Author's Note: Once again, it's been awhile since I've written or uploaded anything. I've had this chapter ready for awhile, but I didn't want to put it up until it was completely ready. Hope you enjoy it! I'd appreciate any reviews- I'd love to know where you suspect the story is going, or if you like my writing or have any criticisms!

CHAPTER XXIII

Henry tried his best not to scowl at Sir William Carey, who was mooning openly over his bride. William didn't seem to mind that she'd once been called "The Great Prostitute" or that she'd been a fixture of scandal in a foreign court. For William, what had happened in France was to remain in France. William had a pretty wife, who would most likely give him sons, and he was connected to the slowly rising Boleyn family. He could forget his wife's seedy past when life was so good.

Henry hardly thought of her past misdeeds either- he was too interested in what made her so bright and happy all of the time. There were dozens of giggly girls in his court that he could have if he wanted. The appeal of Mary Boleyn- or rather, Mary Carey- was irresistible. He wondered how long he would have to wait.

It was nearly a fortnight later, and Henry was moving through the corridors in his palace. The court had recently moved to a new location, and Henry enjoyed looking over his palaces after moving into them. His eyes lit up when he saw Lady Mary Carey approaching. She was alone, and Henry thanked his lucky stars. He quickly waved off an attendant who'd been following him, and moved quickly towards Mary.

The corridor was otherwise unoccupied, and Henry couldn't believe his good luck. Mary was about to pass by him, when he reached out his hand and set it gently upon her arm. "Lady Carey," he said softly.

Mary looked up at him, her blue eyes wide and shining, as he'd imagined they would be. "Your majesty."

"Where are you going, my lady?" Henry asked.

"To attend on Princess Catherine, your Grace."

"Take a walk with me first, Lady Carey. I will make your excuses to her highness myself."

"Thank you, your majesty," Mary beamed up at him, and slipped her arm under his as they proceeded down the corridor.

Henry manoeuvred Mary into a slightly less occupied part of the castle. "I've been watching you lately, Lady Carey."

"Have you?" Mary asked, keeping her voice innocent and sweet, "Of course, I've been watching you too."

"Indeed?" Henry turned to face her, taking her hands in his.

"You are the king, sir, and may I say, your illustrious person draws my eyes to you whenever you enter a room," Mary said.

Henry didn't quite know what to say. "I confess, you surprise me."

"Do I? How?" Mary asked.

"I did not think you ever looked at me."

Mary smiled. "Oh, your Grace. How could anyone not? If I am not being too forward, I'd like to say that I've often dreamt of making your closer acquaintance."

"Even when your husband is near?" Henry asked. In these cases of married women, Henry had to have a sense of how closely their husband would figure into any affair.

"My husband? Your majesty, I love my husband. He is a good man, and kind to me. However, he is not quite the man you are," Mary placed her hand gently on his sleeve. "Are you even a man? You seem to be so much more."

This was enough for Henry. He leaned down and promptly pressed his lips to hers. Mary responded eagerly, as though she hadn't been properly kissed in ages.

"Mary, sweet Mary," Henry breathed, "Come to me tonight. Say you will- promise me."

"I would, your majesty, with all my heart, but I think I am expected in my husband's bed tonight."

"Never mind that- he is easily rid of. See, you are now free. Will you come to me?"

"Yes. I will come whenever you send for me."

Henry beamed in triumph, and tried not to laugh aloud at his good fortune. "Let me take you back to Princess Catherine then. But tonight, my dear, is ours." He kissed her once more, before taking her arm and escorting her towards more occupied parts of the palace.

Katherine Parr winced as her embroidery needle slipped, puncturing her finger. She brought the now-sore finger to her lips and scowled through the pain.

"Are you alright, Mistress Parr?" a sweet voice from beside her asked.

Katherine glanced up, and saw Jane Seymour, her lips downturned in a worried way. "Yes, thank you, Lady Jane."

Jane's face lit up with a smile. "May I sit beside you? I cannot concentrate on the other side of the room."

