Chapter XXVI
February, 1537
For three days and two nights, George writhed in pain and agony, his screams echoing through the corridors, more pained than that of a tortured man.
Every day, Mary sat beside him.
She hardly slept at night and hardly ate. The victories of the king at the jousting tournament never entered her mind, and the loud, raucous celebrative feasts after that remained nothing but an irritating source of buzzing sounds whenever she sat at George's side, patiently obeying Dr Butts's orders and praying for George's recovery.
On the fourth day, Dr Butts finally gave Mary news on George's impending condition. Before he did so, he insisted for Mary to eat to maintain her own strength.
"He will live, Your Highness," Dr Butts informed her. "The wound is not as critical as I thought it originally was. However, he will always have pain in that leg and most likely have or develop a limp. He will be able to ride, but it will pain him, and jousting again will not be a good idea. As for your uh...royal duties, it is still possible for him to father...heirs."
Mary blushed a little and nodded, relieved George will live.
"You must rest," the good doctor urged. "You have been a loyal wife and your prayers contributed to his recovery. For now, you must sleep."
Again, Mary nodded, more tired than before.
Before she could speak, she felt her eyes fall heavy and closed...
Anne enjoyed three consecutive days when she-and she alone-held the King's attention and love, but felt guilty at abandoning her brother.
He had almost died, and as his sister, she should be at his side, but in fear of losing the King's affection, she chose to celebrate and dance with the Court.
It pained her, but she felt she had no choice just yet.
She summoned her father to her chambers for the first time in a while.
"What?" said Wiltshire impatiently.
"Have you heard what happened to George?" said Anne, curious to see her cold father's reaction to George's accident.
"Yes," said Wiltshire, helping himself to a goblet of wine Anne had just poured for herself. "A pity he did not succeed in progressing to the finals. If he had, and graciously allowed the King to win, he would've been richly rewarded. Who knows? Maybe he would be given another marquessate. He cannot give George a dukedom, or he will be on a higher social status as me, and that is of course absurd! A son cannot have a higher rank than his father!" He chuckled to himself.
"Are you not concerned your only son and heir is near death?"
"Not as much as I was before. Actually, no I'm not. He has a son of his own, and if George ever dies, I will take custody of his son. Hopefully he will be more obedient than George was. I rather a malleable grandson than a rebel son."
"Father! You loved George more than you loved me or Mary when we were children, and now you are not worried about his health?!"
"It was his own fault he was worse at jousting than before."
"Leave."
"I beg your pardon?"
Anne forced herself to maintain a passive expression as rage boiled up inside of her. "Lord Wiltshire, I order you to leave. Now. You clearly have no respect for others-even those of your own blood-and have said words of disrespect to the King's son-in-law."
"Who has spoken words of disrespect to the King's son-in-law?"
Wiltshire paled as the King himself entered Anne's chambers, holding a wooden box. The King's lovesick eyes turned immediately turned into suspicion.
"Lord husband," said Anne, breathing heavily. "Lord Wiltshire here has been telling me most interesting
stories. He admitted he had no care for the health and wellbeing of his only son now that he has a grandson, and actually hopes for George to die to gain custody of Hal!"
The King glared Wiltshire and noticed the goblet.
"Is that Anne's goblet?" he asked, his eyes becoming more distrustful by the second. "Wiltshire, did you have the temerity to drink from the Queen's cup?"
Wiltshire swallowed in fear, not knowing what to say.
"You wished to see my son-in-law dead," said the King, more angrier than before. "If he does die, you will never have custody over Hal! Do you honestly believe I will allow a prince of royal blood to be in your care?! If George does die, Hal will remain in Mary's care! How dare you speak and treat the Queen in such a manner? From this moment on, you are banished from Court! George has been loyal to me even before his marriage to my daughter, and I have not rewarded him enough! My illegitimate son, Henry Fitzroy, had died a week ago and only fathered a daughter (Elizabeth Fitzroy). The dukedom of Richmond is empty, and as for his loyalty to me, I will bestow that prestigious title to him, and both his and Mary's children will be princes and princesses of Lancaster and Richmond!"
Wiltshire stared at him, terrified.
"As it is late today, you will stay the night," continued the King. "Tomorrow, if George survives, he will be invested that title and you will watch in the front. If I hear another word from you against Lord Ormond, you will find yourself in the Tower."
