Henry VIII, King of England, ignoring the tumblers entertaining in the center of the hall, turned the huge emerald ring over in his meaty palm as Catherine looked on impatiently. A moment later, after the king had studied the ornate setting of the large jewel carefully, he took hold of the chain that passed through the ring and let it dangle before his eyes.
“Well, my great bear?” Catherine asked, petting the king’s knee and trying not to sound overly eager. “Is it yours?”
Henry ignored her question as he continued to study the swinging chain, a frown furrowing his brow. “You say this was in the possession of a cousin, Cat?”
Catherine glanced in Mary’s direction. The blond-haired woman sat across the Hall, her face flushed with anger. Her gaze had not lifted once toward the king—or towa
