Chapter 37: A Woman's Place and a Man's defiance
The cold stone walls flickered in the distant torch light, as soft leather boots echoed down the dark empty halls. George Boleyn paced silently as the distant screams rumbled through the endless halls. For two full days Jane had laboured to bring their child into this world, for two full day sleep had eluded him. Slowly George paced his thoughts a bitter memory, in his mind's eye he saw his logic, the conception of his child would keep Jane safe. Constantly he had told himself the child was for the preservation of her reputation, the preservation of his family. In truth he knew it was in preservation of his marriage and his own jealous possessive nature.
Yes, the King, His future brother in law had sort his wife and unlike reaching grasping men he had refused to share what was his alone. He had told himself it was for her benefit, removing Jane from the Kings eye and fathering their first child would keep the King's lust at bay. But sitting in the dark, empty room with Jane's screams echoing throughout his soul he could not deny the truth. He loved her. Her blonde hair the colour of honey shimmering as it fell beyond her waist, her skin so smooth and soft it felt like silk beneath his fingertips. The idea of sharing her with anyone boiled his blood and hardened his heart.
But in this dark and endless hell he thought of her smile, her laugh and her tender heart. He wondered how and when she had begun to capture him. Was it the moment he saw her at her weakest, the moment she had felt utter defeat and loss. He pondered that perhaps saving her, promising not to abandon and keeping to his solemn vow to marry the innocent young blonde had invoked his protective nature. But in truth seeing her weak had never appealed to him. It was her strength that he loved, her heart. In that moment he realised it was everything, not one single moment but them all combined. Her kindness and humour, her passion and power. The everyday simple things that made her special. Time itself had aided in his love and now it seemed that time was slipping though his fingertips.
Quickly he turned, his shoes pounding on the cold hard stone. Protocol be damned, His wife was in need, in pain and in desperate need of his strength. Swiftly he pushed at the solid oak door that beheld his bedchamber and stepped into the dark, sweltering sitting room. Jane screams were audible now, her pain vibrating through his very being. Swiftly he walked towards the curtain and pushed the silken fabric aside. Startled the Midwife looked up from her position and hastily began to order him out "This is no place for a man Lord Boleyn, I am attempting to focus on your wife and unborn babe, remove yourself and I will send someone to report when progress has been made".
Silently George shook his head and proceeded to enter the bedroom. His eyes fixed solely on Jane's tired face. Her hair a mattered mess the braid long since fallen from place. Her soft milky skin damp and blotchy as she struggled to bring their child into the world. "Lord Boleyn this is woman's business you have no right to enter this room" the midwife's voiced screeched in the crowded room "My Lady unless you plan to drag me from my wife's side I would silence your tongue. I participated in the creation of this child and I will aid in its birth, not even God himself could remove me from this room so I shall be damned if you should possess that power" Slowly George approached his sister in law "Elizabeth tell me what I can do to aid her" His eyes pleading "Please I cannot stand idly by and do nothing"
"Sit behind her and allow her to use your strength to brace herself, hold her hand and give her strength, she is weak George and I fear the worst" Slowly Elizabeth removed herself from the bed and placed her sisters tired form into George's care. Instantly George could feel the heat radiating from her weakened form "George" Janes voice was weak, her strength sapped from her struggle and ordeal. "I am here Jane, I will not leave you, have use of my strength for I am here and will not leave your side, I am with you my love" Slowly Jane smiled. His presence comforting her "We can do this together Jane, Time stands still for no man and our time is now, have courage and fight to stay with me" Silently Jane nodded wet tears trickling down her face as she braced against his hard and firm body. "I see the head my lady, you are almost there, push my lady push". Quickly Jane bared down, the end to her plight in sight, with all her strength squeezed his hands and pushed and suddenly she felt something fall between her legs and a startled cry escaped the room.
"It is a boy my lady a healthy boy" Softly the midwife nursed the infant child as he continued to wail into the night. "A healthy child my love, a boy to carry on his father's name, thank you Jane" Gently he squeezed her, a tender hug as he braced her from behind. "My lord we need to attend to your lady wife and change the sheets". Shocked George stared "Why must she be rushed, can she not rest". "My Lord she needs to be clean to ensure she is free from infection; we would not want her to stay in a dirty bed". In one swift motion George gently placed Jane in his arms. "Prepare a hot bath for my wife at once so that she may be soothed and rest". Silently the midwife stared before her screeching voice once more echoed though the room "We can attend our lady my Lord". Slowly George laughed "it is nothing I have not seen before Madam I can assure you of that".
Slowly George walked to the outer chamber Janes resting form tucked gently in his arms. The fire heating the water to a soothing temperature. Silently several ladies brought the bating tub towards the couple and began to fill it with sooth warm water. Slowly George removed her night dress, the perspiration clinging to her skin. "Elizabeth would you fetch me the soap from the dresser" Silently George lowered his wife into the awaiting tub as Elizabeth returned. "Thank you, I can take it from her Eliza" Giving his sister in law a gentle smile.
Slowly he lathered his hand with soap and gently rubbed Janes body down. Ensuring the warm water began to bubble "When my sister Anne was in France she attended Queen Claude and she always insists soap is what kept the Queen free from infection, Superstition some might say but she has born many healthy children and gone on to have many more" Tiredly Jane smiled "Thank you, but how is our son". Softly George laughed "he is well the midwives are attending to our boy. Rest easy Jane and try to regain your strength".
Silently Elizabeth walked towards the smiling couple "Your bed is ready sister". Softly Jane nodded and smiled a tender smile "I will rest now husband, with your aid might I return to our bed". Quietly George laughed "of course wife, but perhaps we should dry you first". Slowly Jane was assisted from the tub and made ready for bed, her body weak and frail from her extended pain. Once in bed with her pillows sitting her into a comfortable position and the midwife pressing upon her the use of poppy syrup their swaddled and crying infant was brought before them.
Gently the midwife placed the boy into his arms as George silently looked at the red scrunched up face of his son. "Would you like to meet our son Jane?" whispered George. Silently Jane held out her arms as the solid weight of her son was placed into her arms. "He is perfect, look what we have done George, what we have created" Tenderly George smiled as he gently placed his hand in his son's small fist "What shall we call him?" "You wish me to name him?" Jane stared in shock, she had thought her son's name would be her husband's choice "I do know my father will wish him to be Thomas, but I feel our son deserves his own name and since you struggled so bravely to bring him into this world I believe you have earned this honour my love".
"George, I think we should name him George, for his father and my husband the most honourable man I know" Slowly George smiled his mind void of all words at this tender honour. "George is perfect, as are you Jane as are you".