Ages-
Katherine of Aragon-29
King Henry VIII-26
Princess Mary Tudor-2
Princess Elizabeth-9 months
Thomas Boleyn-41
Anne Boleyn- 17
Mary Boleyn-19
George Boleyn-6
Princess Margaret-21
Joanna-39
Isabella Boleyn-9 months
Tom Boleyn-9 months
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I sat across from Thomas it was early morning and we were having breakfast before I was to leave for Dover. "Your Grace" a maid said with a bow handing a letter to Thomas who smiled secretly tucking the letter in his jacket.
"How is it from, husband?" I asked looking down at my red velvet skirt my hair was tied up in a modest bun.
"No one" he whispered taking a sip from his cup.
"It is from her? Your mistress I mean" I asked acidly.
"Katherine" he said sharply, but I ignored him standing up and throwing my napkin on the table turning my back to him.
"Where do you think you are going" he said grabbing my arm as I went for the door.
"I am going to the chapel I shall not stay here" I spat at him he grabbed my face pulling me close to him shutting the door and pushing me against the wall.
"You shall stay here, your carriage will not be ready for another hour" he said his face close to mine.
"I do not wish to stay here when to dally with your mistress in front of me" I said annoyed at the control he had over me right now, I was trapped.
"Why are you so sure I have a mistress?" he asked looking deep into my eyes.
"First I do not wear cheap lavender perfume and second I have not shared your bed in months, so why did a maid find a chemise under your bed?" he ground his teeth.
"What I do is none of your business" he said growing down at me "I can have a mistress if I please I am a man Katherine I have needs and what was I supposed to do when you were whoring with the King".
My eyes widened and without thinking I slapped him across the face as hard as I possibly could. A bright red hand mark appeared on his cheek and I breathed deeply as he glared down at me.
His hand curled around my throat and gently squeezed "how dare you" he growled low in my ear.
"No, how dare you, you of all people should know-" I started.
But he cut me off crushing his lips to mine greedily his hands grabbed at my hips hoisting me up against the wall. My legs instinctively wrapped around his wait as he pushed my skirts out of his way.
Suddenly a loud crashed sounded threw the room and Thomas dropped me to the floor.
"I-I am sorry" Lady Jane Seymour said quickly picking the tray she had dropped up. I pushed a strand of ebony from my face, the passion in Thomas's eyes leaving, I quickly walked over to Lady Jane's side and helped her.
"You do not need too My Lady" she said blushing.
"No it is fine Lady Jane" I said with a smile.
Lady Jane Seymour
I could not believe what had happened I knew I should not have interrupted them, but the King had given me a very clear mission.
Lady Wiltshire was in chapel and she had dismissed me for the day I was walking down the hall minding my own business when I felt someone grab my arm.
"What in the world…" I asked looking up into the face of the King of England I bowed quickly looking down at the ground with wide eyes.
"Lady Jane I have a favor to ask of you" he said taking my hand.
"What is it Your Majesty?" I asked nervously.
"The Duchess, has she been intimate with the Duke?" my eyes widened.
"No Your Majesty she has not" I said truthfully.
"Good, I want it to stay that way they are not to be alone do you understand Lady Seymour? She is not to lay with him do everything in your power to make sure she does not" I nodded.
"I will Your Majesty" I said smiling as he left, I had been given a order from the King and I would not fail.
Katherine Boleyn
"Maa" Isabella said as I hugged her tightly.
"My beautiful girl, I promise to see you soon, I said kissing her head and then turned to Tom. "My baby boy" I said holding him tight to me "I will miss you both so much" I said standing up to look down at them both.
"Katherine" Thomas said getting my attention, I then turned to Mary.
"My little Princess" I said kissing her head.
"Mama stay" she said holding tightly to my hair.
"I wish I could sweetheart but I have to go to Dover I shall write the King your father to see if you can visit soon" I promised her and she smiled lightly.
"Katherine" Thomas persisted.
