"Anne," Henry said circling his arms around his wife's waist.
Anne looked like she was in deep thought.
"What's wrong wife?"
"It seems as if Mary's supporters are rising. On my way into a shop yesterday, I overheard two men say that Elizabeth is a bastard and I'm nothing but a harlot and a witch."
Henry pulled her in an embrace. "Dear, tell me who it is and I will send them to the tower."
"Henry, what good would that do? The people will still hate me and still support Mary. They'll still think that Mary is the true heir of England."
"So what do you want me to do Anne. I've already done what I could do to restrain Mary and Katherine from rising against us."
"Sweetheart I'm just afraid that her supporters are growing and when she finds it possible, she will send letters to the emperor and as soon as she can, she will fight for her rights, and then England will support her and the emperor."
"Anne, you're being delusional, Mary is my daughter, she will never disobey me. Soon I will present her with the documents that all of England is obliged to sign and I assure you, she will sign it, love. She will acknowledge her illegitimacy."
"Henry, my father has made a suggestion after I told him about the matter."
"And what was his suggestion, Anne?"
"He thinks that if Mary gets married, she will quickly learn her place. He suggested that if one of our supporters marries her, they could have control over her."
Henry released Anne's waist and looked stunned.
"And who does he think will be suitable for my daughter's hand?"
"Jocelyn Boleyn, my brother."
"You have another brother aside from George Boleyn?"
"Yes Henry, and he's a very charming man. He's good hearted and I know he would keep Mary happy."
"Anne, this is my daughter we're talking about. I don't like anybody making decisions concerning her. Not even you."
"So is that a no?" Anne pouted.
"I don't know Anne. I do not wish to talk about her."
With that remark, Henry walked out of their chamber and slammed the door shut behind him.
Henry hadn't seen his daughter in five years. He hadn't realized how much time had passed. Henry still pictured Mary as the young girl that used to play in his lap or the young girl that he used to hold up for everyone to see as he'd say "This girl never cries." But Anne was right; he had Elizabeth and her future brothers to think about now. Things weren't the way they used to be. Mary remained to be nothing but a threat now. She was a threat to his kingdom, and a threat to the future heirs and heiresses that he and Anne would produce. A woman simply couldn't rule a kingdom and he knew that with Mary Tudor reigning over England, England would remain to be nothing but a state of the Roman Empire.
Henry entered Anne's chambers. He found her lying down on their bed. Her belly was starting to show at the growth of their son. He sat next to Anne and caressed her head.
"Anne, I've thought about what you said."
"And?"
"And, your father's right."
Anne's disappointed face reversed and she sat up and kissed Henry.
"I love you Henry. You always know what the right thing to do is."
"But Anne, she is my daughter. I would like to meet Jocelyn once before he marries Mary."
"Alright, Henry. I'll make sure that he comes to meet you. I'll tell my father."
"What is he like?"
Anne didn't know what to say. She hadn't heard about her illegitimate half-brother until recently. She was angry at her father at first but then she realized that her own husband does the same thing. Henry thought that Anne didn't know about his affairs but she had found out about Elizabeth Webb but like Katherine always had done before her, she had forgiven him. When she found out, she was angry but Anne knew that she couldn't anger Henry with accusations especially since she was trying to get rid of Mary as soon as possible. Anne was a strong woman and she would definitely express her anger even to a king but there were some things one had to tolerate to get what they wanted
"A very virtuous man," Anne lied.
"Anne"
"Yes Henry."
"You know the Seymours; well; their eldest daughter would like to serve you as a lady-in-waiting. She seems to be a very kind woman. I think you'll like her, Anne"
Anne rolled her eyes.
"Her name is Jane Seymour."
"Carla" he said her name. She stood by his door, her bodice low, reddish-bronze hair flowing down her chest and hazel eyes intently watching Jocelyn. Jocelyn grabbed her waist and pulled her in for a kiss. "We can't keep on doing this."
