Sorry it took so long, my powers been out for 6 days now and I just got to my aunt's
Princess Katherine of Aragon (Boleyn)- 48 December 16th 1485
Prince Thomas Boleyn, Duke of Wiltshire-56 March 12th 1477
Isabella Boleyn- 15 September 7th 1517
Thomas Boleyn, Duke of Pembroke- 15 September 7th 1517
Cordelia Tudor-15 year May 2nd 1518
William Boleyn, Duke of Buckingham- 14 June 13th 1519
Anthony Boleyn, Duke of Suffolk- 14 June 13th 1519
Rose Boleyn- 13 March 2 1520
Catalina Boleyn- 13 August 29th 1520
Annette Boleyn- 8, July 7th 1526
Michelle Boleyn- 4, October 29th 1527
George Boleyn, Duke of Rochford- 19 April 17th 1513
Renee Boleyn, Duchess of Rochford- 17, December 23rd 1516
Jane Boleyn- 3 March 28th 1530
Princess Mary Tudor-17 February 18th 1516
Princess Charlotte of France- February 6th 1533
Prince Henri of France- 20 July 10th 1513
Princess Cecily Tudor- 11 July 25th 1521
Princess Elizabeth Tudor- 15 September 7th 1517
Princess Margaret Tudor- 10 years August 14th 1523
Prince Edward Tudor of Wales- 14 February 14th 1519
Prince James Tudor of York- 10 years October 1st 1522
King Henry VIII-41 June 28th 1491
Queen Kathryn Parr- 39 August 30th 1492
Lady Elizabeth Bryan- 14, January 10th 1519
Lady Ursula Middleton- 38 February 2 1495
Lady Amy Hobbs- 14 November 15th 1518
Lady Amelia Sutton, 10, May 18th 1522
Lady Mary Howard, 14, April 24th 1519
Gregory Cromwell Earl of Oxford- 16 October 19th 1514
Prince Phillip of Spain- 21 May 2 1512
Princess Joan of Austria- 13 June 24 1519
Charles de Bourn, Duke of Beaucourt- 13 July 21 1520
William Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire- 18 January 9th 1514
Henry Stanley, soon-to-be Earl of Derby- 16 September 1st 1516
August 6th 1533
Katherine Boleyn, Princess of Spain, Duchess of Wiltshire
When I woke up the next morning it was later then usual but still Thomas and the girls were asleep, "Thomas" I yawned pushing his shoulder.
"Mhmm" he moaned opening his eyes a bit.
"It is 7" I sighed still half asleep.
"No mama" Annette whimpered, she and Michelle where sleeping in-between Thomas and I.
"We have been sailing on a ship for 2 months, we can sleep in to 10 if we like" both Annette and Michelle cuddled close to him in agreement and they all closed their eyes. I got up and checked on the other children to find them all fast asleep and knew there was no point, I went back to sleep in the inviting warmth of the bed.
We all got up around 9 and I quickly got the girls all dressed they were tied and sulky while Tom, William and Anthony were beyond excited. "I wish I could just sleep all day" Cordelia yawned as I helped lace up the last of her gown.
"If your father had it his way we all would" I kissed her cheek and helped Catalina fix her hair, there was always so much to do in the morning and I had to help the girls get ready.
When we finally were all dressed and hair was done we went to breakfast "why do you take forever to get dressed?" Anthony asked as we sat down for breakfast.
"I have asked your mother that question long ago Anthony, you shall not get a straight answer" Thomas said and I swatted his arm.
"First we have to pick out a dress then we have to get dressed which takes forever! Then we have to do our hair! It is not our fault" Isabella said to her younger brother.
"I am so glad I am not a girl" Anthony then sighed and I shook my head with a small smile.
"I am glad you are not because if you were not it would be so awkward" William laughed earning him an elbow to the ribs.
"Anthony Boleyn!" I snapped and he looked down.
"Sorry mama" he whispered.
"Leave the boy be Katherine, he was only joking around with William. Now I want all of you to finish eating" the children nodded and soon breakfast was being cleaned up from the table.
"Mama, I do not wanna" Michelle whimpered as we walked out the door.
"Everything shall be alright Michelle" I promised and she nodded reluctantly.
"Michelle, come walk with papa" Thomas said and she eagerly ran up and grabbed his hand.
"What are we going to do today?" Catalina asked me as we walked towards Mary's room.
"Your father and the boys are going hunting with the King and we shall stay with your sister" I told her and she nodded with a sigh.
"Oh! Can we go too mama, please!" Isabella begged.
"You must ask your father" she nodded and raced forward with Rose and Cordelia following her closely.
"Are they going too?" Annette asked tugging on my hand.
"If your father lets them they shall, but you shall stay with me and Mary today" she nodded shyly, she does not really know Mary all the well yet.
"I do not wish to go hunting, Lord Beaucourt shall be there" Catalina said in aggravation.
"Mi amor, I wish you would give that poor boy a chance" I sighed and she did not answer at all.
"Papa said we can go with him mama!" Isabella giggled in excitement and I sent her Cordelia and Rose back to change into riding gowns quickly before they all left. It was only Catalina, Michelle, Annette and I.
"George's ship has just arrived I hear, he should be here later on in the afternoon" Mary said as we all sat down.
