Disclaimer: the prince and Higgins belong to me, everything else is history.
Thank you for all your comments it means a lot to me as this is my first successful story. I found a beta reader in my friend and they have helped me improve my punctuation, grammar and spelling, so i have updated all the chapters but here is the new. I hope you like it.
Chapter IV
Hampton Court Palace – Westminster Abbey
After the birth Jane was tired and pale but was full of sprite but 4 days later she was hit with childbed fever, it was so sudden it took everyone by surprise. The king sent his best doctors to try and save her, for three days she lay delusional and with a high fever. Mary and I spent as much time as we could praying to our mother and god to save Queen Jane.
Jane died on the 24th October, the court went into mourning. The king was overcome with grief and went into seclusion; he would only be served by his fool Will Somers. Jane was to be buried in Westminster Abbey next to my mother's tomb.
As the weeks progressed the King was still in seclusion and the court started to wonder when or if the King would come out of mourning. Sir Thomas More, the Lord Chancellor was trying to keep the court in order but wasn't having much luck. Eventually after two months the King emerged, he looked a though he had aged ten years. He took the court on progress and crowds of people turned out to see their King.
After the court returned to Hampton Court I was summoned to see my father.
"You asked to see me father." I said with a low bow.
"Yes my son, I fear I have been selfish. We made a bargain and I have failed." My father replied.
"Father you had your own worries and I didn't want to worry you." I said.
"But it was still a bargain and I didn't keep it." Replied my father.
I didn't say anything but my father continued.
"While I was in seclusion Sir Thomas More made some inquires into candidates and he has found two Princesses for you to look at." Henry replied.
"Thank you father, may I know who the two ladies are?" I ask.
"The first lady is Anne of Cleves; she is the youngest daughter of John III, Duke of Cleves. The lady is 17 years old and I have been told she is a fair beauty." My father replied.
"She seems a little young for me." I said.
"I was younger when I married your mother!" Henry replied.
"I know father, who is the second lady?" I asked.
"The second Lady is from Spain; she is the Duchess of Milan and is known to be of great beauty. She is your cousin on your mother's side so you would need a dispensation from the Pope but that shouldn't be too hard to procure." My father replied.
"Have sketches been made of both women?" I ask.
"Hans Holbein is currently in Spain painting the Duchess of Milan and then will travel to Germany to paint the Lady Anne." Henry replied.
"Father are you planning to remarry?" I ask nervously.
"I have a mind to remarry; I must say that when I heard about the Duchess of Milan I was very taken with her." My father replied.
"I must say that I also like the Duchess of Milan but we both can't go for the woman." I said.
Henry laughed and I joined in but we both knew I was right.
"How about this, we wait for the portraits of the two Princesses to arrive and then we will choose together?" Henry said.
"That sounds a wonderful idea, Father." I replied.
"Good. Now I must go and see what my government has been up to in my absence." My father said rising from his chair.
The weeks went by with no news of the paintings having arrived and I spent more and more time shooting arrows and talking to Higgins to see if he had any news. Then finally they arrived, my father summoned me as soon as they had been set up in his chamber.
"Are you ready, my son?" Henry asked.
"Yes, father." I replied.
In the room were the Lord Chancellor, Sir Thomas More and Hans Holbein. Henry nodded and Holbein removed the first covering from the first painting. My father and I gasped as the covering fell to the floor revealing a young attractive woman; she was slender built with black hair, blue eyes and a pretty face.
"Which lady is this?" I asked.
"This is the Duchess of Milan." Sir Thomas replied.
"She is a beauty indeed." Henry said.
"I must agree she looks like a Queen!" I said.
"Shall we look at the other portrait?" Sir Thomas asked.
"Yes, Holbein would you remove the other cover?" Henry asked.
Holbein moved forwards and removed the covering and revealed the second woman. I was amazed, like the first painting, the Lady Anne was also of great beauty with light brown hair, hazel eyes and her complexion was free of blemishes.
"I am very taken with the Lady Anne, her portrait is very striking." I said.
"She has a good complexion but it can't compare with the Duchess of Milan." Henry replied.
"What do we know about the Lady Anne, Sir Thomas?" I asked.
"The Lady Anne is 20, her brother is the Duke as her father recently passed and her mother went to live in a nunnery. She speaks little English and has no formal education but she is still young enough to learn." Sir Thomas Replied.
"I am fluent in German and would be able to teach her English. What is the Duke offering as her dowry?" I asked.
"Unfortunately the Duke has no money to offer." Sir Thomas replied.
"I am sure we could forgo the dowry if you like her." Henry said.
"There is one other problem, I have learned of a pre-contract to Francis Duke of Lorraine." Sir Thomas replied.
"Can it be broken?" I asked.
"It can, but whether the Duke will agree we will have to see." Sir Thomas replied.
"Well he should. He is swapping a Duke for a Prince and future King. Have our Ambassador's find out." Henry said.
"Yes your Majesty." Sir Thomas replied.
"What about the Duchess of Milan, I am in a mind to marry her." My father asked.
"The Duchess was cousin to your late wife, Queen Catherine, a dispensation would need to be obtained and because of the closeness it may be difficult to obtain." Sir Thomas replied.
"Ah, that will prove a problem." My father said.
I sat there quietly looking at the picture and wanting her to be in front of me. Two month later I was standing in Westminster Abbey watching the most beautiful woman walk towards me.
Well what do you think. A little twist, the full wedding is coming soon
Please R&R