Hello, here I am with a new chapter. I am so glad that this story is holding your interest. One thing that has been bothering me (yes, I am obsessed) is that maybe Cromwell is being portrayed in a much "kinder" way than usual. But I simply loved the way James Frain humanized him in the series, so I can't resist. And the fic is AU, so that's the perfect excuse :D
On with the chapter!
Chapter V
Meanwhile, while Anne and Thomas made love in their home manor and Katherine Howard pretended to be overwhelmed by carnal pleasure as His Majesty was on top of her, Thomas Howard had business to do. He sent a message for her niece, Jane Boleyn, to meet him after getting Kitty ready for the King. He also sent a message for Sir Francis Bryan. He needed someone to do the dirty job he had in mind. He stared at the fireplace, watching the red and orange flames. That stupid whore, he thought, infuriated with his niece, Katherine Howard. A pebble? For God's sake! He knew Katherine was not a saint before being married to Henry. At age fourteen, she had already had improper relations with Francis Dereham, a boy of no importance she had met in Lambeth. The Duke of Norfolk always thought it was lucky she didn't get pregnant. Now he knew why: Katherine had been putting a pebble in her womb in order to not conceive, and that had damaged her reproductive organs beyond fixing. Any other man could regard this as a major setback and a definitive end to his ambitions and greed, but Thomas Howard wasn't any man. He had a plan. It was the riskiest scheme he had ever come up with, but something had to be done.
His thoughts were disturbed by a gentle knock on the door. It was Jane Boleyn, followed by Sir Francis. She curtseyed deeply, while both men acknowledged each other with a nod. Norfolk gestured them to sit and poured three glasses of wine.
- So, Sir Francis… you must be wondering why you're here, must you not? – the Duke said, in a fake polite tone.
- Cut the crap, Norfolk – Bryan said in a scorned voice. – There's only one reason for me being here: you need to do some dark business, and need someone to do the dirty part of the job.
Jane Boleyn was outraged by the lack of deference showed by Francis. However, Thomas laughed wholeheartedly.
- Your wit never ceases to amaze me, Bryan. However, you are right. I don't like to beat around the bush, anyway. I need you to do me a major service. As you might have heard, Lady Anne of Cleves is pregnant by Secretary Cromwell.
- I've heard the gossip – said Bryan, chuckling. – Who would have thought His Majesty's mare was fertile?
- Do not speak like that of Lady Anne, for she stands way above you – retorted Lady Jane. She wasn't loyal to the German duchess, although she admired her deep inside. Anne of Cleves might be ugly, but she had dealt with rejection in a very dignified way.
- I've heard the King was not pleased – said Bryan, ignoring her comment. - No matter what he said to Cromwell, that was a big blow on Henry's ego. He had the opportunity to secure his dynasty and let it slip. Oh, wait, I've forgotten: now it's your opportunity – he mocked, looking at Norfolk and Jane.
- Actually, that's exactly the subject I want to discuss with you, Sir Bryan – said Norfolk, leaning forward.
- What is it? Good old Henry can't do the job anymore? Do you want me to bed your niece and put a bastard on the throne? – he laughed.
Thomas Howard had to control himself in order not to punch his nose. He could have had Bryan arrested for treason, but he chose to ignore the other man's bragging. Much more important things were at stake now.
- I do not doubt His Majesty's… abilities to conceive a son. However, I can't say the same for my niece.
- What do you mean? – Francis Bryan perked his ears.
- The Queen has a health issue which doesn't allow her to bear children – Thomas could see a hint of surprise in Bryan's face, but it was quickly replaced with a ironic smirk.
- So much work for nothing, eh? But I gather you already have a brilliant plan to get out of this mess, have you not, Norfolk?
- Of course I do. But I need you in order to succeed.
- What do you want?
- I want you to kidnap a baby. Katherine will present him as the male heir.
Lady Jane stifled a exclamation of surprise. Francis just looked him straight in the eye. He was a man of no scruples, but Norfolk surpassed him. But wasn't he the one who signed his own niece and Queen, Anne Boleyn, death warrant a few years back? Yes, Thomas Howard was a man who wouldn't mind selling his soul to the Devil if it brought him some profits. So he simply asked:
- How much?
- 100 crowns – Bryan whistled lowly. Wow, the Howard family must be really desperate. One hundred crowns were a fortune, according to Bryan's standards.
- But I don't want any man's son. I want Cromwell's son. If it's a boy, and I hope it is. If not, any male baby will do, as long as it is blonde with blue eyes.
Bryan almost giggled at the irony. Cromwell almost brought Norfolk along with his headless niece. Now Norfolk wanted to drag the Secretary down at any cost.
- I'm on it. – He simply said. One hundred crowns were bait he was willing to bite on.
- Great – said Norfolk, visibly relieved. – You can go now. We will talk again soon.
Francis nodded. Jane Boleyn didn't move. Norfolk probably wanted to discuss with her the best way of faking a pregnancy right in front of the King. Right in front of the whole world.