Tears had not stopped running down her cheeks since the moment the king had delivered his sentence. The family had been escorted back to their rooms to pack as if they were prisoners. They had been paraded in front of the whole court, no doubt the whole of England knew of their shame by now. They had packed in almost silence, everyone shocked by how quickly their fortunes had fallen to ruin. Edward especially had been stony, undoubtedly furious to see his carefully planned future evaporate before him.
When word had first come that the king was summoning the whole family, they had all been elated. Even Edward had smiled and Thomas had kissed her cheek, winking and calling her his sweetest sister. The queen had lost her child and Jane was prime to take her place. Anne Boleyn's days were numbered and Henry was calling them to tell them.
Jane had happily scanned through her wardrobe, picking a beautiful gown of rich cloth of gold. She had wrapped iridescent pearls around her neck and had left her blond hair free around her shoulders. When she glanced in the mirror she was pleased, knowing she looked a pure, virginal, joyful maid. A woman worthy of stepping into Queen Catherine's shoes-God rest her soul. She would surely be better a better fit than the whore-Anne Boleyn. Jane had spent the whole trip to the king's apartments daydreaming about how she would change England. Of course she would bring the Princess Mary back to court and restore her to the line of succession. The Lady Elizabeth could go with her mother, wherever Henry decided to send her. Jane would not treat the child with unkindness, but would make it clear that the girl was illegitimate and would never take the throne. She shuddered at the thought of Anne's daughter wearing St Edward's crown. The chit of a girl would ruin England. No, it was God's will that a son of Jane's would rule and outside of that, Catherine's daughter.
It was these thoughts that brought her in front of the king with a bright smile on her lips. But then it had all gone wrong.
She was being sent from court, banished back to Wolf Hall. The king had looked at her with such disgust...such hatred. He had blamed her for the loss of his child. It had been her fault and there was no convincing him otherwise. She had lost the great gamble. Now what was to become of her?
Fresh tears spilled over and she abandoned her packing. Her brother watched as she made her way to the window, wiping the tears from her cheeks.
"What happened?" he snarled, snatching her wrist and pulling her to face him. "You said he kissed you! That everything was still going to plan! Why then would he gather evidence against us?!"
"I don't know!" she snapped, ripping herself from his grip.
"He blames her for the loss of his son." Edward quietly spoke behind her and they both turned to him. "We underestimated his love for the whore. And overestimated his feelings for Jane." He turned to her and looked her up and down with a hard glare. "You didn't ruin yourself with him, right?" he asked coldly, making Jane gasp.
"No! I did everything you told me to do!"
"Are you sure?" Thomas asked, tauntingly. "I heard that the queen came upon you two as he had you laid out on a table..."
"No! It was just a kiss! It was innocent!" she protested. "And it was no more than you ordered from me! You told me to seduce him...to inflame the queen's jealousy! You told me if she lost the babe, I would be queen!"
"Well now you are no better than a whore, sister. A whore with no future. What man would take you to wife, when it is commonly believed the king has had you and then discarded you?" Thomas' cruel words bit into her heart and she dissolved in tears again, knowing he was right.
Edward's lip curled in disgust at her emotional display and he threw a handkerchief at her. "Clean yourself up and go to the queen. We must be gone within the hour. I don't trust the king will be merciful if we do not hurry."
Jane wiped her tears away as her brothers returned to their packing, dreading the audience to come. She was not looking forward to going before that harlot and begging her leave. She knew Anne would be triumphant, confident now that her rival was being sent away. She grit her teeth and left her chambers. Jane only prayed that even if it wasn't for her, Henry would see what a harlot his false wife was. If Jane couldn't lead the king back to his rightful place at the Pope's feet, then perhaps another woman could. Soon the king would tire of the whore. Anne Boleyn would fall...it was only a matter of time.
As she walked, she could hear the whispers as the court gossiped about her. Henry had not been quiet about their expulsion from his favor and now they were all speculating as to why. The rumor that Thomas had heard was kind in comparison to others that were being circulated. All painting Jane as a whore who had caused the beloved queen to lose her child. The Seymours would be pariahs, when only a few weeks ago they were being courted by all. When she finally came to Anne's door, she was filled with shame and embarrassment and hatred.