"He is my son, Your Majesty!" blustered Wiltshire. "It is my right to speak to him in any way I find fit! I am his father for God's sake!"
The King's eyes narrowed. "You will still witness his promotion to a dukedom."
Shocked and humiliated, Wiltshire bowed and slinked out.
"How long has this been happening?!" demanded the King, looking concerned at Anne. "Has that old goat been treating you and your brother and sister like this?!"
"Unfortunately so, my lord," said Anne grimly. "I did not wish to bother you with my worries and concerns, and he is still my father. However, before today, he had never acted as insultingly to me. I suppose he had a bad day or something."
"This cannot go on!"
"He is still my father, lord husband. Technically he can speak to George, Mary or me in any manner he finds fit. It's his right."
"Not if you are all royalty of the blood."
"I am your queen?" She was confused.
"Yet he does not treat you with the respect you deserve..."
The King's nose twitched as an idea formulated in his mind. "Your father will not have the right to treat all of you in such a manner if you are all royal...indeed, you are my queen, but some monarchs still view you as a commoner. What if I make you a princess? What if George is a prince? Your sister Mary also a princess? Your father will not dare speak to you so disgracefully!"
"No!" said Anne, shocked. "My lord! Please, for the love you bear me, do not go on that path! The people will never accept it!"
"Why not? You are my wife!"
The Anne four years ago, would not hesitate and thank him for the titles of 'prince' and 'princess' for her siblings. Her thoughts revolved around nothing but ambition. Present-day Anne, was not as rash as she was before. Pleasing the people mattered more now than plain titles.
"No," said Anne gently, squeezing the King's hand softly. "You have given me enough. You proved your love to me by marrying me against the wishes of all of England and other kingdoms in Christendom. I am already the Marquess of Pembroke in my own right thanks to your generosity. I am content. I do not need titles and estates. If you love me, love your children. Your grandchildren. Titles mean nothing to me now. It is happiness and contentment."
The King looked unconvinced. "I still believe you should be Princess Anne Boleyn."
"My lord!"
"Anne, I know you do not want a title in fear of angering the people, but think about it. What if I die and our son is still a child? A regent will be needed. Spain and France will ally themselves against England and launch an invasion on weak grounds that our marriage was not true, even if we have documents to prove that Catherine agreed to a divorce. You will most likely be executed and our children declared bastards and imprisoned. Perhaps that will be your brother's fate too. Charles V will force the Pope to annul George's marriage to Mary and make her marry a man of his choosing."
"You do not know that-"
"It is a possibility. They will be more cautious if you, your sister and George are declared English prince and princesses. Even if it is by my decree."
"Do not do anything for me anymore, I beg of you. If you must, give George the title 'prince consort' as he is the husband to a princess. The people will understand."
The King sighed and nodded.
"You are always right," he murmured, kissing her cheek. "It seems Jane is right as well. You will always be waiting for me like Catherine."
Anne's content day was clearly shattered.
Mary felt herself gently shaken. With a mumbled protest, she opened a sleepy eye. "What is it? Is George getting better?"
"See for yourself."
Her eyes widened as she saw George grinning in front of her. Dr Butts was nowhere to be seen. Even with bandages wrapped around his leg, George stood like a soldier instead of an invalid.
Mary through herself in his arms, sobbing with joy.
"There, there," said George, patting her on the back. "I'm alive and well. Dr Butts told me how you insisted on being with me, and I remember you nursing me. I can never wish for another wife. You have been sleeping for two days and I have news that might be of interest to you."
"Really?" said Mary curiously. "What better news than your recovery?"
"My father is to be banished from Court."
"For what reason?"
"He had the temerity to disrespect Anne and apparently me. The King was furious and banished my father. When I woke, he told me that I will receive the dukedom of Richmond. Well, I am to receive it today, but I insisted the ceremony to be postponed until you wake up. It's only right for you to be with me when I am bestowed such an honourable title!"
"What about my brother Fitzroy's daughter?"
"It is unfortunate that she is a girl, and I expect the King will not give her anything, well, certainly not the dukedom of Richmond."
"I expect Lady Richmond is still in mourning?"
"Yes. Cousin Mary Howard loved Fitzroy. With a father like Norfolk, I don't blame her for craving true love from her husband. I heard both the king and Norfolk were displeased when she gave birth to her daughter. Ah well, not much we can do for them."
