Henry Seymour was born later that year, 1540 in November. Once again Anne was in high spirits to have that "damn thing" out of her and was eager to return to her husbands side at court. Despite her excitement to rid this child from her body, she found herself quite fond of her new son, who she found much better looking than Eddie.

"I think he's my favourite." She told Edward as she lay on the bed, Henry in her arms. She looked down at him with delight and touched his little lips with a finger. "He's good looking."

Edward raised his eyebrows at her. "He's an infant, you can't judge that sort of thing yet. How many times have I had to tell you so?"

Anne looked up at Edward coldly and then back to the child. This time around, Edward seemed quite irritated to be ripped from his business at such an inconvenient time. As he sat with Anne that day he complained constantly of all the things he would have to do once they returned to the palace in preparation for Christmas and other things. Anne merely rolled her eyes at him after every complaint. He was beginning to ruin her good mood. "If you're just going to complain, Edward, then perhaps you should leave."

Edward looked at her, shocked by her words, but then looked away and sighed. He knew he was being a downer; it was just difficult for him to draw himself away from work lately. "My apologies wife, I'm just not used to being idle."

"Well you needn't be idle just because you are home." Anne retorted. "You have a new son!"

He looked back at her, biting his lip and then inched a little closer to her and the child on the bed. He examined the child only with his eyes at first and then offered his arms.

Anne smiled and placed the baby into his hold carefully. Edward was never good at handling children, though, not to say Anne was either. They preferred to leave the work to their household employees. When Edward took Henry in his arms, he at first looked very awkward, but then pulled Henry closer to him and began to admire his looks. "I suppose he is good looking." He acknowledged to Anne's pleasure. "For a baby."

Despite Anne's love for her new son, she returned to court with her husband for the Christmas celebrations, just in time to watch the little queen be spoiled to death by her husband. Anne was coldly reminded of the time Henry had approached her and rolled her eyes in irritation multiple times throughout the night.

To Anne's relief, the Lady Mary was in attendance at the celebrations that year and so she could vent her dislike for the new queen to her, who also disliked her.

"She is too young." Mary insisted as they sat in a corner of the hall talking quietly. Edward had gone off to converse with the King and the Duke of Suffolk. "I do not see how my father believes her to be a good wife."

"He does because the Duke of Suffolk made the suggestion." Anne explained. "When he tired of Anne of Cleves, the Duke was quick to put in a good word about one of her ladies: Catherine."

Mary sat back in her seat, sighing a little. "I hoped that Suffolk would give my father good advice as he once has, but now, he has clearly given him quite the opposite. Lady Anne is a lovely woman, I don't understand why she needed to be replaced."

Anne decided not to comment on the Cleves girl as she, personally, did not find her to be a suitable queen. She merely forced a light smile. "I can't imagine this one lasting long."

"You can't?" Mary asked, surprised. "She has years ahead of her, and she comes with child, then we may all be in for a long-term torturous marriage. I do hope she is incapable of bearing a child."

"As do I, my lady. Between you and I, I hope for nothing more than her failure. She is a Howard yet she is not a devout Catholic woman. I've heard many a rumor about her behavior before she came to be a lady-in-waiting. She must be aware of the fact that nothing is secret here, which is why I believe her tenure will be much shorter than she expects."

Mary nodded her head, agreeing with everything Anne had said in her own mind. "We are on the same page then, my lady Hertford. I will not ask what rumors you have heard, as I am sure they will soon reach my ears."

"Without a doubt, my lady." Anne agreed. She knew Mary was much less of a gossip than she and tried to act mature in all situations that were thrown at her. It was something Anne secretly admired about Mary, but also something she believed, in the end, would prove itself as a weakness. "How do you fair these days?"

"Well, of course. I prefer my life in the country to life at the palace any day, but my father has requested that I come to stay here."

"And how will you respond?" Anne asked. "I hope with an acceptance of his offer. It would be a wise decision."

"I don't really have any other choice, do I?" Mary asked, raising her eyebrows.

"I suppose not, but why would you not wish to come stay here?" Anne asked. "Certainly being close to your father has been something you've always desired. Why not take the chance while you have it?"

Mary couldn't argue with Anne's words, and her only reason for not wishing to stay at court was now because of her relationship with her new stepmother, who was younger than her. She sighed. "I have no legitimate reason for wishing to stay away from court. It's now only my dislike for the new Queen that makes me wish I did not have to stay here."

"Don't fear her, she's a girl of seventeen. You're older than her. She has no right to make you feel uncomfortable." Anne reminded her.

"But she is Queen, and I am merely the daughter of the King. She has precedence over me whether I like it or not and there is really very little I can do about it."

"She still has to treat you with respect. Your father has invited you to stay here for a reason, use him as your weapon against her."

Mary nodded and sat forward. "Thank you for your kind words, Nan, but I wish to speak of other things. How are you and your children?"

"Well." Anne said shortly. "You received my letter about my new son? I find it strange that I am so fond of him, when he is nothing but a small infant."

Mary's laugh sounded like chimes in the wind. "It's not such a strange occurrence to find your own son charming." She assured her with a smile. "You must push yourself to be more in touch with your emotions if you feel that way with your children, Nan."

Anne blinked, trying to understand. It's perfectly normal to look at children the way I do. Relationships with them are abnormal. "I will work on that." Anne lied, smiling to her friend.

Mary returned the smile graciously. "And how does your husband? And his brother, Thomas? That is his name, is it not?"

"Yes, Thomas, that's him." Anne replied dully. She couldn't fathom why anyone would be interested in Thomas's well-being or life. "They are both well. I, of course, see more of Edward than Thomas, but from what I know they are on the same boat health wise. Edward is very busy with work however." I fear it shall one day take him away from me… she thought with a momentarily apprehensive look.

"I know Thomas because he makes an effort to speak with me when I visit." Mary said, clearing up the confusion. "I'm glad to hear both of them are well though, but you sound worried about something. May I ask what you are worried about?"

"Worried?" Anne asked, acting taken aback by the question. "Why should I be worried?"

Mary laughed and shook her head. "Perhaps I read your tone wrong. It is nothing."