November 12, 1562

Whitehall Palace

Anne was sitting with Ruth and Isabella's children, watching the joust with little interest. It was for her brother-in-law's health and to be honest with herself, Anne wasn't entirely sure that she was happy Edward was still alive. Her little niece, Jane Margaret, had seen him with his mistress and illegitimate children earlier in the day and she had seen Isabella's heart break before her eyes. Ruth had told her Isabella would be late to the joust because she was arguing with Edward yet again.

Ruth leaned over. "Here comes Izzy. She looks quite annoyed."

Anne glanced over her shoulder to see her sister approaching, a deep purple cloak around her shoulders. She looked extremely regal, but her eyes were narrowed, her lips pursed, and she sat herself on the other side of Anne.

"What hath the idiot said?" Anne inquired.

Isabella snorted. "He had the audacity to question Anna's betrothal and say that he will not request my favor."

Ruth laughed. "As if you wished for him to have it. I will be the first to say that I look forward to the day Arthur takes the throne."

Anne put her hand over Ruth's mouth. "Ruth, do not speak treason here."

Ruth rolled her eyes and pushed Anne off. "I guess you're right, I do have my fair share of enemies."

Anne smirked. "More like the lion's share."

Ruth shrugged. "If being a good sister and wife earns me enemies, so be it."

Isabella laid her head on Anne's shoulder. "I think there is one we all have in common."

Anne scowled. "Speaking of the whore."

The trio of women turned to see Marie de Meleun enter the stands, followed closely by her children, Lady Susan Stafford, and Lady Mary FitzAlan. As if to prove her rank, Marie sat behind Isabella, a wide grin on her face.

Marie tapped Isabella on the shoulder. "Isabella, I am happy that you decided to support your husband."

Before Isabella could retaliate, Anne scowled. "How dare you speak to your queen in such a manner? She did not give you leave to call her by her Christian name, you are not, nor will you ever be her equal. I suggest you tread lightly Lady Marie. You will be replaced very soon."

The former lady-in-waiting appeared shocked. "Lady Exeter, I always thought you were the smarter of the three. Yet, now I see you are just as foolish to challenge me."

"If you think to threaten my sister, then you think treason. She is the wealthiest woman of the realm, I believe you should watch your tone." Isabella snapped.

Cutting Marie off, Ruth added, "If you think to challenge us again, do not be surprised to find yourself with your sister."

Lady Norfolk added a sickly sweet smile to enforce the blow. Anne nodded, adding a grin of her own.

Marie curled her lip. "I would not expect the sisters of the queen to stoop to such barbaric measures. You obviously see me as a threat."

Ruth's eyes widened before she broke into a fit of laughter. "You? A threat? You have no titles, no wealth, you are nothing without His Majesty's favor, and it is quite clear to see he is very wavering in his affections."

Marie looked back at Susan Stafford before turning directly to Isabella. "He may waver to your queen, with her fading looks and brutish temper, but he is very faithful to me."

It was Isabella's turn to laugh. "Fading looks? Yet, I am not the one wearing five layers of make up to hide my wrinkles and dark eye circles. Honestly, Marie, you make it so much more noticeable that way. However, I look just as young as I did at my coronation, without as much a bit of rouge on my cheeks. As for temper, I would consider myself quite composed compared to your tantrums, which are childish at best. If he loves you so much, why has he not offered you my throne? He can annul our marriage at any moment, yet he chooses to sleep with me until I force him away. I send him to you, if I truly wanted him, I could very easily have him."

Anne watched her sister in awe as she crushed Marie's confidence with her critical gaze. Marie faltered, not having much to say and her eyes became glassy with tears before she ran off. Lady Susan and Lady Mary bowed their heads to Isabella and the queen favored them with a smile before turning her attention back to her sisters.

She rolled her eyes. "Off to cry to Edward, no doubt. I feel sorry for his children, they are unfortunate to not be of my womb. They'll grow up to be whores, all three of them."

Anne frowned. "Unless we send them to the country with some peasant family."

Ruth shook her head. "Edward would never remove them from her. He will want to avoid her tantrums."

Isabella turned up her nose. "This is no way for a noblewoman to behave. It is almost impossible to believe she was a French courtier."

Anne shrugged. "Let us focus on the joust. Do not let her get to you."

Isabella playfully nudged her. "How can I allow her to get to me when she will never compare to me?"

November 12th, 1562

Whitehall Palace

Edward was putting on his armor when he saw Marie storming towards him. He groaned inwardly when he noticed she was crying, Lady Exeter and Lady Norfolk had to have given her another tongue lashing.

When will she learn to leave Isabella and her sisters be?

"Edward!" She ran to him and buried her head into his chest.

He sighed. "Yes Marie?"

"The Queen and her sisters are intolerable! I want Lady Norfolk and Lady Exeter to be sent to their estates!" She crossed her arms defiantly.

Edward shook his head. "Absolutely not. I will not interfere with the Queen's household. Lady Norfolk and Lady Exeter will remain at court until they choose to return to their estates. Perhaps, you should not antagonize the queen before she asks me to send you away."

Marie's eyes widened. "Would you send me away on her orders?"

Edward began to walk towards his horse and she followed him. "Answer me!"

He gave her a warning glance. "I am obligated to my wife, not to you. I would watch my tone if I were you Lady Marie."

He mounted his horse and galloped into the tournament, ready ask for a favor from the crowd. The pageantry of the joust was just as important as the sport. As he neared the stands he knew he would not receive his favor from his wife or eldest daughter. Jane turned her head as he neared, while Isabella gave him a steely gaze. He noticed Marie sitting behind her but he refused to bestow so much favor on Marie openly, especially after she had raised her voice at him, she had no right to demand anything from him. However, his younger daughter Anna was a perfect choice and he offered his lance to the three year old. She gave him a toothy grin and placed her favor, albeit untied. Lady Exeter quickly tied it to prevent in from falling and nodded to him. He rode off to his corner, he would be jousting with Norfolk, who was one of his good friends.

November 12th, 1562

Whitehall Palace

Ruth grinned as she saw her husband ride into the joust. He placed his lance in front of her and she deftly tied her favor around his weapon.

She leaned over the rails to whisper into his ear. "I need you to knock Edward flat on his back. He needs to understand how blessed he truly is."

Thomas raised his visor and kissed her cheek. "I would prefer that you wish me luck instead of trying to be vengeful. However, I do not intend to lose. Edward has never jousted before."

Ruth gave him a coy smile. "I wish you luck, my dear."

Thomas chuckled, then galloped off to his end of the courtyard and Ruth sat back down in her chair.

Anne gave her a curious look. "What did you tell him to do?"

Ruth feigned innocence. "Why must you always suspect me of something Nan? If I did not know better, I would think you think I am evil."

Anne frowned. "I do not think you are evil. However, I know you are devious."

Ruth rolled her eyes. "I simply told Thomas to win."

Isabella giggled. "You mean you told your husband to maim mine."

Lady Norfolk shook her head. "Not maim, only injure."

Anne smirked. "Please tell me the difference."

Isabella threw up her hands. "Bah! They are starting."

The women watched in a hushed silence as Thomas and Edward rode towards each other at top speed. She heard the snap of wood hitting armor and looked away. She could hear the screams in the crowd and knew instantly that something was terribly wrong.