I did not sleep well. I tossed and turned, the heavy burden of guilt making sleep elude me. Quickly I knew that there was no solace for me in sleep so wearily I rose, untangling myself from George's lazy embrace. I could not help but looking down at him as he slept. His boyishly handsome face was contented as he nuzzled the pillow in my place, murmuring slightly to himself as he did so. I stroked his soft cheek with a pang of pity for him. My poor husband, he was an accomplice to his harlot sister Mary and a traitor to good Queen Catherine. I wished I could hate him for what he had done but I could only pity him and want to desperately protect him. He was too trusting and kind hearted for his own good. Surely he was only helping Mary out of sibling loyalty? He was unwillingly betraying the queen to make his sister happy. He was her helpless pawn. I could have cursed Mary or her wantonness and bad influence on my beloved George. Was one king not enough to satisfy her carnal desires? I turned away from him and walked towards the stool by thevwindow, pulling the drapes back to look at the night sky. Perhaps If I could not sleep then the calmness of the sleepy courtyard below our apartments might work to ease myvtroubled mind. So for hours, I silently sat by the window watching the bright stars fade into the first slivery streams of the infant sunlight.

'Jane?'

I looked over my angular shoulder towards the four post bed, my face weary and waxen. George was on his side, propped up by his elbow. His was surprised, and much more alert and animated then one should be for just waking up from a sound sleep. I knew at once why, but was much too tired to address it or to quarrel.

'Good morning, husband. Did you rest soundly? 'I said evenly, watching him closely to see his reaction. At first his face was carefully bland, the perfectly trained courtier's mask, but then I saw a twinkle in his eye; the birth of a lie. He scoffed lightly, running his hand through his ruffled dark hair.

'What man could not rest well in the sweet bosom of his loving wife?' George replied with a sly smile. I felt my anger piqued by his honey coated tart comment but simply smiled and restrained from making a poisonous retort about what a whore his sister was. Perhaps he was being sincere but my past experiences made me assume he was being cruel. In any case He continued the charade of smiles before getting up and getting dressed. My brow farrowed as I watched him. I decided to confront him, hoping that he would be honest with me.

'Where are you going so early, husband? 'I said with concern, anxious at his answer. He dressed himself, not even pausing to consider my question all the while with his back to me. It wasn't until he straightened his ruffled collar that he cleared his throat to respond with;

'My father has requested my presence for some family business, just contemplating acquiring some lands near to Hever. Nothing to concern yourself with, 'He said briskly, as he picked up a cap and admired his reflection in our gilt looking glass. I pouted, disappointed in his answer. I was much too cowardly to tell him that I knew that he was going to retrieve Mary before his father Thomas Boleyn or the court discovered about her shameful conduct. But why could George not tell me so himself? I thought turning towards the window as the sun slowly crept up behind the rooftops of London. I was his beloved, his wife, why should he not tell me everything? I shivered pitifully at such melancholy thoughts. George was grooming himself silently in the background; he then walked towards me and planted a tender kiss on the top of my head before slipping out the room leaving me alone with my thoughts. I bowed my head and wept pitifully from such a small act of genuine kindness, it was the first nice gesture George had made since our courtship years ago.

I uneasily made my way to the Queen's apartments, wearing a bland gown of dove grey since I wanted as little attention as possible. My skin was frightfully pale and my eyes ringed darkly, in short I looked wretched. I entered the waiting chamber and bowed to the queen. She smiled pleasantly, inclining her head to me before I pulled up a stool and diligently started sewing. From the corner of my eye I could see Anne reclining besides Catherine's throne, restless for some reason. She was adorned with fine jewels and a beautiful periwinkle dress in the French style, writing a poem (in French, naturally) but kept glancing up to inspect me. I knew Anne was annoyed that she wasn't getting attention; it was the same restlessness and irritability she had displayed at my wedding. But I didn't know why. Had Queen Catherine given away a part in a masque that she coveted? or perhaps Queen Catherine had shown her favor to another lady? I could only speculate. What I knew however was that I didn't not like to be subjected to Anne's dark direct gaze. Her eyes had a way of wilting the resolve of anyone they were directed at until the person was humbled to dust. I shuddered pointedly hunching over my needlepoint so that the frame of my hood blocked out Anne.

The door abruptly swung open, startling all the ladies and even making the ever composed Queen Catherine wince in door was pushed further open and indiscreetly Mary stride into the room draped in a gown and hood of gold; making her radiant and all the more bonnie and fair. Although Mary was such a sight, I could not help but turn to face Anne with a smug little smirk planted on my face. Oh how I wished to savior this moment; Anne's face twisted with jealousy and contempt. But when I did look at her I found i was surprised. She was suddenly sitting upright but her face was pinched with confusion not scorn. Then it dawned on me. She knew -for how could anyone not?- that the King was attracted to Mary but she didn't know that Mary had acted on it. Her concern was for where her sister was not why she was not there. I stifled a laugh looking from Anne to my needlepoint. At that moment I felt a sudden giddy euphoric feeling flutter in my breast. It was a wonderful sensation that set all my nerves alight and made me bask in contentment. It was knowledge, that delightful knowledge that I knew something that others did not.