"That is good to hear" I said happy to know that George, Jane and even Renee was alright.
"Catalina, Lord Beaucourt was asking for you yesterday, he is very kind and I hope you shall talk with him" Catalina looked at her sister with annoyance written clearly all over her face.
"Sister I have no want or need to speak with Lord Beaucourt" her voice was stiff with decorum.
"You are not even giving him a chance! How can you judge a person when you never speak with them?" Mary replied hastily.
"Girls please, Mary you are not in any condition to argue" I tried to reason.
"Just because you are now married and Queen does not mean you can order me around Mary, if I say I do not wish to speak with Lord Beaucourt then I do not have to! You are not my mother or father and cannot tell me what to do!" I could not believe they were already fighting after one day.
"Mama" Michelle whimpered fearfully.
"Christ Catalina will you ever grow up? You shall turn 16 one day and be sent here to France to marry Lord Beaucourt so you might as well try to get to know him now!" Mary cried back. Even her maids were starting to get nervous for their young Queen, arguing when you were pregnant was not good and all it did was give you unneeded stress.
"Just because I do not wish to marry him does not mean I am immature! Not everyone in the world wants an arranged marriage! Maybe I never wish to be married, but no one every thought to ask my opinion! I was just sold to the highest bidder!" I stood up angrily as Michelle started to cry and Annette tried comforting her.
"That is enough!" I snapped and Mary was silenced before she could even speak, "it has only been one day and already you are at each others throat, I see nothing I shall say will stop you so I shall take my leave back to my chambers. Annette, Michelle come along now" they held to my skirts as we got up "Lady Middleton, stay with Catalina" she nodded as I curtsied to Mary and walked back to my chambers.
I could punish Catalina later but I would not do so in front of Mary and as for her part I could not punish her at all for she was Queen now, and pregnant. "I do not like it when people fight" Annette whispered as I dried Michelle's tears.
"I know sweetheart, but they have always fought remember though that just because you fight with someone does not mean that you do not love them" she nodded and I kissed her forehead.
"Lady Wiltshire, Lady Catalina is in her chambers and Queen Marie wishes to speak with you" I nodded and stood up from my chair, "she is just outside" I nodded and Mary walked in.
"I would like to apologize for losing my temper, it has happened lately since I got with child I never meant to upset you, or Michelle and Annette" I nodded and looked to my two youngest daughters.
"All is well, I just hope you and Catalina can get along for the rest of the trip, remember Mary not everyone is happy with their marriage arrangements and just because you think he is a nice man does not mean Catalina sees it that way" she hugged me tightly.
"I have missed you so much mama" she looked down to her new younger sisters, "I am going to the nursery to see Charlotte, would you like to occupancy me? There are some nice dolls to play with" both girls agreed hesitantly and followed me.
Charlotte was so adorable, I wished I could be here in France to watch her grow up but I knew I would have to return to England eventually. "Small" Michelle said touching Charlotte's toes and she let out a giggle kicking her tiny legs.
"She was smaller when she was born" Mary told her and looked to Annette. "I heard that your birthday was in July, I got you some presents, and some for you too Michelle" they both grew excited and lost all their shyness as a maid showed them new dresses and toys.
"You have grown up so much" I observed as my eldest daughter sat in a chair holding her own daughter in her arms.
"I do not feel any different then when I first got here, but I suppose having a child has changed me" she said with a small blush.
"It changes everyone, I remember when I had you my whole world changed then when I had Isabella and Tom it…. changed both Thomas and I" she smiled as if trying to remember.
"I have no memories of when you and father were together, only you and papa" she whispered sadly.
"It is good that you do not, it was not a happy time Mary the only good thing that came out of it all was you" she smiled lightly and kissed the top of Charlotte's dark chestnut head.
"I remember times when you and father would spend time with just Cordelia and I though, it seemed happy enough" her eyes had a glazed look in them as she looked through all her memories.
"When your father and I were married he was not happy with me, he loved others far more then I, but I am not saddened by it, Mary stop thinking about the past like this. I am very happy now, look at what I gained in marrying Thomas! Look at what your father gained, we still talk to each other yes but we could never be happy together Mary, it has been proven" I lay my hand over hers and she took hold of it an squeezed.
"When I was little you told me to never make the same mistakes as you did, and that you knew I would be a great Queen, but how can you be so sure mama? How do you know that I will not mess up? What if this is only pretend love for the sake of Charlotte and this child? What is he tries getting rid of me? It scares me and keeps me up at night just thinking about it" she whispered her secrets with tears forming in her eyes.
Charlotte grabbed her cheek before touching her mothers belly curiously "every person is different Mary, I did not mean to scare you when you were younger and for that I am sorry. I know you shall be a great Queen because you are a smart girl…smart woman and shall make the right choices. And as for your husband, Mary you are not me and Henri is not your father, you are both different and shall live different lives do not let what happened between us dictate your life. You should not be losing sleep over something like this" I told her and she nodded handing Charlotte to a maid as she pushed a small tear from the corner of her eye.
"You did not scare me mama, no matter what I could still be thinking the same thing now" I hugged her tightly listening to Michelle and Annette play.
