Chapter 6
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- Do you understand what you have to do, Katherine? – Jane Boleyn tried to sound cool and collected like their uncle Norfolk, but failed miserably. Her voice sounded sweeter than she had intended.
- Are you sure there's no other way? – Kitty desperately tried to escape. Jane didn't blame her for that.
- Unfortunately not, Your Majesty. You have to do as your uncle commands. A family meeting has already taken place regarding this matter.
- And what should I do? Get fat like an elephant and then starve to death after nine months to get back to my normal shape?
- Not exactly – If only things were that simple, sighed Lady Rochford. – First of all, you need to get rid of those silly girls you like to call your ladies-in-waiting.~
- Including Joan Bulmer?
- Starting by Joan Bulmer.
- But she knows the whole story between me and Francis…
- Precisely. Her silence is to be generously rewarded.
- Fine, then – Katherine sighed in relief. – And who will replace them?
- Our family. Aunts, cousins… even the Duchess of Norfolk. It's important your family stays united and close to you. Only a Howard will attend you last thing at night, as only a Howard will help you attach a fake belly to your stomach, first thing in the morning.
Katherine stopped dead on her tracks.
- But… but… the King… won't he notice if the baby doesn't kick?
- That's why your fake belly is to be filled with cotton and pebbles – Katherine almost snorted at the irony. – When you move, the pebbles will move too. Their sound will be muffled by the cotton, but it will give the impression of a baby kicking.
- And my monthly courses?
- You will sleep with some kind of a… diaper wrapped between your legs, so your blood doesn't leak for the sheet.
Good Lord, they have thought of everything, sighed Katherine, trying to erase from her mind the image of her female courses being discussed in front of her uncle.
- I guess I have no choice, then – she finally muttered, sitting on the carpet in front of the fire. Jane couldn't help but pity her. Right, her behavior in Lambeth had been irresponsible and stupid, but Jane was sure Katherine wouldn't ever, even in her biggest dreams, dare to imagine she would one day become Queen of England, and therefore obliged to deliver male sons. She was a child yet, who liked to play, dance and wear pretty things.
Right now, the Queen looked so pale as if she was on her way to the scaffold. Jane sat down on the floor next to her, and much to her surprise, Katherine put off her tiara and laid her head on Jane's lap, who ran her fingers through the golden hair, trying to soothe her tears.
- Am I not supposed to crave some kind of food? – she asked innocently.
- Yes, of course. I would recommend sweet fruits. They are good to your health, and you need to look splendorous.
- Peaches?
- That will do perfectly.
- And the doctors? The midwives?
- Do not worry, your uncle will provide for that matter. It has been a month since the King last bedded you. You need to tell them soon, so our plan… - Jane didn't finish. In an instant Katherine had sent her away, to fetch the King.
Half an hour later, Henry Rex Tudor was announced in his wife's bedchambers. Lady Rochford was dismissed. Ten minutes later, one could hear the king's roared laughter and Katherine's happy giggles. Once the door opened, the people gathered outside the chamber were startled by the King's loud cry.
- Let all England know… Let all the world know, actually… that Her Majesty the Queen Katherine of England is expecting a child!