!" The maid smiled wide at her queen, bowed quickly and rushed out of the room with the soiled rags. Anne placed a hand on her growing womb, willing her heart to keep a slow, calm pace. She couldn't wit for her son to quicken, a sign that all will be well; her last hope. Her mother's words combined with her dreams caused Anne to change in more than one way. First, she allowed only her brother and musician in her rooms the last couple of days. No visitors or courtiers, everyone else cause her to stress. What did they want? What were they thinking and were they trying to kill her too?
"Your Majesty?" Nan asked, clearly not for the first time.
"Yes?" Anne could tell that the last couple of day her favorite maid and most trusted friend was deeply concerned for her mistress. So Anne put a smile on her face, after all she was supposed to be The Most Happy, even if it killed her to be.
"What would you like to wear?" Anne thought for a moment, mentally picturing her wardrobe.
"The silver gown, lined with white mink. Simple jewels today and my white fur lined slippers." It may be sunny but it was cold. And it was a gorgeous gown, given to her from her beloved brother, George. It had a subtle glow to it and made Anne fell fresh and new just looking at it. And Anne needed fresh and new in her life with everything that had been going on and perhaps it would bring her luck and love. Nan smiled and went to go fetch the gown, happier that her mistress was jolly today. Madge walked in, a bit ruffled.
"Your father is here and wished to speak to you. And your uncle, the duke." Anne rolled her eyes and tied her dressing gown around her, making herself somewhat presentable to others.
"Allow them in," she called, and barely five seconds passed after she said that before the two men appeared in front of her. Their bows barely noticeable and it annoyed Anne immensely. She was their queen and she would remind them of it.
"Good morning, Father, Uncle. Awful early to be up and calling so early in the morning. Which of my servants alerted you?"
"Quit it, Anne." Anne narrowed her eyes at her uncle.
"How dare you," she hissed. Her emotions, her hormones and her fear finally coming unraveled. "How do you expect other to respect me as queen, accept me as queen when you do not. You walk into my chambers at an unrespectable time and treat me as if I am only your daughter, only your niece!" Anne was beyond furious. The Duke of Norfolk's face got beet red, not in shame but in anger.
"You little ungrateful…" her father placed a hand on the other man's shoulder. Norfolk took a breath. "Do not forget how you got here and why you stay." Anne bristled like a mother hen at that statement. Why was she always repeating herself with them?
"Yes, because your good looks, charm and wit attracted the King of England from his wife and kept him faithful for seven long years. Because your womb carries the king heir." Anne laughed, near hysterics. She moved from her bed towards them, her finger poking into the Duke's chest. "I give you your due, Your Grace, but you must give me mine!" Her breathing was labored and she could feel the blood pulsing through her body.
"Anne—Your Majesty," her father said coldly. "We only came out of concern for you." Anne snorted. "Let's not fight and focus on how to get you in favor with the King again and keeping this child alive."
Anne frowned at them; they were always one step behind her, at least. "I have already decided what to do. I shall give him permission to take Lady Seymour and be a biddable wife while he does hit." Her Uncles face suddenly resembled a fish, gasping for air.
"You will give the King permission?"
"Yes," Anne smiled. "That is what I plan on doing. I am not going to risk my child's life. And if she becomes his mistress it will eventually end or at the very least she can never be his queen. Lady jane does not have what it take to be an maitresse en titre. He will tire of her quickly. Now if you excuse me I need to prepare for the day. As you must have heard, it was a rough start this morning. Good day."
Anne did not wait for them to leave and turned her back. Tears fought to leaver their confines and she refused for them to her cry. She heard them leave and Anne put on a bright smile.
"Okay, ladies, let's start our day!"
Several hours later Anne found herself sitting by a window, as close to fresh air as she could get. Even though it was sunny it was bitterly cold outside. Reading the bible, trying to find comfort in something. She needed courage for the days to come. Anne was still shaken from the fight earlier and just wanted peace in her life. Anne dismissed her hateful sister-in-law and the other ladies including Lady Jane. Only Nan and Madge remained for Anne trusted them with her life. They were busy setting up for Anne's afternoon meal. It was going to be a quiet, personal meal, to gather her wits before she had an audience with the King, her husband. Anne heard someone enter her rooms, thinking it was the food she kept reading.
"Good afternoon, sweetheart." Anne heard those words and a small gasp escaped her lips and her heart stopped then started quickly again at the sight of her husband.
"Henry, what are you doing here?" Anne quickly smiled, rising and her remembering herself. Henry never came to her rooms anymore, not since she became pregnant and Jane became her lady-in-waiting.
"Can a husband not come and see his wife and have a meal with her?" Henry laughed, suddenly brighter than he had been in months, especially towards Anne.
"Of course, husband excuse my surprise. Madge, please alert the kitchens and Nan set another place please." Both ladies in the cream gowns rushed to do as they were bid and suddenly Anne found herself alone with the King, something that had not happened since the conceived the child Anne was carrying.
"My Queen," Henry bowed gallantly, pulling her chair out. Anne giggled and sat down. Maybe this won't be so bad, she thought.