"You have nothing to be scared about, Henri seems very kind and you are so young Mary, much younger than I was when I had you, you have so many years to produce a son, do not fear" she nodded and I kissed her cheek.
"I love you" she whispered and I closed my eyes as I embraced her. It was hard coming to terms with that fact she was no longer my little girl, she was a woman now, a Queen.
Thomas Boleyn, Prince of Spain, Duke of Wiltshire
After we got back from hunting I sent the girls to get changed for the banquet tonight, I found Katherine in our room drinking from a goblet and staring into the flames. "What is on your mind Ma Cherie?" I asked and she jumped just a little hearing my voice.
"Mary. Thomas she is so scared about not having a son and being sent away in disgrace, I fear sometimes it is my fault" she whispered looking about the room as if trying to find an answer. I put my blade down on the table and walked over to where she is sitting and lay my hands on her shoulders feeling how tense they were.
"It can never be your fault Katherine, not even the King's" I said and she rest her cheek against my arm, "what happened was for the best I think, both you and the King where miserable in the marriage and though I know you probably tried your best it was not working. Divorce was the best choice, and it gave me you and the children, Mary's fears are not from you but from society in general everyone wants a boy as soon as possible and nothing could save her from the pressure" she licked her dry lips and stood up burying her face in my chest.
"She should not have to feel that way! My mother proved that a woman can rule, people only prefer sons because they can bare a name and despise daughters because they cannot. Well I shall have you know that my daughters can rule a country far better then most men!" I laughed and quickly calmed her fiery spirit.
"Hush yourself, now we both know very well that though our daughters our smart they are not destined to rule anything but a household" I kissed her gently and pet her cheek. "They certainly do all have their talents, Isabella is excellent in languages and history, Cordelia is brilliant in math. Rose has a memory like no other and Catalina is good at French and Spanish" I recited and she looked away.
"Tell me Thomas, if one of our daughters found love and were truly happy would you let them marry the man even if he were only a poor farmer?" She asked looking up at me with bright ocean blue eyes.
"Of course not! They deserve much more then a poor farmer! Why, if even one of them thought of such an idea I would have them locked in their rooms for months. Why do you ask this? Christ, tell me one of the girls have not done something stupid!" The ending was in anger, I swear if one strand of hair was out of place on one of those girls they would be shipped to the nearest nunnery in England as soon as possible.
"Of course not! The girls have done nothing Thomas" she gasped but then collected her thought, "so you would have our daughters stuck in a loveless marriage because the man has money and not a love marriage?" She asked pulling herself away.
"Girls as easily tempted creatures Katherine, sure she shall say she loves him now but after a month or two without getting new dresses and jewels and having to cook and clean she will be miserable. I swear after one month she shall come crawling back, our daughters were not raised to be wives of farmers, they were raised to be Duchesses and Countesses! They all know much better then to think of running off like that" I snapped growing tired of this conversation.
"Easily tempted? Men have started war over women and it is us who are easily tempted! If our daughters were truly happy I do not think money would be of a matter to them!" She cried out in anger and I rolled my eyes.
"But is it not woman who throw up their skirts to earn favor? And money is always a matter, I see to it that my girls have the best of everything, and no matter how much they love someone else they were raised to have high standards! They are children of Royalty and Nobility they may be smart in certain subjects but when it comes to life they are ignorant" her anger was growing by ever word I said.
"They are not ignorant! Isabella matches Tom in his studies all the time!" Isabella, she was an exception. Our eldest daughter together had a quick mind and could easily pick up knowledge, though I wanted her to be as innocent as possible Katherine had explained everything to her one evening upon her curiosity, she had heard a maid make a remark and wanted to know more, she was 13 I believe.
"Isabella is marvel for her sex, though I would much rather have kept her innocent of certain matters you always take it upon yourself to disobey me. This conversation is done Katherine, none of our children shall marry farmers, the are destined for Nobility. They have much opportunity in this world with a mother who is borne a Spanish Princess and their father anointed a Prince of Spain, I shall not let them throw that all away" I snapped and she glared at me as if willing the Devil himself to take me away.
"All our daughters are smart Thomas, tis not just Isabella" she hissed defensively.
"Katherine I love our children, but though they be smart none of the others can match up to her and Catalina has….well she was never good at her studies" before I could even speak another line she struck me across the face.
"How dare you speak of them like that! How could you compare our daughters against each other!" She cried in outrage, but I only felt the string of my cheek.
"How many times I have spoken to you about hitting?" I asked in a deadly whisper, I watched all the courage slowly drain from her. Roughly I grabbed her face and dragged her forward squeezing painfully, she closed her eyes and grabbed my hands.
"Release me at once!" She whimpered.
"Quiet!" I snapped and she instantly stopped speaking, "I let you speak your mind but I cannot stand when you let yourself get out of control, in these passed years I have not hit without you first hitting me or attempting to and I am quite losing my patience for it" I shook her so her eyes opened up to look at me.
"I said let go of me Thomas! Release me at once or-" I quickly cut her off.
"Or what?" I demanded, her knee came up attempting to hit me between the legs and I drew my hand back and slapped her across the face quickly and she stumbled to the side falling against the couch holding her cheek. I bent over as my leg burned with pain, her knee had missed its intended target and caught the inside of my leg. But I knew I probably did more damage to her then she did to me, but what was I supposed to do? She was attacking me first! Dam woman!
