ANNE. You believe it was God’s Will?

A moment.

HENRY. Forget the island in the song. Oh, to be just a man and a woman in a room, in each other’s arms.

ANNE. But we’re not just a man and a woman. We’re a king and a queen.

HENRY. Really? Is that what they say about us out there?

They kiss, long and gently.

He stands.

I’ll leave you to your ladies, you must rest. And be well for the May Day tournament. You will be my Lady, my Champion will have your favour, you will have my gift from him, your flag will fly with mine.

ANNE (bows her head). My Lord.

HENRY goes to LADY ROCHFORD, CELIA and JANE.

HENRY. Attend to Her Majesty.

LADY ROCHFORD, CELIA and JANE curtsy.

ROCHFORD / CELIA / JANE. Your Majesty.

HENRY. Lady Jane.

JANE (curtsies again). Your Majesty.

A smile between them and HENRY exits, fast.

LADY ROCHFORD and CELIA turn and look at JANE. What? What?

LADY ROCHFORD and CELIA go to ANNE. The three of them exit.

Scene Ten

JANE alone.

Enter LADY ROCHFORD. She gives JANE a letter and exits.

JANE reads some of the letter.

JANE. Oh! (Hides the letter.)

Enter CROMWELL.

CROMWELL. The King sent you a letter.

JANE. I… don’t know.

CROMWELL. Please, don’t play the stupid little girl just because you are a stupid little girl. He sent you a letter.

JANE. Yes.

CROMWELL. Are you going to reply?

JANE. I…

CROMWELL. Do reply.

JANE. My Lord…

CROMWELL. A warning. When you are with him do not discuss matters of religion or state. Show him your bosoms, not your opinions.

She is shocked. She runs away and exits.

Scene Eleven

Loud music. Cheers and shouts, offstage.

Enter HENRY and CROMWELL. SLOOP is in attendance. Urgency.

Enter LADY ROCHFORD, who hovers, anxious.

HENRY. Leave the tournament, while it is in full flow? What are you thinking of, Cromwell?

CROMWELL. There is a threat to Your Majesty.

HENRY. What threat?

CROMWELL. It is too terrible for Your Majesty to hear in so public a place.

HENRY. Some vague threat and I leave the tourney? Like fleeing a battlefield? No.

CROMWELL. Your Majesty, in all the years I’ve served you, was I right about Wolsey and his letters to the Pope? Was I right about Thomas More’s treason? Sire, your life is in danger, let me protect it.

A pause.

HENRY. Oh, well well, tournaments aren’t what they used to be, no one really gets hurt any more. Not like in the good old days. We’ll leave. Bring Her Majesty. (Turns to go.)

CROMWELL. Best Her Majesty does not go with you.

HENRY. Why?

CROMWELL. For security. She will follow in another coach.