Katherine glanced to where Jane had been sitting moments ago. Catharine Howard, Madge Shelton, Mary Carey and a few others were sitting there, giggling as they went about their work. "Of course," Katherine answered Jane, motioning to the seat beside her.

Jane sat down. "That is beautiful work, Mistress Parr," she said, "That must have taken you hours."

Katherine glanced down at her embroidery. She'd been stitching the Tudor Rose, surrounded by smaller blue flowers. "I've been working on it for quite some time," she confessed.

"I can tell," Jane said, "I must confess that embroidering and such fancywork are great joys to me. I can spend hours like this. I've heard that you're more fond of reading."

"I am," Katherine replied, "I can spend hours lost in a good book. I once read a book on the history of England in under two hours- and it was no small book."

"Oh, my brother Tom is the reader in our family," Jane said, "I think you and he would get along very well."

"Is that so?" Katherine said mildly. She tried to remember which of the young men at court was a Seymour, but couldn't place Tom Seymour among them.

"I shall have to introduce you sometime," Jane smiled.

"Yes, certainly," Katherine said, more out of politeness than eagerness.

Jane was about to continue when she heard loud, male laughter. The two girls hadn't noticed the Duke of Suffolk, along with a few of his friends, enter. Now, however, they were impossible to ignore as they laughed loudly along with some of the ladies.

"I don't know why they come here so late- we ladies will be retiring soon," Jane said, with more irritation than Katherine had ever seen in her, "Especially while Princess Catherine is at prayer. I wonder if they wait for her to leave. I once heard someone say that she was too moral. Pray tell me, Mistress Parr, how one can be too moral?" Jane shook her head, sincerely confused.

"At a court such as this, that claims to be so modern, comments such as those no longer surprise me," Katherine replied. She glanced back at the gentlemen. She frowned as she saw Charles Brandon lean down and whisper into the ear of Mary Carey. Mary smiled slyly as she took the duke's hand and allowed him to lead her out of the room.

"What on earth-" Katherine said to herself. She glanced around, but no one had seemed to notice Mary taking her leave. Where was she going?

Or, perhaps one other person had noticed. Katherine now saw Jane Parker staring at the door. The girl slowly got to her feet and deftly moved out of the room.

"How strange," Katherine whispered.

"What, Mistress Parr?" Jane asked.

"Oh, nothing, Lady Jane. I was just agreeing with you that the behaviour of the gentlemen is inappropriate."

"The king ought to intervene in this," Jane said, "I know that he himself is a man of morals."

"I should hope he would be," Katherine answered.

But if Mary Boleyn were heading where Katherine strongly suspected she was, perhaps the king wasn't as moralistic as Jane thought.

Henry awoke with a start when he felt something warm move across his skin. His eyes flickered open, and he looked about him. Mary Carey slid her hand along his chest, watching his face with a small smile on her face. "I did not mean to wake you."

"You stayed the night," Henry rolled over to face her. It'd been awhile since he'd had a woman stay all night in his bed. He usually had them out of his chambers long before morning.

"Yes, you fell asleep," Mary said, moving towards him, "I think you were quite tired." Mary giggled.

Henry grinned. "I'm glad you stayed. I'm glad you came to me last night."

"Of course- I promised I would," Mary replied.

"I hope you will again," Henry said.

"Yes, I will," Mary answered obligingly.

Henry kissed her forehead. "Now, I must go. You ought to dress- perhaps go and bid your husband good morning."

Mary laughed, and seemed not to feel at all badly about making her husband a cuckold. She slipped out of bed, retrieved her nightgown and robe and, after putting them on, went out of the room.

Henry sighed happily. The best part of any affair was the first night. He knew it would be the best he would spend with Lady Mary, but certainly not the last.

Henry got out of bed reluctantly. It would be a busy day for him. First he had to meet with Wolsey. There were matters that apparently needed his immediate attention. After that, Henry would dine with Princess Catherine, since she'd invited him numerous times. Later, he hoped to escape the palace and visit Thomas More, who'd again insisted on leaving court and going back to his home for a while.

Thomas Wolsey was waiting for Henry in the outer rooms of his chambers, as Henry had expected him to be. "Good morning, Wolsey," Henry said.