Her body was bent over the chair holding her face as her dark ebony hair created a veil, but I could hear the tiny sobs and see her body shake. I did not say anything for a while, just held the back of a chair feeling my leg already begin to bruise, the only sound in the room was of her sobbing and once I gained control of myself I slowly walked to her.
"Let me see" I whispered laying my hand on her back but she shook her head angling her body away from me. "Katherine let me see" I took her wrist and pulled it from her face to see blood smeared against her palm, guilt filled me as I tipped her chin up a bit forcibly to see blood coming from her nose. "I am so sorry Katherine, I never meant to hit you that hard, I just felt your knee…it was just an instant reaction" I tried explaining but she pushed me away and returned her palm to her face to stop the blood from dripping onto her dress.
"Leave me be" she whimpered and turned her back to me as the door opened.
"Mama I need…mama?" Tom asked nervously looking to me, this was just getting worse by the second.
"Go back to your room" I snapped but he ignored me looking to his mother.
"Mama are you alright?" He asked stepping further into the room.
"I said go back to your room!" I snapped, I did not want him to see what I have done, I felt guilty enough and shame came as well. I could not stand my children looking at me as a monster, I love Katherine so much…it was an accident!
"Listen to your father" Katherine whimpered unconvincingly, Tom quickly walked to her and touched her arm.
"What is wrong" he asked then gasped "your bleeding!" the blood slipped between her fingers and fell against her skirts. He took a handkerchief from his pocket and gasped louder when he pulled her hand from her face, her cheek had a bright red handprint on it and was start to bruise.
"Tom please, I am fine" she took the handkerchief and my son turned and glared at me his eyes were so full of hate.
"How could you hit her like this!" He snarled in rage, I could not be angry at him he had every right to be enraged with me, I had hurt his mother.
"It was an accident Thomas, now go back to your rooms" my voice was full of the shame I felt.
"No! So when I leave you could hit her some more!" Tom growled and took a step towards me, Katherine's eyes grew wide and she grabbed his arm.
"Stop this at once! It…it was my fault for the fight, I hit him first then attempted to hurt him again, he reacted to what I did" she said quickly to our son hoping to calm him down. "I can not defending him Tom, I am only saying that I am wrong as well, now go back to your rooms and speak nothing of this" it took a few more minutes of convincing before he finally left.
"Kat-"
"Do not speak to me, just because I defended you in front of our son does not mean I have any desire to be anywhere near you or hold any conversation with you" she whimpered and went to our rooms quickly locking the door.
I always messed everything up.
Katherine Boleyn, Princess of Spain, Duchess of Wiltshire
My face hurt so badly I had dismissed the maids and sat in front of the vanity carefully cleaning the blood from my face, the bruise was on my cheek bone and under my eye. It was colored a deep purple and blackish color, it stung and the red handprint had a faint outline on my face that seemed to not be going away.
"Mama? Please open the door" I heard Isabella say and I knew Tom but have told her to come check on me.
"Isabella I do not feel well, please come back later" my voice was weak and tired and she was silent for a moment.
"Let me in mama, I do not want to break the door down" her voice was lighthearted but I knew Isabella and she would be persistent till she got what she wanted. Finally I stood up and opened the door but quickly turned my back to her and walked over to the window.
"Tom said you and papa fought" she whispered closing the door behind her.
"Tis nothing to worry about, go back to your room and work on your studies before the banquet" I told her staring down at the trees that covered the gardens.
"What are you going to wear tonight? Maybe Cordelia, Catalina, Rose, Michelle and Annette can dress you again?" I swallowed hard, but it hurt my face.
"I am not going tonight, I do not feel so well it is from the boat ride and all the excitement, I just need some rest" I heard her nervous footsteps come up the stairs behind me.
"What did you and papa fight about?" She asked right behind me.
"We disagreed on certain matters, Isabella please just go to your room" she pulled my arm a little and gasped seeing the bruise on my cheek.
"Oh God!" She gasped covering her mouth, "did papa do this?" She asked in horror.
"I hit him as well, we are both wrong for our conduct" I said pulling my face out of her hands "do not be angry at your father, I hit him once and he got mad then I went to hit him again in a very bad way and it was a reaction" she was about to protest but I cut her off. "That does not mean I forgive him but it means I understand my faults in this whole thing, I do not want to see him right now or even talk of him, but he is still your father Isabella and he loves you very much. He holds you in very high regard! I know he is ashamed for what he has done to me, but I am not yet ready to forgive or even considering to forgive. This is your father and I's argument, not yours or anyone else's so you must remember to love and respect him" she nodded quietly at a loss for words and I kissed her cheek. "Help Michelle and Annette dress, I do not want them seeing me like this, I am going to lie down, and Isabella please do not tell anyone" she nodded again and left the room quietly.
Mary (Marie) , Queen of France
I watched everyone dance and laugh from my chair, I was not allowed to dance anymore "I see you are wearing the new dresses I got you!" I said to Michelle and Annette and they giggled and blushed.
"Bella helped us dress because mama is sick and now papa it too!" Annette sighed dramatically, I met Isabella's eyes but they quickly went downcast, she knew something!
