Title: Joint wives.
Author: PrinceBrennonTudor
Summary: What would have happened if someone made it their mission to save Anne and told Henry just to have two wives? What would happen to England with two royal wives? Will there ever be an heir?
Disclaimer: I do not own the Tudors. But the story idea is mine.
Author's note: Ok so in this chapter we will hear from Chapuys, The Anne and Jane confront each other and Anne makes her fist move to befriend Lady Mary. Also I read some reviews and there seems to be some confusion. Anne is still the Queen and Jane is titled Lady of England. Both are the king's wife under English law but Spain recognizes Jane's marriage and France Anne's marriage. OH please ignores the bad grammar. My friend couldn't edit this week for me and I really wanted to get this up before I go back to school.
Chapter 7
15 August 1536
King Henry couldn't believe it; both his wives were with child. He would now have two chances at an heir. And if both are boys one would be the Prince of Wales the other Duke of York. Henry wanted to tell Jane of Anne's pregnancy since Anne knew of her but Anne asked him not to. So he promised that he wouldn't he also promised that he wouldn't make any announcement of Jane pregnancy till Anne was ready. Henry headed back to his rooms and when he got there he found Cromwell still there sitting in a chair staring out into space. "Cromwell I have got great news." Said King Henry startling the zoned out Lord Chancellor. Cromwell quickly bowed before he answered the king. "Queen Anne agreed to the marriage?" "What? Yes but that isn't the good news. Anne and Jane are pregnant." The shock was apparent on Cromwell's face he knew that the king was sleeping with Anne again but he didn't expect her to get pregnant. Would this mean that she would return to her power and have greater influence over the king or would that be Jane who would rule the king? "That is great news Your Majesty and may you be blessed with a son." said Cromwell.
"Yes, said Henry hopefully I will be blessed."
Queen Anne's rooms
17 August 1536
George Boleyn and his father sat in Anne's room at her table talking with her, about the Betrothal between Elizabeth and Prince Charles. Anne was going over the plans of what the entertainments were when she reached for another apple. George couldn't help but notice that his sister has eaten three apples already. She hadn't eaten apples like this since she was pregnant with Elizabeth. George turned to his father and could tell that he noticed to. "Anne, George started. You have been eating a lot of apples lately." Thomas Boleyn snapped his head towards Anne to see how she would react. Anne but down her quill and tried to hide a telling smile." Well, what do you expect from a pregnant woman?" Thomas Boleyn cracked a smile so wide George thought it was going to fall off his face.
"Are you sure?" Asked George, in disbelief. Anne nodded with tears forming in her eyes. This was her chance to beat the Seymour's at their own game. Her chance to make sure Elizabeth was same and her place in the world secured. Thomas got up from the table and hugged his daughter. "The king must be told." He turned and made his way to the door thinking of the benefits he could reap. But he was stopped when Anne spoke. "The king has been told father." Boleyn turned around and just stared at Anne. "What, you told the king before you told me? You and I had an agreement that you would tell me before you told the King in cause of mishap." Anne stood up and stood behind her chair. "I had to tell him father. He told me Jane Seymour was with child." "Damn it. If she has a son before you do we could be ruined. Her son if he became could annul Henry and your marriage making your children's bastards. So that child better be a boy." George walked up to his sister and hugged her " But of course we will be here for you. We are Boleyn's and we never turn our back on one of our own." Anne leaned her head onto George's shoulder " Yeah, sure" she whispered. Knowing if she failed her father would be one of the first people to abandon her.
Basement of Whitehall
Same day
Chapuys waited in the basement of the Palace for Brereton It was time to see how close he was to getting rid of the whore Boleyn. "Chapuys." Chapuys turned towards the direction he heard his name was whispered. Brereton emerged from the shadows. "Brereton what have you headed," Asked Chapuys? Brereton came closer and pulled back his hood. "The whore is pregnant." He said simply. He then spit on the ground to show his disgust. Chapuys was shocked. How could this be? While the king did keep up a scene of still being legally married to the lady, from what he heard he hadn't shared her bed in months. In less the witch somehow put another spell on the king. Chapuys had heard what had happened when the king kissed Anne at a court feast. Was that because he was under a spell? He must have a spell on him. "But Jane the king's real wife is also with child." This brought happiness to Chapuys heart. With Jane pregnant the king might be influenced by her and restore the Princess Mary.
