August 4th, 1562

St. James' s Palace

Anne and Ruth had been employed to find Isabella while Edward and Marie had proceeded to the main hall to receive guests. Ruth was searching the east wing and Anne was searching the west in vain. As she exited another empty room, she saw Ruth turning the corner.

"I assume you did not find her." Anne huffed.

Ruth shook her head. "It almost reminds me of when we would go to Chelsea Manor and play. We never found her then and I do not believe we will find her now."

Anne laughed. "It was only because she was oldest. We will find her."

Ruth put her finger to her mouth, signaling for Anne to silence herself. She could just barely make out the sound of a woman weeping. Ruth then pointed up and Anne nodded with understanding. They hurried up the stairs and through the east corridor. Ruth strode ahead, being used to walking the large palace as a seasoned courtier, while Anne struggled to catch her breath, never having to walk stairs. Anne picked up her pace to keep in step with Ruth and they soon heard the weeping. Ruth opened the door and Anne followed her inside. Isabella was sitting a chair facing the window, sobbing bitterly. It broke Anne's heart to see her sister so desolate. Isabella had never cried when they were children, not even when Sophia had died.

"SIster..." Anne murmured hesitantly.

Isabella turned, her grey blue eyes were red and puffy. "Yes Nan?"

Anne swallowed the lump in her throat. "Izzy we must go receive the guests. We cannot do it without you."

Isabella seemed to not hear, instead she replied. "I have been a good mother. I have been a good queen. Yet, his heart lies with her. How could I ever disillusion myself to believe that he would love me? Am I not beautiful? Am I not kind? What does require of me that he must receive from that harlot? Have I not succeeded where five of his father's wives had failed?"

Ruth put her hands on Isabella's shoulders. "He will never love her the way he loves you. She is the Jane Shore to your Elizabeth Woodville. She matters not, you will always remain."

Isabella opened her mouth to say something but instead wiped her face with her handkerchief and walked out of the room. Anne glanced at Ruth nervously, Anne had been separated from her sister so long it was as if she didn't know her at all.

Ruth seemed to understand. "She has not changed as much as you think. She has suffered much because of Edward."

Anne nodded. "I can see as much. I believe we best get to the revels to support our sister."

Ruth nodded and they strutted into the main hall side by side. Anne immediately saw Edward and Isabella sitting on their thrones to receive guests, but Marie was also sitting on a throne to Edward's left that would normally be used for an older Prince of Wales.

Ruth gaped. "Has he gone mad?"

Anne could not even form words to respond. She was in such a state of shock for the blatant disrespect and humiliation that Isabella was suffering. Yet, Isabella was smiling graciously through it all. It was the strength she was known for, the same strength their aunt said their mother possessed.

The Herald announced the Queen of Scots and a young woman, no older than twenty, confidently strode in. Her auburn tresses cascaded down her back, her blue eyes staring directly ahead at Edward and Isabella. She was tall and her height only added to the regal appearance. Anne curtsied along with the rest of the women and waited for Isabella's signal for them to rise. Anne and Ruth made their way to Isabella's side and stood to her right.

Queen Mary approached with a smile as she signaled to her servants. "I have brought gifts to celebrate this joyous occasion. "

Anne nodded again silently. She remembered her etiquette from when she was a child, stand up straight, smile, and speak when spoken to. Apparently Marie had not learned that lesson

The blonde whore smiled widely. "Thank you, Queen Mary."

Mary tilted her head side ways and frowned. "And who might you be?"

Marie glanced at Edward, who was pinching the bridge of his nose in embarrassment. Anne could just barely hear Ruth snickering beside her. Isabella remained composed beside her husband and his mistress, bowing to Mary with a gracious smile.

Marie appeared shocked. "I am Marie de Meleun, Your Majesty."

Queen Mary seemed uninterested. "Queen Isabella, you look well. How is Princess Philippa? "

Isabella brightened. "She is well. They tell me she is nursing very heartily. "

"That is very well indeed since she had such a traumatic entry to our world." Mary shot a sharp glare at Edward and Marie.

Isabella waved her hand. "Ah, it matters not. My children are stronger than most."

Mary laughed. "I can only hope to be so fortunate."

Mary soon turned to Anne and Ruth. "Lady Norfolk, it is good to see you again."

Ruth dipped her head. "It is always a pleasure, Queen Mary."

Mary nodded. "You must be Lady Exeter. They always tell me your hair is as black a raven."

Anne laughed. "It is good to meet you, Your Majesty."

Mary inched closer. "If you wish to find a husband I have the perfect man in mind."

Anne nodded gratefully although she already had a match in mind.

August 5th, 1562

St. James' s Palace

Anne was laying on her bed deep in thought, absently playing with the long braid on her shoulder. Robert Veldon was her best friend, betrothed to Lady Charlotte and she was happy for him. Last night she had admitted that she felt herself in love with his twin brother, George. He had stormed away from her after admitting that he was in love with her. She was conflicted, she cared about Robert and would not mind taking him as a husband but he was betrothed to Lady Charlotte, who was kind and friendly. Anne had not wanted to impose and ask Isabella to break the betrothal for her. Yet, Robert had believed she would, he thought Charlotte was to passive and boring to be his wife. He felt that she would be much more suited for the book loving George.

A knock at the door.

"I am contemplating how to not destroy someone's life." She called back despondently.

Isabella, Ruth and Mary poked their heads through the door, all smiling mischievously at her.

"Perhaps you need a bit of cheering up then." Mary giggled.

The three women pushed their way into the room and Ruth shut the door behind them quickly. Mary and Isabella sat on the bed on either side of her and pulled her up. Ruth jumped into the bed with them and started laughing.

"What is it Nan? " Isabella inquired.

Anne sighed. "It is Robert! I told him of my intentions to marry his brother and he admitted that he loved me."

Ruth coughed. "Rubbish!"

Isabella shook her head. "It could be true."

"Ah yes, and Edward is faithful to you." Ruth snorted.

Mary cleared her throat with a warning glance to Ruth and Isabella before changing the subject. "Well Nan, we were hoping that you would join us in a little prank on the king's whore. Perhaps it shall lift your spirits a bit."

Anne was instantly intrigued. "And how might we go about this prank?"

"I suggested we pour hot wax on her while she was sleeping, yet they say it is too violent. " Ruth pouted playfully.

Mary nodded. "We do not want to disfigure the wench. I thought instead of hot wax, cold water."

Anne was quiet for a moment before an idea occurred to her. "Cold water with a few dead fish floating about? "

Isabella laughed. "You always were the prankster, Nan."

The four women laughed about their little plot to get back at Marie and amuse themselves. The early hours of August 5th would be quiet and rumor had circulated that Marie no longer slept in Edward's bed because he was beginning to tire of her. A frantic knock at the door startled them, but Anne peeked out of the door.

It was Richard, Edward's page boy.

Anne opened the door. "Yes, Richard?"

He was pale and sweaty. "Is- is the queen with you?"

Anne waved him in and he bowed to Isabella, Mary, and Ruth. She could see that he was shaking and she became unnerved at the boy's demeanor.

"What is it boy?" Ruth asked impatiently

Richard stammered. "His-his...his Majesty has been stabbed in his sleep."