"Catherine are you sure you won't be my Principle Lady in Waiting," I asked her as I went over the list in my hands. It was too hard to choose my ladies in waiting. Catherine was helping me all the way. I wanted pure ladies so we set an example, but I knew that there might be one or two who would run wild. I had seen all of them in person but I had to narrow it down to five. One of them would be my principle lady in waiting.
"Yes I am most certain. I must return to take care of Charles's son," Catherine replied.
"And there is nothing I can do to make you stay," I asked her.
"No, but have you informed him yet," Catherine asked her voice taking on a serious tone. I shook my head looking at the list in my hands to take my mind off of where Catherine was taking our conversation. There were seven ladies in waiting on the list and I could only choose five. I crossed out numbers 3 and 7 leaving me with five. There was Jane Seymour, Jane Boleyn, Ursula Missleton, Katarina Thomas and Amelia Carrington. Jane Seymour and Jane Boleyn were the top contenders for my principle lady in waiting. Jane Boleyn had more experience but she was a Boleyn by marriage and Henry wanted to keep an eye on her for any signs of George and his father showing up.
"Catherine I will inform his majesty I just want to wait awhile longer," I told her rubbing my growing belly. I was not showing just yet.
"Wait why ever would you wait? The Royal physician has confirmed it five times and you are showing symptoms of pregnancy. You are craving quail's eggs," Catherine said. I ignored her looking over the list. I decided on Jane Seymour.
"Jane Seymour will be my principle lady in waiting," I said out loud. Catherine groaned and I heard her slap her forehead. I bit my tongue to avoid laughing.
"Andrea, Henry will love you more for this child," Catherine said.
"Did Henry approve of Mary's request to be of service to me she has been asking me about it," I asked her.
"Yes he did approve but you need to tell him you are with child," Catherine said.
"I will just let me tell him," I said to her.
"Very Well. Now let us discuss names," Catherine said. I groaned.
"I thought we just resolved that matter," I said. Catherine smirked.
"No we resolved on when you tell Henry not discussing names," Catherine replied.
"Discussing what names," an amused voice behind us said. I turned to see Henry leaning on the doorframe at the entrance to my sitting room.
"My ladies in waiting," I told him quickly. Catherine glared at me.
"So you have decided then," Henry said wrapping his arms around my waist and kissing my neck lightly.
"Yes the list is right there on the table," I said.
"Good now you will have more protection than just the guards," Henry said.
"She will need more protection now," Catherine said. I glared and Henry looked concerned.
"Why is that Duchess," Henry said.
"Catherine please leave us for a moment," I asked her. She smiled and left the room. I turned to Henry who did not look amused.
"Sweetheart what is the matter why did the Duchess say you would need more guards? Did Lady Rochford say anything to you?" Henry asked. I shook my head.
"No something wonderful has happened," I said.
"Sweetheart tell me," Henry said. I turned around in his arms and took his hands. I placed them on my stomach running them up and down my slight baby bump. Henry's eyes widened then his face gained a smile. He laughed and pulled me into a hug.
"Thank you sweetheart I needed to hear some good news," Henry said.
"What is wrong Henry," I asked him.
"A rebellion was started but easily suppressed by your brother," Henry said.
"Does Catherine know," I asked him.
"She knew sweetheart," Henry said. He held me close knowing that I feared for my brother's safety.
"Why did you not tell me," I asked him.
"I did not want to worry you. It seems I had good reason," Henry said kneeling down and resting his head on my stomach. I ran my fingers through his hair trying to soothe his thoughts that were disturbing him.
"Henry why don't we go for a calm ride through the country," I asked him.
"No but maybe a walk through the gardens," Henry said.
"Very Well," I said.
"Andrea I must come to your bed tonight," Henry said kissing my neck.
"I would not have it any other way," I told him then I kissed him conveying all my love for him in that one kiss. He took my hand, never letting go as he led me outside and into the gardens.
I looked up from my book as I watched my household. The ladies I had chosen were good and kind ladies who so far had suppressed feelings of lust and scorn. I smiled. The rebellion had been suppressed and Charles was returned safely to Catherine. Henry had been coming every night to me whether he wanted to make love or to just lay there and hold me resting his hand on my stomach.
"Lady Seymour come here to me," I said. Jane Seymour stood up and walked towards me. I gestured to the seat across from me. She sat down obediently.
"Yes your majesty," She said.
"I am sorry if you serving me offends you," I told her. She looked up wide eyed and surprised.
"No your majesty it is an honor to serve such a kind queen," Jane said.
"You need not act falsely with me Jane. I know your family was pressuring you to be with Henry," I said. She looked down at her hands.
"All I wanted was a happy life in the country I was content knowing I might go to a nunnery at least my life would have a purpose," Jane said.
"Jane, I promise you that I will do everything I can to get you a good marriage. But until that time should your husband desire you to live at his home and not at court would you so kindly fill my post as principle lady in waiting," I asked her. She looked at me with tears coming out of her eyes.
"Yes your majesty," Jane said giving me a curtsey.
"Please send in Lady Mary and should my brother arrive send him to me at once. I have to discuss his wife with him," I said to her. She smiled and nodded going back to her sewing a smile on her face. Lady Mary approached me and sat down in the chair that Lady Jane had just vacated.
"You asked to see me," Mary said.
"Yes, would it hurt you if I was to have a boy," I asked her.
"No my lady. I would be perfectly content, I would know that the child would have been conceived in a lawful marriage," Mary said.
"That is good to hear. I would hate to lose your love Lady Mary for you are very dear to me," I told her.
"As you are to me your majesty,' Mary said.
"Your majesty your brother Charles is here," Jane Seymour said.
"Very well Lady Mary you may return to the lute," I said. She gave a curtsey and left.
"Sister," I heard a voice say. I saw Charles's face come into view and I couldn't be happier to see him. I gave him a big bear hug.
"So what is this I hear about you crushing a rebellion," I asked him.
"Easily crushed just farmers with pitchforks," Charles said as he began to tell me the story.
"You are lucky if their numbers had grown larger you would have had no chance," I told him.
"Do you have no faith in me," Charles asked. I looked over at Lady Jane Seymour and then back to Charles an idea was forming in my head.
"Do we have a brother I vaguely remember someone else living in the house with us," I asked him. Charles nodded.
"Our older brother William is on his way back from the Imperial Court. He is the ambassador there for you husband the King. Though he is only here for a short while he wants to see us," Charles said.
"Is he married," I asked him. Charles laughed but shook his head as a negative response.
"What are you doing Andrea," Charles asked. I gestured over to Jane Seymour who was currently sewing.
"I was wondering if perhaps he could come to court and maybe consider a marriage with Jane Seymour," I told him.
"It is possible but William is a complicated man," Charles said.
"Opposites attract my brother," I told him.
