A/N: So long time no write I know. But I am currently writing this from my mother's hospital room so give me a break lol I have been busy; but the Tudors wait for no man. I must thank you guys for the overwhelming support from you all which is what keeps this story going. One of the things that took me so long is that everyone telling me what teams they're on made me have an emotional response that I didn't anticipate. I was really considering deviating from my initial plan for this story so I needed some time to think about whether or not I would-I won't. However I would like to ask a serious question and it is dependent solely on my readers...IF I was willing to give the story multiple endings would that be something you all would be interested in seeing? That would also mean that at some point I would have to create different branches for the stories and a lot more effort on my part but I'm willing to take that on. So that would mean I would do a TeamBoleyn, TeamMistress, TeamPearl, and TeamSeymour branch and therefore endings. IF I were to do this it would require a great deal of support so I want to know yes or no please!
A/N2: For some reason in my last chapter I forgot to mention that the italicized part at the end was straight from The Other Boleyn Girl book-don't sue me! lol So read and enjoy please.
George had returned late that night, with a sleeping Henry in tow, to deliver the news of Richmond's acceptance-thank God only Nan was attending upon me. After George laid Henry down on a couch I turned to him.
"Where is he? Where's Richmond?" I'd asked in a rather nervous and desperate voice. "What rooms did you put him in?"
"The Duke is in his own rooms," was George's reply, his tone sarcastic. The confused look on my face must have prompted him to explain. "Forgive me, 'tis late, I'm tired, and Richmond has much of his father's temperament. He has accepted your offer to reconcile him with His Majesty, but he will not come to court until it is closer to the time you will present everyone. I think it a wise move."
"Why?"
"Because as he said it is difficult enough as is hiding Mary...Mary, and the children. Why add him to the list ,as well as the difficulty, until it is necessary to?"
"That is true," I said trailing off.
"Yes, now I'm exhausted. I do believe little Henry and I shall retire to our respective chambers. Goodnight Anne."
"Goodnight George-oh wait. The King asked me today where you were earlier. He was upset that you and Suffolk were not at the council meeting. I denied knowing where you were..." I trailed off and George nodded.
"I'll make up some lie and go to him in the morning. What happened in the meetings?" My expression must have betrayed my thoughts for he immediately understood. "Ah Uncle and Father wouldn't divulge. Don't worry dear sister I'll find out and bring you all the details in the afternoon. Goodnight my love."
"Goodnight big brother."
As I got back in bed I couldn't help but wonder what tomorrow would bring; Henry had already informed me that dancers were going to be needed for the return of Compton and Knivert, and I had a few ideas. The last thing in the world I wanted to do was have Jane Seymour dancing in front of Henry but whether I put her on display or not he would inevitably find her to be the center of his attention. Not to mention there was a part of me that wanted to put those horrid movements she called dancing on display for everyone. There was nothing graceful about her and soon she and the entire court would see that she could never replace me as queen. Never.
When my ladies came to dress me my mood was less than pleasant but I smiled on anyway; no one ever knew when Katherine of Aragon was having a bad day and everyone kept insisting that I resign myself to be more like her. Besides I had noticed my sister-in-law had decided to resume her duties as my lady in waiting and I would not have her spreading gossip of me all about the court. She was the biggest gossip I knew...but she was family-by marriage-after all.
"Good morning ladies," I called out.
"Your Majesty," came the familiar chorus accompanied with curtsies.
"It's rather warm for an April day-Madge go tell the Lady Bryan I will take the Princess for a turn about the gardens."
"Of course Madam."
I turned back to see Nan, my sister-in-law, and Lady Elizabeth Somerset nee Brown holding out different dresses. "Hmm. Not the cream one Jane it stains too easily. Thank you Nan but not the green one either, it drags. Not that brown one Lady Elizabeth it'll be too warm today but I will wear the brown one that hangs next to it."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
My hair, which was curled from the braid I had the previous night, I left hanging around my shoulders and as I stared into the mirror I idly wondered whether or not I should trim it a bit. I put on simple earrings that were very intricate to be so small, and made my way to my outer chambers. Lady Bryan was there waiting with Elizabeth in her arms. My beautiful little girl was dressed in what I thought was a few layers too many but I knew Lady Bryan was concerned for her health as well as my reaction if I thought she was neglecting her charge.
