Princess Katherine of Aragon (Boleyn)- 47 December 16th 1485
Prince Thomas Boleyn, Duke of Wiltshire-55 March 12th 1477
Isabella Boleyn- 15 September 7th 1517
Thomas Boleyn, Duke of Pembroke- 15 September 7th 1517
Cordelia Tudor-14 year May 2nd 1518
William Boleyn, Duke of Buckingham- 13 June 13th 1519
Anthony Boleyn, Duke of Suffolk- 13 June 13th 1519
Rose Boleyn- 12 March 2 1520
Catalina Boleyn- 11 August 29th 1520
George Boleyn, Duke of Rochford- 19 April 17th 1513
Jane Boleyn- 2 March 28th 1530
Princess Mary Tudor-16 February 18th 1516
Princess Cecily Tudor- 10 July 25th 1521
Princess Elizabeth Tudor- 15 September 7th 1517
Princess Margaret Tudor- 8 years August 14th 1523
Prince Edward Tudor of Wales- 13 February 14th 1519
Prince James Tudor of York- 10 years October 1st 1522
King Henry VIII-40 June 28th 1491
Queen Kathryn Parr- 39 August 30th 1492
Lady Ursula Middleton- 37 February 2 1495
Lady Amy Hobbs- 12 November 15th 1518
Lady Amelia Sutton, 10, May 18th 1523
Lady Mary Howard, 12, April 24th 1519
Gregory Cromwell Earl of Oxford- 16 October 19th 1514
Prince Henry of France- 19 July 10th 1513
Prince Phillip of Spain- 20 May 2 1512
Princess Joan of Austria- 12 June 24 1519
Charles de Bourn, Duke of Beaucourt- 12 July 21 1520
William Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire- 17 January 9th 1514
Henry Stanley, soon-to-be Earl of Derby- 16 September 1st 1516
September 16th 1532
I did not talk with Thomas at all during the day, we kept separate and I searched the castle for my mothers rosary, which I never found. "You are not going to find it" I heard him say from behind me, I jumped and turned to face him anger rippling through me.
"I shall!" I snapped and pushed him out of my way.
"If I find you are going through my belongings you will be punished" I turned around and was about to snap at him when he stopped me, "yesterday night I remember telling you to go to services this morning, but I cannot say you were there. Did you wake up late?" He knew very well why I was not there.
"Yes husband" he grabbed my wrist tightly and pulled me into his chest.
"Then you must be glad to know they have afternoon services" before I could reply he kissed me wrapping his arm around my waist. "No arguing, now go" I crossed my arms refusing to move, he was walking down the hallway and looked back to me, he grumbled walking back and grabbed my wrist tugging me along.
"I do not want too!" I whimpered as he dragged me along to the church where faithful Protestants where filing in.
"Stop acting like a child, now when we enter you will behave and be respectful" I knew better then to act up in the church, Henry would not be that lenient. I sat in my seat as Thomas held my hand tightly. I listened to this heretic preach with my lips pursed "good girl" he whispered as the service ended.
"I want my mothers rosary! I planned to give it to Catalina!" I cried softly.
"No" he walked away and I was left in tears, Thomas has never done this before, he always gave in and gave it back.
"My Lady" I turned away from the maid and went back to his office, but he was not there. I searched through the drawers pushing documents aside and switched drawers.
"KATHERINE!" He snarled loudly, I jumped hitting my head on the desk, I fell back and whimpered holding the back of my head. He came forward quickly and pulled my hand back before lifting me up from my spot, "you are fine" he looked at my head once more then grabbed my face "what did I say about going through my things!" He was angry and I looked up at him with blue eyes full of tears.
"Thomas" I whimpered and his arms relaxed slightly and released my face, his body with pressed tight to mine and I was against his desk. He kissed me hungrily and I wrapped my arms around his neck, he lifted me up and placed me on his desk his hand throwing my skirts up guiding their way up my thighs and pushing into me.