"Auntie!" I heard before I could question her and Jane threw her arms around my waist and hugged me tightly.
"Jane, I am happy to see you again" I sat down and hugged her tightly.
"Where is Nana?" She asked eagerly.
"Oh, she is sick as well as Pa, but I am sure they shall be better by tomorrow morning" her face fell sadly but perked up when she saw Michelle and Annette. "Brother" I said as George kissed my hand, Renee curtsied respectfully.
"Tom looks sore, what is the matter with him?" George asked looking over to our brother.
"I do not know, but Isabella acted strangely as well…Isabella! Come here!" I called and she quickly came across the room, she had been talked to William Cavendish.
"George!" She hugged him tightly and gave Renee a respectable hug, Jane had already run off.
"What is wrong with Tom?" Her face changed immediately.
"I cannot speak of it" she whispered softly.
"And why not?" George questioned.
"Mama forbade me to speak of it" she did not meet my eyes and I had a bad feeling in my heart.
"Sweetheart, are you alright?" Henri asked coming to my side.
"I am fine" I told him with a smile "Isabella tell me what is going on! Why is mama and papa not here tonight?" I demanded and she grew even more nervous.
"I cannot say! I promised mama I would not and nothing you can say shall change my mind" she snapped and I gave up knowing it was no use.
"I hope the Lady Wiltshire is alright" Renee said in a worried tone.
"If it was serious or life threatening papa would let us know, he would not keep something like that a secret, but I know from a maid that they were fighting today" I told him and he nodded.
"They are probably to angry to confront each other right now, tomorrow shall be another day" he sighed and I hoped he was right.
August 13th 1533
Katherine Boleyn, Princess of Spain, Duchess of Wiltshire
I have not spoken to him in a week and he was to ashamed of what he had done to even try, I stayed in my room all week complaining of sickness and wanted no visitors. It hurt me very much when Michelle started crying when Isabella told her I could not see anyone, the swelling went down and the bruise was light now and I suspected that by tomorrow I could just put a bit of rouge over it and it will be like there never was a bruise at all.
"Katherine" his voice made me stop my thoughts as I sat in the window seat looking down at the rainy August afternoon. "I…I am very sorry, I have tried thinking of ways that I could tell you just how sorry I am but I cannot think of any that would truly express the guilt I feel" he said softly. I said nothing and after a few seconds he continued "I never actually wanted to hurt you, I was never going to hit you, but when I felt your knew coming up I…I do not know it just happened and the next thing I know you were…you were hurt" he ended it in a sad tone.
"I know what I did was wrong and led you to act that way, but still I" my voice trailed off as I searched for the right words. "I do not trust you like I did before" the words felt heavy on my tongue and I knew they must have been like knives to him.
"I cannot expect you to, but I shall work to make it like before" I nodded and he came forward and pulled me into his arms. He buried his face into the crown on my head and took a deep breath "I love you so much Katherine and I swear on my own like that I shall never hurt you like that again" I nuzzled my nose into his chest and held onto him for a moment.
Catalina Boleyn
"I am sure mama is fine Michelle" I whispered to her comfortingly as she cried, she was so little and did not understand that mama was only sick and was not going anywhere.
"Mama leave" she sobbed holding me tightly.
"No, no, she would never leave! Mama is a very good mama and good mama's never leave their children, she just has a bit of a cold" I explained and wiped the tears from her eyes. We were in the middle of the hallway with two maid servants waiting patiently for us. We had just come from Mary's and Michelle had wanted to see mama, but I had to tell her no.
"I no like mama sick" she whimpered and I kissed her cheek standing up fully and taking her hand.
"I do not like mama being sick either Michelle, but everyone gets sick at some point" she nodded and we started down the hallway.
"Lady Boleyn" I stopped and ground my teeth together, Lord Beaucourt. "Lady Catalina tis a pleasure to see you, this must be your younger sister" he was 13 and tall for his age, his hair was a dirty blonde and his eyes a dull brown.
"Yes, this is my sister Lady Michelle now of you do not mind we really must be getting back to our chambers" I pulled her along before he started to speak again.
"Oh yes, but I was hoping I may speak with you, I apologizes for imposing myself upon you but you have been so difficult to find lately" did he not know the reason I have been so difficult to find is because I do not wish to see him? "My late father and yours contracted us together and whilst you are here I would like to get to know you before our marriage" anger rose in me.
"Lord Beaucourt, I do not know you well enough to judge but I can tell you seem to be very kind, that is why it bothers me to tell you that I have no desire for our marriage. If ever I were to contract myself to a man it would be out of love, not because of opportunities" he looked at me in bewilderment.
"Your father has contracted you to me! It is an official betrothal you just cannot break it because of your own opinion!" He cried in outrage "besides tis not your choice, your father has decided that you shall marry me and you cannot go against your father" he added smugly.
"Catty I want papa" Michelle whispered softly to me.
"Very well Michelle" I said smiling down to her "and Lord Beaucourt, my father can promise me to you but both Heaven and Hell could not get me on a boat to France when I turn 16" I pulled Michelle along back to our rooms where I found our sisters.