"Thank you, Lady Bryan. My ladies and I shall take Elizabeth on our own. I would like for you to return to the nursery and attend to things there until the Princess returns."
"Your Majesty," she curtsied and left.
"Come ladies, if we're lucky the flowers will have bloomed."
"Your wife?! What on earth has your absence to do with your wife?" The King bellowed. I had made up my lie before I went to bed that night but of course instead of just going to bed as I desired, fate had other plans. Jane had made a huge fuss about my sudden disappearance from court and had demanded an explanation. She accused me of having a mistress while I pulled off my boots, insulted me while I took off my shirt, and threatened me while I removed my hose. Tired, irritated, and calculating I drug her to the bed, shoved her shift above her waist, and shoved myself inside her. She was loud as I did my duty and I could only hope that my seed would soon take root.
"She has everything to do with it My Lord. It is no secret that my wife and I do not get along and the night I left I visited Her Majesty. When I returned to my chambers my loving wife immediately began accusing me of everyone at the court. After I told her to mind her own affairs the argument only ignited further. Before I knew it I was on a horse riding as hard as I could away from her."
"Hmm. Why didn't you return this morning?"
"I spent the night at an inn getting quite drunk. Between the headache and voiding the contents of my stomach, it was well after midday before I woke up. So I slept and took my dinner at the inn. I arrived late last night so as to avoid my wife...but she was awake and our argument again ensued."
Henry laughed at that. "Ah George. One would think you were good with ladies were it not for your wife." Like a well seasoned courtier I began to shake with laughter as I mimicked my King's reaction to his joke. After than we began to discuss what I missed in the council meeting. There were a few points I was sure Anne wouldn't be pleased with, but before we could properly finish we were interrupted as a groom came into his chambers.
"The Seymours have arrived, Your Majesty."
"Excellent. Send them in."
"I shall take my leave if it please Your Majesty."
"No, no, George stay."
Before the King could finish I heard the Seymours enter the audience hall. Before their bows to the King were finished we, the eldest of those sheep from Wolfhall and I, locked eyes. In that brief moment I could see the malice, envy, and smugness swimming in his eyes. I didn't care what their plans were or who they measured us up to be, we Howards-we Boleyns-were not about to lose the crown, especially not to a Seymour.
"Your Majesty," they both greeted. "Lord Rochford."
"My Lords," I responded, my tone curt.
"Ah the Seymour brothers. I would like for you all to accompany me to the Queen's rooms. Norris should be here in a moment and we may all walk together and enjoy the company of Her Majesty and her ladies."
My eyes snapped to the Seymours at that last comment. I could already see them analyzing that and calculating. Damn it to hell! What was taking Knivert and Compton so long? Mary needed to be placed in front of the King already.
"Sir Henry Norris, Your Majesty," the groom announced. Maybe it wouldn't be all bad. Norris, though as loyal to the King as any man, was a huge supporter of Anne and her faction. He was a reformer like us and could be counted on to support my sister of those vile Seymours'.
"Your Majesty. Lord Rochford. Master Seymours," he greeted.
"Ah Norris, welcome. We are for the Queen's chambers."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"And I think a certain lady will be attending upon her this afternoon." Norris laughed at that, a gleam in his eye. "Come men, let us go to the Queen. Boy, fetch Smeaton. I'll have some music played."
As the groom skipped ahead of us I couldn't help but notice the reaction my heart had at the mention of Mark's name. I missed him. I hadn't had a chance to tell him about the spur of the moment decision to go see Richmond so I could only hope he wasn't overly upset with me. I hadn't seen him since before the night I got drunk and bedded my wife. I could only hope that some good would come out of my attention-for all that I wanted Jane out of the way so I could continue my business with Mark uninterrupted, it would also help my standing with my father if he could get another heir. What he didn't seem to understand was that I couldn't have a son before Anne. Henry would-hearing my name brought me back to my present situation.
"George!"
"Majesty?"
"Have you heard a word I've said?"
"Forgive me I was preoccupied with other matters. How can I serve you?"
"Where's your sister?" I checked at that. We were outside Anne's chambers, I hadn't even noticed the walk over here. Shaking my head I turned to the King.
"I'm not sure. However if I had to guess I'd say either in chapel or in the gardens. It's warm and there are some early flowers in bloom," before I could finish one of Anne's maids came toward us carrying linen, Mark was only a few steps behind us. Both of them bowed toward the King.