I twitched my hips towards him with a small gasp, I kept my mind centered and let one of my hands fall to the main drawer searching inside, he always hid everything there. He continued to kiss my neck pulling away for only and minute and twisting his hand so it hurt me, I hissed pushing him away "now what did I say about going through my things?" He demanded and I whimpered softly as he took a step away from the desk, I slinked down and went up to him wrapping my arms around his neck.
"I am sorry Thomas, you know I was never good at following the rules" I kissed his neck and his eyes closed "are you to punish me?" His arms slithered around my waist holding tightly.
"Yes" he dragged me back to our room and slammed the door closed, he undressed me immediately and tied my wrists and ankles to the posts. I whimpered looking up at him as he kissed my throat, then slowly he trailed his kiss down to my breasts, I tugged at my wrists letting out a small whine.
"Thomas" I whimpered as he trailed the kiss down my body, I arched myself up longingly but he only grasped my hips and forcing them down on the bed.
"Sweetheart, do not disobey" he whispered between my legs and I closed my eyes gasping, I twitched my legs wanting to wrap them around his neck and he stopped pulling away and glaring down at me. "What did I say about being naughty?" I did not respond only pushed my body up to him. "You have trouble listening to orders, do you not?" he inquired, he stood up from the bed and closed his jacket, a million thoughts entered my mind in that one instant.
"Thomas what are you doing?" I begged as he cast a glance at me and smirked.
"You did not think I would reward you for not following orders? Rest sweetheart, I shall make sure no one bothers you" he brought the blankets and tucked them around me so no one could see.
"Untie me at least" I whimpered and he kissed me.
"I shall have the maids do it, learn to obey sweetheart" I tried to speak, but he left the room I tugged wildly at my wrists not wanting the maids to find me like this.
"My Lady" the maid whispered coming in I closed my eyes as she quickly untied my ankles first then my wrists.
She handed me a folded chemise and I quickly pulled it over "do not speak of this to anyone" she nodded quickly and helped me back into my dress. Anger boiled in me, how dare he leave me like that! I stormed into his office where he was talking with a messenger. "Hijo de puta! ¿Cómo te atreves a dejarme así!" I snapped slapping him across the face.
You bastard! How dare you leave me like that!
"I shall speak with you later, now if you please I must speak in private with my wife" he told the young messenger.
"Your Grace" the boy said bowing the shut the door behind him.
"You do not strike me in front of others!" He grabbed me by my hair and pulled me forward. "You seem to forget your place in this world woman, you are my wife! You do as I say and that is final!" He snarled I grabbed his hand that was tangled in my hair and dug my nails, he hissed and tightened his hold and shook me. I let out a tiny scream and tears slipped down my cheeks, his hold lessened and slipped down to cradle my face.
"I want my children" I begged before he could say anything.
"I shall have them sent for" he promised and I pulled away, but he quickly pulled me back entrapping me against him.
"I wish to go lay down" I pushed against his chest.
"I shall let you go if you give me a kiss" I pecked his lips and he hugged my waist tighter against him. "You know what I mean" I looked up and kissed him deeply, "you may go" I picked up my skirts and quickly went to our chamber.
September 20th 1532
I was sitting alone in my chamber sewing Thomas's shirts when the door opened and my children came running in "mama!" Catalina was first to hug me and her siblings quickly followed.
"I have missed you all so much!" I stood up and looked at all their faces.
"We have been getting along mama!" William announced and I smiled kissing hid forehead.
"You do not know how happy that makes me" Thomas walked in and their attention turned to him the girls quickly ran over jumping into his arms followed by their brothers.
"Papa!" They cried and he smiled down at them.
"Help the servants unpack your belongings then we may all have supper together and speak more" they obeyed their father and all quickly ran back to their rooms. He slowly walked over to me "are you happy?" he asked and I pulled myself from his arms before he could get a grip, we have not spoke much since that day.
"That the children are back only" I said looked down at the moat below where I knew my last copy of the bible lay beneath the murky bluish green water.
