November 14th ,1555
Westminster Abbey
Edward stood outside of the abbey, waiting for Lady Isabella to arrive. He was impatient, nervous even, how would his German bride be received by the public? Northumberland had repeatedly stated that she would never have a warm reception by the commoners, especially the Catholic north. She was the representation of the counsel's anti-Catholic policy, Northumberland had grumbled. Edward had ignored him and continued with the marriage. Isabella was unaware of the many conversations, heated debates, and full throttle arguments between Edward and his most trusted advisor. Elizabeth had watched in the shadows of his chamber and had asserted that the Catholics were not dictators of Edward's foreign policy. That had ended the matter, and now he was at Westminster to marry the woman of his choice. That didn't mean Northumberland's words had not weighed heavily in his mind, what if Isabella was an unpopular choice?
Why has she not arrived? Has something happened?
The clatter of hooves caught his attention and he saw a dainty hand wave at the masses from out of a litter. Cheers erupted. Edward's fears soothed. The royal union accepted. Northumberland had been wrong. The ladies in waiting were the first to appear and among them he saw Ruth, the newly made Lady Norfolk. Then he saw her- she was wearing a heavily beaded dark blue dress, the crown jewels and orchids were plaited in her hair. Her grey-blue eyes were bright and a smile enhanced her features. Ruth and another one of her ladies took up her train and the group of women proceeded to the stairs of the abbey. Edward felt his own heart fluttering in his chest as Isabella neared him. The minister stood to his right while the Dukes of Norfolk and Northumberland were to his left. Isabella had finally reached his side and curtsied deeply to him. Silently, the procession entered the abbey and marched to the altar. The guests, mostly noblemen and their wives filled the area. As he approached the altar Edward realized just how important this day would become. His marriage was the future of England. The minister faced them with knowledge of a sage and opened his Bible.
Isabella shall now be known as the Queen Consort. The treaty with Cleves will be complete and I will be the greatest winner. I will have the most pious, virtuous woman of Europe to love and cherish for the days of my life. She will give me children to continue my line and I will give her love to keep her close by my side.
"Most illustrious Prince, is it your will to fulfill the treaty of marriage concluded by yourself, King of England, and the guardians of the Lady Isabella, the Duke of Cleves and the Lady Anne; to take the woman who is here present for your lawful wife?" The voice rang out and echoed around the abbey.
Edward gripped Isabella's hands firmly. "I will."
The minister nodded and turned to Isabella. "Most illustrious woman, is it your will to fulfill the treaty of marriage concluded by your father, the Duke of Cleves and the King of England; to take the Prince who is here present for your lawful husband?"
"I will," Isabella's eyes were brimming with joy and love.
"You may now place the ring from the lady's right hand onto her left."
Edward slipped the sapphire ring off of Isabella's right hand and onto the left as he was instructed.
"With this ring I thee wed, " Edward spoke as Isabella's eyes burned into his. "And with my body I thee worship; and with all my worldly goods I endow onto thee. In the name of the Father, and of the Son. Amen."
"You are now husband and wife," The minister closed his Bible and nodded to the newly married couple. Those in the church cheered in honor of the King, and also for the first time since Henry VIII and Catherine Parr had been in power: the Queen.
King Edward and Queen Isabella of England. My beautiful wife, the mother of my future children.
The only thought that remained in Edward's mind as the procession left the abbey was the thought of the consummation ceremony later that night. The thought of creating an heir intrigued him. Isabella stood confidently beside him as they faced their subjects.
A chant began, growing louder and louder as the masses' excitement grew, "God save the King! God save the Queen!"
Isabella's coronation had not yet happened, but this acceptance of Isabella was promising. As they walked down the steps of the abbey the screams became deafening. Isabella and her ladies boarded the litter to make the travel to Hampton Court.
November 14th, 1555
Hampton Court Palace
The revels were in full swing. Edward noticed Isabella had drank enough wine to make her cheeks flush red and was dancing with her ladies. His sister, Elizabeth, was sitting beside him.
"Your Majesty, I do believe you should dance with the queen before you two are escorted to the marital bed." Elizabeth took up her cup again while she waited for Edward to respond.
Edward sighed. "Sister, you know that I do not enjoy dancing much."
"I just want you to enjoy your bride. It is the single most happy day in your life before an heir is born." Elizabeth rose from her seat and joined Isabella in her dance.
Elizabeth had a way of trying to persuade Edward, she did so by a way of leading. Edward remained in his seat and watched Elizabeth and Isabella spin around each other, only the color of their dresses distinguished one from the other at a distance, Elizabeth in green and Isabella in dark blue.
Isabella looked elegant and she danced well, easily making herself the center of attention. Hands touched his shoulders and he jumped. It was the Lady Anne.
"Your Majesty, I must tell you that I am grateful that you have decided to marry my dear niece. Her future would have been much uncertain had you not," His father's fourth wife sat beside him.
Edward nodded to Lady Anne. "I am much more thankful to you for raising her here in England for I would have known nothing of her for it seems that the Duchess of Cleves would have sent her to a convent without hesitation."
Lady Anne chuckled. "Aye, the Duchess has a long standing hatred of her mother and with Sophia dead Isabella would have been at her mercy. If only she had any."