"George! Little Elizabeth Fitzroy is family! Yes, she is a girl, but that does not mean she has to be deprived of all her inheritance!"
"What do you propose?"
"We talk to Anne and the King over a private supper. Convince him that Elizabeth Fitzroy is his own granddaughter and deserves at least a portion of her inheritance. I believe the King declared that upon Fitzroy's death, his possessions, estates and titles reverted to the crown."
"Unbelievable. I will go and speak to him now."
"You cannot be serious! You hardly rested-"
"I slept for two days!"
"Mary! You must care for yourself as well as others."
Vigorously, Mary shook her head and stood up, smoothing out her gown. The King was notoriously fickle, and he was in a good mood at the moment. If she waited a few more days, who knows? His mood may drastically change for the worse.
"I will go and see the King," she decided. "Either you come with me or you can try and stop me. I will
rest tonight. I promise. Or perhaps you should not have told me the news if you wanted me to rest."
"I did think of that," muttered George.
The two of them headed to the King's chambers and went in, pleased to see the King spending more time with Anne.
"Ah George, you're back!" said the King pleasantly. "You brought Mary too!"
"Your Majesties," acknowledged Mary.
"I heard of your insistence to nurse George. That was good of you. Loyal. It seems you are the good wife your mother always wanted you to be."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I heard that you are planning to give George the dukedom of Richmond."
"Indeed! You must be excited that you will be the duchess of Lancaster and Richmond now! I also plan to give George the title of 'prince consort' later. Perhaps at Christmas as a gift. Now, why are you two here at such a time? Mary, you should be resting!"
"Elizabeth Fitzroy is Richmond's heir."
"She's a girl, Mary!" The King sighed with exasperation.
"So? She is still your granddaughter! Lady Richmond is still in mourning. Imagine her shock when she discovers her daughter's fortune ripped away on the account that she is a girl. The poor lady will be ill at the thought. Would you rather see your granddaughter a penniless orphan bearing the last name 'Fitzroy', the granddaughter you refused to acknowledge?"
"Mary, you have nursed George and you are now unwell-"
"No. You loved Henry Fitzroy when he was a boy. And now? You refused to attend his funeral and never visited his widow nor child."
"She speaks the truth," spoke Anne. "Elizabeth Fitzroy is your granddaughter."
"She is the daughter of a bastard!" argued the King. "I gave him the Richmond dukedom at the request of his mother, and I never intended for it to go to his daughter! If a son, I would allow it to pass, but a daughter?! I have sons who deserve that title!"
"Henry Fitzroy was more a son than any of your French bastards will ever be," said Anne calmly. "He was honourable and loyal to you. When you married me, there was a plot to remove you and replace you with him. He refused. How have you repaid his loyalty? Rejecting his daughter? Stealing her entire inheritance for your almost empty coffers?"
What she said was dangerously close to treason, but she did not care.
Anne was tired of the King's selfishness and disregard for women; even his own flesh and blood.
She too, remembered stories of the King's open affection to Fitzroy when he was a child, and was furious that he would take young Elizabeth Fitzroy's fortune on the grounds that she was a girl. She never imagined the King would do that.
"Fine!" said the King, deciding to visit his dear Jane later. Jane never argued or disobeyed him, and she could always calm his brewing temper. "I see you rather be satisfied with a rich daughter of a bastard than a wealthy king! May the consequences be on your heads!" He glared at them. "Or necks."
George froze.
"I'll give her the title 'baroness Richmond'," continued the King, with a callous chuckle. "Upon her majority, she will receive a few castles and Fitzroy's annuity. I hope you are satisfied! If you excuse me, I must visit Jane."
"What happened?" Mary asked Anne, once the King left. "I thought he was hopelessly in love with you again? He did joust with your favour."
"Jane asked for it," said Anne bitterly. "As she is resting comfortably in her chambers with the King's bastard in her womb, she begged the king to be a kind and loving husband to me and a caring father to our children. That only made the King love her more. I hope she dies giving birth to that bastard. Whether it is a girl or boy, the child will not be welcome in my nursery."
"Jane does it out of care for you," Mary admonished. "She is with child and most likely frightened. Even with the King's favour, she is still kind to you."
"She is more clever than you anticipated. A fox."
"Anne. I understand how you must feel with the King being unfaithful to you and somewhat faithful to his mistress. However, you must believe me when I say Jane wants you not to be harmed. She has titles, power and the King's affection. When you look at her, do you see happiness or greed? What do you see in the eyes of Jane Seymour?"
