An Endless Supply Of Rubies

Protestant Anne of Cleves I

Jane was still a tiny, 3-month-old baby when they returned. Charles had greeted the family as soon as they stepped out of their carriage, firstly by being tackled by his three eldest children, Edward, and Elizabeth when he knelt down to greet them. He laughed as he pretended to cry out in defeat, earning a grin from the King and the small party of nobles that had gathered to welcome the family back to the city.

When they grew boerd of Charles, they swarmed the King and the nobles, chattering on about their journey and that one time that Amelia had scolded them for wandering into the gardens. Everyone was very excited to see the King again, and, to an extent, Sir Francis. The man with the eyepatch had visited Suffolk a few times over the last few years, and was a constant fixture at court. Therefore, the children all knew who he was, and were always happy to see a familiar face in a sea of those they didn't immediately recognize.

Once Charles had managed to get himself off the ground, he stepped towards his wife and kissed her gently. "Welcome, my love," he whispered softly. He looked down at the sleeping baby that she held in her arms. "Welcome to London, Jane."

His hand rested gently on the small of her back as they began to walk. "I hear that the King intends to marry Anne of Cleves," Amelia said, looking up at her husband. "Is that good news or bad? I never knew much about her."

Charles was silent for a moment. "It depends," he finally responded. "It's an alliance with someone outside of the French-Imperial conflict, which is a welcome change to England, but it puts us in an alliance with the Protestant League. I don't know what that means for the Church of England."

"Good things, one would hope," Amelia replied with a small laugh. "It will be a great change for this realm, to have a Queen not from France or Spain."

4 September 1539

"The Duke of Suffolk, Your Grace," the herald announced.

Edward Seymour lifted his head from his hand in disbelief, and then quickly rose to his feet. "Your Grace, to what do I owe this honor?" he asked, not bothering to hide the surprise in his voice as he bowed.

"I'm here to congratulate you," Charles said. "I understand the King has made you Earl of Hertford, and I believe it is time to patch up our past quarrels and differences. There are better quarrels to be had."

Edward smiled. "I am happy to agree with Your Grace. Drink?" he offered, turning to the pitcher of wine on his table by the fire.

"Please," Charles responded.

Edward poured a glass of wine, and motioned to the chair next to his. Charles sat, and held the glass of wine in his hands for a moment. "My wife and I are commanded to meet the princess at Calais," Charles said.

"And how is the Duchess, Your Grace?" Edward interrupted. "I have seen her so rarely over the past few months, only when I go to visit my nephew, and even so, we rarely get to speak."

"She is doing well," Charles said with a smile. "She is quite busy now, managing six children. Our youngest, Jane, keeps her up most of the night. It makes her rather tired." Charles recalled the numerous times over the past few months when he had come home to find his wife fast asleep in the oddest of places. Just last night, she had fallen asleep in a chair in front of the fire. To be fair, it was one of the warmest spots in their apartment.

"I also hear that the Duchess speaks fluent German, does she not?" Edward asked, taking a sip of his wine.

Charles nodded. "One of many that she speaks," he replied. "The King wishes to make the Princess feel welcome, so Amelia is to help her to understand the English language." He paused for a moment. "A great many things hand upon this marriage, do they not?"

"The King's happiness, for one," Edward said, nodding in agreement. "And my Lord Cromwell's reputation," he added after a moment's hesitation.

"What a pity if all should go awry for some reason," Charles said, trying to feel out Edward's stance on the impending marriage.

"I would have pity for the King," Edward responded.

"But on the other hand?" Charles pushed.

In the ensuing silence, both men smiled. They had come to a mutual understanding that Cromwell had to go. They both raised their glasses in a toast.

"So he is marrying a Lutheran heretic?" Mary asked, pacing back and forth with disbelief. Both Amelia and Eustace sat in front of her as she walked.

"So it seems," Eustace said as Amelia nodded in agreement.

"I am to meet her at Calais with Charles within the next month," Amelia added.

"And I shall marry no one?" Mary cried.

"My lady I-" "Mary, I-" The two voices overlapped one another.

"No, I prefer it," she interrupted. It sounded to Amelia like she was trying to convince herself. "Do you suppose I would like to be married off to the Duke's brother or some heretic cousin of his?" She huffed. "I would prefer to live in a nunnery."

Both Amelia and Eustace shared a look. Amelia knew that her sister did not mean what she said. All Mary had talked about since the Emperor had proposed that Don Luis marry Mary was her own marriage in the future, and all the children that she was going to have, and how they would be just as amazing as her nieces and nephews were.

"I do not know what to think of the King!" Mary continued. "He burns one Lutheran and then marries another? Well, if God so wills it, she might drown at sea."

Amelia knew that Mary did not like the idea of Anne of Cleves, but Amelia was excited. Ambassadors from the German states were rare at court, with most of the ambassadors coming from Catholic nations. Her German skills were a little bit rusty, and she was anxious to test them out with the Princess. Besides, she had worked hard to teach all of her children basic German phrases so they could talk to the Princess in her native language, and make her feel more welcome in England than others would make her feel.