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: First of all I will like to thank everyone who reviewed and that I glad that you all enjoyed the last chapter. In this chapter the court visits Wolfhall and Brereton and Thomas Seymour put the final touches on their plan. Anne talks to the King about the Lady Mary. I also found it very hard to write the chapter so it probably isn't a great chapter.
Chapter 9
Whitehall
15 September 1536
The Lady of England's apartments
The Lady of England was standing in front of a mirror in her room staring at her growing belly. In the span of a week her she had gained five pounds. Jane was so distracted by her growing womb that she didn't notice the king stand there till she saw his reflection in the mirror. Jane dropped a quick curtsey and went to give Henry a kiss. "How do you feel Jane," Asked Henry?
I feel fine Your Majesty. I'm just amazed at how fast I've gained weight it makes me feel ugly."
Henry took Jane into his arms and kissed her on the forehead. "If it makes you feel any better you will always be beautiful to me." That brought tears to Jane's eyes, the king did love her maybe more than Anne. Henry's hands moved down to Jane's stomach. He rested his hands on top of Jane's stomach." My son." Was all he said.
Same day
The Queen's Apartments
The Queen's rooms were in frenzy. Anne was having her ladies pack her trunks for the court visit to Wolfhall. As her ladies packed Anne laid on a low sofa resting with her hands on her swelling stomach. It was nice time to relax before she entered her enemy's home in two days. No Anne thought to herself you can't think like that for the health of your child. Anne turned her mind to the Lady Mary. The girl has suffered much since Henry divorced Katherine. First being forced to serve Elizabeth and not being allowed to see her mother as she was dying. Anne agreed part of it was her fault but Henry is her father he should have made the right choice.
Anne decided that she will do the right thing and free Mary from her position as a lady-in-waiting to Elizabeth. But first she needs Henry's permission. And she knew he would agree would be if Mary signed the oath. But how could she get Mary to agree ? She already promised her once to restore her to her father's good graces to no avail. But with the girl's mother being dead Mary might be more willing to be received by her only leaving parent by doing anything. And Anne knew she might be able to convince Henry to add Mary to the line of succession. After any child she had. But how to go about it? Mary was as proud girl and was less than likely do anything that she thinks will dishonor her mother. Well, I will just start slow with my offer of friendship and bring it up slowly.
Henry entered the queen's room to see if Anne was packed." Sweetheart I came to see if you would be ready to leave in two days?" Henry lifted Anne's legs so he could sit before settling them on his lap.
"I am just about packed," answered Anne.
"Good, that is good," Said Henry. Then he leaned in and kissed her on the lips and moved to leave, but arms reached out and stopped him.
"Henry wait, there is something I want to talk to you about.'' Anne lifted herself and moved her legs off Henry's lap too stand. Once standing Anne ordered her ladies to leave the room. Anne turned back to Henry and took both his hands into hers. "I would like to speak to you about the Lady Mary," She said calmly. She half expected the king to lash out at her. Anne stood with Henry's hands in hers unable to read his face.
"Why are you worrying about the Lady Mary? She is an ungrateful bastard, it is her Spanish blood," asked the King? He pulled his Hands from Anne's and stood. Henry paced the floor of the apartment. While part of him was glad Anne wanted to talk of Mary he know he couldn't accept her as part of the family till she signed the oath.
"Because she is your daughter and with her mother being dead she has suffered enough."
Henry signed and dragged his hand through his hair. What could he do with her? If he let her back into the family without signing the oath his subjects might think it is ok for them not sign. But if he had her arrested they may rebel. "If Mary signs the oath by you and Jane's eighth month, I will welcome her back into the family fold. Henry then stood and left.
17th September 1536
The court was on the move. They were heading to WolfHall at the invitation of the Seymour's. King Henry rode proudly in a green velvet doublet with emeralds. He enjoyed the fresh autumn air and a slight that was so refreshing. His two wives where less fortunate. As they were both in their four month of pregnancy and starting to show they were both forced into riding in a carriage together. The tense was so thick you could have cut it with a knife. On one side sat Anne with her sister Mary mostly chatting about Possible matches for her niece Catherine Carey and on the other side sat Jane with her lady-in-waiting Ursula Missleton. Jane hadn't befriended Lady Missleton so they sat in silence for the whole ride. Jane looked at Anne with jealousy Even in her forth month Anne glowed with beauty and could still pull off the French fashions. And how she wished her sisters could be within the carriage. But Elizabeth and Dorothy were sent back to WolfHall to be readied for marriages.
