We Three Queens
Chapter FIVE! xxxx
Henry decided to go to Jane the next day to ask her for her hand in marriage. He met her in the gardens on the bright sunny morning. He knew how much she loved the gardens, especially been surrounded by all the colourful flowers and plants. He turned to the palace to see Jane walking out of the door. She wore a stunning aquamarine gown over an almost silver corset embroidered with the same blue coloured beads. She had braided the front two sections of her hair and pinned them at the back of her golden curls which fell to her waist. Her gown trailed behind her for about a foot. "Your Majesty, I offer my condolences for your wife's untimely death." She said seriously, curtsying to her King as she had been taught to. Henry smiled, "You may rise Jane." She rose and stood straight, looking him in the eye, and took his arm that was held out for her.
"Jane, may I ask you a question?" Henry asked her when they reached a beautiful fountain, whose clear water shimmered in the midday sun. "Of course your majesty." she replied, the sunlight bouncing off of her golden hair. They stopped and sat down on a smooth wooden bench. "Do you understand my need for a male heir?"
"Of course Your Majesty-"
"Please, Henry."
"Very well, Henry. The Tudor Dynasty is simply too precious to lose. It is a strong firm family, who will rule over England for a long time to come." Henry was thrown by this, he had always thought Jane to be a bit simple. He shook his head and turned to her. "Jane, my Queen has passed on. But before she did, she went through the-"
"The menopause?"
"Yes. Even if she had tried, Katherine could not have borne me a son." Henry paused for a second and glanced at Jane, she averted her gaze. They sat in silence for a while before Henry stood up. Jane stood too, but Henry waved her down and got down to one knee. "Jane, will you marry me, and become my queen and mother to my son?" Jane looked blank, her face white as a sheet. She stared down at the King, kneeling in front of her like a common man.
"I'm sorry your Majesty, I cannot." With that she took off, her white shoes clattering on the pavement, her hair and gown flying behind her. Henry remained where he was, dumbstruck by the turn of events that just occurred.
Jane burst through the door of Anne's chambers, panting, and collapsed into a blue velvet chair. Anne herself quickly walked from the bed and knelt down in front of Jane. She wore a leaf green dress with translucent green sleeves reaching her wrist. Her ebony curls were pulled into a smooth bun at the top of her head, a few curls hanging down by her face, a gold headpiece at the front of her head. She looked concerned by the state her friend was in, and dropped into a matching seat next to her. "Jane, what happened? Who hurt you?"
"No-one!" she sobbed hysterically, "The King- he- he asked me to-"
"Marry you?"
Jane's confused blue eyes met Anne's dark gaze.
"How did you know?"
"Jane. I am no stranger to marriage proposals, I understand why you would cry with happiness-"
"I said no!" Anne's face creased into a frown, just as a sharp knock echoed on the door. Jane looked like she knew who it was, and ran to the other side of the room. Anne walked to the door and opened it, revealing a very angry King, "Lady Anne." he said sharply, waving Anne's curtsy off and striding into the room. Anne slowly rose, and closed the door, quickly turning to the King. "Have you seen the Lady Jane?" Anne put on her best "worried" look, "I'm afraid not your Majesty, do you require my services?" Henry looked her up and down, and conducted a plan. He stepped towards her, "Yes I do, Lady Anne." He pulled her arms up and kissed her full on the lips.
Anne was confused, why was he kissing her? Didn't he love Jane? It didn't matter, because at that moment, Jane came bursting out of the wardrobe. Henry broke away from Anne, leaving her breathless. "Ha! I knew you was in here!" Henry said jubilantly. Jane's eyes were narrowed, "I thought you loved me? Why were you kissing Lady Anne?" Anne was shocked, Jane had always called her just plain Anne.
"Why did you refuse my marriage proposal?" Jane's gaze dropped to the stone floor, and mumbled, "Because you wouldn't want me."
"Jane," Henry's voice became soft, "Why would I propose marriage to you if I didn't want you?" Jane glanced at the King, and decided that there might be a chance.
"I accept, your Majesty." Henry's look changed from concerned to euphoric as he grabbed Jane and kissed her. Anne looked away, trying to give them some privacy. Henry put her down and left, after promising Jane that he would announce it to court, and acknowledging Anne with a curt nod.
Happy December!