Chapter 25:
"Henry, look at me Henry." Richmond sat slumped on the floor in a daze unaware of his surroundings. His wife sat in front of him clutching his face, willing him to lift his eyes to hers. For the first time his family were completely concerned for him and not the other way around. Since the physicians had told Fitzroy that they could do nothing for his brother as he was already dead he had not responded to anyone. As he had sat, his hands covered in George's blood, his sister Elizabeth Tailboys arrived to find Henry staring at the floor beside their brothers dead body and Robert quietly crying in the corner of the room. Unknowing what to do she sent her husband Thomas to get Lady Richmond and she dealt with the young Robert. "Henry, look at me my love. We must leave they must take George." It was these words that made Richmond look at his wife for the first time.
"Take him...?"
"Yes my love, they must clean him up."
"Why?" His confusion was becoming ever more worrying.
"We cannot leave him in this mess Henry. Come along." Thomas Greene first help Mary up and then the Duke. "Elizabeth, Robert come with us to our chambers you cannot stay here." Lady Richmond and Greene guided Fitzroy still in his daze back to his chambers, his brother and sister both in toe Robert still quietly crying. Once they sat Richmond down Mary turned to Elizabeth's husband Thomas. "Mr Wymbish please inform my Lord Lincoln and please bring him here." The young man who greatly disliked being told what to do slumped off. Mary then turned to the devoted Thomas Greene for her next instruction. "Thomas please tell the King and the Lady Mary, Henry needs them now."
"Yes your Grace." Greene bowed and quickly left the room. "Robert, please sit down." The boy had worn himself out and could not cry any longer and was only left with tear stains down his face and puffy eyes. Lady Richmond guided him to a chair next to Henry and then she turned to Elizabeth and pointed to the next chair which she promptly took. After a few minutes Greene returned with the King and Lady Mary Tudor. Everyone but Fitzroy stood when they noticed the King who was now staring at the table top. The King walked towards his son and crouched before him.
"Henry ...?" Richmond gave no answer. "How long has he been like this?" Lady Richmond stepped forward to answer the King.
"Since I before I was sent for your majesty." Concern for his son became very visible to all around. "Send for the doctors." Suddenly Henry's head shot up and he shouted.
"NO! They are with George." All of the spectators were now confused by his objection.
"Henry ..." The King grasped at his sons shoulders. "George does not need them any more, they must see you know."
"Are you sure father, he was very ill." Richmond's were blank of all emotion.
"I am sure." The King did not leave Richmond's side and when the physicians said that there was nothing but shock wrong with the Duke he flew into a range because there was nothing he could do to help his son. This of course greatly angered Lady Richmond and she demanded for him to either calm down or leave. This shocked all of those present but the King thought nothing of it knowing she wanted the best for his son. This was perhaps more shocking for those present. For the next few days the Duke barely moved and all were becoming ever more worried for him. Believing to be out of earshot of Richmond his family were discussing the upcoming arrangements of Lady Richmond's laying in and George's funeral.
"Your majesty I do not believe my husband will be able to handle his brothers funeral with myself there not to even think of myself being shut away at this difficult time."
"He will not be there so you need not worry about that my Lady but you must shut yourself away now for the sake of both your child." For the first time in days Fitzroy stirred and claimed out of bed.
"I cannot leave him your Majesty."
"I will be there." There group jumped around to see Richmond stood in the doorway dishevelled and grey faced.
"Henry, there is no need for you ..." Richmond cut his father off.
"Of course there is a need ... he is my brother." His wife the Lady Richmond stood and walked to Fitzroy stopping directly in front of him.
"My love, you are not well."
"I am well enough for this, I must be." For the first time Henry looked at his families faces. "What were you talking about just now ... Mary? What's wrong with the baby?" Lady Richmond grabbed her husbands face.
"Nothing my love, nothing is wrong. It is just that his Majesty believes ..."
"Your lying in, when does it start?" For the first time a flicker of emotion crossed his face and his eyes darted to his wife's round stomach.
"It was meant to have started two days ago your Grace but my Lady would not leave your side." These words had come from a source that had yet been unnoticed by Richmond. Lady Anne of Cleves stepped forward concern for the Duke clear.
"You must go, you must..." Henry frantically began to push his wife towards the door.
"Henry, stop I cannot go until I know that you well."
"I am." Fitzroy stopped and looked his straight in the eye. "I will be well my love. I am sorry for this worry I have caused you but you must do what is best for our child or neither of us well ever forgive ourselves or ..."
"I will go with you." Anne's voice was soothing and calm. "And your Grace my shut yourself away." The King stood and embraced the Lady.
"Thank you Anne." It was now for the first time that Henry saw the shuffle of blonde hair in the corner of the room. After a few moments he realised that it was the Queen and as she came into focus she seemed to be fed up of the situation and wanted to escape the room. Then he saw his sister Mary clenching her hands into fists but she then caught her brothers eye and her mood calmed immediately.
"Where is Robert?" Lady Richmond turned back to her husband and smiled. She realised that Fitzroy was returning to his usual self.
"He is with Elizabeth and my Lord Lincoln. He has wished to be with you but he is not himself either." A swam of guilt came over Henry.
"I must see him ... I have been selfish, he needs me."
"No my love you were not yourself but now you can be with him and you can show him the way because you are strong and we will be there to support you all." The pair embraced each other and when they released one another Henry slid his hand over her swollen stomach and smiled.
"It is time for you to go now my love and I will see you when you have given us our child."