My Nephew, My King

A New Lady-In-Waiting

The court physician was summoned right away.

"I've seen this happen before," he told Henry. "A piece of the afterbirth is retained following the delivery. A few days later, when it is eventually dislodged and passed, a dangerous amount of blood can be lost. It's difficult to say at this point whether or not she'll survive. We'll simply have to wait and see."

"Please don't leave me, Jane," Henry sobbed, clutching her hand and looking pleadingly into her face. "You've given me such a beautiful son, darling. Edward needs his mother, and I need you, too. Please, please stay with me. I love you so much, and I couldn't bear to lose you."

"Black pudding," Jane said faintly. "Please, I want some black pudding to eat."

"Black pudding?" Henry asked, surprised. It was normally served at breakfast, and it was now mid afternoon. "Of course, darling. Whatever you want."

The black pudding was sent for right away, and when it arrived, Jane devoured every bite. After eating, she rested for a couple of hours, then awakened and asked for more black pudding.

Jane survived the night and seemed just a little bit stronger the following morning. Her color looked better as well. She asked for black pudding again.

"It's curious," Henry remarked. "She seems so much healthier after eating black pudding, as if it contains a substance that gives her strength."

By the end of that day, Jane was feeling much better, and within a few days, she was quite back to normal. Although Henry didn't understand the connection between the black pudding and his wife's recovery, he was thankful to God for sparing her life.

King Arthur and Queen Anne lay together in bed cuddling one night after a particularly passionate encounter.

"I wonder," Anne ventured, lazily trailing one finger through her husband's chest hair and circling a n****e. "Would it be all right for my cousin, Katherine Howard, to join my household as a lady-in-waiting? Her mother died when she was very young, and ever since then, she's lived in the household of my step-grandmother, Agnes Howard. My step-grandmother has many other wards, and I fear that poor Katherine is being neglected. A position at court would ensure that her needs are being met and would also greatly increase her chances of finding a suitable husband."

"Why, of course." Mellow after having just enjoyed his wife's physical ministrations, Arthur would likely have agreed to just about anything. "Send for her whenever you want. I'm sure I could find a place for her here."

"Oh, thank you!" Anne exclaimed, kissing her husband's lips. "I knew you'd understand."

"Of course, darling. Anything for you." Arthur embraced his wife and kissed the top of her head.

Katherine Howard arrived at court a short time later. Charles, the younger brother of Henry and Edward and third son of Henry and Katherine, watched as she entered, her long blonde hair gracefully cascading over her shoulders. He stared as if hypnotized, unable to tear his eyes away. He knew that he'd have to find a way to introduce himself to her as soon as possible.

As Katherine headed for the Queen's chambers, she brushed past a young man who was headed in the opposite direction. He was of average height, with very straight dark blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. When he smiled, he had the most adorable dimples.

"You must be the new lady-in-waiting," he said.

"Why, yes, I am," she told him.

"It's lovely to meet you." His smile oozed charm. "I'm Thomas Culpepper."