"Sweetheart, please don't talk about your husband when you're with me," Jocelyn whispered into her ears. He unlaced her bodice and sucked on her neck. But as soon as he started slipping off the dress, there was a thud on the door. "Sweetheart, hide inside the closet. I don't want anyone to find out about us." She did as she was told.
Jocelyn opened the door. As he took one look at the old man before him, he closed it with a bang echoing through. "Son, please open the door."
Despite his pleading, Jocelyn didn't obey. "What do you want?"
"I'm here to talk about your inheritance to my property."
As much as Jocelyn hated his father, he needed money and he was willing to befriend his father if that was what he needed to do. Jocelyn opened the door.
"Let's go for a walk," Jocelyn said.
"As you wish, son."
They walked along the pathway between Jocelyn's cabin and his garden.
"It's quite the cabin you have here."
"I'm sure it is not as lavishing as your children's houses."
"You have really grown well."
"Praise my mother; she's the one that raised me."
"This is your cabin? You live with your mother?"
"Yes."
There was an awkward silence as the wind rustled Jocelyn's shaggy curls.
"Why come back now? I haven't seen you since I was fifteen. Why come back to my life now?"
"I've come here for a favor In return I will give you as much money as you like and allow you to inherit loads of my property; property that as an illegitimate son, you're not permitted to inherit."
"What kind of favor?"
"I'm sure it's a favor that will be of your liking as I can hear you have a fondness of beautiful woman."
"Get to the point, Boleyn."
"Jocelyn, you will respect me. I am your father."
"I think you've lost that title a long time ago father."
"Jocelyn, I'm not here to fight with you over trivial matters."
"Then, get to the point. What do you want?"
"I want you to marry the Lady Mary?"
"Lady who?"
"Lady Mary, the king's daughter."
"You mean the princess Mary? And how could a commoner like me marry such a grand princess?" asked Jocelyn sarcastically.
"Because she no longer is a princess. She's the king's bastard. She has gone from being a princess into becoming nobody of significance and I want you to marry her and keep her in her place."
"And I wonder which whore had brought the poor child into her current position?"
"Jocelyn, she is your sister."
"Keep your voice low, Boleyn. You are in my property. I can kick you out of here faster than you can ever lead your daughters to the king's bed ever again."
"Jocelyn, think before speaking."
"I did. Now if you want me to do this favor of yours, I suggest you lower the tone of yours and get straight to the point."
"Will you marry her?"
"Who, the princess Mary?"
"Yes, the Lady Mary."
"Isn't she a child?"
"She was a child five years ago. She's a young woman of seventeen now. She's only five years younger than you are, I believe." Jocelyn smirked at the fact that his father actually remembered his age.
"I think you'll really like her. She's very beautiful. Much more beautiful than that hunter's wife that you've been seeing."
"How do you know about us?"
"I've seen her walk to your cabin so I waited a while before knocking."
Jocelyn stared at his father with blazing eyes.
"So will you do it?"
"I don't think that the princess Mary will be fond of this little arrangement."
"Who cares about what she thinks. Stop calling her a princess. The king wouldn't be too fond of you referring to her as a princess."
"I do not care what your daughter's husband thinks."
"Will you marry her or not?"
"I don't see why not." Jocelyn replied.
"It's a straight forward answer, Jocelyn. Yes or no."
"Yes but I want to see her first"
"Okay come to Hatfield tomorrow. I'll be waiting for you in the morning."
"Alright"
"Now go enjoy your last few day as a bachelor."
"What Rosalie, why do you look so worried?" Mary asked as she stroked the ends of her raven black hair with her brush.
"Mary, I-"
"What Rosalie?" Mary went and sat next to her best friend. Her cheeks were flushed despite her olive skin tone. Her dark brown hair was in a tight bun with a few strands framing her beautiful face. Her dark hazel eyes were lined with dark lead with long eyelashes framing them as she stared back at Mary with sadness. Her gown was a light shade of maroon and it complimented her skin tone very well.
