Windsor Palace, Kingdom of England, August 1510
She stood in the dining room, ready to make her exit, her husband’s hands in hers. The older man, though thin, placed a hand on his nearly nonexistent belly,”That was an excellent meal Giovanna, the grapes that your uncle sent for your birthday were delicious! Where did he say they were from again?”
“In his letter he wrote that they were from Cariñena, he claims that is where the finest grapes in all Aragon are grown.”
Henry chuckled,”I am afraid that I must agree with your uncle on their quality.”
As the two made to walk to his chambers together, where, some financial ledgers awaited Henry, they happened upon a courier in the Tudor livery. The man quickly bowed before handing the king a letter. As Henry read the letter, the courier explained its contents,”King John of Denmark was thrown from his horse a few weeks ago, and has died from his infection. The Herredag assembly has confirmed his son Christian’s election as King of Denmark. King Christian wants to know when he can wed the Lady Mary…”
The King nodded at this,”I will draft a letter offering my condolences, and I will send my daughter to Denmark within the next year…. “ He paused, violently coughing into his hand, something which made Giovanna anxious, but after a few moments it abatted and he continued,”In the spring, after her fifteenth birthday, she’ll have a dowry of three hundred thousand crowns.”
“Of course, your majesty.”
With that, the courier left, and Henry turned to Giovanna,”Would you tell Harry of his sister’s impending departure? It would be best if you were the one to inform him.”
“Of course, Henry… Don’t work yourself too hard, do you not wish to see Harry wed?”
Her husband sighed,”Of course I do my love, but I must ensure that I carry on with the business of the Kingdom.”
Giovanna frowned at this, and Henry hugged her,”Maybe when I am done with my papers we can go see Charles and Joanna in the nursery… Does that sound good to you?”
“Yes it does, I will see you then.”
Giovanna made her way through the palace’s hallways, methodically, so as not to disturb anyone. She stopped a few paces outside Henry’s chambers, shocked at what she heard grunts emanating from the room, and in between them she heard her stepson praise the woman he was with,”Oh Mademoiselle Popincourt, this must not be your first time...”
There was giggling at this, as the two continued.
Shortly afterward a high-pitched voice frantically cried out,”
Oui, oui, mon dieu, comme ça, plus dur!”
Giovanna was horrified at this, not necessarily of what was happening, but that she had stumbled upon it, and heard of this most private act. What’s more, as she slinked away she wondered if Jane, who in her mid-twenties, and teaching her stepdaughters French, was really a good choice as their tutor, as she seemed to lack virtue…