"I am coming" I said turning away from them with tearful eyes.
"His Majesty the King" a squire announced and I took Cordelia into my arms as I stood in front of the awaiting carriage.
"I wish to speak with the Duchess alone' Henry said looking at the people around us.
"Majesty" they all said and quickly walked away, I held Cordelia close to me as he stepped forward taking her into his arms.
"My heart" he whispered down at her and she gurgled a reply. I smiled lightly as he kissed her head "I shall write often to inquire of her health" he said cooing down at her. I nodded swallowing hard.
"I would like that very much" I said softly.
"I shall inquire of yours as well" he said meeting my eyes, I looked at him in surprise.
"Very well My Lord" I said with a small bow he grabbed my arm pulling me close to him capturing my lips in a soft kiss. "Henry, my children Isabella and Tom, they are to stay at Court for a couple months, but I think them to be sent to Hever" I said biting my lip nervously.
I knew it was wrong to use Henry's affection for me this way, but it was for a good reason.
"I shall make sure the are sent to Dover there is not need to fear, Mary can visit as well" I smiled lightly as he handed Cordelia back to me. "Take care of my heart" he said smiling down at Cordelia.
"I always have Harry" I whispered getting into the carriage.
"I shall see you soon Catalina" he said shutting the door.
The trip to Dover was long and slightly annoying at time I had to give Cordelia up to be fed and changed but always she would return to my loving arms in the end.
"Your Grace we are here" a guard said and I nodded stepping from the carriage to look up at the large castle that was mine.
"My Lady we should get inside it is to rain" Lady Seymour said looking down at the sleeping child in my arms.
"Yes, Mistress Hobbs take Cordelia" I said placing her in her nurses arms. They took her to her rooms and I quietly explored the castle. It was built long ago and was used as a fortress it had tall walls made to walk on. It was rumored to have many hidden tunnels and passage ways.
A week went by and I soon had explored every part of the castle, I knew when Mary came she would loved running threw the long hallways and hiding in the secret passages.
"My Lady a letter has arrived for you" Lady Seymour said handing it over, I looked one more time at the beautiful view of the ocean from my window then turned my attention to the letter.
Katherine,
I hope you and Cordelia are doing well, you should have arrived at Dover by now. I have good news Anne is pregnant. I pray each day it is the son I long for. Mary shall be leaving for Ludlow at the end of the week, and Elizabeth to Hatfield. Your children Isabella and Tom are fine they went to Hatfield with Elizabeth and shall stay there till then end of the month when they shall be sent to Dover. I do not know when but I shall visit Dover to see Cordelia soon,
Sincerely
King Henry VIII
I read the letter carefully two times. Anne was pregnant.
I did not know how to feel about that, half of me was ecstatic if she gave Henry the son he longed for he would leave me alone and I would be free of his attention. But there was another side that was mysteriously saddened by this.
Queen Anne Boleyn
"NO" I yelled at Henry who rolled his eyes.
"Anne calm down" he said ignoring me.
"You are not to go to Dover, Henry it would break my heart if you did" I said grabbing his arm.
"You are being dramatic Anne" he said annoyed at me.
"No I am not, you are going to visit your bastard and the women who carried it, I can not believe you" I said getting close to hysterics. Henry quickly wrapped his arms around me.
"Shh love do not cry" he said soothingly "tell me, what must I do?" he asked sweetly.
"Do not go to Dover" he nodded.
"Very well I shall not" I smiled.
"And there is one more thing" I said turning so he would not see the smile carving me face.
"What is it".
"Elizabeth love Isabella and Tom it would break her heart if you took them away from her" his grip loosened.
"You want them to stay at Hatfield" he said cryptically.
"No, I want them to be companions to Elizabeth they were practically born the same day" I said looking up into his eyes.
"If it makes you happy Anne" he said kissing my forehead.
"It does" I said a hand resting on my stomach.
Katherine may have won some battles, but I shall win the war.