"Oh Catalina! We need your opinion! What color should Isabella's wedding dress be?" Rose asked eagerly as Michelle and I took our seat.
"What color do you want?" I asked Isabella.
"I liked the dark burgundy with the gold trimming" I nodded and she smiled thankfully at me.
"It is decided then" Rose pouted and put the light blue fabric down.
"I think it is pretty" Annette told her and they started talking about their gowns for the wedding, Isabella seemed nervous though.
"Are you scared?" I asked meeting her by a window.
"Very much, my whole lift shall change Catalina" she let out a breath and looked to me with wide grey eyes, "I am just nervous that I shall do something wrong" I looked at her oddly.
"What shall you do wrong?" She was about to say something but then stopped herself.
"Nothing Catalina, it is a silly fear" she finally sighed and rubbed her head.
"I shall miss you when you move away, promise you shall come visit often!" I begged and she laughed.
"It will be like I never left" I hugged her tightly.
Isabella Boleyn
August 14th 1533
Mama came out of her room today and had hid the very light bruise on her cheek, "mama, are you alright?" I asked her as she held Michelle on her hip.
"I am fine Isabella, now tell me how your wedding plans are coming along" I nodded and Cordelia helped me show her the different fabrics I wanted when papa came in.
"Isabella, Lord Devonshire is here to see you" papa announced and I bit my lip nervously and curtsied as he walked in.
"Lady Isabella, I was hoping to speak with you" I nodded and Lady Middleton accompanied us on our walk threw the hallways.
"What is it you wished to speak with me about?" I asked nervously, he was 18 and much older then I, I peered up into his hazel eyes curiously and he diverted his gaze.
"My mistress shall be staying with us when we return to England, she is about 2 months with child, I shall not keep her after we are married but I have not decided on what to do with the child yet" I did not know what to say, he left me no room for argument.
"Very well" I said and he nodded and left, I went back to the parlor.
"Isabella! We need your opinion on flowers!" Cordelia said in excitement but I did not care.
"I do not give a dam about flowers!" I cried and ran into my bedchamber in tears. It was silent for a while before mama walked into the room by herself and sat near the edge of the bed.
"Isabella, sweetheart what is wrong?" She asked softly laying her hand on my back and gently coaxed me onto my back.
"He says when we return to England his mistress shall stay with us till after she births his child then he shall sends her away, though he promises to not keep her after we are married" she closed her eyes for a moment.
"I am so sorry sweetheart" she leaned down and kissed my forehead, "at least he says he shall send her away once you are married" he pet my cheek and pushed a dark curl away from my eyes.
"But what if he does not? What if he keeps her?" I asked desperately.
"Sometimes men take mistresses, but it is not your fault love I know it is a horrible thing to be put through but maybe he shall stay true to his word. Every man has his faults, but it is not our place to judge them" I looked up at her quietly and placed my hand gently where I knew the bruise was. She winced and closed her eyes laying her hand on mine, "Lord Devonshire seems very kind Isabella, at least he told you about her and did not hide it" she whispered the ending softly pulling my hand away.
"Is hitting you papa's fault?" I asked and she bit her lips.
"Unfortunately it is both our faults, your fathers fault is jealousy though" she looked down and shook her head "he hates seeing any other man showing me attention or me showing any other man attention, he gets very possessive" she said with a small laugh and looked back up at me. "The first few months of marriage are the hardest Isabella, anyone shall tell you that because everything is new and different, especially leaving home and maintaining your own household" I nodded knowing she was being serious now.
"I…I am scared sometimes mama, I do not want to leave just yet" I whispered trying to hold the tears back.
"It will be alright, I hear Chatsworth is a very beautiful place to live" she whispered leaning over me and petting my face.
"I know that, but mama it is so far away from Kent!" Chatsworth was all the way in Derbyshire!
"Blinking Hall is in Norfolk, tis not as far from Derbyshire, Isabella do not be scared I know you shall be fine" mama whispered trying to comfort me.
"Tis not the same!" I cried letting the tears slip down and she quickly brushed them away.
"No tears mi amor, I hate seeing you cry let me talk to your father and see what we can do, but you have to marry Lord Devonshire" I nodded and hugged her tightly.
Katherine Boleyn, Princess of Spain, Duchess of Wiltshire
I felt so bad for my daughter and knew she did not wish to be separated from us by such a distance. I knew the owners of Haddon Hall were selling and Haddon is located in Derbyshire! Now all I needed was Thomas's approval to buy it.
He was already in bed that night and I brushed out my hair before slipping under the covers, he was surprised when I cuddled into his side and placed a kiss upon his chest. I sat up leaned down kissing him deeply, he rolled me over so I was on my back and kissed me passionately before pulling away "what do you want love?" He asked looking down into my eyes.
"How do you know I want something?" I asked suspiciously.
"Because I know you love, now tell me" I let out a soft whimper.
"I was hoping….well we have lived in Dover, Blinking and Hever for a while and I know that Haddon Hall is for sale, Thomas do you remember visiting there a while ago? It was so beautiful, well I was hoping you could buy it?" I asked and he looked down at me skeptically.
"No" he rolled onto his back and I quickly sat up.
"No? Why not?" I asked in growing anger.
