"Lady Anne... Lady Jane. Please, come inside where we may converse privately," said Henry, his tone formal and by all seeming, a man about to discipline a member of his household staff with grave seriousness. Once the ladies were inside his study, Henry took a step out of the door to speak with his guards. He instructed them in no uncertain terms to make sure that the door remained closed, that no one was to disturb him and that they were to be completely deaf, blind and mute in regards to what lay inside the door until ordered otherwise.
With a heavy sound, Henry closed the door behind him, locking himself in with the two ladies. Henry took long, slow strides, walking a tight circle around Jane Parker and inspecting her with a practised and thorough eye. Finally, he sat in the large, plush chair and regarded the blonde woman. Jane, for her part, held an expression that mixed as much apprehension as it did excitement. That was good.
"Lady Jane, do you know why I have summoned you? It has come to my attention that Her Majesty, the Queen, is dissatisfied with your service as a lady-in-waiting. I am told you are willful and prideful, and very nearly disobedient. This cannot stand. As Her Majesty is ill, the responsibility for your discipline falls to me. If you are prepared to accept your punishment and tutelage, then we will begin." Henry rose and pointed at the heavy desk. "Place your hands on the desk. Lady Anne, you will show Lady Jane what her King means when instructed to 'assume the position'."
With a heavy sound, Henry closed the door behind him, locking himself in with the two ladies. Henry took long, slow strides, walking a tight circle around Jane Parker and inspecting her with a practised and thorough eye. Finally, he sat in the large, plush chair and regarded the blonde woman. Jane, for her part, held an expression that mixed as much apprehension as it did excitement. That was good.
"Lady Jane, do you know why I have summoned you? It has come to my attention that Her Majesty, the Queen, is dissatisfied with your service as a lady-in-waiting. I am told you are willful and prideful, and very nearly disobedient. This cannot stand. As Her Majesty is ill, the responsibility for your discipline falls to me. If you are prepared to accept your punishment and tutelage, then we will begin." Henry rose and pointed at the heavy desk. "Place your hands on the desk. Lady Anne, you will show Lady Jane what her King means when instructed to 'assume the position'."