AN: I accidentally posted chapter 8 as chapter 7 so I removed the chapter. So today I decided to post both chapters so that things make more sense. Enjoy!

November 12th, 1562

Whitehall Palace

Ruth was laying beside Thomas in their apartments. He had been brought there by servants earlier after his fall, and she had been nursing him ever since. She could hear the joust continuing outside in the courtyard but instead of letting the doctors persuade her He slipped in and out of consciousness for a few hours but he was now fully awake with their three children Elizabeth, Rebecca, and Thomas all laying around him.

"Thomas, dear." She murmured as she handed him a glass of wine.

He tilted his head to the side. "Yes, wife?"

Ruth giggled. "You lost."

He waved his hand. "Bah! It was a stroke of luck for His Majesty. Perhaps God truly is watching over him."

Ruth's gaze darkened. "God only watches over those faithful to His word."

Thomas shook his head. "He also watches over women, children, and fools."

Ruth cackled a bit before covering her mouth, but she noticed Thomas watching her with adoration. She hadn't been alone with him and their children as a family since she had given birth to Thomas. She smiled at him, Thomas was in his arms with Rebecca across him stomach and Elizabeth leaning on his shoulder. It was a quiet reminder that she had been over working herself for years, always trying to guide Isabella and ignoring her own family. However, as of late, Isabella had been asserting herself and Ruth had been taking a more behind the scenes role, as for the best, she watched her children for a moment, noting how big Elizabeth had gotten. She was already six years old, yet it felt as if she had been born just yesterday.

Ruth leaned over and kissed Thomas on the cheek. "So when do you suppose we will have another child?"

He looked down at their three children and chuckled. "You are asking me? Well that is a first, I never thought you would willingly allow the queen to handle her own dealings."

She frowned for a moment, she had never known that he had felt neglected. "Well, Isabella is showing a side of herself I never thought I would see. I never knew you felt that I do not care about our family."

Thomas shook his head. "It is not that, I just know how much Isabella means to you. That is your sister, and I understand your loyalty to her is not just a matter of retaining favor but that you genuinely care for her. I admire that about you, your honesty."

Ruth felt her cheeks flush red and she laid down beside Thomas on his left side. She gave him another kiss, this time on the lips. She had never felt so relaxed with her husband. Their interactions since he had taken Catherine de Meleun had been formal at best, argumentative at their worst. She had moved past the fact that he had fathered a bastard years ago, but she had never felt so at peace with him.

She gingerly touched the bandage around his head. "How is your head?"

He pulled her hands to his lips and smiled. "It is fine, Ruth. It is a minor injury, the fall was more dangerous than anything."

Ruth nodded, lulled by the peacefulness that she was enjoying. "Thomas?"

"Yes, Ruth?"

"I love you."

November 12th, 1562

Whitehall Palace

Anne was still sitting beside Isabella watching Lord Burghley and Lord Robert Dudley joust. Ruth had left to tend to her husband after Edward knocked him from his mount and the king's lance had broken, sending a piece of wood into the Duke of Norfolk's head. Thankfully, the physicians had informed them that the injuries were of little consequence. Also, Marie had excused herself from the festivities, leaving Edward alone. He had tried settling beside Isabella, but a reproachful glare had sent him to sit beside Northumberland and Pembroke. The tension was tangible between the two and Anne was uncomfortable. She saw George, Robert and Charlotte sitting further away with Lady Northampton and her husband. Anne nodded to her sister and moved to the empty seat beside George.

"Lady Exeter," George greeted.

Anne smiled. "Lord George, how are you today?"

George gripped her hand. "Better, Robert and Charlotte were discussing their wedding."

Anne saw Robert's eyes narrow at George as if he didn't want Anne to know about the wedding.

Robert shook his head. "Charlotte was discussing the wedding. I am...open to change, Lady Exeter."

Anne laughed. "You both know you can just call me Anne. Now, Robert I cannot wait for the wedding. I heard the king will be giving you a peerage to celebrate the occasion."

Robert nodded. "I will be greatly honored. Has the king mentioned what your future husband is to receive?"

Anne raised an eyebrow, it was unlike Robert to be so curious about the favors to be bestowed on her future husband. "I believe the king mentioned an Earldom being granted, though I am not sure. I know it will not be a dukedom, he wants it to be a subsidiary title to mine."

George edged a bit closer to her, protectively. "Robert, you are being a bit rude. Your betrothed will not be pleased."

Sure enough, Charlotte was glaring at Robert and turned to whisper something to Lady Northampton. Mariana frowned at Robert and she and Charlotte moved closer to Lady Sancha.

Anne looked down at her hands and George gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Do not mind her, she is jealous for my brother's affections."

Anne nodded. "I have noticed. However, I have already told Lord Robert that I am not interested in him as any more than a brother."

She turned to see a spark in George's eyes and she knew that it was love for her. She knew that no titles or wealth could deter him from her. She could see the gleam in Robert's eyes, it was greed that attracted him. If she had been a regular noblewoman with no relation to the queen, he would have ignored her for Lady Charlotte.

November 12th, 1562

Whitehall Palace

Isabella watched her husband converse with Lady Mary in satisfaction. Marie was nowhere around so it was a very simple thing to bring Lady Mary into Edward's inner circle and hopefully she would grab his attention. She watched them laugh together and Edward moved a bit closer to her. She felt relieved rather than jealous for once. She knew that Lady Mary was only doing her bidding, which was more than she could ask for. She noticed that Anne had moved to sit with George Veldon and his brother, which was a bad move in Isabella's opinion. Anne had jilted Robert for his younger twin brother and Ruth had warned her to avoid Robert until his marriage to Charlotte had taken place to prevent a feud from beginning. Anne still lacked the finesse that Isabella and Ruth possessed. She was easily moved by emotion and whim, something that Isabella had learned to shut out when it came to court intrigue. She knew that Northumberland was not her friend, they were simply allies with a common goal: get rid of Marie. Isabella wanted her gone for sentimental reasons, somewhere she still believed that Edward loved her, but Northumberland wanted her gone because Edward listened to her opinions over his. It was true, the enemy of her enemy was her friend, as long as they were useful to her.

Anne approached her, George following closely behind. "Isabella, I have something to ask you."

Isabella nodded for her sister to speak. "What is it Anne?"

Anne smiled widely as George. "I would like to be betrothed to George Veldon, if that is favorable to you."

Isabella gave a coy smile. "I do not know, Anne. Is it favorable to me?"

Anne glanced at George worriedly but he seemed to understand. "Your Majesty, I will support you in any way that you wish."

She nodded. "Very well, I will notify the king. George is a third son, he must be properly titled before he becomes our brother. That is one thing that I cannot provide."

Anne squealed in excitement and hugged Isabella tightly, but Isabella pulled her back as she turned to leave. She waved her hand to dismiss George.

"Isabella, what is it?" Anne inquired.

She kept a stern face. "Anne, he may not be who he seems to be. I know you care for him but this is court. Court is a battleground, you cannot allow your emotions to get in the way of your political sense."

Anne seemed horrified. "So you mean to tell me I cannot love him?"

"Love may come, just do not allow it to cloud your judgement. I still love Edward but I am not allowing my affections to get in the way of what needs to be done." Isabella glanced back and saw Edward still chatting eagerly with Lady Mary.

Anne frowned. "You cannot compare your situation to mine. George is not the king."

"It does not mean that when he receives wealth from his marriage to you that he will not change. You cannot measure his integrity until he marries you." Isabella shot back.

Anne curtsied and turned on her heel to join George near his siblings. Isabella shook her head, Anne was still naive and only a hard lesson would bring her to see that there was not good in everyone