"Mary, I don't know how to tell you this but-"
"But what Rosalie?"
"I over heard Lady Bryn talking and your marriage is fixed."
"Marriage is fixed with who?"
"Anne's brother."
"Isn't he betrothed to Lady Jane?"
"Yes, he is but I'm not quite sure anymore."
"I can't marry him Rosalie." Mary fell into her best friend's arms as she comforted her.
Lady Bryn burst through the door.
"You will be married do Anne's brother soon. He's going to come and visit you this morning and I suggest you put on a nice gown and brush your hair before he does."
"I cannot marry him. My mother would…"
"Your mother is dead. So now stop thinking that you're the little princess that the whole world revolves around and pretty yourself up. I have no intention of hearing your petty little sobs. Get ready. He'll be here any minute now."
Mary burst into tears at the mention of her mother's death. Lady Bryn scorned at her condition and walked out of her chamber.
Rosalie stroked her hair as she cried.
"My father can't do this to me. I will not marry George Boleyn. My mother would be so ashamed."
"Mary, I'm sure your father will come to his senses sooner or later. He'll soon realize that you deserve better than George Boleyn."
"No Rosalie, he will not. He's trying to get rid of me like he got rid of my mother. He's afraid that I'll rise against him somehow. He wants to control me. He never loved me."
With that remark, Mary raced to the door of her chamber. "Don't come after me. I need to be alone."
Jocelyn stood there as he observed the gardens of Hatfield. It was a nice sunny day with a light breeze that seemed to caress Jocelyn every time he was out of guard. The garden was beautiful as it carried the most exquisite roses, tulips and lilies. On the center of the garden was a beautiful white fountain with a stream of fresh water pouring out of the structure. Hatfield was a well furnished building that stood two stories high. Everything seemed to be built for someone no less than a princess.
As Jocelyn observed his surroundings while waiting for his father, a beautiful girl appeared as she raced passed him wiping her tears. She bumped right into him.
"Easy there," said Jocelyn as he observed her. She was stunning. Her raven black hair flowed down in thick, heavy curls. Her sapphire blue eyes shined as unshed tears formed. She had beautiful translucent skin with red-stained cheeks that flushed in embarrassment. She was the most beautiful girl that Jocelyn had ever laid eyes on.
She looked at the handsome face above her with guilty eyes. "I'm sorry."
Jocelyn grinned in response of her innocence.
"Milady, excuse me for saying this but a beautiful woman like you should not be shedding tears."
Jocelyn pressed his thumb on her flushed cheeks feeling the soft skin lingering beneath his touch as he attempted to wipe away her tears. But she flinched and without a word she ran off.
Jocelyn was about to chase the beautiful damsel in distress but he was stopped by the sight of his father in the distance. Suddenly, he wasn't too happy about this arrangement with his father. All he wanted to do was chase this beautiful woman whose sight had not left his mind. He no longer wanted to marry Mary Tudor.
Thomas Boleyn approached his son. "You ready to meet your future bride?"
"Of course."
As they went inside, they were greeted by Lady Bryn.
"Ladies-in-waiting, I want you to meet Thomas Boleyn and Queen Anne's brother, Jocelyn Boleyn. I do not want you to treat them any less than you would treat your queen."
The Ladies-in-waiting bowed to them. "Your graces, take a seat. I will shortly bring the Lady Mary."
Lady Bryn barged into Rosalie's chamber. "Rosalie, go find Mary now. This little wrench is going to keep the queen's family waiting." Rosalie did as she was told.
Rosalie found Mary at her hideout spot. She sat on a bench as she watched the waters of a river flow intently. Rosalie sat beside her.
"Mary."
"Please Rosalie, I told you to leave me alone."
"Mary, George Boleyn is not your husband-to-be. I saw him. He's very handsome."
"I don't care, I don't want to marry a Boleyn. I don't want to marry at all. How do you know he'll treat me well?"