"But what do we do about the Boleyn? "Asked Brereton. Chapuys thought about this for a moment, what could they do if they did anything Jane and the Seymour's would be blamed or worst Princess Mary." We will wait and see how it plays out before we make our move." This answer did not suit Brereton. "No, that will not do the whore must die before that witch baby is born!" He shouted. "If she has this baby she will have two baby witches with royal blood and two chances for the throne! She cannot live!" With that Brereton stormed out of the basement. Chapuys could only hope he wouldn't do anything that would get him caught.
23 August 1536
The Lady of England's apartments.
Jane was happy, she was caring the king's child and she certain it was boy. In seven months' time she would deliver the king's son and her position was secure. Then the King would set aside the lady Anne and she would take her true title of Queen. Even though she was only two months along she was already getting the baby's layette ready. She had her ladies sewing little gowns and caps. Jane herself was looking through a trunk full of the old garments belong to royal babies in the past. She found some toys that belonged to Henry and his sibling Arthur and Margaret. Then it came to her that she didn't have a christening gown for the baby. She figured that it was with Anne. Maybe Jane thought that she could get it from her. Why would she need it anymore she wasn't having any more kids. So Jane called two of her ladies, Lady Ursula and her sister Lady Elizabeth and headed to the Anne's rooms.
Queen Anne's rooms.
Anne was in her rooms with a group of seamstresses getting gowns ready for Elizabeth and herself for Elizabeth's birthday celebration and her being presented to the French ambassador. She was examining a gown of little green silk when her niece Catherine entered and curtsied. "Your Majesty, the Lady of England is here to see you." This is weird thought Anne as she nodded her approve for Catherine to let Jane in. Jane entered and Anne signaled that her sisters and the seamstresses should leave. Jane sent her two ladies away and spoke first when they were completely alone. "Anne, I thank you for receiving me." Said Jane as she took the seat Anne was pointing too. Anne walked over to the table and poured herself some wine. She offered some to Jane who shook her head before Anne took a seat. "So Jane what do owe this surprise to?" Asked Anne, As Anne thought about this was her first time talking to Jane since she was one of her ladies.
Jane looked out the window for a moment before she answered Jane. "I have come to ask you for something." Anne placed her cup down and looked at Jane with a funny look. What could she want from her?" She had everything needed jewels, clothes and my husband's love, Thought Anne. "Well I am with child Anne and I have come for the royal christening gown." Jane said simply as it was a little matter to tell someone you were pregnant with their husband's child." "Well you can't have it Jane." Anne said calmly feeling herself loss her temper. "Jane jumped up and shouted "Why not my son should have the royal gown wore by all the royal children of England!" "Because, Anne started to shout I'm pregnant and that gown is going to be used for my son!" "What? Jane asked in surprise. Surely Anne was lying. Henry hadn't visited Anne bed in months. He swore he didn't love her anymore and he didn't believe her to be his true wife. But wait there have been times Jane awoke in the night to find Henry gone. When she asked him about he said he couldn't sleep. But maybe he was really visiting Anne. He lied to me. Thought Jane. He still desired Anne, and he has been leaving his lawful wife's bed for hers.
