A/N: Here it is, everyone. The big revelation. I can't wait to write the next chapter! I hope you like this (I am chuffed with it, but that's just me) x
VII - The Decision.
Midway April, 1522, Richmond Palace, London, England
'Catherine? Catherine Percy?'
'Yes?' I say, coming out of my bedchamber. 'Yes?'
'Cat?'
I stop dead on my tracks just as I shut the door. I know that voice.
It can't be.
It just isn't.
I run through the corridor and sure as ever it is who I think it is. Stood in the Queen's empty chamber in a dark gown trimmed in fur and a veil covering her face, golden hair tumbling down her back, is my sister.
'Libby!' I cry. We rush into each other's arms into a hug. She smells of grass and fresh wind under her perfume - the scent of home. 'Are you well?' I ask her.
'As well as possible after the Sweat.' Libby replies, pulling away from me. 'No, really, I feel fine.'
'And your scarring?'
She winces. 'Just my face and back. A little on my shoulders. I hate these veils, but Mother says I'll get used to them.'
'I feel terrible.' I admit. 'Of you of all people, too, to have the Sweat. What's it like?'
'What's it like?'
'How does it feel having the Sweat?'
She closes her eyes. 'Agonizing. One minute you are cold and the next your blood boils. Your head and joints ache, and your throat is as dry as prune. Your pulse speeds up alarmingly. The heart hurts. It's as horrid as everyone says it is. Ingelram went delirious, too, and Mother, but that's normal.'
'It was just you two who caught it?'
'Yes. I was scarred on the face and back, Ingelram on the arms and legs. We were sick for five or six days, no more than a week. Mother wouldn't enter the room except for evening prayers, but Harry and Thomas visited every hour or so.'
'Are they here?'
'Somewhere, yes. I came straight here.'
I hug her again. 'I didn't expect you.'
'It was an unannounced visit - more a flee from Mother actually. She mopes in her chambers at Alnwick, upset because I have escaped her plot and am no longer eligible to marry. One good thing that has come from the Sweat.'
We begin to walk out of the room. 'But I thought you wanted to marry?' I ask. 'You always said you longed for motherhood.'
She shrugs. 'I did.' she says. 'But now I'm a free woman, which is something a woman in this generation isn't allowed to be. I'm no longer the family's pawn for power. I will never have a husband or children of my own, but that's the sacrifice I'll have to make to be free. I'm starting to think it was lucky that I caught the Sweat.'
I smile and hug her again. 'My brave, lucky sister.' I praise. 'Lucky Libby.'
.*.
Inside the office of Lord Henry Percy Sr. stands Henry Percy Sr. Henry Percy Jr. and the father of the groom.
'I've sent Thomas to fetch Cat.' Henry Jr. says, trying to break the ice that always exists between two families organizing an arranged marriage.
'Catherine.' corrects his father. 'She was named Catherine at birth, not Cat. Soon she shall be a married woman. You must treat her like one in speech as well as behaviour.'
His son nods.
'So we are clear.' Henry Percy Sr. says to his colleague. 'The dowry is settled on, the King agrees, it's all done. There is no turning back. You understand me?'
'Of course, my Lord.' the man replies. 'We are delighted by your kindness. This is a huge opportunity for us, not being one of the wealthiest noble families, and we are forever in your debt.'
Henry Sr. nods. 'You have sent for the boy?'
'One of my daughters has been sent to fetch him.'
'I hear they have settled well in Court.'
'Indeed. My youngest has just returned to Court. The eldest is married.'
'A good match?'
'They are both quiet, easy to please, fair-hearted people, so I'd say yes. My youngest is more adventurous, a spirit for excitement. It might be more difficult to match her.'
'Aye, I understand. I myself have a fair elder girl, just wants a husband and child, and a younger girl with a spirit for entertainment. It seems this is the only nuptials I will have to arrange for my girls; the elder caught the Sweat and is scarred.'
'I'm so sorry.'
'Don't concern yourself with it. She's a good girl with a good spirit. She'll see through it and I even suspect the idea of being alone and free may grow on her. Needless to say, the Duchess isn't impressed.'
'Aye, my Lord, it seems you can never please the wife with your work.'
'Aye.'
The door opens and Henry Percy Sr.'s two daughters enter the office.
.*.
'My Lord Father.' Libby and I curtsy for our father. 'Brother.' we nod our heads to Harry.
'My daughters,' Father acknowledges us with his kind welcoming smile. 'I see you are both well. I am sorry to see you, Elizabeth, in such poor condition.'
'I am well, my Lord.' my sister says. 'Please do not trouble yourself with me. I feel no regrets at the prospects I have lost.'
Father nods. He always liked her quiet, brave acceptance of the truth. 'Catherine,' he turns to me. 'You have been summoned here for a purpose.'
What have I done now? I think. What has Mother said I should be scolded for?
'Catherine, you are to be married.'
I step back. Has he just said what I think he has? That I am to be bride? 'But I am only eighteen, my Lord.' I stutter.
'A fine age to wed.' Father insists. 'You have good looks and hips wide enough for heirs.'