"Your Majesty."
"Where's your mistress?" The King's voice was curt and to the point.
"Her Gracious Majesty, Queen Anne is in the gardens with Her Royal Highness, The Princess Elizabeth," came her tiny voice. Small a sentiment as it was, it caused a smirk on my face. A simple answer of "in the gardens" would have been sufficient, but all of Anne's chamber maids had been specially picked due to their loyalty to her and the reformation. I was sure that had the Seymours not been there, her answer would have been less ornate. I would have Anne put a small increase in her wages.
"Do you want me to leave Your Majesty?" Mark questioned.
"Hmm. No...no, no. Come. We'll have music in the gardens. You," he said turning to the maid, "have someone bring a meal to the gardens. Enough for Her Majesty and her ladies as well as me and my gentlemen. One of my grooms will assist you," he said nodding at one of the young men behind us.
"Yes Your Majesty," she curtsied and took the linen inside.
"Let us go to the gardens then and gaze at the beauty of the flowers of my court." Like the well groomed sycophants we were we all laughed at the King and followed him to the gardens as I tried to keep the heat from my face at knowing Mark was near.
Elizabeth had fallen asleep in my arms before we had made it to the gardens but I didn't have it in my heart to send her back to the nursery. She would be awake soon with any luck, and the fresh air would do her good. Both Nan and Madge had offered to take her back in for me but I wouldn't hear of it. Instead I walked up and down the rows of shrubbery looking at the new buds preparing to bloom and hummed to my baby. I could hear my ladies gossiping quietly behind me, making their attempt at giving me and Elizabeth some privacy. As we walked I could see a few flowers in bloom from a distance but there was one in particular I was enamored with. As we got closer to it I slowed my pace and gazed at it's beauty. Maybe I should pick it, I thought. That would be cruel wouldn't it? To pick a flower so beautiful from it's home? But it is so lovely, besides there were other ways to be cruel.
"Lady Jane. Would you like to hold the Princess Elizabeth?" I did not turn around at first but I could hear the hush that came over my, what I assumed to be shocked, ladies. I turned then to see Mistress Seymour gaping like a fish. Before she could answer I turned to my sister and raised an expectant eyebrow. "I think you never had the chance to hold your niece properly and I do want to inspect something. Would you like to hold her?" Out of the corner of my eye I could see Jane, with that ever present blush, breathe a sigh as if relieved.
"I don't-I mean I do not think it a wise- I...," my sister-in-law stuttered. I gave her a moment to collect her thoughts and she began again. "I do not think your brother would want me to."
"Why?"
"I think it would be better if I presented him with a child first," she said lowering her voice.
"Nonsense Jane. You are her aunt and I say it is alright. It will only be for a moment at any rate. Now here," I said carefully maneuvering Elizabeth's head off my shoulder, careful not to wake her. "Now all you have to do is hold her weight. Yes like that. That's all there is to it," I said simply. Jane looked quite shocked. Ordinarily I would never have willingly handed my baby to her, but she was her aunt after all. Besides as much as I couldn't stand her, I didn't think she was going to harm Elizabeth while she was surrounded by my ladies, especially with Nan looking for any fault in the way she was holding her.
Satisfied that Jane had Elizabeth, I walked closer to the flower that had so enraptured me. It looked so innocent and pure...and absolutely alone. Maybe all the other flowers had refused to bloom next to it. Had they decided not to associate themselves with such a beauty, or were they just too jealous to bloom next to such radiance? I would not blame them; next to such a pretty flower they would be quite eclipsed. There was one flower though that looked as if it was attempting to bloom earlier than it's time. I shook my head. Of course there would be another flower trying to outshine that beautiful jewel. Perhaps-I stopped myself. They're just flowers Anne, not courtiers I told myself. I chided myself on the inside and gazed at the flower once more. Maybe I should just pick it, I thought reaching for the flower, but before I could I heard a voice.
"Hewoo," I turned to see Elizabeth looking at Jane.
"Hello Your Highness...Did you have a good nap?"
Elizabeth nodded once. "Who you?" Her tiny voice was inquisitive.
"Iiii...I'm your aunt Jane. Lady Rochford."
"Oh. Where mama?"
"I'm here my darling."
