7August 5th, 1562
St. James' s Palace
Isabella was shaking visibly but her face was serene as she followed Lord Norfolk and Barnaby Fitzpatrick into Edward's chambers. The doctor had already seen to him and it was no danger to Isabella. Queen Mary had been interrogating all of the men in her retinue to ensure that no Scots man had been involved. Anne and Ruth had come with Isabella to help cope. Edward was not dead, but he very well could be. She walked through the heavy doors and instantly narrowed her eyes. Marie was already at his side, although she could make out a disapproving glare from Northumberland.
Ruth, as usual, was the first to speak. "Marie, the queen requests that you leave this chamber. Immediately."
Marie, obviously distraught, sobbed. "Get that wench out of here! Now!"
Marie's ladies were hesitant to move, knowing that they had no power against the Duchess of Norfolk and the Duchess of Exeter. Isabella strode to Edward's side and sat down beside him, taking his large hands in hers. She nodded to Ruth and Anne to hold their tongues. Marie turned her eyes to Isabella and the queen held her gaze. She would not allow his mistress to taunt her.
"I am surprised you are willing to come." Marie remarked tartly.
Isabella remained calm. " Why would I not? He is my husband."
Marie sneered."He does not treat you as his wife. It appears that he saves those affections for me."
Isabella laughed."Yet he makes no move to discard me for you. He has every ability to and yet he returns to me and the children we have together. So tell me, who truly has his heart?"
Marie glared at Isabella and Ruth. "When His Majesty awakens he will return to my arms, not yours."
Anne stifled a laugh and retreated from to room, most likely to retain her composure.
Ruth gave an approving nod and inched closer to whisper. "This arguing must stop for now, we must pray for our king's recovery. We do not need to deal with a regency right now."
Isabella nodded dutifully and knelt at his bedside. She clasped her hands together, but the prayer would not come to her. She had no idea why she should be praying for him, for he had sinned against God and Isabella truly felt that this was his punishment. She decided to pray for his safe recovery to prevent an inevitable regency. She wasn't prepared to fight Northumberland for custody over her young sons, or the rights she had been given by Edward to choose her daughters' husbands. She felt a twinge of regret for disregarding her husband's life because of his affair, her children needed their father, and in a way, she still needed him.
Finally, the words came to her and she begged for the safe delivery of her dear husband. She felt the tears slip down her cheeks, as she felt herself fall into a state of hopelessness. She stiffened, reminding herself of Marie's presence and her need to remain dignified. She was the queen, Marie was her servant. She heard the heavy doors open and close, and she opened her eyes to see that Marie had gone. She smiled in triumph and glanced back to see Northumberland nodding to her. She continued to pray for her husband, for her children, and for her marriage, she would not be the first of six wives.
She had no idea how long she had been in prayer when she heard the sound of Edward stirring in his bed. She scrambled to her feet and Ruth rose to assist her. Isabella stood over him, tensed with fear for her husband.
His voice was barely a whisper. "Marie? Marie, where are you?"
Isabella backed away, her hand covered her mouth to prevent her from screaming. Ruth pulled her out of the room, sensing her distress. She put her hands over Isabella's mouth and was shaking her head. Isabella collapsed into her arms, quietly sobbing and Ruth cradled her gently.
"My marriage is over," She murmured eventually.
Ruth shook her head. "Nonsense, Izzy. He loves you-"
Isabella glared. "If he loved me, why is he calling for her?"
Ruth smiled. "Perhaps, she was the one who did this deed. Maybe it was his accusation, not his affection, that called her to his bed."
Isabella laughed bitterly. "Do not try to make me feel false satisfaction. I know that he no longer feels, what he felt all those years ago. My marriage is over, Ruth."
Isabella picked herself up from the floor and led herself back to her chamber. She slammed the door, notifying her ladies that for once, she would like to be alone.
August 7th, 1562
St. James' s Palace
Anne sensed the somberness of the court, but it was supposed to be a happy day. Anne of Pomerania, Arthur's betrothed was to arrive to be educated in England. Anne had heard reports of the princess, she was pretty and graceful. The girl was a bit older than Arthur, but that was fine by Isabella. Edward had also approved, considering that Pomerania was a Protestant country. Now, Lady Exeter was walking through the gardens with George Veldon, discussing possible courses of action that King Edward and the council would take to find his attempted murderer.
"Well, as you can assume, His Majesty is not in the best of moods." George shook his head.
Anne frowned. "I wonder where Sir Richard was. He always guards the king."
George shook his head again. "Not at night. King Edward changes guards at night.
Anne nodded. "So, that would mean someone was waiting for our king to be left unattended or that the guard was incompetent. "
George scoffed. "Maybe it was an inside job, my lady."
She turned to him. "Who would want the king dead?"
He shrugged. "I would not be able to answer that question for I have heard no talks of a rebellion since the Duke of Norfolk attempted one years ago."
Anne covered her mouth. "Could it have been the whore?"
George laughed. "You sound like Lady Norfolk, the whore knows who raised her. If Edward died, Isabella would have the regency and the whore would be banished to wander the streets."
"I had heard she had fallen out of favor recently. " Anne murmured hesitantly.
George opened his mouth to reply but was cut off by a fanfare of trumpets. The pair turned to see a procession entering the court gates with an unfamiliar livery hanging from their banners.
" Well it looks like our Princess of Wales has arrived." George said eventually.
Anne said nothing, but she began to walk towards the unfamiliar people with curiosity. She wanted to see her future niece by marriage. Isabella and an injured Edward were exiting the palace entrance, Isabella's worried expression told Anne that she had probably advised him to stay inside. A small girl was helped out of the litter by her foot servant, the girl had red hair that was plaited into a tight bun. She looked like a tiny queen, much older than her eight years. She bowed to Isabella and Edward gracefully and began speaking, although Anne was too far away to hear. Arthur was then brought out of the palace by Lord Norfolk and Lord Northumberland, who walked behind the young Prince with their hands on their swords should anyone attack the boy. Princess Anne smiled at her betrothed, but Lady Exeter saw that her nephew was being quite stiff and formal with the girl. She realized that Arthur was completely uninterested with the girl, which could prove fatal for their eventual marriage.
August 10th, 1562
St. James' s Palace
"Izzy that's the fifth time you've thrown up this morning, are you sure you don't want to see a physician? " Anne pleaded.
Ruth giggled. "Not the physician, the midwife. She's pregnant again."
Isabella laid in her bed with a pounding headache, she was miserable. She put a hand to her belly and sat up.
"Ruth I think you are right. I am pregnant again"
Anne grew pale. "Isabella is it safe for you to be having this many pregnancies? "
Ruth shoved her gently. "Childbed does not keep our sister down for long. I am only surprised because Edward barely come here after the two of you had that argument over the children."
Isabella glared at her for mentioning it. "He knows he is wrong for what he has done. That is why he can no longer look me in the face."
"The whore influences him. I know an insider that will help us rid of her. " Ruth smiled.
Isabella leaned forward eagerly. " Who would that be? "
Ruth lowered her voice. " Northumberland! "