Sorry it isnt as long as my last update.
Ages-
Katherine of Aragon-29
King Henry VIII-26
Princess Mary Tudor-2
Princess Elizabeth-1
Sir Thomas More-40
Sir Francis Bryan-28
Thomas Boleyn-41
Anne Boleyn- 17
Mary Boleyn-19
George Boleyn-6
Charles Brandon-34
Cordelia Tudor-5 months
Isabella Boleyn-1
Tom Boleyn-1
Lady Jane Howard-15
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October 26, 1518
I hated today, for today was the day we would be leaving for Hampton Court Palace where the Court currently resided. I lay awake in the bed Thomas next to me "Katherine we have to get ready" he finally said touching my face gently.
"I do not want to go" I whispered looking away from him.
"You told the King you would go, besides its for the best" he said pushing a piece of hair behind my ear.
"I know" I said my voice forlorn.
I laid in bed a few moment more after Thomas left, but when the maids came in I knew I had to go back, even if I did not want to.
"My Lady, how are you this morning?" Lady Howard asked kindly helping me out of the bed.
"I am fine, thank you for asking" I said giving her a small smile.
I swallowed hard as the maids around me dressed me in my red velvet riding dress my hair was braided and tied up under a French Hood.
"Lady Howard, I wish for you to accompany me to the Palace, you may leave to pack your things" she nodded a smile forming on her lips. The other maids watched jealousy as she left, they were to go to Kensington and get everything ready for my stay there.
"Do not be jealous ladies, Lady Howard has been with me for a year so far, she has far earned my trust" they all nodded going back to quickly packing everything. I looked down at the rosary in my hands "remember to pack my collar of gold, the one my mother gave me" I said over my shoulder to the ladies.
"Yes, madam" one said and I nodded.
"I shall be in the Chapel" I said "Lady Seymour, please follow" I started out the door and almost instantly Lady Seymour was walking behind me.
I walked into the large room going straight to the cross falling to my knees "My Lady, do you wish for me to stay?" Lady Seymour asked nervously from behind me. I took a deep breath shacking my head.
"No, Lady Seymour, stay" I said looking at the statue of a cross, I did not want to be alone, even in the Chapel.
"As you wish" she said obediently falling to her knees behind me to pray silently as well.
I closed my eyes clasping at the rosary in my hands, I knew if anyone caught me with it Thomas would be very upset and most likely take it away, but right now I did not care.
Please God I prayed silently, is this my punishment for giving into my desires and sleeping with Henry? For having another child by him? I will admit I do not regret it, for I have Cordelia now and I love her so much. Please help me God, for I fear without your guidance and love I shall not know what to do.
"Katherine" a voice said gently from behind me, I jumped up when a pair of hands laid on my shoulders. "I am sorry" Thomas said pulling away my breathing came fast and terror "are you all right?" he asked nervously.
"I-I am fine" I stuttered and Thomas's eyes shadowed with sadness.
"Katherine, no, you are not" he said taking a step forward.
"Yes, Thomas I am" I said looking down not meeting his eyes "is it time to leave?" I said quickly changing the conversation.
"Yes, it is" he said with a sigh, I nodded and taking his hand as he led me out to the carriage "the children will be riding with you along with Lady Howard except for Cordelia she will ride with the King and I.
"Why?" I said scared looking up into his crystal blue eyes.
"He wishes to spend more time with her, never fear Katherine".
"All right" I said with a nod of my head.
"Katherine, we really should talk when we get to the Palace" I took a deep breath and looked down nodding my head. He placed a hand on my stomach kissing my lightly on the forehead he pulled away caressing my cheek lightly before helping me in the carriage.
"Mama you riding with us?" Mary asked as I sat down next to Lady Howard.
"Yes I shall" I said with a smile looking at the seat across from me it was George, Tom, Isabella and Mary while Lady Bryan, Lady Howard and I sat on the opposite side.
"Mama" Isabella said happily jumping from her seat to my lap.
"Oh" I said with a laugh and she hugged me tightly.
"Mama where going?" she asked confused.
"To Court my dear" I said with light smile .
She nodded snuggling into my lap happily "I hate carriage rides" Mary suddenly burst out after a few moments.
"Your Highness" Lady Bryan said shocked at her young charge.
"Mary" I said sternly and she looked down, "Lady Howard, sit near the Princess and entertain her please" I said and she nodded taking Isabella's old seat.
"Your Grace" Lady Bryan said bowing her head.
"Lady Bryan" I said with a small smile "how is Mary's health?" I whispered to her settling Isabella on the other side of me.
"She has gotten better, but her health is still sometimes fragile" I nodded sadly watching Mary laugh at something Lady Howard said.
"Oh Madam" Lady Howard said jumping.
"Yes Lady Howard?" I asked turning my gaze to her.
"There was a letter for you" my head turned just the slightest as I took the letter into my hands.
Dearest Catalina,
I have not heard from you in a while I am sorry I have not written you in a long time. So much has happened since I arrived in Spain, my husband William Willoughby has passed away leaving my a widow and my daughter fatherless. I am in your sister Queen Juana's services now, Catalina I have been to the Archbishop's Palace in Alcalá de Henares where you were born. It has barely changed since we were little.
I have been to other Palace's and found things that we used to hid for when we were older. I have sent you a piece of cloth that you made when you were younger, I have also seen your mothers tomb and been to the river we used to play by. So many memories I have found of us when we were young, I have even met with some of the other ladies that used to attend onto you, they all miss you so greatly.
I pray that one day you will be able to visit Spain again, it is like finding who you are all over again, I have seen members of my family that I have even forgot about my brothers and sister. I though coming back to Spain might have been a bad idea, I do regret it for I lost my husband, but Catalina I am so happy now and so is my daughter who we now all call Catalina as well.
Sincerely with love,
Maria De Salinas
I picked the cloth up looking down at it in shock, it was faded green with gold embroidery I remembered vaguely making this I was 6. My mother was trying to teach me how to embroider better.
"I can not do it" I sighed in defeat throwing the bright green cloth to the ground in frustration.
"Catalina must you always be loud" Maria said in annoyance as she looked up at me.
"Leave her alone Maria, she is young" Isabella said to Maria giving me a small smile.
"Catalina tis easy, come" mama said and I picked the cloth off the ground scurrying over to her quickly and she helped me into her lap taking my tiny hand into hers. She helped me weave a beautiful design into the plain cloth that was not beautiful.
"You see Catalina you can do it" Juana said with a bright smile.
I looked up into mama's eyes as she smiled down at me "thank you mama" I said turning to hug her. It was one of the few moments I get with my mother.
"Your are very welcome my baby" she said kissing my head.
"Mama?" I snapped out of the memory looking from the cloth to Isabella.
"Yes" I asked my voice barely above a whisper.
"Crying" she said and I touched my cheek to feel the tears running down my cheeks.
"Oh" I said noticing how the carriage was quiet, everyone was watching me.
"You see this" I said showing the cloth to her and the other children "I made this when I was 6 my mother helped me make it, all my sisters were there" I said and they all looked in wonder. "I miss then, that is all" I said bringing the cloth close to me.
"Lady Isabella, would you like to join our game?" Lady Howard asked and Isabella nodded going to her lap. I thanked her silently looking back down to the cloth then out the window.
I missed Spain so much, but mostly I missed my mother, and my sisters I had forgotten so many things. But now it all seemed to be coming back, something as simple as a cloth brought back memories locked away.