Finally they arrived at WolfHall with the whole household standing outside to welcome them. The carriage stopped and a groom opened the door and helped out first Jane then Anne. Jane straightened out her gown of purple silk and went to stand next to the King followed closely by Anne wearing a gown of dark blue satin.
Sir John stepped forward and bowed to the royal threesome. "Your Majesties, welcome to WolfHall," he said. He gratefully kissed the Hands of his son –in-law and daughter but he slightly hesitated to kiss Anne's. After the formal greetings pasted the royals where shown to their rooms. Henry and Jane were put into giant room's right across from each other. But Anne was put in rooms much farther down the hall. When Anne asked why Sir John said "forgive me your Majesty But our biggest rooms are spread out so we tried to accommodate you has best we could." Anne nodded
but not believing a word he says. He probably was hoping that since Jane room was closer he would want to visit her at night and ignore her all together. But Anne wouldn't let them win she refused too.
Once she was unpacked Anne decided to take a short nap. After what felt like moments to her Anne was awoken by Mistress Nan, "Your Majesty, you over sleep dinner is about to be served."
Anne groggily lifted up her head and looked at the window. Wow she thought I really did a long time. For it was bitch black outside. The moon itself was barely signing. She had her ladies dress her in a gown of crimson satin with the matching tiara from the Queen's jewels. Anne lead the way down to the Seymour's dining hall with her ladies following at a discreet pace behind her. Anne loved this gown it showed off her expanding belly perfectly. This was to her best advantage since she was entering enemy territory. And she wanted to Show that she was possibly mother to the king's son and heir.
Anne entered the dining hall to the call of the herald alerting the small court that the Queen had arrived. Anne smiled and placed a hand on her stomach as she headed to the high table where Henry was already seated but she notice Jane had yet to arrive. As Anne approached Henry stood to kiss her and pull out her seat himself. "Sweetheart, I trust you slept well." He then sat himself down and took a sip of his fine.
"I did. Your Majesty is very kind to ask." Anne went on to also drink some wine. Struggling to get the wine down a little. It seems that the Seymour's are big fans of the bitter English wine. While Anne herself loved the fruity-sweet French wine, not drinking the wine provided would be considered rude and the last thing she need was a roamer going around saying she openly snubbed the Seymour's. Anne put down the goblet and turned back to the king. "So where is Jane," She inquired.
"She was also tired when she arrived. So she took a nap. I have sent a page to her, she shall be here shortly."
Anne just nodded and turned her attention back to her food. Trying to enjoy her last few free Jane moments left. Which only last one more minute because the herald bellowed to the crowed "Her Majesty, The Lady of England." Jane entered wearing a gown of light green and sliver silk. Her tiara of diamonds sat snuggly on her mound of golden hair. Anne hated to think it but Jane was g lowing with heath. She seemed confident in her first pregnancy.
As the royal family ate. Brereton and Thomas met in a dark corner to discuss the plan. "Is everything in check," whispered Brereton?
"It is. Tomorrow the King and the court including my sister will leave tomorrow for a hunt. When we are gone you will strike."
"But won't the whore be going with the king?"
"No." hissed Seymour. "Because you will give her this."
He proceeds to pull a vial filled with clear liquid from his pocket. He hands it to Brereton how stares at it with interest. "What is it," He inquired.
"Something to make Lady Anne unwell, "he answers. It won't kill her mind you but it should keep her from the hunt tomorrow."
"And when she is here alone, I will finish the job assigned to me by His Holiness," said Brereton with a smile of happiness on his twisted face.
TBC.
Cliffhanger much! So what will happen? Will the two evildoers have success? Or will the plan be fouled. You will have to read chapter ten to find out. I know I said the plan would take place this chapter but I felt it would work out better next chapter. I also promise not to take this long to update again, school just got so crazy. So please review that inspires me and if you haven't already checked out my other story Modern Royal please do so. Oh and for Henry and Jane fans they will get some alone time together next chapter.