"Stop being so depressed sweetheart" he kissed my shoulder pressing his chest against my back, he has been trying since that day to bed me and I kept denying him.
"I do not wish to" I grabbed his hands and tried pulling them away but he tightened his hold.
"What else do you want Katherine?" He snapped in annoyance turning me to face him.
"I want my bible and my mothers rosary!" He let me go glaring down at me, I looked him in the eye unwavering.
"You will not get them back, your bible is destroyed! I have given you everything else you have ever wanted! And all I ask in return in your bed which you deny to me because you cannot get your way! You are a spoiled brat!" I hit his chest angrily.
"I am not a spoiled brat!" I all but screamed to him.
"When you ask for new dresses I give them to you! You never have to wear a dress more then twice! Jewels, books, anything your heart set its on was yours! When you wanted to renovate Dover I let you! Do you not even realize how much that cost? I have spoiled you! But I swear it stops right now!" I stopped my fight and stared up at him in shock.
"What does that mean?" My voice was losing some of his courage.
"It means that you shall get no new dresses, perfumes, fabrics, jewels, nothing!" I felt weak and looked at him in shock. "You have had a lavish life and there has been more then once where I thought that I could not afford it! That is all done, hopefully now you will grow up and respect others more!" he let me go and I did not know what to do next.
Supper came and ignored Thomas listening only to the children talk about what they did at Dover, but they were all smart and quickly noticed the rift between Thomas and I. "Are you fighting again?" Anthony asked looking to his father and I.
"Your mother and I are in a disagreement, but I am fixing it" I glared at him before standing up.
"I have lost my appetite" Thomas grabbed my wrist with a calm smile.
"Sit down sweetheart, we have not seen the children in a while" I slowly lowered myself back into my seat and he let go of my wrist.
"It is alright papa, we can go speak with mama and Tom, William and Anthony can spend time with you" Isabella said quickly standing up and her sisters quickly followed.
The girls and I went back to the parlor "what are you fighting about?" Cordelia asked curiously and I took a deep breath.
"It is nothing serious you have nothing to worry about" I caressed her cheek, she did not look at ease though.
"You cannot fool us mama, and papa seemed really upset" they were still young, they should not be worrying about what was going on between their father and I.
"Cordelia, please, it is nothing your father and I have not been through before, you are the children you should not be worrying about us" they all nodded knowing they would not get anything out of me.
October 5th 1532
Mary, Princess of France
"Love, there is a new Ambassador of England, he has arrived early" Henry said, I was around 3 months now and there was a small pouch in my stomach. I had written my mother last month and it should be arriving soon, I missed her so very much as my little brothers and sister, even George.
"Who is it?" I asked curiously wondering if it was someone I knew, we were in our private parlor and he smirked.
"Auntie!" I looked on in surprise as Jane ran into the room and threw herself into my arms, tears pricked my eyes as I hugged her tightly.
"George" I said in complete shock.
"Your Highnesses" he handed papers to Henry, "these are my papers assigning me as the Ambassador and I am sorry if I have inconvenienced you by bringing my daughter" I stood up holding Jane on my hip.
"It is of no inconvenience, sweetheart, do not dress the child" George looked at my stomach in surprise, I put my niece down and she clung to my skirts.
"It is good to see you!" I hugged him tightly and he looked down to my tiny stomach.
"And it is good to see you too, I see you are in delicate condition" I smiled and placed my hand on my stomach.
"I am about 3 months along now, I have written mama she should be getting the letter soon, I cannot believe you are here!" I hugged him again and Jane tugged my dress. "And I have missed you too, are you ready to have a little cousin?" I asked and she shook her head with a pout, she was used to being the center of attention.
"She will get used to it, she is so used to it all being about her" George said lifting her up, Henry stood next to me and wrapped his arm around my waist.
"How is everyone?" I asked wanting to know what life was like without me.
"They are all doing fine, mama and papa still fight often but it is just like always, Isabella and Catalina had a big fight and papa sent them all to Dover, I am sure they were called them back to Hever" I laughed, mama and papa always seemed to fight, and Isabella clashed with everyone around her.