"Evil."
"Anne. I know you don't."
Anne sighed, defeated. "A sad, lonely woman who wishes to leave a world of corruption and flattery in her eyes. She was not born to be a courtier, let alone a royal mistress."
"Yes," agreed George, feeling pity for the Seymour girl. "Her brothers expected too much of her, and look what happened. Edward was executed and Thomas and Henry were rewarded with earldoms for betraying him. It won't be long before Thomas Seymour takes Edward's place as the great Seymour schemer. He may be kinder than Edward, but he has his own manipulative nature. Do you reckon Jane will have a son or daughter?"
"Daughter," said Anne rather confidently. "I just know it."
"A bastard daughter will make her lose the King's love faster," remarked Mary. "I wonder who the King's next mistress will be."
Anne unintentionally glared at her.
"You know he will never be faithful," Mary said sensibly. "He was never faithful to my mother, and clearly he wasn't faithful to you."
"Hmmph," said Anne grumpily, turning to George. "Who were you jousting against anyway? In all that fuss, I did not remember your opponent's name. If I wasn't queen, I would go and trip him over for injuring you. He will still pay for...something."
George frowned slightly.
"What is it?" said Mary, alert.
"I saw something odd before I fell," he said slowly. "I can't remember exactly what it was...I do know it would have earnt him a disqualification. That was the last thing I thought of before darkness. Perhaps it is nothing...just a thought."
"No, it is important! Who was it?!"
"Forget it, Mary. Please. There is no point."
"Yes there is!"
Anne nodded in agreement.
"No," said George, more firmly than before. "You always seem extremely insistent on helping others like Fitzroy's daughter after a long rest. I need to rethink it. I could be wrong...no. I should not have mentioned it. I'm mistaken. Sorry, Anne, Mary. I should have kept my mouth shut. Forget I said that. Will there be a feast tonight, or will it be private supper?"
"A feast of course," said Anne, unconvinced. "Unless he wishes to have a private supper in that slut's chambers. Either way, we'll be expected by the courtiers."
"Jane's not a slut," said Mary gently. "I know you dislike her, but she is not a slut or a whore."
"The people called me that when I married the King."
"You are not a slut or whore either."
"Do you know what those common people call Jane Seymour? 'The King's sweet mistress'. What did they call me when he was chasing after me and pressing me to be his mistress? Well, there was a whole stream of names that I remember."
"They called Isabelle de Luil a witch. The people love you, Anne. You are generous to the poor, and only the people in the north mildly dislike you."
"How did your mother gain their love so easily?"
"She was foreign and was faced with misfortunes. Arthur Tudor died just months after their wedding, and she was treated poorly by Henry VII."
"The King loathed me due to his previous slutty mistress."
"You are still envious of Catherine?" said George, raising an eyebrow. "I thought you subdued your jealous nature. Or does any of this have to do with Jane? Keep in mind that Catherine also had to deal with the King's infidelities."
"I do not understand," said Anne bitterly, unable to swallow the thought of forgiving Jane for being the King's reluctant mistress. "What don't I have that she does that the King loves?! I have beauty that any man would kill for, while she is simple! Plain Jane! I have knowledge stored in my mind and she could hardly write her name! I am also capable of having children, while she has not proved her fertility yet. Moreover, I am from the aristocracy, while she was nothing but a knight's daughter!"
"It is the child he is concerned about, not Jane," George told her. "Once Jane gives birth, she will be discarded and you can banish her from Court. Remember Bessie Blount? She was dismissed almost a week after she had her son."
Mary nodded in agreement.
"He is never a faithful man," she said again. "He believes it is his right to have mistresses. I hope he does not wish to rival Francis I in the amount of mistresses they have!"
"He is on the right path," snorted George. "Anne Hastings, Bessie Blount, our sister Mary, Isabelle de Luil, and now Jane Seymour. Did I miss anyone?"
The women shrugged.
Keeping count on the King's mistresses was not as easy as it was expected.
"I hope Jane dies," said Anne brutally. "I hope she presents the King with a weak infant daughter and watch his joy fade from his eyes, and she can die knowing she had sinned and she had brought nothing but disappointment to the King."
I was extremely busy, and I felt this wasn't the best chapter...anyway, it's up to you :)