Elizabeth wiggled in Jane's arms which caused her face to look panicked before she sat her down on the ground. Smiling, I knelt down and stretched my arms for my baby girl.
"Hello my love."
"Hi mama. Me miss you."
"You did? Well I missed you more. Do you want to stay outside or go back in?"
"Stay. But I hot mama."
I immediately began to peel off the coat Lady Bryan had put her in. "There sweetheart. Is that better?" She nodded. "Good, do you want to go see the fishies?" She smiled very big at that.
"Yes mama. Fishies, fishies, fishies."
I laughed and sat her down. Okay but we have run there, are you ready?" She nodded and took off as fast as her chubby legs would take her. I giggled and followed closely behind, my ladies on my heels.
"Well done my heart," I said spinning her around after she made it to the fountain. "Now let's look at the fishies. Where's a fishy Elizabeth?"
"No fishies mama," Elizabeth said pouting. I smiled, there were fish in the pond they were just at the bottom trying to get warm. I was sure they would pop out when the sun got higher in the sky.
"No fishies in the fountain? I'll have the fishermen arrested for displeasing the Princess!" I would recognize his voice anywhere but I turned, shocked as all my ladies, toward the sound of his voice.
"Papa, Papa!" Elizabeth almost lept out of my arms and towards her father.
"Ah, my Elizabeth," he said holding her close. "How are you? Are you well? Hmm?" He asked tickling her.
"Yes Papa," she said between giggles. "Mama gonna show me fishies but no fishies Papa. But it okay cuz I wit mama and the nice Lady Jane," I cringed at that as Henry snapped his head to that bitch of his, to me, back to her.
"Lady Jane-," he started questioningly but I cut him.
"She means her aunt. Lady Jane Rochford. Elizabeth was sleeping so I handed her to Lady Rochford and when Elizabeth woke up that is who she saw first," my tone was a little sharp but by then I had spotted the Seymour brothers behind Henry and I was immediately defensive.
"Ah," he said. "Well at any rate My Queen, Lady Jane, I've brought your brothers to make sure I was welcome. Mark here will play some music while we enjoy the gardens."
"We are honored to have your company," was my forced reply. All I wanted to do was enjoy the gardens with my baby. I so rarely got to be a mother to her after all. Now because Henry couldn't control his lust for his slut he was disrupting a rare time for us and he didn't even realize it. Sighing I left Elizabeth with Henry for a moment and looked toward George who, after seeing my expression immediately began walking towards me.
"Ladies, be at your liberty," I called to my shadows.
"Your Majesty," George said as he approached me making me smile.
"Brother. Would you walk with me?"
"Of course My Queen." I turned back once more to see that Elizabeth was alright before I took George's hand and began strolling through the gardens. When we were far away enough that I was sure we wouldn't be heard I began questioning him.
"Why-"
"I don't know," he said before I cold finish.
"What happened?"
"I was explaining to him why I left court so abruptly, he believed me, then began catching me up on the topics of the council I missed. After that his groom said those bastards would be there soon and so would Norris. Then he decided we would pay you a visit we found out you were outside with Elizabeth so he decided he wanted a picnic. I can only say that if it were all for Jane he certainly has gone through a lot to cover it up."
"You and I both know he's gone through more to cover up his whores."
"Yes but you and I both know he's never going to do anything in front of Elizabeth," we both turned to see Henry playing with Elizabeth near the fountain. "As long as she's here he won't give Jane much attention if any." I nodded at that. He was right. Not even Henry would go that far in front of our daughter. "Anyway," he said, "Why did you let Jane hold Elizabeth?"
"It was meant to be a slight to Jane Seymour, it gave me some small satisfaction. But Jane is Elizabeth's aunt, George. She didn't want to at first though."
"Why?"
"You."
"Me? What on earth does holding Elizabeth have to do with me?"
"She said you wouldn't like it, and that you would probably want her to present you with a child before she were to hold Elizabeth." He rolled his eyes at that and then seemed to think about it.