" You whore, you slut! Shouted Jane How you dare sleep with my husband!" Anne looked shocked to hear Jane talk like that. Jane was supposed to be poise woman who never talked bad about other people. Anne took a step closer to Jane "He was my husband first! Shouted Anne You stole him from me you bitch!" All of a sudden the door was thrown open and rushed in Anne and Jane's ladies. "Your Majesties is everything ok?" They asked in unison. Jane and Anne both signal jerked their heads towards their ladies. Jane was breathing hard and her face was red. "Yes everything is fine." said Jane. She signaled for her two ladies and they left in a huff. Anne told then ladies to go about her business and signaled for the seamstresses to fix the gowns. Mary Stafford walked over to her sister "Anne is everything ok?' she asked. Anne just nodded and walked towards the window tears filled her eyes. What would happen if she lost this child? Would Henry risk the people's anger and dissolve their marriage? Anne didn't know and it scared her. Sudden she felt the warm arms of her sister and she leaned in to the embrace and let the tears fall free.
5 September 1536
Whitehall
Princess Elizabeth was excited. She was back at court for her birthday celebrations and to meet the French ambassador. Lady Bryan had been drilling her continuously about the importance of this marriage and that she must behave in a way that befits her rank as a Princess. She couldn't wait to meet the ambassador so she could show that she was the perfect Princess and worthy to marry the Prince. As Elizabeth reached her mother's room the one of the ladies opened the door and announced her. "Her Highness the Princess Elizabeth." Elizabeth ran to her mother and hugged her around her legs. "Mama, mama, I have missed you so much." Anne lowed herself to her daughter's leave to give her a proper hug. "And I have missed you Elizabeth." Anne took her daughter by the hand and led her to the window seat. Anne placed her daughter on her lap. Elizabeth was heaver then last time and she had trouble supporting her weight but she managed.
"Elizabeth has it been explained to you why you are to meet the French ambassador? Elizabeth nodded and told her mother what she had been told. "So you understand that if you marry Prince Charles you will have to go live in France?' Elizabeth nodded and looked at her mother. "But not for a long time yet right?" "Right sweetheart," Whispered Anne saddened at the thought of her sweet daughter leaving her to go leave to her new home.
Back in Elizabeth's Nursery.
Lady Mary was supposed to be watching Elizabeth eat but she was in deep thought. Why was King Francis marrying his son to Anne's bastard? Did he understand that he was going against God's will by accepting Anne's marriage to her father as a real true marriage? And what about her? Would she ever be married or would she grow old a spinster stuck in her sister's service for ever. Maybe once Jane's child was born she would be married. Jane promised she would talk to the king on her behalf. But so far nothing has changed she was still stuck as a servant for her sister. And her father is still demanding that she take the oath. She keeps on resisting but she can feel herself weaken she didn't know how much longer she could hold out.
Mary was so lost in thought that she didn't hear the Queen being announced. Mary turned to see all Elizabeth ladies dip deep curtsies and say Your Majesty. Mary put down the sewing and dipped a shallow curtsey and said madam. She refused to call Anne Your Majesty believing the woman had no right to the title. Elizabeth ran to her mother and Anne picked her up and swung her around. Mary despite herself looked on with jealous how she longed to have a parental figure in her life. Jane was trying and offered her friend ship and that helped a little but she needed her father.
Mary watched her sister talk to her mother when Anne looked up and smiled at her. Mary cringed why would she smile at her? She wished her dead Mary was sure of it. Like she wanted her sainted mother dead. Anne did something even more strange to Mary she got up from the chair she sat in when she was talking to Elizabeth and came over to Mary. As Anne approached Mary and Mary dropped another shallow curtsey and refused to look Anne in the eyes. "How are you Lady Mary? Are you being treated well?" "As well as can be expected Madam." Answered Mary. "Well Lady Mary I just wanted to tell you that my offer of restoring you to your father's favor is still open. If you ever need anything just come and ask me." With that Anne walked back to her seat next to Elizabeth and resumed her conversation. Mary once again was tempted to say yes. But how could she betray her mother that way?"
So did you guys like this chapter? It probably wasn't the best but I hope you liked it. Next chapter Elizabeth has her birthday celebrations and The French ambassador arrives. So please review because it tells me you guys like my story and it motivates me. P.s.: Please try to ignore the grammar mistakes and I will try to update soon.