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Disclaimer: The King, Higgins and the children belong to me, everything else is history.

Chapter XXII

For a month I waited for news that Anne had gone into labour. The baby was late and I was getting worried that something had gone terribly wrong. I had no news save a few letter from Anne to say that everything was going well and that she missed my company.

Then the news came. "The Queen is in labour!" I was relieved but happiness turned into hope that she would come through safely. I knew that there were many dangers with childbirth, as my Grandmother, Elizabeth of York, died of childbed fever when my father was only 11 years old.

For a day and a night I waited for news but none had come. I was frantic. As I awoke on the second day there was still no news. I sent a silent prayer for Anne and the safe delivery of our child. I washed and dressed, then set about the meetings I had today. After morning Mass where Archbishop Fisher sent a prayer for Queen Anne and for her child, I sent a message to the birthing chamber for news and it came back with 'still in labour'.

With Anne still in labour I called a meeting of the council to prepare for Princess Mary's departure to Spain. With everything that had gone on with the children I had forgotten about Mary. Everything was planned and she was due to sail in two weeks, I had arranged for a fleet of 25 ships to accompany Mary on her voyage that would carry both her and her dowry.

I sorted out some other issues that the council brought me and then called Sir Thomas More for a private talk.

"How may I help you sire?" Sir Thomas asked bowing.

"With Princess Mary's marriage dealt with I feel we must look towards Prince Edward to find a suitable wife for him. He is still young but I feel that it is time to start looking." I said.

"I shall start enquiries, is there anywhere you would like me to start?" he asked.

"I would say France or Scotland as I know of three French Princesses that are young and unwed but also the king of Scotland has an unmarried daughter." I said.

"I believe there is a pre-contract between the Scottish Princess and the Dauphin of France." Sir Thomas replied.

"I know of the pre-contract but like Anne's it can be rearranged." I said.

"Yes sire." He replied.

"Thank you Sir Thomas." I said and gave him leave to go.

More of the day went and still no word. It felt like when Edward was born. My father was worried and I am starting to think that history is going to repeat itself. I was in my chamber when a messenger arrived.

"The Queen has given birth!"

"Thank the Lord, is she alright? Is the baby healthy? Is it a boy or girl?" I asked in a state of relief.

"The Queen has given birth to a healthy baby girl." The messenger replied.

I was hoping for a boy but I was glad that she was alright. I sent the messenger back with a message asking when I can visit. It wasn't long before I was heading to Anne's chamber.

I knocked and was given admittance; Anne was sitting on her bed with a little bundle in her arms. I went over, bent over and kissed her on the head. She smiled and I sat on the chair that had been placed for me.

"How are you?" I asked.

"I am fine." Anne replied.

"And this must be my daughter." I said looking at the little face in Anne's arms.

"Do you want to hold her?" Anne asked.

I nodded and Anne lent forwards and placed the little bundle in my arms. The face looked at me with curious eyes as if to say "who are you?" but as soon as I smiled her face lit up, I brought her up and kissed her on the forehead.

"She is beautiful, what shall we call her?" I asked.

"Well you did say that if we had another girl we would name her Isabella after my mother." Anne replied.

"I remember and I agree we will call her Isabella." I said.

Anne smiled and I placed her back in Anne's arms. I left the chamber with a promise that I would come back later; I headed back to my chambers and sent heralds to proclaim the news to the people. Two days later she was christened Princess Isabella Anna Marie.

Anne stayed another month in the birthing chamber before being churched, I missed her company and there was a matter that I wanted Anne's advice on. Sir Thomas had come to me with a letter; it was from a Lady Mary Carey.

"To your most graceful Majesty,

I write to you on behalf of my niece. Her mother Anne Boleyn was at court and your father, the late King paid court to her and she had a child by him. The King knew about the child and gave a small sum for the Childs upbringing.

My sister raised the child but succumbed to the sweating sickness a year ago and left the child in my care. She left instructions that when the child was 7 years old that she was given to her father for a proper upbringing as she could not give the child the upbringing she deserved even with the money the King left.

Your late fathers early and tragic death left me with a dilemma as to whether to still send the child. I am a widow myself as my husband succumbed to the sweating sickness as well, I have two children to care for and have only a small pension that is stretched with caring for my sister's child and so cannot look after my sister's child as well.

So I write to your Majesty to ask if you would take my sister's child into your household. Her name is Elizabeth Boleyn, I have given her good manners and she has had a basic upbringing. My parents have advised me to send her to a nunnery but that would be going against my sister's wishes and my better judgement.

I implore on your majesty as I feel that sending her to a nunnery would not be the best place for her.

I am your humble servant.

Mary Carey.

Written this day the 15th of May 1540."

I reread the letter and went to see Anne who was sitting with her Ladies sewing, as I entered her Ladies curtsied and I acknowledged them.

"Anne may I have a private word with you?" I asked.

"Of course." Anne replied and gave a signal for her ladies to leave.

Once the room was cleared I gave Anne the letter and asked her to read it.

"Did your father acknowledge the child as his own?" Anne asked.

"I know he had children by other women and did acknowledge some of them as his own but I don't remember this child. Sir Thomas told me that my father also had children by this Lady Carey but they were acknowledged as her husband's children. As to this child I don't know." I replied.

"If you father hadn't acknowledge the child then he wouldn't have given her money to look after the child." Anne said.

"True, but I still have trouble remembering the Lady." I replied.

"If I remember correctly your mother died the year after the child was born so your father would have spent most of his time trying to cure you mother. If this child is his then he wouldn't have had a lot of time to acknowledge the child." Anne said.

"What do you suggest I do?" asked.

"Ask the Lady to bring the child to court and we will decide when we see the child." Anne replied.

"As always your wisdom guides me." I said smiling.

I took Anne's advice and sent for Lady Carey and the child, I had many worries but I hoped they would be sorted out when they arrived.

Well I hope you liked it I am still writing so will hope to update soon.

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