Disclaimer: The King, Higgins and the children belong to me, everything else is history.
After all the planning, it was time for Mary to leave for Spain. The court had moved down to Portsmouth, where the fleet was waiting to leave. The day had arrived and Mary prepared to say goodbye.
We had all gathered in Anne's rooms; Mary was dressed in her travelling cloak. I know Anne had been talking with her in the weeks leading up today so that Mary wouldn't be too upset to leave. Mary was sitting in a chair holding little Isabella with John next to her.
"Will you look after your little sister John while I'm away?" Mary asked.
John nodded and asked. "Are you coming back?"
"Not for a while and by then you will be a big boy." Mary replied.
John pondered this but didn't reply as it was time to go. Mary gave Isabella one last kiss on the head and handed her back to her wet-nurse. She got up and walked over to where Anne and I were standing.
"Are you alright?" Anne asked.
"Yes! John has promised to write to me when he is older and can write but I will still miss him." Mary replied.
"That was very good of him and I know how you feel." Anne said.
"I fear the time has drawn near." I said.
"Then I must return to my rooms and prepare." Mary replied.
"I will miss your company but I hope you will write to me." Anne said.
"Of course I will." Mary replied.
They hugged each other and then Mary turned to me.
"I will miss you most of all, brother." Mary said.
"And I will miss you as well, sister." I replied.
We hugged, I didn't want to let go but I knew I had to.
Mary took a step back and I saw a tear escape from her eye. She turned to leave and paused at the doorway.
"See you outside." She said.
We both nodded and Mary left. John who had been sitting there burst out crying because Mary had left and Anne went to comfort him. Soon we left and went down to the docks where Mary's fleet was waiting. Mary soon arrived; she had a hood of fine blue velvet with a cloak of the same material.
She stopped in front of us and sank into a low curtsy.
"Your Majesties, may I have permission to leave court to join my husband?" Mary asked.
"You have our permission to leave court. Be a good wife to your new husband as I know you will but always remember your homeland." I replied.
Mary rose from her curtsy and Anne stepped forward.
"Please take this with our love." She said and handed a small parcel to Mary.
Mary took the parcel and opened it. Inside was a diamond necklace on a silver chain and a pair of matching earrings.
"Thank you, I will treasure these." Mary said.
"Your Welcome." Anne replied.
I turned to the gentleman standing to the left of Mary. It was the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Howard.
"Look after my sister my lord, see her safely to her new home and her husband." I said.
"I will your Majesty." Howard replied with a bow.
I turned to face Mary who knelt and asked. "May I have your blessing?"
I nodded; I placed my hand on the top of her hood and said. "Go with God my sister, do your duty as I know you will."
Mary rose and turned towards her ship. She walked up to the gangway; she stopped, turned and took one last look at her home before boarding the ship.
As the fleet left, Mary stood at the front of the ship and didn't look back. From the shore we watched, and I sent a prayer for her safe travel.
Back at the palace word reached me that Lady Carey and the child Elizabeth had arrived. I gave them a room at court and went to see Anne.
Anne was sitting in her parlour with all her Ladies and with a nod from me Anne dismissed her Ladies and went and poured a goblet of wine for each of us.
"Mary's send-off went well." Anne said.
"Yes, she was sad but she knew it was time." I replied.
"I do hope she arrives safely." Anne said.
"I sent a prayer as she left. I have received word the Lady Carey and the child have arrived." I said changing the subject.
"Have you seen them yet?" Anne asked.
"No, I would like you to be there. I do not want it to be a public affair so I was hoping to ask them here so that it will look as if she is a new maid of honour." I replied.
"That sounds like a good idea." Anne said.
"Shall we do it now or wait?" I asked.
"I would say now but it is up to you." Anne replied.
I nodded and sent word for the Lady Cary and the child. We waited and ten minutes later they arrived.
The Lady Carey was the same as I remember her; she was a tall Lady with light brown hair and slim build. The child beside her was small and slim with dark brown hair. They both sunk into low curtsies.
"Welcome Lady Carey." I said.
"Thank you your Majesty for answering my letter." Lady Carey replied.
"This must be Elizabeth?" I asked.
"Yes your Majesties this is Elizabeth Boleyn." Lady Carey replied and Elizabeth took a step forwards and gave another curtsy.
"How old are you child?" I asked.
"I am almost nine years old your Majesty." She replied.
"What do you know of your family?" I asked.
"My mother was Anne and my father was called Henry, he was King when I was born but he has died and you are King. My mother looked after me but she died and my aunt took care of me." She replied.
"Thank you child." I said.
She curtsied and took a step back. I looked at Anne and then turned to Lady Carey.
"Lady Carey, do your family know you have brought the child here?" I asked.
"Yes your Majesty but they do not approve of the action I have taken." Lady Carey replied.
"I see. Does she have a governess?" I asked.
"She shared my daughter's governess but I could not afford a second one." Lady Carey replied.
I thought for a moment and then turned to Anne and asked. "Would you be able to take the child for a while as I would like to speak to Lady Carey?"
Anne nodded and rose from her chair. Elizabeth took a step back and almost hid behind Lady Carey's skirts. Lady Carey knelt down and looked at Elizabeth; she didn't say anything but I think Elizabeth knew that she had to go. Anne who had been standing there patiently held out her hand and Elizabeth took it and they went to the other side of the room. I turned back to Lady Carey.
"What do you know about your sister and my father's connection?" I asked.
"My sister and I were Ladies in Waiting to you mother, I was married at the time but the King had taken an interest in me, I became his mistress and I had two children by him. While I was with child with my boy the King was looking at my sister, my sister Anne was a head strong person and would always try to get her own way but she couldn't with the King.
After I gave birth to my son, the King lost interest in me and tried to have my sister for his mistress but she was stubborn and refused. He sent gifts which she sent back, she came to me one night after everyone had gone to sleep. My husband was away so I was alone, she told me she was in love with the king but didn't want to become his mistress." She replied.
"What did you tell her?" I asked.
"I said that she should think about what prospects she would get by becoming his mistress and the downfall. Unlike me she was unmarried and had no backup or protection." Lady Carey replied.
"I see. When did you know she was with child?" I asked.
"She came to me two months later, she was upset. When I asked what was wrong she replied that she was with child. I asked who the father was she said it was the Kings." Lady Carey replied.
"Did my father ever say anything to you or your family?" I asked.
"No, as far as I was aware, the King knew about the child but they wanted to keep it quiet." Lady Carey replied.
"Do you believe she is the King's child?" I asked.
"As your Majesty is aware I have two children by your father so I have no doubt she is your father's child." Lady Carey replied.
"Thank you Lady Carey." I said.
I called Anne and the child back and then gave them leave to go with a promise that I would give them an answer soon. Later I was sitting in the Great Hall, still thinking about the child, Anne had given me her opinion but I was still undecided.
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