George winced as a particularly loud screech came from his sister.
When he had found that dog, Seymour, clutching at his sister earlier today, he had been furious. This temporary insanity of the King's could have dire consequences if it lasted long enough for Edward Seymour to push for a wedding. George was certain that this betrothal was just Henry's desperate attempt to somehow exert his power over Anne, to intimidate her into bed with him, but ever since announcing it a few days ago, he had allowed both Seymour brothers to start drawing up terms.
He hadn't wanted to bring it to Anne's attention to cause unnecessary worry, but as he saw Thomas' smug grin with Anne on his arm, he knew it was time. He hadn't expected the blood to completely drain from her face or for her to practically faint in his arms though. He had cursed his pathetic timing as he had rushed her to his own rooms-as they were much closer than hers. He had snapped at his groom to fetch Mary and had slammed the door, giving Anne some privacy to react.
By the time their sweet sister had arrived, Anne had run out of things to smash to the ground in anger. Mary had stood shocked, watching George try to contain their sister's fury.
Now he sat by the hearth exhausted, listening to Anne alternate between yelling in anger and crying out in hopelessness while Mary's soothing voice tried to calm her. George rubbed his temples, trying to chase away the growing headache.
"It will NEVER happen" Anne declared for only the fifth time in the last hour.
"Of course it won't," Mary tried to calm her. "Henry won't force you, Anne."
George snorted. "Yes he would." his words were met by a fierce glare from Anne and exasperated pleading from Mary. "That's the whole point of this, isn't it? He's trying to show that Anne is within his power to do whatever he wants-regardless to how she feels. He picked the most vile husband he could. Hand selected the one that Anne would protest the most. He did that for a reason. He's expecting her to fight him on this. He WANTS her to. Wants to be able to exert his power over her." Anne looked ready to spit fire. "You angered him while Hal was here, Anne. You showed the whole court that Henry is not the only man who has held your heart."
"Then what do you suggest I do?" she ground out. "I will NOT marry that man!"
George rolled his eyes at her insistence. "I won't let it happen, Anne. Trust me-I don't think Henry even wants it to happen. He just wants to prove a point"
A knock on the door interrupted him and he gestured for Mary to answer it while he moved towards Anne and placed his hands on her shoulders, willing her to calm herself in front of company.
"Your my sister, Anne. I've already allowed far to much to happen to you without my protection." She visibly reacted to his words, her eyes filling with tears. "I will not allow this. I'll be damned before I allow one of those Seymours to call themselves my brother."
She took a deep breath before looking up at him helplessly. "But what do I do?"
Before George could answer, a voice cut in behind him.
"Perhaps I could assist you with that."