Chapter Ninety-Six: Return of the King

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5th of February 1536 - Wulfhall, Wiltshire

Staring at the snow falling from her window, Jane Seymour held her rosary in her hands as she moved the beads through her fingers as she pondered how her life was about to change. 

Her heart pounded in her chest and she knew that there was no going back now, the news of Queen Catherine's death had been a devastating blow. 

Especially when she had lost the Queen's support in her mission, she knew that she had to play her cards carefully now when she had so little support for her actions. 

"Jane?" Lady Seymour questioned stepping into her eldest daughter's chambers, a frown on her face as she eyed the dress that her daughter was wearing. 

It was certainly not befitting of Jane's station at court, it looked like something that Queen Anne might wear and the expensive red material only seemed to enhance her daughter's pale complexion. 

A knot formed in Lady Seymour's stomach as she stepped further into the room, she could no longer ignore her eldest daughter's behaviour or the concerns that Elizabeth had laid at her door about where Jane's loyalty might lie. 

"I am quite well lady mother," Jane assured her, her eyes still trained on the courtyard below her window as she waited, she had longed for this moment and it was so close now that she could almost taste it. 

The letter that had arrived only yesterday had confirmed the plans, although Jane had been disappointed that it had not been a letter from Henry but a message passed on by the Duke of Suffolk. 

"Then perhaps you can explain why you have excused yourself from Her Majesty's service? The King will return to court any day now," Lady Seymour asked moving closer to her daughter, a frown decorating her face knowing that her actions would be noticed especially since the death of the Dowager Princess of Wales. 

Surely her daughter was not so much a fool that she did not see how blessed they were to have a relative on the throne that was eager to promote their interests. 

The Boleyns were cousins through Margery's grandmother, it was pleasing to know that her relations were eager to promote not just themselves but other relations to expand their support base.

It was because of Queen Anne that the family had found themselves risen in court, titles and rank were gifted to them because of this connection and it simply would not do in Lady Seymour's mind for her daughter to act in such a way. 

Jane's actions had not gone unnoticed like her daughter had hoped, her sisters at court reported her actions and the letters that she received in secret. 

Edward had even tried to talk some sense into her especially after Catherine's household had been dismissed because of her actions and several ladies had been granted positions at court which Jane had attempted to refuse when she had been selected to serve the Queen. 

"I was in need of a break, the fresh air of home has done me good," Jane replied simply, she didn't dare turn to look at her mother knowing that just one look would reveal the truth. 

Her dislike for the Boleyn harlot was no secret, she would have happily continued to serve Queen Catherine even following her to a convent if needed but her mistress had different plans for her than wasting away in a convent. 

It had all felt like it had been for nothing until the letter that had arrived yesterday, the King's promises to see her even if written by another warmed her heart and gave her hope that the fight was far from over.

Her eyes caught on the sight of several riders entering the courtyard, a smile appearing on her face as she took a deep breath before she turned to face her mother at last. 

"It appears we have guests, we should go greet them," Jane stated her hand tightly holding onto her rosary before she tucked it into her sleeve; God was on her side and would guide her this night. 

Lady Seymour grabbed her daughter's arm before she could pass her, a frown deeply set on her face as she looked out the window to see the royal standard being carried into their courtyard. 

"I do hope you know what you are doing," Lady Seymour said with a shake of her head, one false move could see their entire family brought to ruin; the King would never leave Queen Anne while he had three healthy heirs from her. 

***

"Do you not think that the Lady Jane looks rather ravishing tonight, Your Majesty?" the Duke of Suffolk whispered in his friends ear, ducking closer to his old friend so that his words would not be overheard by their hosts. 

The dress that Charles had ordered be delivered to the Seymour girl was even better than he could have hoped, it suited her perfectly and she certainly stood out against her relatives dotted around the room. 

Not that the lady needed to know that, as far as Jane Seymour needed to know the dress that she was wearing had been a gift from the King who had been exchanging letters with her since he had left the country. 

"Indeed, she does," Henry stated, his eyes raking over the woman that stood at the opposite end of the dining hall wrapped up in conversation with her brother. 

Edward Seymour had been far from pleased when he had heard of their plans, pushed forward by the Duke of Suffolk, for them to rest at Wulfhall for the night before they continued on their journey to meet with the court. 

Queen Anne would surely understand that the weather had delayed their return, Charles had insisted, afterall the snow only seemed to get heavier the closer they got to London. 

"Have her sent to my chambers tonight," Henry ordered turning to look at Charles, his oldest friend would certainly help him with this conquest and he had been looking forward to bedding the woman who was his wife's complete opposite. 