"How is my father?" I have not heard much of him or my stepmother and stepsiblings.
"He is fine, he is working on Elizabeth's marriage to the Prince of Spain" I nodded and Henry cleared his throat.
"Lord Rochford, I hate to break you two up, but you must go see my father" George nodded and looked down to Jane.
"If you want you can leave her with me? I would love to spend time with my little niece" she smiled up to me holding tightly to my skirts and letting her body swing.
"Thank you, her governance is unpacking her belongings but if you need anything just call for her" I nodded and sat down pulling Jane into my lap.
"I miss Nana and Pa" she said once George and Henry were gone.
"I miss them too very much, but I am sure you are going to see them in a couple months" she nodded and hugged around my neck kissing my cheek.
Catalina Boleyn
October 15th 1532
Mama and papa were still fighting and I noticed that mama was starting to wear some of the same dresses and asked for nothing new from papa. "Your Grace, you have received a letter from Her Highness the Princess of France" mama snatched it from her quickly and we all leaned in to hear what Mary had to say.
Dearest Family,
I have missed you all so much that I can barely describe it, but you must know that Prince Henry has been exceeding kind to me. All the French Court as been nice to me, but that does not mean I miss Hever Castle any less, though the French gardens are beautiful I miss playing in the Hever gardens with my siblings.
I have good news though, by time this letter reaches you I shall be 3 or 4 months pregnant depending on how fast the wind carries the boat. I am very excited, but I shall not lie to you all, I am a bit fearful as well, this is my first child and I so want it to be a boy for my husband.
I hope with all my heart when you write me back you will not hold anything back from me and will tell me everything that has been happening!
With All My Love
Princess Marie of France
Mama read aloud, her eyes filled with tears as she learned of Mary's pregnancy, no one said anything for a few moments "mama" I finally said and leaned against her, she hugged me close and kissed my forehead tightly.
"I am sorry" she whimpered and I snuggled closer to her.
"You have nothing more then to be sorry for" Isabella said and Rose sat down by her feet along with Cordelia, we all knew it was hard for mama, she wanted to be with Mary especially when she was giving birth to mama's first biologically grandchild.
"Sweethearts, you may go play outside now" William, Anthony and Tom went hunting with papa today and were not due back for another couple of hours.
"But we want to stay with you" Cordelia insisted resting her head on mama's knee, "you are not the only one that misses Mary, we all do, so when we hurt we should be together to remember her" Cordelia was very wise, almost like Mary.
"My smart sweet girl" mama said caressing her cheek.
"Have you and papa stopped fighting yet?" I asked and she jumped a little looking to me.
"I thought I already told you that it does not concern you, it is not your responsibility to take care of your father and I" she had told me, but I think none of us listened, we did not like it when mama and papa fought.
"You did" I whispered, "you have not gotten any new gowns, actually you have not gotten anything new" I said looking her in the eye.
"I do not always need to get new gowns, I am done talking about this, go to the gardens or study" she was ordering us now, she did not like talking to us about her and papa's fight.
Katherine Boleyn, Princess of Spain, Duchess of Wiltshire
When Thomas came home at last it was late "Mary is pregnant, around 3 months I should say" he set his things down on his desk.
"That is good" was all he said, I pulled my courage together.
"I need new chemises, my old ones are worn" I do not order for new chemises often, only when they become worn and I need new ones.
"To bad, fix them" I bit my lip.
"Thomas I need new ones, my old ones are worn" he pulled his breeches down and got ready for bed, he was only in linen shorts as he stepped towards me.
"Have you learned your lesson?" I glared at him in annoyance, his hands gently went down my body and I shoved them away.
"I am not going to lay with you" he grabbed my wrist and pulled me to the parlor and pushed me onto the couch.
"If you do not wish to act like my wife then I will not treat you as one, many nights you have forced me to sleep on the couch, now it is your turn" he threw a blanket on me and slammed the door to the bed chamber.