"Anne, Jane is my wife. Not my choice of wife I might add, but my wife nonetheless. I don't want her involved in my family affairs though. So that is why I've never made any attempt at making sure Elizabeth knows she's my wife. She knows who her parents and grandparents are, she knows I'm her uncle, and soon she'll understand her relationship to Mary and her children. Aside from the King, the people I just mentioned are my blood. Jane is not blood. She's a Boleyn and a Howard, sister-in-law to the King and Queen of England. Aunt of the Princess of England, heir apparent. Niece to one of the highest ranking peers in England, the Duke of Norfolk, and daughter-in-law to the Earl and Countess of Wiltshire. Wife of the Viscount of Rochford...She is all those things, it can't be denied. But she is all those things by marriage. And after all that Anne, after saying all that, after surrounding herself with the most powerful people in the whole of England, she is still nothing. Half the time she won't even consent to lie with me so in order to get an heir I have to get drunk or angry enough to force myself upon her."
"George!" I gasped taken aback.
"Oh don't be naive sister. Her protests of no and stop are all feigned. After a time her cries of no turn to sighs of passion. But even then I still view her to be nothing. She hasn't even given me an heir."
I bridled at that, "And that makes her nothing?!" My voice had gotten a little high and I had to remember George and I were not so alone as I wished. Without making it obvious I looked around me and saw that we had attracted some attention. Playfully I rolled my eyes, tossed my head back seductively and laughed, lightly tapping George on the shoulder. Following my lead George began to chuckle until most of our audience had turned back to their pursuits. I could see my sister-in-law gazing at us longingly.
"Calm down, Anne. You know what I mean."
"I know what you said. Do you think that Jane denies you an heir purposefully? Do you truly think that? If you do I will assure you, you are mistaken. No woman in their right mind would do so. I do not care for Jane but-"
"But what Anne? This isn't about you and Henry and the way he treats you. This is about me and Jane. Now, I don't care for her either and not just because she's childless. She's nosy and is always peering around corridors for information she may give to another. If there is a piece of gossip around court she not only knows it but spreads it. She's light fingered-if there's even a shilling lying around that she thinks I won't miss she takes it. And she's not so pure as one would think. On the few times she was in the mood to lie with she chased me around the bedroom like a bitch on heat and when I refused she offered to get a girl for me!"
I laughed a very genuine laugh at that. George's face was mortified but I couldn't help it. "I'm sorry brother. Truly I am. But surely you do not need to blame her for no heir. You've never seemed so desirous of a son before. Why now?"
"Father."
"Father?"
"Father."
"I don't understand."
"Father wants three grandsons, at least. Mary has given him one. Even if she had given him three, he'd want five. One from each of us. You think you're the only he preaches at about producing an heir? You're not. In recent days it seems it is all we discuss. Reminding him that it was his daughters who brought him his fortune seems to make most of the conversations end, however. Besides he just doesn't understand, I can't have a son yet."
"Why?"
"Jane can't have a son before you do. No one can, especially not someone in a marriage that took place after yours and the King's did. His wrath would be unthinkable. A daughter though would, or at least a pregnancy, buy you and me both some time. It would be enough to keep my wife and father busy and away from me so I can manage my own affairs." George's eyes seemed to drift at that point. Besides Henry was walking towards us with Elizabeth.
"George are you done with my wife?"
"Never Your Majesty," he said bowing. "But I may be inclined to allow you to borrow my sister." Henry barked a laugh at that.
Elizabeth reached for me and my arms opened up immediately to take her. "Hello my heart."
"Hi mama. Papa promise we go look at the flowies."
"Did he now? Are you ready?"
"Yes mama."
"Good."
"Before we go we should bring some attendants," Henry announced. Before I could even respond he had summoned Edward, Jane, and my sister-in-law. "Will you walk with us among the gardens?" Their replies were all positive at being awarded such a favor. Why couldn't Henry just let us have this moment to ourselves? Just me and my baby, that's all I wanted.
"Uncle Georgie, what this flower?" Elizabeth asked me for the hundredth time. Smiling I looked to where she was pointing.
"A daisy, my love. Shall I pick it for you?"
She seemed to really give that some thought and we all laughed at her expression, all except that cold fish Edward.
"Mama, Papa, can I have the daisy?"
"You may have whatever you like," came Henry's reply. He was linked hand in hand with Anne but it seemed a little forced.
"I wanna daisy Uncle Georgie," her voice was tiny but her tone was imperious.
"Right away my tiny Queen," I said chuckling.
"I pwincess Uncle Georgie," she said sighing.
"But one day when you're a big girl you will be a Queen, Elizabeth." Anne's voice was soft but unwavering.
"Indeed she will," Henry's voice was calm and longing.