"Because I simply will not waste money on another home when we already have 3, not counting Cordelia's and the estates we manage for our sons till they come of age" he replied in a bored tone.
"Please Thomas! I really want it!" I whined and he looked up at me with tired eyes.
"And I wish for a lot of things too Katherine, but just because you want it does not mean I shall get it for you. I love you I really do Ma Cherie but under no circumstances shall I buy Haddon Hall" tears slipped down my cheeks and I started to cry. "It is not going to work, the only reason you want Haddon is because it is in Derbyshire which means you can live closer to Isabella, I love her to Katherine but she is to be a grown woman and needs to start her own life and family and cannot do that whilst you are holding her hand" he explained trying his best not to hurt my feelings.
"Can…can you buy it now though, I promise not to use it till she has had her first child!" I whimpered and he kissed me.
"No Katherine"
"Please Thomas! You can use the pension I get from Spain to buy it!" I begged and he pulled me into his lap.
"I said no and that is final, you are not going to buy a new house every time one of the children move out I forbid it. And if I find you have bought Haddon I shall sell it just as quickly and at a lower price" I shoved myself away from him and buried my face in a pillow.
"You are cruel!" I cried and he wrapped his arms around me and pulled my back against his chest.
"I know, I know" he whispered into my ear as I cried.
"Please, I shall never ask for another home again, I swear!" I sobbed softly and he took a deep breath.
"How much does it cost?" He asked at last and I turned to face him.
"About 7,069,136 pounds" he nearly choked when he heard the price.
"Katherine that…..that is a lot of money" I sobbed into his chest and he groaned trying to sort everything out in his head. "You want a new home?" I nodded burying my face into the side of his chest, "what about Cothay Manor?" He asked and I shook my head. "Scotney Hall is beautiful I am sure you would love it" he tried to sound happy about it but I shook my head burying my face in his chest.
"I do not want Scotney or Cothay! I want Haddon!" I sobbed.
"I cannot afford Haddon!" He snapped impatiently, "love I can afford a small Manor house for you but nothing else, now choose" I cried louder and he kissed the top of my head. "Scotney is surrounded by water and it is very beautiful, you shall love it and Cothay has the most lovely gardens, and I know you and the girls love gardens" I shook my head stubbornly. "Ma Cherie, if I buy you Haddon I shall not have enough for any of our girls dowry's and I know you do not want that" I softly cried now and he held me against his chest.
"I do not want to lose her" I whimpered and he let out a breath.
"You are not losing her Katherine, she is just becoming a woman now, I do not like it either I wish she could be the little girl running out of the castle to greet me after I come back from Court or war, I wish she could be our little Bella again. But she is to be 16 now and we need to let her grow" he held my face in his hands his thumb stroking my bruised cheek.
"Next shall be Cordelia….oh Thomas I wish they did not have to go!" I sobbed into his chest wanting to be home at Hever, I loved visiting Mary, but I could not help but miss home.
"Hush love, I hate it when you cry, it will be alright" he rocked me in his arms whispering soft words of comfort.
Cordelia Tudor
"Isabella?" I asked that night as I lay in bed awake.
"Yes?" She asked back, we were sleeping next to each other, she turned over to face me.
"Are you scared?" I whispered speaking about her impending marriage.
"A little" she admitted and she took my hands into hers.
"It will not be so bad though, I am sure Lord Devonshire is very nice, and Lord Oxford seems nice too" she gave a small smile when speaking about my husband-to-be.
"My father would not promise me to someone who would hurt me, would he?" I whimpered thinking about Thomas Butler.
"No, the King loves you very much and I am sure is papa found out that Lord Oxford laid one finger on you he would set all hell on him" I let out a little giggle, "I am going to miss this" she whispered and squeezed my hand.
"You must promise to come stay with me at Nunnington Hall sometimes" I begged her and she nodded.
"I am sure I can persuade Lord Devonshire to let me go" I bit my lip and hugged her tightly.
"Shelly try to sleep!" Michelle whined as the movement from the bed woke her up, I smiled softly and kissed the top of her head.
"We are sorry Michelle" Isabella said and I turned back to look at her.
"Have you thought about when you have a child?" I asked her and she nodded with a small smile.
"I do not care what anyone says, I want a little girl! Charlotte is so adorable" I smiled thinking about my niece.
"How…how does the baby get in you?" I asked and she paled.
"I do not know Cordelia, but I am sure everything shall be fine" I nodded seeing her cheeks turn red.
"What shall you name your baby?" I asked quickly changing the subject.
"I like the name Beatrice it is very pretty and I am sure if I have a boy Lord Devonshire shall want to name him William" I nodded and pulled the blankets tighter around me.
"Those are pretty names" she nodded and turned her head to look out the window. "Have you and Mary set a date?" she looked back at me.
"We were thinking about November" she said sleepily "I want to wait till the end because of the snow, I always liked the snow" I nodded and kissed her head.
"Goodnight Isabella" I whispered closing my eyes.
"Night Cordelia"
August 29th 1533
Catalina Boleyn
Today I turned 13 and I was so excited! Mama and papa are having a small cake made for me!. "Charlotte, say happy birthday to Auntie Catty!" Mary said to little Charlotte, she was sitting up in Mary's lap playing with a little rattle.