'Your Majesty'

The voice was rustic and commanding but held a firm note of affection, I turned to look up. It was the man who looked out of the window at me and had inspected me when the King first courted Mary. He was petite and slight but dressed in furs and rich garments that made him look bulky and burly, I noted as he bowed low to Queen Catherine. Queen Catherine's face lit up as he entered the room, her smile was sincere and heartfelt as she extended her hand for him to kiss. He looked up, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles with his thin lips. His face was hardened and tough like leather boots but in his youth he would have been a handsome man.

'Your Grace. Will your wife not come to court?' Queen Catherine asked politely. I saw the man's face twitch in disdain but only subtlely, He then glanced over at me catching the guilty expression on my face; He knew I had caught his hesitation. But he turned back to Queen Catherine with a sigh.

'I wish she would, Your Majesty. But she is too Ill to Travel' He said quickly with no desire to discuss his wife. 'But my Daughter Mary will be coming to court to serve you inher place. She is indeed a charming and delightful child' He said with a small respectful bow of his head. Queen Catherine smiled, she was taken with the idea of having another child at court, though I suspected it was since there had been no children since Princess Mary at court.

'But, Your Majesty. I am not here to talk about my wife or my daughter. I'm here to collect my niece; Jane Boleyn. May she be excused?' he asked gesturing in my direction butnever taking his eyes off Queen Catherine. She nodded, looking to me and making a shooing gesture with her hand. I rose briskly and cursetied before stepping towards the man. He thanked Queen Catherine, kissing her hand again before we both bowed and made out way towards the door. Before we left I saw him shoot a look at Mary, who in turn bowed her head as we closed the door behind us.

We walked in silence, thankfully reaching his grand apartments quickly. I couldn't bare the suspense or the seemingly disapproving silence. upon entering his little sitting room I noticed all the howard livery and knew at once that the man was my famed Howard uncle; Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk. I could have slapped myself for not coming to the conclusion sooner, for he had the same long drawn face, dark eyes and horse like nose as Anne and George. He gestured for me to take a seat and then sat across from me, all the while carefully inspecting me trying to think of what to make of me. His small beady eyes crossed over me like I was a horse at the fair, making me shudder in revulsion.

'Your Grace, Why do you wish to see me?-'

'- What do you know about Mary Boleyn' He interjected rapidly like a snake striking. I was taken aback at his directness and uncertain what to say. What was his motivations in asking? to gain information from me? to test my loyalty and discretion?

'I don't know anything' I stammered nervously.

'Don't lie. We all know what is going on.' He said firmly. His tone was so strong and had an under current of a threat, there was no trace of the warmth he had displayed to Queen Catherine or even that he was capable of warmth. I looked directly at him. Unlike George, I would not sacrifice myself for a harlot like if I told Norfolk he would have Mary punished and sent away and then we could all be happy.

'She has committed adultery with His Majesty the king. I saw her being escorted to his chambers last night in nothing but a cloak and night shaft and she was late into the queen's service this morning.' I said clearly and confidently, my gaze unwavering. The Duke got up to gaze out his window, walking past me in doing so. I did not turn. He picked up a bottle of wine and poured himself a glass, the clinking of the glass the only sound piercing the silence.

'Do you see many things, Jane?'

'I see enough' I said stubbornly. I was no fool nor did I want the Duke to think I was a fool or blind. Behind me I heard him scoff lightly at my proud statement before I heardhim pouring another glass and walking over. He stood behind my chair like a shadow before offering me a glass of wine. I took it without hesitation, eyeing him carefully as he took a step to stand by my side. He had a mirthless yet entertained smirk on his face.

'Then I have a proposition for you. How would you like to be my eyes and ears in the Queen's chamber and share everything with me?' He said in a low almost seductive voice. I felt my eyebrow raise at such a prosition. It would make me a Judas and even more unpopular amongst the ladies. But I would have that rush of knowledge again and the approvaland alliance with Norfolk, the third most powerful man in the even George would respect me for such a feat.

'I would be honoured, your grace'I said giving him a sly smile and raising my glass. He rose his glass and tapped it against mine before drinking the wine. I followed suit eagerly draining even the dregs as a sign of our sealed deal. Little did I know that like Eve who did the Snake's bidding for the forbidden fruit of knowledge, that I too wouldbe cast out from Eden for indulging in my lust for knowledge.

For now however, I started my spying in earnest. That night I stood in a doorway, watching the king embrace Mary and pull her into his apartments. Although I knew what I was witnessing was wrong, I couldnt help feeling excited by how lusty and animistic they were and how voyeuristic I was. When I returned to bed, George was not there. But that did not matter, for nothing he could have said or done could have equalled the high I was on. For I had knowledge and therefore power. I was not to be ignored and shunned anymore by the Boleyns and their friends, for I was useful now. I was at last; important.