Queen Katherine's Living Room

"Your Majesty is too kind,"I reply, I carefully shut the bible and the satisfying thud as the pages close together bring a small smile to my pink lips.

"Does Your Majesty wish me to stay or would you prefer if I left,"I look up at the queen and her blue eyes look a little distant and sad.

Margaret walked up to the door, and she cleared her throat, she looked a mess, she had lost half of her tan and there was bags under her eyes, her illness was surely working on her, but she needed to see Katherine, after what Henry her brother is putting her through, she knocked quietly on the door and waited.

I shake my head,"No, Your Majesty. I haven't heard of her...is she at court?"

I heard a knock at the door, I stand and bow deeply to The Queen. I then walk quietly to the door and gesture for the servant by the door to open it. As the servant opens the door I identify the woman to be Princess Margaret whom I saw on the pathway near the Thames. I sweep a deep curtsey,"Your Highness..."

I turn to The Queen,"Your Majesty, Her Highness The Princess Margaret has come..."

Margaret smiled to Elizabeth and nodded before saying "Lady Elizabeth". She walked into the Chamber and looked around then at Elizabeth, "Her Majesty? She is well?" she asked.

I fold my hands together and curtsey once more to The Princess as she speaks,"As well as can be expected, Your Highness. She is very strong though I fear her resolve weakens."

I walk forward a little and The Princess walks with me. We can then see The Queen and I bow very deeply, I feel my knee touch the cold wooden floor.

Margaret walked with Elizabeth and then saw Katherine, she curtsied and lifted her head up to look at Katherine, she looked nothing like the way she had before Margaret had left for Portugal, she seems stressed, tired? She stood up fully and looked to Elizabeth, "Have you heard of that...Harlot that my brother calls his love, yet?" She said, obviously meaning Anne.

I nod, flinching slightly at her harsh words,"I have though I have not met Mistress Boleyn. The court constantly speaks of her...the way she holds herself, dances and looks at the men in court-not just His Majesty. Some say she was romantically attached to the poet Thomas Wyatt-even though he was married."

I lower my head and whisper,"It is a wonder His Majesty would trade such a perfect love The Queen has for him for this Anne Boleyn."

Margaret shook her head and made a disgusted look "that harlot, has my brother hooked deep, she's the devil in disguise" She sad and she coughed a little into her tissue and ignored the splattered blood on it, and tucked it up her sleeve and nodded "The Queen, has done nothing but served his Majesty, and went through the pain of trying to bear him sons, and he turns his back on her" She said.

I look at her tissue as she coughs, I spot a speckle of blood,"Forgive me, Your Highness...I recently spoke with your sister The Princess Mary and she told me you had been unwell. May I get you anything?

Margaret shook her head and smiled "no, young one, i am fine, just a cough" She said and she sighed and looked at Elizabeth ' Do you think it would be wise, if i talked to Henry?' she asked.

I look down, surprised she has given me such respect to ask me such a question,"I cannot say Your Highness but I must say...I believe The King is so immersed in this with Mistress Anne that there is no coming out. As much as we all wish he would see his senses..."

Margaret sighed and sat down on one of the chairs "A good, clip around the head with see him his senses" She said and she rolled her eyes a little "what is it, with men and their.....whores. They have loving, adoring wifes, but yet they do things that will lead to loose them" She said.

I look down and sit on a chair beside The Princess. The chair is a little smaller than hers and not so intricately decorated and designed. I sigh a little and reply,"I cannot say I know, Your Highness as I am not married and neither one of my brothers have taken mistresses. I doubt my late father did either. My eldest brother Thomas has a son and through his wife's pregnancy he did not take a mistress ,as is so common now, nor has my brother Edward. His wife the Duchess of Genoa...and now Windsor since she married Edward is with child and I doubt Edward would ever lie with another woman. He loves her very much..."

I add softly,"I hear that Mistress Boleyn will not lie with His Majesty until...until he makes her the ultimate offer."

Margaret sat back and shook her head 'i bet that...whore has already slept with more than enough men' She said and she got up and poured herself a goblet of wine, and took a sip from it, and stared at the floor, thinking.

I look down feeling a little uncomfortable speaking so frankly around Her Majesty, I turn to The Princess,"Would you care for me to leave so you may meet with Her Majesty privately?"

Margaret shook her head and smiled ' No need, Elizabeth, but if you stay, what i say to her majesty, must be kept at bay, from the courts ears, is that clear?' She asked.

I nod,"Of course,"I look at Her Majesty,"Her Majesty can always be sure of my discretion."

Margaret smiled and sipped on the wine, 'Henry will soon come out of this..phase' She said, but even her voice sounded unsure, if he would of wouldn't.

"Deo volente...God willing..."

Margaret nodded and took another sip from her wine, quietly.

Seeing Margaret and Lizzie talking, I know they are both with me. They talk like old friends, the same side of a coin..
"Margaret, sister... you look pale. Come, sit please.." I say to her as I go to hug her. "Please, forgive me for taking so long.."
As we walk to the chairs by the window, i turn "Lizzie, won't you join us?"

Margaret shook her head and smiled 'It was fine, Katherine, you took no longer than expected' She said and she turned and looked at Lizzie and smiled, then looked at Katherine 'How do you fare? This business of Henry and yours must be so stressing' She said and she sighed a little.

I bow deeply and reply to The Queen,"It would be a pleasure and honour, Your Majesty..."

Jane walked into the Queens chambers, whilst being announced by the doorman she curtsied lowly at such a royal site, 'Majesties' She said and she got back up 'I am to be serving her majesty, as a new Lady in Waiting' She said with a kind smile.