I turned back to the task at hand of picking a flower for my minuscule mistress.
"I want more Uncle Georgie," she said after I handed her one, her empty hand on her hip.
"Elizabeth that's not how you ask for more. And when someone has done something for you, what are you supposed to say?" Anne's voice, though chiding, was the same as it always was with Elizabeth, completely soft.
"Thank you Uncle Georgie. May I have more flowies?"
"Of course. But if I give you more where will you put them?" Elizabeth was too active a child to hold on to her flowers all day, and Anne was not going to want to carry them though she would.
Annoyingly enough I heard that Seymour whore speak up, "If I may, I might have a solution for you Princess." I didn't need to look at her to know that Anne's reaction would be less than pleased, but at a glance I could taste the aggravation rolling off of her, though her face wore a calm mask. "You can have all your daisies in a small crown and you could wear them on your head."
"An excellent idea, Lady Jane," Henry commented. I could see Edward analyzing everyone's reactions, namely the King's.
Irritated, I turned back to the shrubbery to remove the flowers as my wife came up next to me to collect them. "They're just flowers," she whispered.
"They are not just flowers. They are that bitches way of flaunting the King's attention in front of my sister and her child and she knows it. She's not so innocent as she seems, she knows exactly what she's doing," I said quickly, my tone matching hers. My wife looked at Jane with a skeptical face before walking towards her and delivering the flowers I had picked for the crown.
"Where did you come up with such an idea, Lady Jane?" The King's voice called.
"From my sisters Your Grace, Elizabeth and Dorothy. When we were younger, in the summertime, we would crown each other with crowns of flowers and grass and twigs and whatever else we could get our hands on."
"Indeed, I do believe Anne and Mary made such crowns in the gardens of Hever," I said. "They would never have guessed that one day Anne would have a true crown."
"I think not, My Lord, or one of them would surely have been guilty of witchcraft," was Seymour's reply.
As Jane and my wife worked, Henry kept asking the whore questions about her sisters as Anne examined a flower in the brush. Elizabeth was on her knees next to them watching the crown come together.
"Do you miss your sisters Lady Jane? Do you miss being away from them?"
"I do Your Majesty, but my duties lie at court."
"Well we should invite your sisters to court to attend upon Her Majesty," was the King's reply. I clenched my jaw at that and tried hard not to stare at Anne but I could see her reaction. She shifted where she stood and froze.
"Your Majesty is very kind but I could never ask that," that red faced whore said.
"Nonsense. You've asked me nothing I did this to cheer you."
"Your Grace honors our family," Edward said. "We appreciate the opportunity for our sisters to serve Her Majesty, with her permission." Anne still didn't react, she didn't move or say anything.
"You don't mind do you, sweetheart? Having two new ladies?" Still Anne didn't respond. "Anne." She half turned to him. "Did you hear me?"
"Whatever Your Majesty commands," came her defeated reply.
"Ah there you have it. Write to your sisters and invite them to court."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. And I am finished Your Highness."
"Mama, mama come see!" Elizabeth said excitedly. Taking a deep breath Anne turned and came to see the finished project. By this time the remaining voices of our party could be heard floating towards us. "I wanna wear it now Mama."
"Of course my heart."
"Wait," Henry called with mischievous grin in his eye. He picked up the crown and moved towards Elizabeth. "With this, Lady Jane's crown, I do solemnly crown you, Queen of the Daisies."
Thinking quickly I picked a big flower and picked up a stick that I checked for splinters and walked to her. "And here are the two scepters of the sovereign. Petals and stems be to our Queen Elizabeth. May you prosper, go forward, and may you pick many pretty flowers." I turned her hand over and placed the flower and put the stick in her hand. She looked toward her mother who smiled and bowed.
"Queen Elizabeth," Anne said.
"Elizabeth," came an answering chorus from the rest of the ladies, Norris, Thomas Seymour, and Smeaton who had happened upon our garden coronation. Pleased, Elizabeth allowed all of her subjects to kiss her hand. I had to control myself from assaulting the Seymours when they touched her but I knew they would never harm her in front of Henry.
"Now, make one for mama," Elizabeth ordered Jane. Neither of her parents corrected her.
We spent the rest of the morning following around the Queen of Daisies. We danced, ran, and laughed until Lady Bryan came to retrieve her for a royal nap.
"I don't wanna mama," she stomped her little foot.