I curled into a small ball on the couch holding the blankets around me, I knew at times I was not being fair to Thomas, I never really thought of what it cost him to give me everything I wanted. I never knew he thought he was going to go broke just to keep my living in the lifestyle I was accustom to.
But he took my mothers rosary from me! Maybe if I was nice to him he would give it back, yelling and screaming while going through his belongings did not work so I might as well try. And I could not deny that I have longed for him, it was becoming harder and harder to tell him no.
But I was too stubborn to get up and walk into the room, it would hurt my pride too much. I twisted so I was laying on my back everything around me was pitch black and I took deep breaths closing my eyes. No matter how hard I tried though I could not fall asleep, I knew it was late and Thomas would be fast asleep by now so I silently tip toed into our room and crawled into my side of the bed and quickly fell asleep.
October 16th 1532
Thomas Boleyn, Prince of Spain, Duke of Wiltshire
She was as stubborn as a mule, and as slick as a fox. When I woke the next morning and saw her tucked into her side of the bed I wanted to yell at her for disobeying me, but the more I looked upon her sleeping form the less I felt the need to yell at her at all. I leaned over her sleeping form and gently caressed her cheek which roused her from her deep slumber.
"Are you mad at me?" She yawned barely opening her eyes.
"Not as mad as I should be" I sighed she looked so tiny beneath me and I could not help but kiss her, for a moment she kissed me back and I let myself think she has finally given it. But I hoped too soon for she quickly pushed me of her blackening any hopes I had of bedding her, "get out of my sight for the rest of the day" I hissed pushing her from the bed, she quickly jumped out of the bed and went to the dressing chamber. How dare she tease me in such a way! I got out of bed and got dressed going to see if the boys were ready, we were going hawking today.
"Boys! Are you ready?" I asked walking into the room.
"Yes papa, but Tom went off somewhere" Anthony said having trouble with doublet, I beckoned him forward and helped him finish buttoning it up.
"Maid! Tell my wife to find him" I snapped and she curtsied and quickly left to inform Katherine, just thinking of her infuriated me, whether she liked it or not tonight I would get what I deserved!
Thomas Boleyn, Duke of Rochford
Anne Brown worked in the kitchens below, her family I guess has worked for mine since before my father was born. She was pretty with brown hair and blue eyes and was easy to talk to, I have never actually gone all the way with a girl before, but I have touched Anne before and today I planned going as far as I wanted.
We were in the library in the very back hidden in between the bookcases, her brown skirts were around her knees as she sat on a desk and allowed me to kiss her. She had never been with anyone else before either, or at least that is what she told me, I deepened the kiss pulling her closer to him gently untying the laces to her gown and pulling it down.
"THOMAS BOLEYN!" I jumped away from Anne immediately once I heard my mothers voice, Anne's face went white with horror as she quickly tried to make herself presentable.
"Mama…it is not…it is not what it looks like!" I said quickly, the embarrassment of having my mother find me just as I was about to lay with Anne made my face grow hot.
"Go back to the kitchens!" She snarled to Anne who nodded quickly and raced out of the library without once looking back, my chances of sleeping with her now were probably ruined. "Follow me now!" Her face was full of rage, mama always said we should never take advantage of anyone and told my brothers and I we should not sleep with the maids. When she first told us that we thought it was funny, William and Anthony probably still find it funny, but I do not.
She brought me back to my chambers where papa, William and Anthony were all waiting for us "where have you been Tom? Were supposed to go hawking today!" Anthony said, I had forgotten all about that.
"Wait for your father in the parlor" they noticed the edge in mama's voice and quickly obeyed, papa sighed and went over to the couch and sat down.
"What did he do now Katherine?" He asked and she glared at him for a moment.
"I found him in the library with one of the cooks daughters!" Papa looked amused for a moment and turned to me.
"Tom is this true?" I nodded a bit guiltily.
"Yes papa it is" I whispered and he took a deep breath before standing up.
"You have done nothing wrong son" mama's eyes widened and she quickly took a step closer to papa.