They sat in silence, watching the courtiers dance gaily among each other for a while.
"I do believe it almost the time," Edward's eyes shot at Lady Anne like daggers as she continued. "that the marriage be consummated."
"Are you sure?" Edward gave her a peculiar look.
"Aye, I will have the ladies escort her to your chamber and fetch you when she is ready for you to bed her." Lady Anne stood and Edward watched her approach her niece, his wife.
Isabella's eyes had widened as her aunt spoke to her. Lady Anne led the queen and her ladies away from the banquet hall. All Edward had to do now was wait.
November 14th, 1555
Hampton Court Palace
Isabella watched her ladies closely to distract herself from the impending marital act that greatly frightened her. Ruth and Ana were un-plaiting her deep red hair, Mariana and Marie had taken her jewels and placed them in the box, Clara had brought her the whitest shift she could find, Eleanor had taken her dress back to the Queen's chamber and Sancha was assisting Ethel in tending the fire, keeping it ablaze. Madeleine and Sarah were pouring wine in goblets that were placed on the table. Her attention then averted to a painting of the Battle of Bosworth, painted to depict the exact moment Henry VII had struck down Richard III. She needed something to ease her fears. The marital bed had been well prepared: clean white sheets to prove that show she was a virgin, furs and a embroidered coverlet topped them, and a high canopy imprinted with red and white roses. Soon, she would be laying there with her husband to consummate her marriage. Mary entered the room with Lady Anne at her side. The rest of her ladies had remained at the banquet happening below.
"Are you ready, Your Majesty?" Isabella's aunt appeared to be in great spirits.
Isabella gulped. "You may bring him, dear aunt."
Lady Anne curtsied and left, the door closing quite loudly. Ana and Ruth had finished with her hair, that now dangled about her shoulders. Madeleine brought her a goblet and Isabella swallowed the wine quickly, hoping that it would calm her. Her lady took the cup and hurried to the other side of the room. Mary came to brush Isabella's hair while Ruth sat beside the queen. Ana sat at Isabella's feet as she often did.
Ruth clucked her tongue. "Isabella I see that you are afraid, you mustn't be."
Isabella leaned back in the chair. "What is like to lay with a man?"
Ana and Mary looked at each other and then back at the queen.
Ruth chuckled, "My dear sister it is not as frightening as you may think. It only hurts for a moment and then it becomes much enjoyable,"
The queen still seemed unconvinced and she eyeballed her other two married ladies.
"Your Majesty, Lady Norfolk-" Mary was cut off by a knock on the chamber door.
Mariana hurried to open it and Edward entered in all of his glory. Isabella's heart seemed to stop beating from the fear. Her ladies all curtsied to her and Edward before leaving them alone. Edward approached her, his smile the only comforting thing in that moment. She had to admit, this physical act was something she had wanted to do from the moment she had entered court. However, Isabella could not move nor speak.
"My beautiful queen," Edward had reached the chair where Isabella sat.
He bent over to kiss her and brought his left hand to stroke her cheek. He used his right to bring her to her feet. He held her in his right arm tightly, carried her to his bed, and laid her down gently among the satin sheets. Isabella felt light and she watched curiously as Edward removed his doublet and his hose. He now stood before her wearing nothing but a linen shirt and for the first time she saw his member, the thing which her aunt had found fit to educate her about in the few days before this moment. He removed the shirt and she couldn't help but notice his strong body, the muscles rippling and his smooth, white skin. He climbed into the bed beside her and began kissing her again. She felt his hands part her legs as he positioned himself over her.
He brought his lips to her ear. "A night to remember my queen."
Isabella looked him deeply in his eyes. "Edward, I love thee."
Edward looked down at her and chuckled, "And I love thee, Isabella."
His strong hands cupped her breasts as he lowered himself to enter her. She was burning for him, desperately wanting him inside of her, for his seed to take root. She brought herself up to meet his body and let out a hiss. Edward began to rise and fall and she moved with him. Ruth's prediction had rung true, it was a much enjoyable experience. She heard herself make low groans and pants mingled with her husband's grunts of pleasure. Then it became a growl and his movements increased in speed, enough to make Isabella cry out. Edward then collapsed and fell beside his wife, his eyes half closed. Isabella looked up at the canopy of the bed then curled up beside her husband. She began to think about what had just happened, the dull ache between her legs in the back of her mind, she had laid with a man. The possibility that she had just conceived a Prince of Wales reeled in her mind.
"Isabella?"
She rolled over. "Yes Edward?"
"How long do you think it will be before we have a child?" His green eyes danced a little.
She laughed. "Hopefully soon. We are young and I am sure that we shall have many children."
Edward grew solemn. "I will not lay with any other woman for as long I remain married to you and this I swear to you."
"Edward, if you promise this to me and I see you lying with another I will leave court and bring any children we have with me." Isabella's eyes were sharp.
Her husband was unfazed. "You shall never leave court for I shall be your loyal husband."
"Your words enchant me Edward." The queen's blue-grey eyes were closing.
Edward watched as she fell asleep. The hearth still burned hot and he could hear the music playing in the ballroom. He hoped that he had been successful in giving Isabella a child and as he drifted into sleep only an image of Isabella burned in his mind.