'But my Lord… I do not want to wed. Not yet. I am still so young.' I push George out of my mind as far as I can. I cannot bear to think of his face when he hears that I am to marry.
'You have no choice.' Father says simply. 'It has been arranged. The King himself, the King of England, Catherine, has agreed to it and will attend. It is a huge honour.'
'I have met no one I wish to wed.' I lie, swallowing back all the moments with George.
'That does not matter. You are to wed him and that is that. Do not argue with me. On the thirtieth of this month you will go into the chapel here and come out a married woman.'
I shake my head. Please no. Not now. I have only just found George. Please could you give us more time together before I must promise myself to another. Please! How will I manage all those nights in another man's arms? How can I love him when my heart belongs to another? How can I carry another man's child when I ache for it to be George's? I cannot do this.
'My Lord, please.' I beg feebly. 'I am too young. Can we not wait for a few years?'
'No.' Father brushes my excuses away. 'We are not only securing your future but another family's. They are rising stars in the Court and are favoured by the King. You cannot get round me, Catherine, so don't try.'
My stomach flips and I want to spew. This cruelty, this torture. I love George, Father, and no other. My love can only ignite for him. I cannot bed another man and call him Husband. I cannot swear I am pure and my maidenhood in tact and wear the ring of another man on my finger. I will not throw away my nights with George. Mine for always, he said to me during that masque, and I said it back. I put my hand on my stomach and try to concentrate on anything other than George.
'Who?' I whisper. 'My Lord, who is to my husband?'
The office door swings open. In shuffles in a blonde woman in a pale purple gown. She curtsies for Father and his colleague. I turn away from them and catch Harry's eye, and he gives me one of his reassuring wish-I-could-help-you-try-to-be-a-good-about-it grins and nods towards the woman. But when I swish around someone else is by her side. The brown waves, eyes like pools of delicious chocolate, the green satin sleeves…
'Catherine,' Father says, his voice an irritating buzz in my ears. 'This is your husband-to-be, Sir George Boleyn.'
George. George? My George? I am to marry George. Sure enough, it's his hair and eyes and build and clothes. My husband-to-be is the man I love. Is this pure luck or has Mary spoken? Is God answering my prayers? A million questions blur in my mind and I'm aware that my mouth hangs open a little. George bows low and plants a kiss on my palm. 'It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Lady Catherine.' he says politely.
But you already know me, I want to shout. For God's sake, I visited your rooms just days ago! Is this true, George? Are we to wed? Are we to spend the rest of our lives together, and have children together? Are we truly to be joined in holy matrimony in the chapel on the thirtieth? I smile and curtsy, numb. But what are you doing? We already know one another - and then I understand. None of them, with the exception of Mary and Libby, know we are in love, and even they does not know of our nights together. To them, we are two strangers meeting for the first time. We must act innocent, as if this is our first meeting.
'It is a joy to meet you, Sir George.' I say, and I think he knows that I am playing along with the charade.
'You are to be at the chapel on the thirtieth at twelve o'clock sharp.' instructs Father. 'Sir Thomas and I-' he gestures to his colleague besides him. 'have planned it all. Before that, you will not speak to one another and are to take most of your meals in private. Catherine, the Duchess will be arriving within a day to organize what is yet to be done. You both are ordered not to interfere.'
We dip our heads in obedience. 'Good.' Father says. 'You are all dismissed. Mary and Elizabeth, escort the pair to their separate accommodation.'
We curtsy and bow and leave the study. As we go down the corridor we hear the study door slam shut, and with a glance at our sisters George pulls me aside into a dark corner. Mary and Libby stand guard.
'I had no idea.' I breathe. 'George, I'm so happy.'
'I am too.' George says. 'I was told late last week and I was rather shocked that luck was on our side. Father thinks I am just happy of the position and all of that, but really - I'm thrilled about us. We won't be succumbed to meeting in secret, talking in whispers.'
'God has answered our prayers.'
'But now, we must act innocent.' his voice changes and he becomes serious. 'We must give nothing away. We do not know each other and before now we have never spoken nor looked at one another. We are both aware that this is arranged - therefore, I have to act like a cad boasting about my new wealth and you-'
'I will act unhappy. I will complain that I do not want to marry you. I will say I am too young and will be trapped in a loveless marriage.'
'You should be an actress, Cat.' George praises, planting a light kiss on my forehead. 'So, until the thirtieth, I bid you good day, future wife.'
'Good day, future husband.'
We emerge out of the shadows and beam at our company, and then he goes down one corridor to the King's apartments and me to the other, to the Queen's, and I dwell on the thought that in just over a week I will no longer be Catherine Percy but Catherine Boleyn for the rest of my evening.
A/N: OK, I need to say that I had a BIG think about this chapter. I know you all wanted to know who Cat was marrying but I was actually doubting whether my orginal plan of her and George would be good enough. I'm not usually like that. I stuck to it because I believe that this is how I want the story to go and I do hope no one is disappointed. Hey, at least there's no Jane Parker! Anyway, I'm rambling :) review and tell me if you like it. The next one is the wedding - I'm looking forward to that one LOADS. And a bit more Anne, I should think. x