"Nothing wrong? Thomas he was going to sleep with her!" Papa glanced over at her.
"He is a growing boy Katherine of course he was going to sleep with her! He is not a priest for Christ sakes, George did the same thing when he was growing up" both mama and papa had a very bad temper, I think that's where Catalina and Isabella got it from, even Cordelia could be a bit crazy at times.
"I am not going to have my son sleep around!" She snapped and papa closed his eyes in annoyance "though if it were Isabella I caught in the library with a servant you would be livid" his eyes snapped open at the mere mention of my sisters name.
"Yes it would be something different Katherine, she is a girl and boys and girls are raised differently, do you think William Cavendish is waiting for her? No, but she will wait for him" papa had strict views when it came to raising my sisters. There was not one male servant in their staff and they were never left alone or out of sight, their minds were kept innocent and chaste except for the need to know stuff like their courses and a brief, moderate explanation of what happens between a man and woman.
"Men are no better then woman Thomas! No one cares if a man sleeps around and has 10 bastard but if it were a woman she would be branded a whore!" I grew very nervous and glanced between both my parents.
"Something you would have expert knowledge in" everything went quiet and I dare not even breath for a few moments. I personally do not believe papa has ever forgiven mama for that, he loves her very much but I think it hurt him a lot when she had Cordelia and slept with the King.
"Mama" I whispered and she quickly looked away, but I saw the tears fall.
"I will be in my room" her voice was soft and laced with tears as she quickly turned and left, I felt like this was my fault and did not look papa in the key.
"Let us go" he said and I followed him out to the entry way where William and Anthony met up with us and we left.
Isabella Boleyn
I was reading a book in my seat while Rose and Catalina embroidered, Cordelia lay in the window seat gazing outside with a dreamy look in her eye "where is mama? She said we would all go for a walk in the gardens today?" Rose said and I looked up at her then the large clock.
"I will go see" I sighed closing my book and placing it back into the bookcase, a maid silently followed me as I walked down the halls and into mama's room, I have seen mama cry once or twice, maybe a few more. But I have never seen her sobbing like this, she was in a chair her face buried on the arm rest her body shaking with loud sobs "mama?" I whispered nervously.
"I…Isabella go back to…your room" she sobbed, but I closed the door walking further into the room and sat down at her feet.
"What is wrong?" She got control of herself and lifted her face up brushing the tears away but it was of no use, more tears came.
"Nothing" it was an outright lie, and a very bad one at that.
"You are lying mama" she closed her eyes and took three deep breaths.
"Your father and I are fighting tis all" I rest my head on her knees and he ran her fingers through my hair. I was not going to bother asking her what they fought about or what was said, I knew she was not going to tell me.
"Are you still going to walk with us in the gardens today?" She stood up and I followed as she walked over to her vanity and cleaned her face.
"Yes, I am sorry" we both went back to my room where Cordelia, Catalina and Rose were waiting for us, they saw that mama had been crying but did not ask.
Mama was wearing a dress she had bought almost a year ago and I came to the conclusion that papa must had stopped mama from getting anything new because of the fight they were in. We were all still getting things which meant that we were not running out of money, an idea that came from a panicked Rose which I was quick to explain the reasons I knew for a fact we still had money.
We spent an hour playing in the gardens and mama soon seemed to forget about her and papa's argument as she chased us around. But soon it started to rain and we all ran inside quickly and less then 10 minutes later Tom, William, Anthony and papa all quickly raced in.
Katherine Boleyn, Princess of Spain, Duchess of Wiltshire
Once I saw Thomas I told the girls I was going to get changed before I get sick again, they all nodded in understanding and I went back to my chambers. "Katherine" he said from behind me as I took out my earrings, I ignored him and he took a deep breath presenting my mothers rosary before me.
I gasped and snatched it from him quickly holding it against my chest as I turned to look at him "thank you!" I threw my arms around his neck hugging him tightly.
"I love you" he pulled me close and kissed me deeply and this time I gave into him.