"Elizabeth, my heart, I know but you need to stay on your schedule. If you're a good girl and do as the Lady Bryan says I'll have her bring you to my chambers when you wake up."
Sighing, Elizabeth agreed to the terms and went with her governess. Anne was noticeably gloomier as we migrated back toward the fountain to have our lunch. I could only hope that for her mother's sake, Elizabeth took a short nap.
As we sat down to dine, I noticed Anne took only a little to eat. Her attitude had severely changed since Elizabeth's departure. I watched pick off small pieces of the duck she was eating and hold it while staring off into the distance until she suddenly seemed to remember that she was meant to be eating. Due to his being the highest peer outside, George was seated to my left while Anne sat to my right with Lady Rochford next to her. Both George and Anne had told me enough stories for me to know that conversation between Lady Rochford and my wife was unlikely to happen. However, the silence surrounding me was starting to get uncomfortable.
"I think I'll have Elizabeth at court awhile longer. I know how she misses you," I said to Anne. She immediately brightened at that.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I miss her too-so much. She and I, we both have our duties but I do wish I could see her more."
"So do I sweetheart. Be of good cheer she will be with us until Knivert and Compton arrive. Have you decided which ladies you are using?" The light that had filled her eyes was gone now; her food she had now completely abandoned.
"No, not yet." I nodded and went back to my meal.
"Hopefully there will be more entertainment when they return," George said sitting back.
"Bored Lord Rochford?" Tom Seymour questioned. Even I could hear the challenge in his tone.
"Nostalgic."
"What for, husband?"
"What every man is nostalgic for...whether they admit it or not."
"I would think every man would be nostalgic for his wife. But not everyone is as lucky as you or the King, brother," Anne said with a laugh that was immediately followed by George's, mine, and everyone else's.
"Ah well we would be sister...if our wives gave us enough time to actually miss them," the men laughed at that as the women looked indignant.
"Well then Lord Rochford, what is it that has you so nostalgic?" Norris had finally turned from Madge long enough to join our discussion.
"Time. There doesn't seem to be enough of it anymore. Not for the things you want to do. There's always enough time for the things you have to do."
"Oh I quite agree with you George," I said. He was right, there wasn't enough time for anything anymore. That was one thing we didn't have. "This court of mine has become different somehow."
"If Your Majesty will forgive my saying so it has become much like the country," George said.
"It has begun to remind me of Hever," Anne said.
"Et tu my Queen?" I laughed and Anne simply shrugged.
"I remember a day when we would rise before the sun to break our fast, attend chapel, have a great hunt, take lunch, play at bowls or tennis, dance, and take dinner before it was even noon," she answered.
"Aye. Do you remember that time we went hunting at Hever? That time you stayed with us for awhile, Your Majesty."
"If I remember properly that was early in our courtship. I remember one of those hunts you got drunk before lunch," I said laughing.
"That's the one. And if I remember I sobered up pretty quickly once we got back home."
"That's because father came out of his office as soon as we went through the front door. If I remember right you not only sobered up but somehow the smell of wine, which you were covered in, was completely gone," Anne said smiling. The three of us laughed at that. God's death what I wouldn't do to go back to those times. A time when I was younger and hunted and jousted. A time when I thought of nothing but my own pleasure...a time when I thought of nothing but Anne. Had we changed so? Had we gone so far passed the people we were? Had our love waned so? Maybe not her for me, but I no longer loved her the way I did then. We had come too far for the foolishness of youth. And yet I wanted that again-if not with her then with Jane. Without meaning to I turned to her. She looked beautiful as ever, but also...hurt,confused...sad?
"Lady Jane, are you well?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you."
"Are you certain?"
"I am. It's just funny Your Majesty. You all think the court has become too much like the country, and I miss it so much."
"If you are pining for your home Mistress Seymour you are free to return there whenever you are ready," Anne's voice called out. I turned to her at that and she simply raised an eyebrow and gave a very slight shrug.
"Mistress Seymour's place is at court...to attend upon you. I think the solution would be to bring more of her home to court, which is why I think her sister in law too should attend upon you." Anne stiffened while Seymour offered his thanks. "Besides that would not solve the problem of how to break the idyll of my court."
"Well a war would certainly make things more interesting," George offered. Norris choked on his wine while Anne rolled her eyes and shook her head. Edward's eyes widened in alarm and Thomas raised an eyebrow in interest.