"Mary, look we both don't know what kind of person he is or what the future holds. Marry him and if you do not like him, do not consummate your marriage. This way, when your father actually comes to his senses and divorces that harlot, you can annul this marriage and then marry a man of your choice and status."
"And what if he forces himself on me?"
"Tell me and I will kick his stanky little butt off."
Mary giggled and put her head on top of her friend's shoulder. "Why do you always know the right things to say?"
"We better get going. They're waiting for us."
"Wait, Anne has another brother?"
"Apparently she does. He's waiting with Thomas Boleyn."
"I don't think I want to do this anymore" said Jocelyn.
"Why the sudden change of mind, son?"
John couldn't get the girl that he encountered out of his mind. He didn't know her but John did know one thing; it wasn't right to be betrothed to one woman while thinking about another. John knew that Mary Tudor was a girl out of his league and he didn't know how to take the responsibility of a princess. With an unpredictable father like hers, he had no idea what situation he was putting himself in and he did not want to run nor be put in the tower if anything were to go wrong. He would be satisfied with a beautiful lady-in-waiting instead like the one he encountered.
"This isn't right."
Jocelyn got up from his chair and began to walk towards the door. But as soon as he was about to leave Hatfield, the beautiful woman appeared in front of him once again. As she walked inside with another attractive woman, she looked at him intently with her red-stained eyes evident that she was crying. She seemed to recognize him.
Thomas Boleyn walked towards Mary. "Lady Mary, I present to you my son, Jocelyn Boleyn; also your future husband."
Mary simply stood there stunned. She didn't know what to say. Her cheeks were flushed and she began to feel discomfort as she seemed to be the center of attention just when she wasn't quite ready just yet. She felt victimized. She felt the scorning eyes of Lady Bryn and the ladies-in-waiting.
Her future husband was very handsome. He was tall, with a sturdy body. His shaggy curls fell into his brooding dark brown eyes. He was watching her intently and his gaze seemed to make her heart skip a beat. It had been a long time since she was in the presence of a man, let alone an attractive one.
"Hello Princess Mary." Jocelyn came forward and smirked. He observed her beautiful face intently. The ladies-in-waiting gasped.
"Jocelyn, what did I tell you? She is no longer a princess. You shouldn't address her as such."
Mary clenched Rosalie's hand and Rosalie squeezed it letting her know that she was going to be there for her if anything went wrong.
"Father, I don't think there is a problem with coming up with a new nickname for my future bride, now is there?"
The ladies-in-waiting giggled at his remark and Mary couldn't help but smile herself. Thomas Boleyn flushed in anger. Jocelyn smirked at knowing that he had pleased an audience.
Jocelyn turned his attention on Mary. He stroked Mary's hair.
"Can I have a moment alone with you, Princess Mary?"
The way Jocelyn gazed at her and touched her hair made her feel uncomfortable so Mary flinched. How dare he touch her when he had only met a few minutes ago? How dare he think that she was already his to do as he wanted with her? How dare he think that it would only take moments of seduction before she would give into him on their wedding night?
She had witnessed men like the one before her, her entire life. She saw men acting out a pattern. In the first set of sequences, they lead the woman on into believing that they are the most beautiful creature that they've ever set their eyes on. They even write ridiculous poems professing it. Then they make them believe that they are in love with them and just when they're giving into these vile men, they turn to other women using "men's conjugal rights" as an excuse for their actions. Her father and uncle were one of them and Mary had been the one to comfort her best friend when she cried herself to sleep after the man that she loved betrayed her.
Watching Mary flinch, Lady Bryn decided to intrude. "Lady Mary, I have been witnessing how you have been acting towards their graces. You will not disobey or act disrespectfully towards your future husband. Go take a walk in the gardens with your future husband."
"No- I will not. I will never marry a Boleyn."
The Ladies-in-waiting gasped.
Lady Bryn slapped Mary. Mary's lightly flushed cheeks grew a brighter red. "These are the king's orders and this is the queen's family. You will not disrespect them. You could get sent to the tower. You understand me."