"I do not think she even knows what month it is just yet" I giggled and Charlotte smiled clapping her hands together.
"Can I hold her Mary?" Anthony asked brightly, "we just want to play her with Jane, Michelle and Annette" he explained and Mary put her into Tom's arms with a smile.
"Be careful Anthony" mama warned and he nodded and sat down with his siblings.
"So Catalina do you have any plans for your birthday?" Mary asked stirring me from my thoughts.
"Not yet" I admitted with a small laugh.
"Your father plans on having a small party for her tonight" mama said and I smiled happily.
"Who is attending?" I asked curiously and she looked a bit nervous.
"Well us of course and Mary and the King, a few important people in the French Court and Lord Beaucourt" she tried sneaking his name in, but we all heard it.
"Lord Beaucourt!" I cried angrily standing up and mama stood up as well angrily.
"Sit right down this instant! You shall be happy and grateful to your father for throwing you one at all and I swear if you show up in a sour mood I shall have you whipped for it!" She snapped and I sat down angrily. Isabella was whipped once and she told us it hurt a lot, I did not want to find out myself "your father does a lot for you girls and half the time you are ungrateful for it, it hurts him so when you act like that and I shall not have it any longer" she added.
"I am sorry mama" I whispered and no one said anything for a few moments.
"Mary, Charlotte spit over everything!" William groaned and Mary lifted her up.
"She is just a baby and babies do that, do not be mad with her" mama told them as Mary cleaned Charlotte up.
"We are not mad at her mama" Anthony said and mama kissed his head.
"Nana I…I want papa" Jane said holding my mothers hand.
"He is not here right now Jane, he went hunting with the King, Pa and Tom" she pouted just a little, "but Lady Renee is here, do you want her?" Lady Renee was in her rooms, she had a miscarriage a few nights ago, George was very saddened by it and has not told Jane about the baby. It was probably not right to tell her anyway she was so young and did not understand life or death yet.
Katherine Boleyn, Princess of Spain, Duchess of Wiltshire
Thomas has been hunting all day and when he finally returned it was close to 6 "George, Jane has been asking for you" he nodded and left for his chambers.
"Is everything ready for Catalina's party?" Thomas asked and I nodded.
"Yes, she is very excited and is wearing her best dress for it" he smiled happily, he bought her new gowns for her birthday.
"And you?" He asked petting my cheek.
"It matters not what I wear Thomas, it is our daughters birthday" he kissed me only for a moment.
"It matters to me, and a few wandering eyes in the French Court" I refused to believe there was a few men who still found me attractive, after all I had so many children.
"You are only flattering me Thomas" I pulled away and went to my closet and looked through the dresses.
"I like dark blue gowns on you, they bring out your eyes" he said holding around my waist.
"Thomas!" I laughed as he kissed my neck.
"I am doing nothing!" he laughed and playfully elbowed him.
"Mama!" Isabella cried opening the door and Thomas quickly pulled his arms from around my waist.
"Yes Isabella?" I sighed and she blushed a little at seeing her father hold me so intimately.
"I need you help with something very important" she insisted and I kissed Thomas's cheek and followed Isabella out.
"What is it?" I asked as she walked briskly back to her chambers.
"Catalina refuses to attend tonight if Lord Beaucourt shall be there" my eyes darkened in anger, I had already spoken to her about this before!
I walked into the room my once happy mood blackened "Isabella bring your sisters to meet up with your brothers" I ordered and she nodded nervously before leaving. "Ladies you are dismissed" I ordered and they all curtsied before leaving. "What on earth do you think you are doing!" I snapped in anger.
"I do not like that he is to be at my party, I shall not go if he is there" she said smugly, maybe I had been too soft on her when she was a child? But she was my last born and I always doted on her as did Thomas.
"Tis your party that your father is throwing! Now if you do not get up this instant I swear I shall have to punish you!" We have never severely punished her and I must admit when any of my children are punished by Thomas I run to them immediately and soothe away their tears.
"I do not-" I grabbed her by the back of her hair and lifted her from the chair, she let out a shriek of pain and looked at me with wide fearful eyes.
"Your father has done everything to make you happy young lady! He only wishes to see you happy today and it would hurt him if you threw all of us kindness and generosity in his face in front of a whole crowd. I am no longer going to baby you Catalina, now I have no wish to punish you but I swear try my patience once more and you shall be slapped" her eyes were wide in disbelief as she looked at me. "Now go out to your party and enjoy yourself, I do not want your father disheartened by your selfishness tonight" she nodded quickly and I left her with the maid and walked from the room.
"Is everything alright?" Mary asked meeting me as I walked out of the room.
"I swear she tests me sometimes" I sighed rubbing my head.
"I am sure she does not mean to upset you and papa so" she said with a small smile and I shook my head.
"I do not know anymore, can you make sure she attends tonight? If she gives you any problems send for me" she nodded and I went back to my chambers and quickly changed for tonight. I prayed Catalina would not test my nerves tonight for I would hate to see Thomas hurt, he had worked so hard to pull this all together and even got her another gift which he was hopeful she would love. He was very strict but he did love his daughters and though he appeared cold and unfeeling to some he truly affectionate and loving, he was just so easily hurt.
