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 27, 1518
We made it to the Palace early the next morning, my eyes opened slowly looking out the window to see the Palace growing larger in the distance. Isabella and Mary were cuddled in my lap while George and Tom leaned against me sleeping. I did not move, I did not want to wake them.
I just watched, they seemed so peaceful and innocent.
My mind shifted to the child that I held so dearly in my stomach "My Lady" I heard and turned to see Lady Howard sitting up yawning slightly.
"Yes" I said softly.
"The carriage has stopped" I sucked in air and nodded.
Lady Bryan woke the children and with the help of other ladies took them to their chambers "Katherine" Thomas said walking over, he had Cordelia tucked safely in his arms and she giggled bouncing in anticipation when she saw me. He helped me out of the carriage and placed Cordelia in my arms I smiled lovingly down at her.
"Have you missed me?" I asked her kissing her head fondly she giggled holding tight to the bodice of my gown as Thomas led me into the Palace.
"Our rooms are ready, there is to be a banquet tonight" I nodded moving quickly as we made it into the Palace. Thankfully we made it to our rooms without seeing anyone, I placed Cordelia on the ground grabbing her tiny hands as I helped her walk across the room.
"Very good" I said with a smile "soon you shall be running around" I said picking her up.
"Madam" a women said bowing.
"Yes Lady…." I asked confused at who she was and why she was here.
"Lady Katherine Ashley, milady" I nodded picking Cordelia up and she looked from me to Lady Ashley.
"Lady Ashley, may I ask what you want" I said pushing some of Cordelia's golden red curls from her face.
"The King has appointed me Lady Cordelia Tudor's governance" she said with a bow.
I looked at her for a moment she was young with blonde hair and blue eyes.
"Has he now" I said eyeing her cautiously I did not know who this women was and I just did not want to hand my daughter, my precious Cordelia over to her.
"Katherine, Lady Ashley was appointed her governance, now please hand her the child so she may get to know her charge". I pressed my lips together looking at Thomas from across the room.
"Very well" I said taking a few steps over to Lady Ashley "my sweet, I shall see you soon" I said kissing her head then handing her over to Lady Ashley. "Take good care of her" I said protectively.
"Your Grace, no one is allowed to see the child without His Majesties permission and yours" I nodded as she bowed leaving the room.
"Mon Cher, there is a banquet tonight we are invited" I shook my head quickly.
"I do not wish to go, we rode most of today I do not wish to distress the child more" he could not argue with that, I was just protecting my child.
"Fine" he said his voice firm but holding a ting of nervousness to it "but you cannot hide from Court forever, the King will not allow it" I nodded knowing he was right.
"Go Thomas, I shall stay here with Lady Howard" he nodded as I sat down in a comfortable chair in front of the fire. He walked over to me kissing the top of my head, his lips lingering for a moment before pulling away.
"I shall see you later tonight then" he said as he left the room.
Charles Brandon
I did not know where we were and I was not about to ask for directions, I really had no clue where we were going.
I had, with the dwindling sum of money rented a room for me and Sir Thomas only for this one night.
"I should not have let you touch her" Sir Thomas muttered from a chair in the corner of the room.
I wanted to laugh at him, ever since we escaped from Bodiam all he could do was ask for God's forgiveness. I on the other hand did not need that, the sweet Spanish infanta's body was something I relished in my memory. And I knew from the time I finished taking her that I wanted more, I needed more, and I would have more.
"I should not have let you touch her, she is pregnant for God's sake" I had just about enough of Sir Thomas More.
"Pull yourself together, she was going to have me killed and like you said was a heretic, and I believe it was you who said heretics deserved no kindness".
"But has a child within her! An innocent life" he yelled standing up.
"Quiet down" I growled getting up as well "we just have to play this smart, many do not even know what happened, the King would not let it out after all it would damage his beloved Catalina" I sneered.
"She is probably already damaged, what you did was cruel, raping a defenseless women" he said shacking his head looking down.
"I did not see you coming to her rescue, if anything you shoved her into my arms" his head snapped up glaring at me.
"Do not say that" he spat defensively.
"You left her with me, when she pleaded with you not too" he suddenly turned around punching the wall.
"I said calm down" I whispered angrily I ground my teeth my patients wearing thin. "What do you wish to do? Go back to the Tower and die?" I asked him bluntly.
"No" he answered honestly.
"We'll split up, go to some far away country no one hears or talks about" he nodded.
He believes I am leaving, no I want so much more of Her Grace Katherine Boleyn and I will have it.
Katherine Boleyn
"When are we to go to Kensington?" Lady Howard asked curiously.
"The King said before the Queen delivers, but I believe I might be sent when the find Charles Brandon and Sir Thomas More" I said looking down at the little green cloth Maria has sent me.
Silence hung in the air for a few moments "do you miss Spain?" Jane Howard finally asked, I knew the question had been burning in her mind for sometime now.
"All the time" I answered truthfully.
"Then why did you not go back, when the Emperor asked I mean"
"Because my life is here now, everything that means something dear to me is here" I said thinking the question over carefully. "It is not something easy to understand, Jane I miss my home so very much and often long just to see it again, but I have Mary and my other children to think about now".
"But do you ever wish to go back?" she asked turning her head to the side, her blonde curls falling to the side, I smiled softly looking down.
"Yes, I wish to go back, if I could" I said shacking my head "but let us not talk of this anymore, what of you has your family found a marriage suitable for you yet?" I asked pulling my needled threw a shirt I was making for Thomas.
"They did, but things fell threw" she said nervously.
"Who was it?" I asked looking up at her face.
"The Earl of Lincoln" she whispered.
My body quickly stilled, Henry Brandon the Earl of Lincoln was Charles Brandon's prized son I knew exactly why the negotiations for marriage fell threw. Charles Brandon's titled was taken away and his name in disgrace. His son now had to deal with all the wrong his father had done.
I did not say anything for a few moments the silence was eerie "well I am sure they will find a good marriage for you" I said finally turning back to my sewing.
"Thank you" she whispered going back to hers.
We stayed up till at least 8 before I finally decided it was time for bed.
"Lady Howard I wish to retire" I said finally standing up she nodded following me into the bedchamber she quickly untied my dress. I sat in front of my mirror as she brushed my hair out before finally I settled into bed.
"Goodnight My Lady" she said bowing before she finally left the room.
My arms were pinned above me as I felt him on top of me, he moaned loudly his kisses ruff and bruising "please let me go" I cried.
"No" he growled possessively pushing deeper inside me.
I jumped awaking breathing deeply tears streaming down my face.
Suddenly I felt someone's hand touch my shoulder and I jumped back screaming loudly.
"Shh Katherine, it is just me" Thomas said and I relaxed as he pulled me close.
"What time is it?" I asked tearfully.
"It is 11" he said sitting up against the headboard pulling the blankets over us.
"How was the banquet?" I asked laying my head against his chest as he laid me against him, his arms wrapped protectively around me.
"Katherine please talk to me" he said after a few moments.
"I am" I said praying he would not try to talk about it.
"Katherine please, this is hurting you, you can barley sleep during the night without a nightmare waking you" he said gently squeezing me.
"I-I don't wish to speak of this" I said my voice cracking.
"It will make everything a little better" he said comfortingly.
"Please Thomas, not now" I cried quietly.
"Promise we shall talk of it tomorrow" he said kissing the top of my head.
"I promise" I said hoping he would forget by then, but I knew he would not.