"Still trying to be a crusader brother?"
"Just thought I'd suggest one option, though a joust or hunt would be more practical."
"I'm willing to start a war...with His Majesty's permission of course," Tom said. I laughed at that. If only they knew that the thrill of battle called to my blood too.
"Ah, if I let you two start a war I do believe that it would be the most memorable one in history."
"That's all a man can hope for," Boleyn said, his tone distant.
"Well since I can bare the thought of neither of you in harms way, husband, brother, I sincerely do hope you plan a hunt instead of a battle," I smiled at that.
"Of course my love. When we go to war we will be sure not inform you," I smiled. Everyone else had watched the banter while continuing to eat and yet Anne had still not touched much. Perhaps she was ill and did not want to say anything. Catherine was always like that-the actions of a good Queen I think...but so was bearing a son. She would deliver him one way or another; either Anne would give me a Prince or make way for Jane to do so.
When Elizabeth was up from her nap she was brought to me and we played all day in my rooms as I promised her. Only my baby could take away the sting of my husband and that whore; when I was with her I could forget everything. But soon she had to retire for dinner and bed and I was left with the task of informing my family of what happened today. I took my dinner and had notes sent to my family to meet me in my chambers as soon as may be. Thankfully George arrived first followed by my parents and then my uncle. When they all arrived I dismissed all my ladies except Nan and Madge.
"Nan, Madge prepare wine and refreshments and then you are dismissed. Nan return in an hour's time to prepare me for bed."
"Your Majesty," they both curtsied and went about their business. When they were finished my uncle turned to me.
"What is this all about?'
"He's forming a faction about her!"
"What? What on earth are you talking about?
"Henry is forming a faction around Jane Seymour," I said, my tone exaggeratedly slow. I then explained how it came to be that I would be getting three new ladies.
"How could you let this happen?!" My father's voice was accusatory.
"Let?! I didn't let anything happen! What do you want me to do? I give him temper you yell at me, I give him my patience you yell at me! What do you want me to do?!"
"Something! Stop sitting there letting your husband, your marriage, and your crown drag into the mud," my mother answered.
"Look, everyone just calm down. All this yelling isn't the solution," George said in a low voice.
"Then what is? Everyone can see he's not so in love with her as before. It won't do us any good to bring back Mary if the King doesn't have any intentions of being with Anne." I thought about murdering my father in that moment.
"The solution is to build a faction around Anne," George went on as if our father never spoke.
"Anne has already built a faction, it hasn't done her much good," my uncle said. "Why would a new one do any better?"
"The faction Anne has around her was to support her, her reformation, and her marriage to the King. This faction will be different."
"How?" My mother's voice was impatient.
"Because this faction will not be for the sole purpose of just to support me, but to oppose the Seymours. They are growing in power everyday and we haven't had a power struggle with anyone since Wolsey and Katherine. This time, though, we can't count on Cromwell or Cranmer for help. So...we have to count on the one thing that means something to everyone."
"And what is that?" My uncle said with genuine interest.
"The Howard name."
The family meeting did not last much longer and I was glad for I was very tired. All I wanted to do was close my eyes and sleep, but it eluded me. I knew I had one more meeting to hold before everything could go according to plan; I had one more enemy to turn before all this was said and done.
The next morning I made sure to wear one of my finer dresses, purple of course, with a silver diadem in my hair which was curled in a ponytail. My earrings were silver and purple with a matching necklace; the pendent was visibly shaking from the hard beating of my heart. I was incredibly nervous. I wasn't scared, no matter what I was still the Queen, but I was nervous. As I was putting on a few rings Nan came up to me.
"Your Majesty," she bowed. I turned to her wide eyed. "He's here." Taking one last look in the mirror and a deep breath I stood up, smoothed my skirts and walked into my front rooms.
"Her Majesty, the Queen," my chamberlain announced.
"Madam," he said bowing slightly, his accent thick.
"Ambassador Chapuys," I curtsied slightly. "Welcome to my chambers."
A/N3: This was supposed to be a quick little chapter update that was short, sweet, and right to the point...that didn't happen. I was going to keep going and put more into this chapter but I'm good with the way it came out because I know where it's going. So I hope you enjoyed. Rate and review, don't forget to answer my question, and I'll see you all in the next chapter!