Two hours later, Anne and Henry were laughing, the meal being done long before. It felt almost like old times until Jane Seymour came into the rooms with Anne's letters. She quickly set them on a table, kneeled and left, Henry's eyes never leaving Jane.
Here goes nothing, Anne thought. "Henry, about our last fight, about your mistresses. I'm sorry. Anne could tell Henry was not expecting this conversation; he seemed immediately on edge. "You were right. It is neither my place nor my business and since I am with child, we cannot share a true marriage bed. You are a man and a king, I should not have tried to control you so."
There, Anne thought with triumph, watching Henry's face changed. She said all the right things. Henry loved when being told he was right and hopefully he will feel it was his idea to take Jane a mistress and cast aside the idea of Jane being so damn innocent and wife potential.
"Sweetheart," Henry said, clearly touched. He seemed speechless. Anne knew that what she was saying was more something Katherine was bred to do, ignoring mistresses, versus Anne. "Thank you for your apology." Anne knew he would focus on the apology the most.
"It is just I love you so much and it hurt my heart to think of you with someone else. So I only ask if you could be discreet, at least while I am with child so I don't stress and fret about it. Perhaps, letting the lady have her own rooms? So I don't have to see the reminder everyday?" Henry had the grace to look a little bit ashamed.
"You're right, sweetheart. For the child." He reached for her and patted her arm, trying to comfort her. Anne could tell he felt a little guilty and she hoped this meant she wouldn't have to see Jane just hanging around different parts of the palace, supposedly doing lady-in-waiting duties.
"Thank you, Henry." Anne smiled her trademark lopsided grin, touched that henry was actually showing her affection and caring for her feelings again. It had been such a long time; Anne nearly forgot what it was like. And at the moment she truly was The Most Happy.
Lady Rochford's Point of view
Jane Parker (she refused to think of herself as a Boleyn anymore), walked out of the small hidden water closet, physically sick. Resting herself against the door, she leaned her head back trying to forget the image of her husband and another man, naked on her marriage bed. No wonder she couldn't get her husband to sleep with her, he already had a lover! A most sinful lover! Fearing she was going to be sick again, Jane rushed in to the closet again. After she finished, Jane wiped her tears and held her head proud. She would find some way out of this.
"…The Pope agrees that while it is most unfortunate that the witch is with child, must be taken care of." Jane froze in fear. That was the Spanish ambassador and she prayed to God they weren't talking about the Queen.
"I understand. It would be best if the child of a witch wasn't on the throne." Jane thought she was going to be sick for a third time. She could taste the bile.
"I will do as His Holiness asks." Jane knew the voice and could picture the face but not the name. He was in the King's household but often seen in the Queen's Rooms.
"And how, may I ask, are you planning on doing it?" Chapuys lowered his voice. There was a small, pregnant pause. "Poison," is all the younger man said. Jane gasped quietly unable to contain it. She covered her mouth. Nothing else was said and she heard footsteps walking away. She gave it a few more minutes then pulled the handle, but before she could move it more than an inch she found the heavy wooden door pushed open, closed and a knife pressed to her throat before she could even take another breath.
"You have five seconds to tell me why I shouldn't kill you." Brereton. That was his name, funny how it came to her now.
"Because," she whispered. "I hate the Boleyn's as much as you." She could see the shock in his eyes as he lowered the knife.
"But you are one of them!"
"Marriage only. A forced one." She replied bitterly. "And my husband has taken a lover." She swallowed hard. "A male lover."
"Mon Dieu!" He whispered and crossed himself. "I am so sorry for you. The lord has tested you much. Perhaps though," he paused. "He put us together for a reason."
"What do you mean?" Jane was confused.
"I, Lady Rochford, require help and someone on the inside. You need a way out of your dire situation." Jane's breathing increased tenfold. Brereton noticed her panic and pulled her out of the closet. She barely noticed where they were going, her mind hazy. In just a few brief moments they were in the Great hall where the afternoon meal was being served, but Jane had no appetite. Brereton poured her some wine, forcing her to sit. She did manage to notice that no one was paying attention to them, which she was grateful for.
"Drink," he commanded. She listened and did. Two glasses later Jane couldn't believe what she was hearing. To help Brereton kill Anne would be suicide, but on the other hand if what he was saying was true and the Pope agrees and even ordered it, she knew her soul was safe and the benefits would be amazing. Imagine a life with out Anne Boleyn, and the to be able to watch the Boleyn's drop so far would be a pleasurable experience for her.
Jane saw watched as her husband sat down next to Mark Smeaton, his lover. George, mocking, bowed his head to her, smirking. It riled her blood, making her see red.
"Fine, under one condition. His holiness grants me absolution of my soul for my part in it. And somehow gets me out of my damn marriage." Jane glared at George, her hand tightening on her cup, anger flowing through her.
Brereton smiled, coldly. "Done."
AN: So I'm done. My longest chapter and just typed it up in one go. I'm one of those people who have to write everything down then type. So twice the work but I am pretty happy with this chapter so yeah. Review and I will show another preview. And cookies. I got cookies. :)
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