Mary Boleyn looked down from the balcony at the dancers below with the keen gaze of a seasoned courtier. Her sharp eyes did not miss a step her daughter took, nor the looks the gentlemen threw her. Catherine Carey was growing to be a beauty, matching any Boleyn girl. Her pretty hazel eyes glinted as a coy smile turned her lips up, causing her dancing partner to grin wildly back. Mary tapped her foot lightly, swearing to speak with her daughter again about modesty and virtue. She would be damned if this snake pit of a court claimed her daughter's innocence.
"She'll go far." A voice broke her concentration and she looked over her shoulder, watching as her father approached. Thomas Boleyn took a place beside her and their attention returned to the youngest Boleyn girl. "Catherine's a mirror of her aunt. And see how far Anne rose."
Fear swam through Mary's blood and when she responded, her words were like ice. "And how far she fell. I will not let the same happen to my daughter."
But her father just chuckled at her malice. "You're a fool to count Anne out of the game so early. She still holds the king." He nodded towards the throne, where indeed, Henry eyes did not leave her sister's dancing form. "Her work is far from over."
"Does she know that?" Mary snapped, infuriated that their father would stop at nothing in his climb to power. "She all but lost her life last time. I doubt she wants to walk that road again."
Now a grimace wiped the cocky grin from the man's face. "She just needs to see sense. She cares for him still, despite all they've done to each other. And his lust for her is written clear as day on his face. She just needs to put her eyes to the finish line. See all she can achieve. I am already working to eliminate all...distractions. She will see the right path when all other options are closed to her." His catlike grin returned as he watched Anne twirl on the dance floor below them.
Mary felt a chill run down her spine at his words and turned to face him truly. "Is there no end to your scheming?" she asked, disgusted. "Will you throw your daughter to the wolves again? What do you hope to gain?"
His eyes narrowed at her and they were filled with disdain. "What would you understand? A used whore who threw away everything her family worked for in order to live in folly with that foot soldier you call a husband." Mary's nails dug into her palms as she clenched her fists in anger. "I do it for her," he nodded towards the dancing Catherine. "And for your Henry since you will do nothing for them. And for Elizabeth and for George's children, whenever he gets around to his duty. I do it for the Boleyn name. For our legacy."
"Don't you use my children as an excuse!" Mary gave a whispered hiss. "They do not matter to you! Just like your own children do not. We are all just pawns in your play for power. Well you cannot play me and I'll be damned if you try with my children! Trying to manipulate the king is playing with fire. Be glad we were not consumed before. Have a care for your head!" She turned to leave, not wanting to spend a second more in his presence, but his fingers wrapped around her arm, jerking her back harshly.
"You will see," he snarled in her ear. "When Anne is back in the king's bed and on the throne again I will have you sent from court. You are only back now because of her good graces, but how easily I can turn her mind again. I will not have you sullying this chance with false promises for her." His nails dug into her arm and she winced. "I'll take your children from you, I will not have my grandchildren raised by such a worthless whore. Who knows...perhaps once Anne falls with child your pretty Catherine can keep the king occupied..."
Mary blanched and stared at her father in horror. Who was this monster that had overcome the loving papa he had once been. "You wouldn't dare..."
But his cruel smirk told her otherwise.
A/N: So sorry for the long wait!