"I love you too" he unlaced my damp gown and let it fall to the ground and my longing grew for him.
"You are not going to stop me, are you?" He asked with a smirk and I blushed.
"No I shall not" he ripped my chemise down and brought me to the bed laying me back and quickly stripped himself trapping me under him, "just do not tie me up" he smiled and kissed me again easing his way into me. I let out a high pitched cry and he a low moan, he pinned my wrists under the pillows and began thrusting roughly into me with a force that made the bed hit the wall.
I let out soft moans tightening my thighs on his waist he suckled on my neck as his waist slammed into my waist, I desperately pushed my hips up against his meeting each thrust as best I could. "Oh God Katherine" he moaned into my neck.
"Thomas please….ugh Thomas" I whined his grip on my wrists tightened with each deep thrust and soon I could not speak from the panting and moans coming from me. I cried out into his shoulder as I came and he went rougher and faster till I felt his release enter me. He groaned loudly and collapsed on top of me "your crushing me" I whimpered and he rolled onto his back I turned onto my side my back against his side.
"You are amazing Katherine" he said after a few moments, he sat and ran his fingers down the curve of my waist and kissed my shoulders.
"You are not so bad yourself" he sat up a little more and turned so he was on his back and I was pressed into him my head nuzzled into the crook of his shoulder.
"There has been something I have always wanted to ask you these last 15 years or so" I closed my eyes and breathed in his scent.
"And what has been on your mind that long?" I asked curiously and he kissed the top of my head tugging the blankets over us.
"Who is better? The King or I?" I jumped a little at his question and blushed a deep red, "come on Katherine" he kissed the hollow of my throat turning me so I was under him again.
"You are of course" I said quickly and quietly.
"And why is that? Are you lying to make me feel better?" He was enjoying my embarrassment but I knew he wanted the answer.
"I swear on my mothers name that I am not lying" he laughed against my throat.
"Then tell me why I am better" my words fumbled immediately my chest turned pink from my embarrassment.
"You are…" I was at a loss for words and he laughed.
"I am..?" He asked pulling away from my neck and kissing my jaw.
"You are….bigger then he is" he pressed our foreheads together grabbing both my thighs and pulling them up.
"Am I really?" I felt his hot breath against my face and closed my eyes.
"You are" I whimpered letting one hand caress his cheek.
"Mama I really need to talk to you!" Cordelia said in tears knocking on the door I quickly looked over to the door and Thomas dropped my legs reaching for his clothes.
"Give us a moment!" I called scrambling to pull my chemise on then just grabbed my robe tying it as Thomas left out a back door. I went forward and opened the door and she threw herself into my arms in tears "oh love, what is it?" I asked bringing her into the room and sitting down on a couch by the fire.
"Diplomats from France, Spain and Scotland are coming for Christmas this year and papa asked that I not come because Scotland will not come if I am there!" She sobbed into my chest. I knew Henry was in a bind when it came to this one, as a father he wants Cordelia to be there, but as King he needs negotiations with Scotland.
"You know he loves you very much and it hurts him so to do this, Scotland is right at our border and they have threatened war, he needs to find a way to still their anger" I took a deep breath knowing how politics was very confusing to her. "I know he shall find a way to make this up to you" she only sobbed harder.
"I hate being a bastard" I flinched at the word and closed my eyes as she hugged around my neck sobbing in pain, "I wish I was born when you and papa were still married, so I could be a Princess and no one would make fun of me. I am no fool, I hear the jokes they make about me behind my back they refer to me as 'the King's favorite bastard' I do not like it but pretend not to hear it. At banquets no one talks to me unless they have to, all my sisters get very good marriages and I have to marry Lord Cromwell's son, an Earl. Rose is adopted and she has to marry an Earl, my papa is the King and my mother a Princess of Spain and yet I have to marry an Earl because I am a bastard" it hurt me to see her like this.
"Lord Oxford seems very nice Cordelia, and his father is very important to the King" she shook her head in disagreement.
