Chapter 4: Destruction of the Most Bitter
Tears blurred her eyes as his limp body slumped to the ground, his eyes glazed over and staring, the erratic breathing of her eldest brother continued to echo across the room, the intake of his angered breath was the only sound that registered as her heart pounded in her ears. She stood dazed at the foul accusations Edward had dared uttered to her father, demanding the truth, but in the same moment desperately pleading for them to be denounces as a lie and then in a moment everything changed her father once standing proud and tall disintegrated and before her stood a bereaved coward begging his son's forgiveness, pleading with him to understand his fall into utter temptation, to forgive his sudden leap into disgrace, but his pleas were met with a cold deafening silence and as the minutes ticked by as he waited for his defining verdict, only to hear the cold, cruel scorn of his eldest child and then to feel the solid force of Edward's bone cracking impact as his fist collided with his father's flesh.
John Seymour slumped motionless against the hard stone wall that encased his daughters room, his eldest son standing over him and looking down at him with utter scorn, He had known the likely reaction to the abomination he had committed against Edward, yet part of him had still hoped his son would understand the acts he was being condemned for, the way Catherine had looked at him pleading for the touch of a man any man knowing full well she would get no love or affection from her husband, Edward had always been so cold and distant to his chosen bride, only ever partaking in her pleasing and pleasurable body when he complied with the want of a male heir and even then he had taken to the activity as a chore, a task better over with sooner rather than later. He had not understood his son's distain for his beautiful young bride, who had always been willing to share in the pleasures of the flesh with her husband and most certainly he beloved father in-law, but perhaps Edward had always suspected her of infidelity, maybe he had just not expected her co-conspirator to be so close to home.
John had always noticed the cold, distant, reserve that Edward displayed with his two young sons and perhaps now he understood, Edward had always questioned there paternity, looking upon the boys with doubt in his heart, constantly questioning whether the children before him were of his own flesh and blood, but of course even in his own mind he had often wondered if he had tricked his own son into acknowledging his bastards, Catherine had never mentioned the connection, but still he could not help but remember the birth of Edward's eldest son and the smirk that had graced her rose covered lips when she had whispered the name to Edward and when he had turned to him to enquire Edward had informed him that his eldest son was to be named John in his honourer, had that been her subtle hit, her cry of acknowledgement, had that been her way of informing him of their son's birth.
Slowly he stood bracing the cool, solid wall behind him, facing his son and attempting to muster whatever dignity he had remaining, even as Edwards eyes burned with hatred and malice, as his face contorted in disgust, John stood his ground and when he finally spoke it was with the conviction and reason, he demanded to know by what right Edward had to condemn his father's actions, he ridiculed Edward's manhood claiming that if he could not satisfy Catherine it was not the fault of the man she chose to seek her pleasure in, but Edward had been ready for this confrontation and with a clear demanding voice he condemned his father, stating that he was a man ruled by his lusts and had no right to claim paternity of any child when he was so willing to betray that child's trust and that as a man he should have known were his loyalty was bound, not only had he betrayed his eldest son but he had betrayed his sweet little Janey, for what man in his right mind would marry a woman who's own father had committed incest with his eldest son's wife and deep inside Edward heard his fathers will shatter.
For the first moment since entering this conversation Edward felt something close to victory, and yet he also recognized the defeat in his tone as even he had placed his own ambitions on the heels of Jane's upcoming marriage and now in one swift insidious move John Seymour had not only ruined Edward's bride but also had put an end to his families prosperous future, it was almost assured now that Jane's glorious court life was nothing more than a shattered fantasy, the only hope remain with this horrid story remaining nothing more than a close kept family secret, but considering Edward had heard the news of his wife's incestuous infidelity from his loud younger brother there was no doubt in the minds of all who occupied the room that Thomas had surly spread the gossip before he had informed Edward or any member of his family of the sudden blow that they were about to receive.
Jane sat upon the bed quietly and could only ask in a whisper for them all to leave, her dreams now lay shattered on the cold stone floor and all hope seemed faded, and as the large wooden door sealed shut a single glistening tear fell from her eyes, for only now did she realizes how much of her hopes and dreams had revolved around her future life as Lady Jane Boleyn. She sat alone in the darkness for what felt like an endless eternity, only to hear the loud sudden bang of the great oak door and yet she did not have the heart to look upon the face of the person who had swiftly entered her chambers, until sudden pair of dark black eyes courts her soul and held her with batted breath.
George Boleyn crouched before her, in all his masculine glory, a small silent smile caressed his oval face and slowly he began to speak, his words quiet at first were soon clear enough for Jane's clouded mind to understand and deciphered.
His words were not that of mock or scorn as she had originally feared, neither did he flaunt his freedom at such a lucky escape and his narrow miss, instead she heard him whisper words of reassurance deeming to hold true to his vow, assuring her that he would never abandon his future bride mere days before their planned ceremony and as he began to stand he gently tugged her to her feet formally asking her to join him to dine with the his little sister Anne and her betrothed the King.
Quietly he laughed stating that his sister worried for his happiness and had joyfully begged him to meet his future bride and with quick smile he had extended his invitation to her brother Edward claiming that he would not wish to have Jane present without her chaperone and quit smoothly adding that the King and he expected to attend a hunt after supper, stating that Edward he should put the old Seymour-Boleyn rivalry to the test and to the spoils went the victor.
Slowly Jane began to process this new information, He would not abandon her, in fact he had come to reassure her of their solidified union and as the relief swept through her, she could not help but smile, she would not be shamed, she would still have her golden future, yes she still stood upon the edge of the Boleyn's golden world.
But through her smile Jane's mind began to work, she may not have been able to read or write but her mind held intellect and an understanding of the preforming life of a modern courtier, her dinner invitation to join her betrothed was to be in attendance with the King and his beloved Lady Anne, Jane had no doubt that the dinner would be one of many test she would face before she was fully welcome into the inner Boleyn circle.
And although she did not know how she certainly planned to make her way into an intimate understanding of her future family, for how would one know which way to swim if they did not know the direction in which the current flowed.