Her letters had stoked his desires, she would not lead him on a merry chase as his wife had done when he had persuade her and she would take whatever he was willing to give to her. 

Her modesty was intoxicating, how she refused his gifts when he could offer her anything that she desired; he longed to consume her, to take the innocent flower that she was and taint it so the world would know what he had done. 

"Of course, Your Majesty," Charles replied with a pat on his shoulder, he straightened up and looked towards Nicolas Carew before he left the side of the King and made his way over to him. 

Tonight, would see the Boleyn harlot shamed just as she had done to Catherine, Carew had ensured to instruct Jane in all the ways that Anne had succeeded to seduce the King and now she would do the same.

Their plan was set, the only downside was the news that Catherine had passed before she could see her plans come to reality; they could only hope that their actions in her name would be enough to ensure the future that she had only dreamt of. 

"The King wishes to have Lady Jane in his chambers tonight," Charles told Carew quietly as he took a sip of his ale, his eyes looking over at Henry before he turned his attention to Jane. 

His wife would be surely pleased with the news that they had taken the Boleyn harlot down a peg, she had been a strong supporter of Catherine who her mother had served loyally for years. 

"I am sure that the lady would be more than happy to visit him, she believes herself in love with the King," Carew noted rather amused with a shake of his head as he watched Jane from across the room. 

It was a mystery to him why Catherine had chosen her for this task, she was no great beautiful and rather plain in comparison to the other ladies of the court. 

However, her direct contrast to the harlot could not be denied and would certainly be a breath of fresh air for the King. 

Charles laughed at his words, the King could flatter any woman that, he was sure; she would be in for a surprise if she truly believed that Henry would love her like she loved him. 

All women were like moths to a flame for the King, they were so easily drawn in that they did not seem to recognise the dangers and Henry was unlikely to leave Anne as he had done with Catherine. 

Alexander was certainly of that, Charles knew that there was no way that Henry would endanger his son's inheritance especially when he was the only legitimate son that Henry had. 

"It matters not to us how foolish she is, only that she causes the most upset to the harlot," Charles replied quietly, it would not do for his words to be overheard by those around him. 

Carew might be his ally in this but there would be many that would happily see him cast down as they were supporters of the harlot and would do anything to rise in her family's favour. 

Carew nodded at his words, if anyone were to ask him of his plans to set Jane Seymour in the King's path then he would happily deny any part in it. 

***

Standing outside the chambers that had been given to the King, Jane couldn't help but feel nervous as she thought about what might happen when she entered. 

Dressed in her night gown and a fur cover up, Jane's stomach twisted itself into knots as she thought about why she had come here. 

When Carew had told her that the King had requested her presence in his chambers, she had been rather shocked when she had asked him if she should refuse and he had encouraged her to go to him. 

Tonight, would be her only chance to do this, tomorrow he would ride to Richmond Palace where he was to be reunited with the harlot and her brats. 

Jane's blood boiled at the thought of Anne and her children, how dare she give the King a son when Catherine had struggled for years to do so. 

Closing her eyes, Jane took a deep breath as she tried to refocus herself on what she was going to do when she entered the room and found herself face to face with the man that had written her such beautiful letters. 

After taking a moment to gather herself, Jane moved to knock on the wooden door that led into the chamber where the King was waiting for her. 

Her heart was hammering itself against her ribcage as she waited for a moment before she was called inside, she looked back towards her parents' chamber in hesitation for a moment before she slipped inside. 

Closing the door firmly behind her, Jane found herself staring at the floor for a moment as she dipped into a low curtsy as she greeted the king who was seated at the table in the room. 

"I pray that you come closer," Henry encouraged her with a wave of his hand, a warm smile on his face that was lit by the fire on the fire place and a few candles that were dotted around the room. 

His eyes taken in the trim figure before him as she nervously made her way across the room towards him, her nightgown hugging her body in just the right way to tease his imagination. 

"Closer still," Henry said enticing her with a curl of his finger, his eyes feasting in the skin that was revealed to him at this time as she continued her slow movement across the room towards him. 

The tension in the air was intense and Henry sipped on his wine as he drank in the woman that had attempted him for months, he had longed for such a moment and he was going to enjoy tonight. 

"Here sit on my knee," Henry encouraged her, he patted the knee where he wanted her to sit and watched her face trying to see what she would do; he was almost amused by her reactions. 

His lovers were usually more confident in their actions when he summoned them to his chambers, it was no secret what he expected of them and yet here was Jane looking more like a deer being stalked by one of his hunting hounds. 

Taking his right hand as she moved to sit on his knee, Jane found that she could not look away from his face as she slowly lowered herself onto the knee that he signalled for her to sit on. 