Jocelyn witnessed the whole scene. He couldn't believe how such an innocent girl could endure such harsh treatment. She was a beautiful princess and she did deserve better than this life. The stories of the harsh treatment of the King's daughter was true and the stunning girl before him definitely deserved better than what the king could offer her. She did hate him for being a Boleyn and John didn't blame her. But quickly, he would definitely change her opinion of him.
Mary burst into tears as she ran into her room and locked the door.
"Sorry, your graces, she could be very stubborn."
"Soon when my son marries her, she will quickly learn her place, Lady Bryn."
"Lady Bryn, excuse me for saying this but I do not like the way you treat my future wife. I don't think you have as much right to hit her. From this day forward, I do not want anyone to even touch her. I want everyone here to treat her with the kindness that she rightfully deserves and believe me when I say this but I will not hesitate to take action if done otherwise."
Mary heard the conversation from the thin walls from her chambers and she smiled at Jocelyn's response. He seemed to be kind compared to his father.
"I'm starting to believe that you're not fit for this job. It seems as if you support her over your own sister."
"Support her over my half-sister. I don't think you have any other choice. Besides I think you owe me this much don't you think. I think you owe me for hurting my mother, for abandoning us both."
"Do you want money? Is that what you want Jocelyn? If that's what you want, I'm willing to give it to you?"
"I don't want money. I want everything that you had offered. I want money, your property in my name, and I want, I want Princess Mary."
"I do not wish for your forgiveness boy. But as my son, I do want you to have a chance at becoming royalty when your sister cannot produce an heir. But I want you to do your job well. Keep her out of your sister's way. Control her and make sure she remains in her place. There are way too many supporters of the deceased Katherine of Aragon. And I definitely don't want her to find a way to rise against your sister. Do I make myself clear?"
"I'll do it. Besides I don't think any other man in my position will treat her as she deserves."
"It's nice that you have a fondness of this girl already. I knew you would like her. She's very beautiful although she needs to control her feisty tongue once in a while. It's good, I want you to love your wife but remember your duty. Just keep her in her place and out of your sister's way."
"I will get my money though right?"
"You will, son. Very soon."
As Jocelyn woke up the next morning, he heard a thud at the door. He got up and opened it. There she was again. Carla Harrison was at his door; her attire holding the same essence of promiscuity as the morning before. He could enjoy the few days that he had left as a bachelor. He could substitute the woman that he had craved in his arms ever since he had laid eyes on the day before.
"Hello, Jocelyn."
"Hello, Carla," he said with a smirk on his face.
She reached for his neck and caressed it with her long fingers.
"I missed you, yesterday."
Carla reached in for a kiss. But as he felt her tongue slip into his mouth, the picture of Mary in her fragile state appeared in her mind. He didn't know what it was about her that had captivated him. She was breathtaking, but Jocelyn didn't realize that he would be infatuated with her that quickly.
Jocelyn pushed Carla away. "We can no longer keep on seeing each other."
"Why not, Jocelyn? I love you Jocelyn."
"I am going to be honest, Carla. I am going to get married. My father promised that I will get to inherit a piece of his property if I marry the girl of his choice. So I agreed."
"So, we could keep on seeing each other."
"Carla, you may be okay with cheating on your husband. I know I'm not innocent in all of this either but I do not want to break my future wife's trust before I even gained it."
"You've seen her haven't you? And you like her. I know how you are when you like a girl."
"Well so if I do, we can never be together. You're married, Carla. I think you should give me your blessings and be on your way back to your husband."
Jocelyn and Carla argued. Carla even slapped Jocelyn but in the end he was finally free from her.
I know, I know, I should finish my fanfic Never let me go especially since I've reached the climax. But this idea was in my head and I just had to write it out. Jocelyn seems to be a pretty grey character for now but he'll definitely grow as a person when he and Mary marries. So tell me what you think.