"Good morning, your majesty," Wolsey said.

"How is my kingdom this morning?" Henry asked.

"In full working order, majesty," Wolsey said.

"Excellent. What business is there?"

"First there is the matter of France, your majesty. It seems that Francis has sent delegates to Spain, and Ferdinand has likewise sent a new ambassador to France."

"And, what of it? Do you suspect a conspiracy of some sort between them? If France allies with Spain, that would be quite damaging to the treaty we only recently signed, wouldn't it?" Henry said.

"If circumstances were such that the two allied against your majesty's realm, then indeed the treaty would be irreparably broken. My spies already inform me that this seems to be the case."

"What cause do they have to be allied against me?" Henry demanded, "What did the Spanish ambassador say? What did the French ambassador say?"

"The French ambassador denied all knowledge of any meeting," Wolsey responded, "Meanwhile, the Spanish ambassador has returned to Spain, citing ill health as the cause."

"Well, tell Ferdinand to send another!" Henry commanded, "I want to know what's going on."

"Word has been sent to Spain. In addition, I have sent men to France to survey the situation. Thomas Cromwell, the young lawman I presented to you not long ago, is among them. He is a most capable servant, majesty, and I have every confidence in him."

"Good. I want to speak to Gilles de la Pommeraie myself. You will have him brought to me."

"Of course majesty- within the hour, if you so desire."

Henry considered this. "No- first thing tomorrow. I have an appointment this morning, and then hope to be gone for the rest of the day."

"An appointment?" Wolsey said in apparent confusion. The king never had any appointments that Wolsey didn't know about, or usually those not arranged by Wolsey himself.

"Yes," Henry said impatiently, "I dine with Princess Catherine."

"Princess Catherine?" Wolsey repeated.

Henry sighed. "Is that all the business for this morning?"

"That is all that is pressing," Wolsey admitted.

"Excellent," Henry said, getting to his feet, "You still don't approve of Princess Catherine, Wolsey?"

"I never disapproved," Wolsey said quickly, "An alliance with Spain and Ferdinand now would perhaps counteract whatever alliance exists between Ferdinand and Francis. However, I have made an extensive list of other potential brides for your majesty- if you majesty would care to see it sometime?"

"Of course," Henry said, "I must marry sometime, and I think it must be sometime soon. The kingdom and I would like a queen."

"I agree, wholeheartedly," Wolsey said.

"Then make your list and whatnot, Wolsey," Henry said, stepping closer to his minister, "And I do expect Catherine's name to be on it, at the very least."

"As your majesty wishes," Wolsey said.

Henry patted his shoulder. "Good man." He made his way out of the room, and towards Catherine's chambers.

Catherine was waiting for him, patiently sitting in her chambers with her ladies. She got to her feet, smiling brightly as he entered. "Good morning, majesty. How pleased I am that you could join me today."

"Your highness," Henry took Catherine's extended hands, "I hope I have not kept you waiting."

"No, certainly not. Please, sit," Catherine motioned to the table, and she and the king sat together.

"How are you, Catherine?" Henry asked.

"I am well, sire," Catherine responded as she motioned for her ladies to begin to serve them, "I have been kept much occupied lately with domestic responsibilities."

"Indeed, but while you are at court, I wish you would grace us with your presence even more. We do not see enough of you, my dear lady," Henry said, with genuine kindness. He glanced up as Mary Carey served his drink. She kept a neutral expression, but looked at the king directly for a moment. He could hardly resist a smile.

"The court has so much to offer, I cannot refuse," Catherine said, glancing at Mary Carey as the lady retreated. Catherine looked at Henry as he took his first bite.

"Delicious," Henry stated, and Catherine was quite pleased.

"I have been informed that the Spanish ambassador has been recalled to Spain," Catherine said casually.

"No, indeed, he was not recalled, but left, due to ill health or some such thing," Henry responded.

"How sad we shall be to lose him," Catherine said, but she couldn't be exactly enthusiastic about her statement. She believed that the Spanish ambassador should spend time promoting her interests to the king, but the recently departed ambassador had never done any such thing.