"I am supposed to be very important to the King, I am his daughter" she cried and tears came to my eyes.
"When you were very little I hated thinking of the days when you would finally notice how people treated your differently, I can remember when you were little asking me why you were not a Princess and Mary was" I said softly wrapping my arms around my daughter. "Just because you are illegitimate does not mean you are loved any less by your father or I, if I could go back and make change it so you were legitimate I would, but I cannot" she held me tighter. "You need to give people a chance Cordelia, especially Lord Oxford, all you have ever done since you were a child was pick on him and refuse to marry him, like it or not your father has decided you are to marry him. Give him a chance, you might end up liking him, I hated your father and refused to marry him, but now I love him so very much" she shook her head.
She would not listen right now, she did not fully understand my words "I have never missed a Christmas and now he is asking me not to be there? Am I supposed to stay alone at Nunnington Hall? Or here at Hever?" I closed my eyes.
"You are not going to be alone, I shall stay with you and I am sure some of your siblings will stay with you" she did not say anything after that just cried in my arms. I would never leave her by herself for Christmas, I knew Thomas had to be there but this year I was hoping he would understand and let me stay home. "I shall go speak with your father, I am sure he shall understand" she nodded and I kissed her cheek sending her back with Lady Ashley.
I went into Thomas's study and he glanced up from his papers, "is she all right?" He asked and I shut the door gently.
"Yes, the King has asked her not to go to Court for Christmas this year because the Scottish diplomats do not wish to see her, she was distraught" he stopped writing for only a moment.
"And you wish to stay with her I take it?" He knew me all to well.
"I cannot leave her alone Thomas, she is already sad enough, I will not have my daughter spending Christmas by herself" he placed his quill down and looked up at me.
"You and the children shall go to Blinking Hall for Christmas then, you will leave in November, I shall accompany you and leave for Court a little after we arrive" I nodded and kissed his cheek. He grabbed around my waist and pulled me into his lap, "so I am bigger you say?" I blushed bright red and he laughed at me.
"Thomas Boleyn, I have to go speak with our children right now and I shall not have this conversation with you" I pulled myself up and he grabbed my wrist standing up and pulling me into a kiss.
"Tonight then?" I kissed him lightly.
"Maybe" I pulled away and he smirked as I closed the door to his office and went to the small classroom for the children, they were all taking a break from their lessons.
"Mama, Cordelia left after she got a letter, we told her you would be mad" Rose quickly said once she saw me.
"Everything is fine I have already spoken to Cordelia, your father and I decided that this year for Christmas we shall spend it at Blinking Hall as a family instead of going to Court" they all repelled the idea immediately.
"NO!" They all cried in distaste.
"Mama Christmas at Court is so much more fun!" Isabella whined and I shook my head silencing them all with one look.
"The Scottish diplomats threaten war and the King is negotiating with them, but they will not go to Court if Cordelia is there, they have a certain dislike for me, especially after the Battle of Flodden" they were all very quiet for a moment. "They will not go to Court if Cordelia is there so the King has asked her not to be, and your father and I decided that neither shall we shall spend Christmas as a family at Blinking Hall and this is the last I shall hear of it." They all nodded and I left the room.
Isabella Boleyn
"I have never has a Christmas away from Court" Rose said with a far off look in her eyes.
"Neither have I, but mama and papa made their decisions and I do not think anything shall change their minds" I sighed in anger.
"I think it is a good idea" Catalina spoke up and we all turned to look at her, "if the King will not let Cordelia go because of the stupid Scottish then I refuse to go, I love my sister far more then Court" her words put us all to silence.
"It is fun to be at Court, but Catty has a point" William stated and I looked at him in shock, William loved being at Court and rarely did he take up our causes.
"Children, it is time to get back to your studies" Master Grindal said, Catalina pouted in anger, she was horrible at Latin, the only languages she was somewhat good at was French and Spanish.
"Yes Master Grindal" we all said collectively and looked back down to our parchments.
So I've been having the worst week possible and it would really make me happy if you would review :)
