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Disclaimer: The King, Higgins and the children belong to me, everything else is history.

Chapter XXI

I raced back to the nursery; everything was fine when I left. Dr Linker and Dr Butts were still there as the children were still not back to full health. I had set Lady Bryan the tasks of finding a new wet-nurse.

We reached the nursery and I burst through the door. Dr Linker and Dr Butts were standing either side of Catherine's crib, they both looked up as I came in the room, their faces were full of sadness. I didn't ask any questions but went straight to Catherine's crib. The two Doctors moved aside, Catherine looked as if she was sleeping but her chest wasn't rising. I looked at the two Doctors, looking for answers.

Dr Butts looked at me and said. "We are so sorry your Majesty, we tried to save her."

I picked Catherine up and she didn't stir. I couldn't take it in but how was Anne going to react? Anne! In my haste to get back to the nursery I had forgotten to send a message to Anne. I didn't have time to think how to tell her, when the nursery door flung open and Anne came bursting through. Her eyes instantly found me with Catherine in my arms, I had no words, what could I say, our child was dead.

Anne came towards me and took Catherine out of my arms, she cuddled her as if she was just asleep and she was but she would never awaken. Anne collapsed to the floor and gave a wail of a cry; I went to her side, knelt down and cuddled her. Everyone around us stood there silently crying. Amidst Anne's crying I heard another cry, it was John. Lady Bryan went to John's crib, reached in and picked him up.

I turned my attention back to Anne, she was still crying. I motioned for her Ladies to come over; I got up and went over to the two Doctors. They had their eyes downcast and didn't look up as I approached. I only had one question.

"What happened?" I asked.

Neither Doctor spoke for a minute then Dr Linker spoke.

"Your Majesty, we do not know where to start, It all happened so fast."

"One minute we were sorting medicine for the children to take and the next we heard a loud cry come from the Lady Bryan." Dr Butts said.

"We rushed over to the Princess's crib and saw that she was not breathing. We set to work trying to save her but she had gone." Dr Linker continued.

I couldn't respond, I didn't know how to respond. Anne had stopped crying and was rocking backwards and forwards, Catherine still in her arms. I went over and knelt down in front of her. She looked up at me; her eyes were red from where she had been crying.

I slowly reached out my arms and went to take Catherine's body out of her arms. She tried to resist but I simply said. "Anne." And she released her grip and I slowly took the body out of her arms.

I looked down at Catherine's face; she still looked as if she was sleeping. I bent down and kissed her on the forehead, she was cold to the touch. I gently laid her in her crib and gave her one last look, then looked at the Doctors and gave them a nod.

I turned to where Anne was still kneeling and went over. I extended my hand and raised her to her feet. She looked over to the crib where Catherine's body lay and then let me lead her out of the nursery.

I escorted Anne back to her chambers. I helped her to undress and get into bed. Anne didn't try to argue or stop me, she just stood there. After I had helped her into bed, I sat there next to her; I didn't say anything as I didn't know what to say.

Eventually I got up and made to leave, as I got to the door I heard Anne's voice.

"Thank you." She said.

I gave her a low bow and left. I headed straight to my chambers and sent a message to Sir Thomas More asking that heralds be sent to the streets to announce that court is to go into mourning for the Princess. Sir Thomas sent back a message of condolence and that my orders would be carried out.

The following week I stayed in my rooms and set my mind to laying Catherine to rest. Near the beginning of my reign I had commissioned two tombs for me and Anne. They were not ready but I sent an order for a smaller tomb to be made and added to the foot of our tomb.

Another week went by and I continued to keep myself occupied. Catherine's funeral was kept a private affair and was done according to tradition. Anne had still not recovered from Catherine's death and I worried that she would lose the child she was carrying.

I was working in my room one day when my page announced the Constable of the Tower, Sir William Kingston.

"Sir William, what news have you from the tower?" I said.

"Your Majesty, the wet-nurse was executed as per your orders. She pleaded for her life up until the end and said that she never meant to harm the children." Sir William replied.

"Was she told that through her actions she killed my daughter and that my son may never fully recover?" I asked.

"Yes, she wept when she was told of the princess's death. I was told that she asked for clemency and a quick death." Sir William replied.

"Which I didn't give. I heard Smithfield's was packed and her brother tried to save her." I said.

"Yes, he has been jailed and is set to be released tomorrow." Sir William replied.

"Fine him 5 shillings and free him." I said.

"Yes your Majesty." Sir William replied.

I dismissed Sir William and went to see Anne. Anne had enclosed herself in mourning and had not left her chamber since Catherine's death. Her Ladies have tried to keep her spirits up but to no avail. The only time she would smile was when John was brought for her to see. She was now 7 months into her pregnancy and would soon enter her confinement to give birth.

As I entered she was sitting with her Ladies, most were sewing while another was reading a book out loud. Anne's Ladies made their obedience's; I acknowledged them and went to Anne. She sat there with her sewing sitting idle in her lap.

"How are you?" I asked.

"I am well." Anne replied.

"Would you like to take a walk with me in the gardens?" I asked.

"Sorry but I don't feel ready for a walk." Anne replied.

"I believe a walk would do you some good and your rose garden is getting along. I know you take pride in making sure it is kept in top condition." I say.

"I'm sorry but..." Anne started but I cut in.

"I won't take no for an answer, Anne you are coming up for your confinement and I am worried for you and the child. You haven't left your chambers in months and the Doctors are concerned that all this might harm the child. Please take a walk with me, we can go at your pace and you can stop whenever you want." I say.

"Very well." Anne says and nods to her Ladies to make ready.

We make our way through the palace to the gardens. Anne doesn't say anything and I don't try to talk to her until we reach the safety of her gardens. I watch as Anne walks around every patch and makes an observation every once and a while. A gardener was summoned to correct something that Anne felt was wrong and didn't move until it was rectified.

After a while she came back to me and we moved to another part of the gardens. Still Anne and I had not spoken to each other and I was debating asking a question but Anne made the first move.

"I am worried about this pregnancy, ever since little Catherine left us I have wondered whether I am fit to be a mother." She says.

"Anne you are a perfect mother, Catherine's death wasn't your fault, it was the wet-nurse." I reply.

"But I employed her; if we had known about her condition then we wouldn't have employed her." Anne said.

"But we didn't, but that doesn't mean that it was your fault." I reply.

"I heard about the wet-nurse." Anne said.

I sighed.

"I hoped you wouldn't find out." I replied.

"We will need to find a nurse for this new child but I am worried that it will happen again." Anne said.

"Well I will make sure that doesn't happen. Before they are even taken on I will make sure they go through Dr Linker for a health check." I reply.

"Thank you Henry." Anne replied.

One month later Anne entered her confinement and I waited for news.