"Do you communicate often with your father, King Ferdinand?" Henry asked, suddenly quite curious.

"I often send letters, mostly inquiring about his health," Catherine replied, "Since I have been so long in England, I hardly see myself as beholden to my father- though I will always honour him, as God requires. I am most comfortable in your majesty's care."

"I am glad to hear it. I should hate to think that you were ever unhappy. As you are my brother's widow, and my own dear friend and companion."

"I think of your brother sometimes," Catherine admitted softly, "He was so kind to me. He was so young- just a boy. We were both just children."

Henry knew a sly hint when he heard one. Catherine was learning not to openly insist at her continued state of virginity, but references and hints were not something Henry could forbid. He knew that she longed to be married. Sometimes he could even imagine being married to her. But something would always nag at his mind- he could never quite forget Arthur.

A servant entered a short time later, bearing a message for Henry. Henry took the note and quickly read it. He nearly choked upon reading the contents.

"My lord, are you well?" Catherine asked quickly, her eyes wide with concern.

"Quite well, madam, I assure you. Forgive me, you must excuse me," Henry got to his feet.

Catherine also stood. "But- your majesty-" she quickly collected herself, "Of course. I hope it isn't serious."

"Forgive me, Catherine. It is a pressing matter, and I must go," Henry said, "Forgive my rudeness- I will make it up to you."

"Think not of it," Catherine replied, curtsying as the king took his leave.

Henry rode his horse madly for the next hour, followed by equally indomitable guards. He'd dropped everything, and all other matters were erased from his mind. His sole purpose was to find out if what he'd read in that note were true. If it were true, what would it mean for him? What would it mean for England?

Henry's brow furrowed in determination as he saw a modest-sized country home on the horizon. He urged his horse onward, though the animal was tired. Nothing would stop Henry.

Finally, he and his guards arrived at the manor, and he dismounted quickly. Leaving his horse to the care of his attendants, and forgetting his own tiredness, Henry burst in.

He was quite surprised to find Wolsey already there, talking quietly with a few ladies. When Wolsey saw the king enter, he quickly waved the ladies away and went to meet his master.

"Wolsey!" Henry reached forward and grabbed his minister by the shoulders, "Is it true? Tell me quickly, man, is it true?"

"Yes, your majesty," Wolsey said, "Mistress Blount has given birth to a boy."

Henry stared off into space over Wolsey's shoulder. "I have a son," he murmured.

"An illegitimate son," Wolsey said delicately.

"Forget that for now! A son, Wolsey. By God, I don't know why I've waited so long!" Henry laughed.

"Yes, your majesty. In fact, there are some matters to go over-"

"Not just now Wolsey. Where is he? Where is my son?"

Wolsey was frustrated with the king, but hid it with a clenching of his jaw. He motioned over his shoulder, and a maid appeared to lead the king to the lady and baby.

Henry hurried the startled maid along, and she led him along the corridors, with Wolsey on their heels, to a chamber. Henry held up his hands at Wolsey and the maid. "I shall go in alone," he said.

"Yes, majesty," Wolsey said, and the maid quickly slipped away.

Henry took a deep breath, and went into the bedchamber. He took in the scene quickly. Bessie was in the bed, sound asleep. Ladies were bustling around her, arranging her hair and bed-sheets. "Leave," Henry said. The women flinched, and quickly exited the room. Henry barely noticed them. His eyes were on the tiny cradle beside Bessie's bed. He moved towards it slowly, not making a sound. Reaching the cradle, he leaned over, and was surprised when his breath caught in his throat.

Bessie woke, and watched with a small smile as the king lifted the tiny baby out of the cradle. She didn't dare speak, even to point out how to properly hold the child, and was relieved when Henry supported the head and body of the baby.

Henry stared, amazed at the baby in his hands. The baby let out a small cry, and Henry pulled it nearer to comfort him. "There, there," Henry said softly. He chuckled to himself, and Bessie watched the king and the baby. "I have a son," Henry whispered, and then announced louder to the empty room, "I have a son!"