Chapter 14

While the summer heat showed no signs of disintegrating, Mary prepared for her lying in. It was the early days of August, but she felt tired enough and big enough to rest for the next couple of weeks. George was more than supportive wanting her to be well cared for so he grit his teeth and allowed Lady Darrel to demand what was needed.

Not much news came from the court since the both of them were all but isolated and Lady Darrel had nothing extra to say about the health or wellbeing of her mother. Mary supposed there was nothing to do but wait for the clemency of the king. Despite the strange letter her mother had sent her, Mary terribly wanted Queen Katherine to hold her grandchild in her arms. She was sure it would bring the queen much joy even if that child was fathered by a Boleyn.

She winced when she saw how dark and bear the room was, but she would have to bear it. "You'll visit me?" She said hopefully to George. He smiled at her and kissed her forehead. "Of course," he said tenderly touching her large round stomach. "Please God you'll be safe," he muttered hoping that God would listen to his prayers even though he was seldom one to pray. She smiled back and headed into the room.

Lady Elizabeth Darrel followed sparing him an apathetic glance, which he thought was quite malicious. It was amazing enough that she could snub him in his own house let alone have loyalty to Katherine of Aragon. However he realized the necessity for Mary to have a female companion during her labour which reminded him…

He needed to write to his sister. Perhaps the king had mellowed out and he could ask them to send a midwife for Mary. She was the king's daughter after all. And so began to tedious weeks of waiting for the child to be born. Much to his delight, Anne answered his letter saying that the king agreed (despite his anger at them both) that for Mary's safety they would send a good midwife.

Her name was Sarah Jones, a porky woman with a gruff face. She had neither beauty nor wit, but she was intelligent enough in women's matters. Mary reluctantly let the woman attend her and although strict, making sure Mary ate proper meals and rested, she was kind inside. Anne was able to keep in contact with him saying that the king's anger had curbed and in due time they would be allowed back at court, but they would have to beg for forgiveness.

He brought this news to Mary when he visited her, but she remained indifferent. He made no comment about it, but she would have to return to court as his wife and serve the queen. "Don't be so dull Mary Rose," he chided playfully. She did not take the bait. George sighed. "Think of it this way. Perhaps you can convince the king to show some kindness towards your mother and have her placed in more…suitable conditions."

He knew this was a risky topic to bring up, but she definitely had it in her power to help the Princess Dowager since Katherine was no longer considered a threat. She narrowed her eyes at him as she considered this and gave up with a shrug. "I suppose you're right," she said not wanting to argue or break the peaceful atmosphere she had been keeping with him for months.

He patted her knee and gave her an encouraging grin. His hand then moved to her large swollen stomach and he rubbed it tenderly.

Jane Boleyn now Lady Brereton attended the queen in sardonic silence. Now six months with child although claiming four, an air of a motherly glow had come about her. And God knows she was anything but motherly. The queen was with child too although she had not taken to her bed yet. Jane guessed she was probably about as far along as the Lady Mary or perhaps less. She gritted her teeth in anger. The very thought of that bitch was enough to make her retch.

William although a kind husband was very rigid and barely spoke to her. He spent most of his time at his prie dieu praying as devout as Katherine of Aragon herself. The extent of his faith was as such to forbid him pleasures of the marriage bed in which he heaved and grunted into her for less than a minute and muttered prayers when he had finished. She had told him she suspected she was with child barely a month after their wedding. It kept him away from her for it was sin to lie with a pregnant woman (she scoffed at that) and believed to be detrimental to the child. She was glad for it.

He was fool enough to believe it even though this child had been sired by George before their marriage. It was only luck that her father had brokered the marriage so fast and she was more than inclined to agree. Now she spent the rest of her time quietly and patiently plotting her revenge to bring down the throne of England and all those who had shamed her. The Boleyn family in particular and that slut who had stolen her lover.

But where to start? Those of the underworld had showed her where she must strike first and that was at the very thing growing in Anne's belly. She would make the queen miscarry and leave her at the wrath of the king. However she needed the means to do it. Pursing her lips together, she picked up the tray of wine and goblets and took it to Anne's presence chamber to serve guests, but was fortunate enough to stumble upon the hushed voices of Thomas Boleyn and Norfolk near the queen's privy chamber.

"I have a drink that will ensure it is a boy. She took it already but there is still some left."

"Then save it because even if she bears the king a son, she will have to bear more to ease his fears on the security of the throne."

"And the poison?"

"It clearly is no longer needed for Mary Tudor. She has married your son and once she has delivered her child, the king intends to bring them back to court and forgive them. Perhaps he will bestow upon George some pensions or lands. Maybe even a new title. After all, his actions have prevented Mary from attaining the throne by tying her to us as well as Katherine's hopes and dreams of a Spaniard rule."

There was a brief pause as Thomas Boleyn considered Norfolk's words.

"Then I suppose I shall keep the poison for when it is needed."

"As long as it is safely hidden. Where did you conceal it?"

"Hidden within my pillow case. I know it can be easily found if I was ever arrested on suspicion of treason but it is definitely not a future I can foresee," Thomas Boleyn said with a chuckle.

"One can never be too careful," reprimanded his brother in law and left it at that. Jane kept to her hidden spot behind the curtain. Now she knew what to do.

And it would all start with Anne.

August was at an end, but the heat was merciless. Sitting in a darkened room with no fresh air wasn't helping the situation and Mary finally put her foot down and commanded Elizabeth Darrel to open a window. She did so reluctantly giving Sarah Jones a withering look. There wasn't much of a breeze to help the situation so Mary sighed and ordered it closed.

Elizabeth suggested coming out of her gown and simply staying in the light sheer material of her night shift for the day. A feat Mary was all to inclined to agree too. While Elizabeth unlaced her stomacher and helped her out of her skirts and bodice, Sarah Jones went and poured her some water. Mary had found it rather odd, but the midwife was adamant that water was better than wine.

"Keeps away the thirst," she had insisted.

Mary sighed and allowed Lady Darrel to slip her night shift over her head and brush her hair. Kindly enough, Lady Darrel plaited it tightly and wrapped it on her head to give her some comfort. "Come now back to bed," the midwife ushered although Mary was restless. Elizabeth suggested they do some sewing and Mary supposed they had nothing better to do. However it seemed all they ever did these days was sew.

As time passed and with the soothing sound of Elizabeth's singing, Mary soon found herself with heavy eyes and a drooping head. Perhaps she would sleep the day away.

It was late in the evening when she began to groan in her sleep. Lady Darrel had gone to retrieve Mary's dinner from one of the servants and Sarah Jones had fallen asleep in her chair. Another loud groan filled the room though it did not stir the midwife. Waking up in a sweat, Mary took a few moments to become fully awake only to realize she was felt wet. In fact she felt completely drenched.

She threw off the light sheet from her body and rolled over to find that indeed the wetness had sunken into the straw filled mattress. For a split moment Mary wondered if she had wet herself while she slept until she felt a strange tightening in her stomach. Clutching it and gritting her teeth, Mary felt her fists clench of their own accord. Her knuckles were white. The movement seemed to have awakened the midwife who immediately jumped from her seat.

"Lady Rochford?" She said coming over to the bed to see what was wrong. Mary panted for a moment until the pain passed and swallowed hard. "The sheets a wet," she said dimly, but the look on Sarah's face was enough to tell her all.

She was in labour.