The King of Stone

A New Face

Two Months Later

"It isn't my fault, Henry!" Queen Mary said as she cried in the corner covered in blood.

"Get out of my sight, you wretched woman," Henry yelled.

Mary cowered in the corner of the room, crying as her maids attended her, and Henry stormed out of the room, slamming doors as he did.

"Majesty," Lord Byron said as King Henry stormed through the halls of the castle.

"What is it?" King Henry bellowed.

"Lord Chancellor has requested to see you, sir."

King Henry said nothing but stomped down the corridors, servants and Lords and Ladies bowing and curtseying as he passed.

When he got to the council chambers, he threw open the door and sat in his chair without greeting any of the men.

"Majesty," Lord Chancellor said.

"Get on with it," he said.

"We are sorry about the news of the queen," he said.

"You're sorry?!" King Henry yelled, slamming his hands onto the table in anger. "You're sorry?! You are the ones who insisted I marry my brother's wife, the wife who is 15 years older than I, who was unable to bear him a child, the wife who lost countless children and bore him three dead children, but whom you wanted me to marry to keep your alliance with England!"

"Keeping peace with England is what is most important for France right now," Lord Chancellor said.

"Securing an heir is what is most important for France," Henry said. "Let whoever needs to be informed that we will be hosting a masque in honor of the harvest."

"When would you like this to be held?"

"In a week. I would like to forget my sorrows and drink and be merry until daybreak."

"Of course, Sir, and whom would you like to invite?"

"Every noble throughout the kingdom."

"Of course, Sir."

A Week Later

"Well, does it please you, Majesty?" Lady Ursula asked as she stood beside King Henry, drinking wine at the masque.

"The masque? The people? To what are you referring?"

"Well, me of course," she said with a twirl.

King Henry gave a small smile as he said, "You are not in favor of the King anymore; do you not know this, My Lady?"

"A Lady will always try to be in favor of her King, my Lord."

Henry's smile widened as he sipped his wine and he said, "There are many beautiful women to compete with you. Why should I give you my attention above the rest?"

"Because they only want you as you are a King. I wanted you when you were oly a Prince."

King Henry glanced at her from the corner of his eyes, pondering that comment for a moment until his eyes were caught by the most beautiful woman whose bright eyes and golden hair entranced him.

"Excuse me," he said to Lady Ursula.

King Henry walked across the room to Lord Byron, who was standing a bit closer to the beautiful young woman, and he said, "Lord Byron, who is that young woman?"

"Which, Majesty?"

"Her, just right there," King Henry said, pointing at the beauty who was now dancing with a young noble.

"That is Lord Newell's daughter, Lady Jane."

"And is she engaged to anyone?" King Henry asked.

"No, I do not believe so, sir."

"Very good. Invite her to court."

"But she is quite young, sir."

"How young?"

"About 17 I believe," Lord Byron said.

"I am 20. That is not much younger than I. Invite her."

"Of course, sir."

When Lady Jane was finished dancing, King Henry approached where she now stood on the wall, sipping wine with another woman.

"Ladies," King Henry said.

"Majesty..." they said almost in unison as they curtsied.

"I do not believe I've had the pleasure," he said, lifting Jane's hand to his lips.

"Lady Jane Newell, Your Majesty."

"It is an honor," he said as he stared into her eyes.

The woman standing with Lady Jane held out her hand and said, "Lady Sophia, Majesty. I am Lady Jane's sister."

"Lovely to meet you both," he said. "Do you not come to court?"

"Our father prefers a country life," Lady Sophia said. "But I much prefer being at court, so if my king wishes me to be at court, I shall grant his wish."

"And you?" King Henry said to Lady Jane. "Where do you prefer to be?"

"I prefer a quiet country life too, Your Majesty."

"Do you? Is there nothing that might persuade you to adopt a life here at court?" he asked.

"Jane is in love," Lady Sophia said.

"She is? With whom?" King Henry asked.

"Lord Nicholad Polter," Lady Sophia said.

King Henry remained quiet for a moment as he admired Jane's beauty and pondered how to get her to possibly come to court, and he said, "I hope you will honor me with a dance before the night is done, ladies."

"If that is your wish," Sophia said.

King Henry walked away to find the Lord Chancellor.