Edward sat in the great hall, watching the courtiers mingle. Across the hall, his brother was gambling heavily with a few of the kings grooms. Edward's eyes narrowed as he watched Thomas empty another goblet of wine, laughing boisterously. If his count was correct, that was the sixth glass his brother had partaken in. He waved over the serving boy.
"No more wine for Master Seymour" he whispered gruffly, tilting his head towards the gambling table. The boy nodded tightly and made his way over to his serving companions, spreading news of the command to the other boys.
He refocused on the reports in front of him. Apparently there was some issue going on in the north. Henry Percy had placed his wife on house arrest for some reason. His fingers tightened around the paper, crumpling it. He remembered the drama that had occurred during the mans visit to court a few months ago. The infuriating theatrics had brought the king's attention right back to his whore and away from Jane. If this issue turned out to be anything serious, it could be a problem. He would make sure that his then married brother would make sure his new wife was far from court should Percy return. He tabled it in his mind, determined to keep tabs on it.
Suddenly a crash came from the table across the room. He jumped at the loud noise and stood quickly, seeing his brother sprawled on the ground, a fuming George Boleyn standing above him. He made his way over hastily.
"If you ever touch her again, I will gut you." Boleyn was seething as Edward approached.
"You forget yourself, Lord Rochford." Edward said coldly, holding out a hand to help Thomas to his feet. But George just sneered at him.
"Oh?" he spoke mockingly. "Why don't you report me to the king? Looks like he wants to see you anyway..." He gestured over Edward's shoulder and he turned to see two armed guards in the king's livery walking towards them.
"Lord Seymour?" One declared loudly approaching Thomas. "If you will follow us, please? The king requests your presence."
Edward stared in wonder at his brother.
"What the hell have you done?"
...
He did not think that this could be worse. Thomas had been banished from court until further notice. Edward himself was to escort his brother back to their home and wasn't to return until the Spanish ambassador's arrival next week. The betrothal to the Marquess had obviously been broken as well. Edward was furious that his idiot brother had ruined everything with his temper.
"Didn't I tell you to control yourself until everything was official?" He growled at his brother in the carriage headed to Wolf Hall. "But of course you couldn't. You have ruined this opportunity for the family. Now Anne will be married off to someone who will no doubt sway the king against Jane. You are a fool!" Even in his rage, he kept his temper under control, speaking in hushed tones.
"You're making this into a bigger deal than it really is. The king is just mad 'cause that slut came crawling to him claiming I beat her. I hardly touched her!"
"I saw her arms, you idiot." Edward's wife spoke up. She was equally furious at being sent from court. "There were bruises all over them."
Thomas opened his mouth to give her a scathing retort, but Edward held up a hand. "We will all go without complaint. Thomas, you will write to the Marquess and apology. Hopefully I can convince Jane to speak to the king and see if we can get your banishment revoked-"
His wife's harsh laughter interrupted him. "Good luck with that" she sneered. "She's just as angry, if not more so, than the Marquess. They've gotten quite close, you know..." Edward took his wife's hand in a tight grip, silencing her.
"Jane knows where her true loyalties lie." He said much more confidently than he felt.
A/N: Thanks everyone for your patience. I was out of town for most of the holidays, doing a lot of traveling and visiting with my family, but I'm back now! Enjoy and review!