Only when she was securely in his lap did she dare break his gaze, she nervously looked around the chamber almost feeling like there was someone watching them in the room. 

Henry reached up with his right hand up and carefully brushed his fingers gently against the back of her neck, her skin soft like silk as he ran his fingers down her neck; he set down the goblet that he was holding and leant forward to kiss the back of her bare shoulder that was exposed to him. 

"I am glad you came to me my love, I could not have returned to court without coming to see you," Henry whispered, his lips brushing against the bare skin of her back as he moved his hand down to rest against her waist. 

Jane peered back over her shoulder at him, her blonde hair freed and flowing over her other shoulder as she tried to keep calm. 

Taking a few deep breathes, she tried to think of something that she could say that would convey to the King just how much he meant to her. 

Henry searched her face for a moment before he slowly leaned forward to kiss her, tonight she was his alone and he was hers; nothing mattered outside of this room other than how they felt. 

Jane gasped when Henry's lips came into contact with hers, his hand reaching up to cup her face as they kissed so tenderly at first before the passion grew between them. 

Henry tangled his hands in Jane's blonde locks, pulling her closer to him knowing that they were both unlikely to be disturbed for the rest of the night. 

***

6th of February 1536 - Richmond Palace

Seated upon the dais, Queen Anne tried to contain her nerves as she held Princess Beatrice in her arms; it had felt like a life time since she had last seen her husband and she was unsure what to expect when he returned. 

To her left stood, Prince Alexander and Princess Elizabeth with their governess; the children dressed in their finest clothing to see their father who had been gone for so very long. 

Part of Anne had been suspicious when Henry's return had been delayed longer than she felt it should have been, George had assured his sister that he would not be far behind him when they had been reunited. 

The return of her brother had filled Anne with confidence that her husband was not displeased with her governance of their country in his absence. 

The wait had been the worst part, sitting here in this room filled with the court as they waited for Henry to arrive and greet his family for the first time in over a year. 

It was certainly not what many had expected, the celebrations were planned to perfection and no expense had been spared in welcoming the King home. 

Finally, after what felt like an age, Anne watched as the doors to the chamber opened and her husband strutted inside; pulling the leather riding gloves from his hands as he made his way down the aisle. 

Behind him followed several nobles that Anne recognised, her stomach twisting slightly at the sight of the Duke of Suffolk and she resisted the urge to show her displeasure. 

Despite what many thought, Anne was more than aware of the little plot that the Duke was involved in against her; she cared not what woman he threw in her husband's bed in his attempts to upset her. 

In a show of chivalry, Henry dropped down into one knee before the dais and bowed his head to his Queen; a smile on his face as he heard the whispers that filled the room at his actions. 

"My Queen, I have returned to you," Henry stated raising his head to look at her, she was even more beautiful than he remembered and he had longed for their reunion. 

He stayed bent on one knee before her as he took in every inch of the woman that God had blessed him with as his Queen and his wife. 

"My King, I welcome you home," Anne replied standing from her throne and making her way down the steps so that she might greet him.

He looked just how she remembered him, her heart felt light at the fact hat he had returned home safely to her; she had feared that she would be left a widow and regent to their infant son in the event of his death. 

Henry rose from his position and stepped forward to kiss Anne, cause a titter from the ladies of the court before his eyes dropped down to his youngest child; the daughter that he had yet to meet. 

Anne smiled as he reached to take the babe in his arms, a warm smile on his face as he pressed a kiss to the light hair on Beatrice's head. 

There was no doubt in his mind that his daughter would favour his York roots, she would surely be a beauty like his own mother had been. 

"Our children, my love," Anne said to him as she looked towards Alexander and Elizabeth who were ushered forward towards their parents, both offering clumsy bows to their father who only smiled at their attempt. 

He signalled for them to come closer, he could not believe how much they had grown in the time that he had been gone. 

Alexander was a strapping young boy, his hair no different from that of his father and Henry was most certain that he would be in his image when he grew up. 

Elizabeth had also inherited his red hair, she too looked more like Henry than she did her mother although if Henry looked hard enough, he could see bits of Anne there too. 

Perhaps the next one would be blessed with looks from Anne, he hoped so as he thought that his wife was the most beautiful woman that he had ever laid eyes upon. 

"Je suis en famille," Henry announced to the court, causing an eruption of cheers as he took Anne by the arm and lead her back to the dais so that they might be seated together. 

Two small chairs had been seated between their thrones at his orders for the young Prince and Princess; there would be no doubts now on his line of succession. 

There would be no plots or wars like before, everyone would know that the next heir to the throne was Alexander. 


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