I'm sorry it has taken so long to update I'm having some family problems and didn't have that much time to work on this chapter! But thankfully here it is! Please leave a review it would make my day better!
Katherine of Aragon (Boleyn)- 50 December 16th 1485
Prince Thomas Boleyn, Duke of Wiltshire-58 March 12th 1477
Thomas Boleyn, Viscount Lincoln- 17 September 7th 1517
Cordelia Tudor-16 year May 2nd 1518
William Boleyn, Duke of Buckingham- 15 June 13th 1519
Anthony Boleyn, Duke of Suffolk- 15 June 13th 1519
Rose Boleyn- 15 March 2 1520
Catalina Boleyn- 14 August 29th 1520
Annette Boleyn- 9, July 7th 1525
Michelle Boleyn- 6, October 29th 1528
Isabella Cavendish (Boleyn), Duchess of Devonshire- 17 September 7th 1517
William Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire- 19 January 9th 1516
Peter Cavendish- July 23rd 1534
Sofia Cavendish- July 23rd 1534
George Boleyn, Duke of Rochford- 21 April 17th 1513
Renee Boleyn, Duchess of Rochford- 18, December 23rd 1516
Jane Boleyn- 5 March 28th 1530
Princess Charlotte of France-2 February 6th 1533
Prince Henri of France- 1 December 16th 1533
King Henri of France- 21 July 10th 1513
Princess Cecily Tudor- 13 July 25th 1521
Princess Margaret Tudor- 11 years August 14th 1523
Prince Edward Tudor of Wales- 16 February 14th 1519
Prince James Tudor of York- 12 years October 1st 1522
King Henry VIII-43 June 28th 1491
Queen Kathryn Parr- 42 August 30th 1492
Elizabeth Bryan- 16 year January 10th 1519
Lady Amelia Sutton, 12, May 18th 1522
Lady Anne Talbot, 10, November 3, 1524
Lady Mary Howard, 15, April 24th 1519
Charles Clancey, 18, February 12th 1517
Prince Phillip of Spain- 22 May 2 1512
Princess Elizabeth of Spain- 17 September 7th 1517
Gregory Cromwell Earl of Oxford- 20 October 19th 1514
Princess Joan of Spain- 15 June 24 1519
Alexander Stewart-Duke of Ross- 20 April 30th 1514
Henry Stanley- Earl of Derby- 18 September 1st 1516
April 1st, 1535
Catalina Boleyn
Mama, my sisters Lady Renee, Jane and Lady Elizabeth all sat in the parlor it was mid-afternoon and they all spoke of preparations for the 12th...my wedding day. "Mi amor, do not you want to help make decisions?" Mama asked me and I looked up from my embroidery.
"I trust you" I said not having any interest in it.
"Lady Wiltshire, Lord Oxford has arrived" I looked up in shock; I had hope he would just send a letter back and not show up early!
"Go tell His Grace" the servant nodded and quickly left, "how about we take this outside? Catalina and I shall be down shortly" they left without complainant.
"Lady Wiltshire, Lady Boleyn, tis a pleasure to see you again" he said in the doorway and bowed my head staring at the ground nervously.
"We were not expecting you so soon Lord Oxford" mama said standing up from her chair slowly.
"I am sorry I did not send further warning My Lady, but I was hoping to speak with Lady Catalina...alone" my head shot up and I looked at my mother nervously.
"My Lord I-"
"Katherine let them be, but of course her governance shall stay" papa said walking into the room and Lord Oxford bowed to him respectfully.
"Thank you My Lord" mama was forced to leave and Mistress Brooks stood in the back of the room watching like a hawk. I hated papa right now! How could he leave me alone with him? I concentrated on the smell of freshly cleaned linen and admired the pattern on my light blue dress. "How are you?" He asked first and I looked up at him a little surprised.
"I am well" I answered quickly.
"That is good" he walked further into the room seeming to watch my every movement, "I have come to speak about the child" he said at last, I knew that was part of the reason why he had come so early. "What do you plan on doing?" He asked and I watched him carefully, I did not know if he was going to give me a part in the decision I knew no matter what that I would stand up for what I wanted though.
"I want to keep it" I whispered and he nodded his head.
"I expected that" he sighed and I bit my lip nervously looking back to the ground, "you wish to stay here?" I nodded eagerly praying he would agree. "Lady Catalina...you will soon be my wife, I can understand why you would wish to stay here but you must understand that it would not look right for you to live with your parents and be married to me" tears filled my eyes.
"So I cannot stay?" I whimpered trying my best to hide my tears but one slipped down my cheek, he took a deep breath and rubbed his temples.
"I wonder if there is a way we might compromise." He questioned.
"I do not see how we can" I whispered pushing more tears away as they fell.
"Come to Wolf Hall for a couples months and for the end of your pregnancy I shall send you back to be with your mother and sisters" I wrapped my arms protectively around my middle.
"But mama shall not be there for when I need her!" I sobbed in protest.
"What better time to need her then when you are giving birth!" He snapped.
"There is always a time to need her!" He seemed like he was going to yell something but quickly stopped himself.
"I am trying to be kind Lady Catalina" he said patiently, "you are to be my wife and share my title yet you wish not to live under my roof" I let out a tiny sob knowing he had made up his mind about what he planned on doing and I knew it did not involve me staying with mama and papa.
"Only for this" I begged, he took a deep breath and scratched his chin in thought.
"I am not sure...after the wedding come stay at Wolf Hall for a month then whilst I am at Court you can spend it with your parents, but when I return home you will come to Wolf Hall" I bit my lip nervously.
"How long are you going to be at Court?" I asked softly.
"I am going back at the beginning of June and plan to stay till September" my eyes went wide.
"But I am giving birth in October!" I whimpered.
"Your family may come to Wolf Hall in October when you are due, tis a fair compromise Lady Catalina" I knew it was but I was so used to getting my way that it was hard for me to agree.
"Fine" I whimpered in annoyance, "but I shall hate you forever if I give birth when mama is not there" I added stubbornly.
"Yes My Lady" he said with a smirk.
Thomas Boleyn, Prince of Spain, Duke of Wiltshire
"You cannot just leave them alone together Thomas!" Katherine snapped obviously upset.
"Let it be Ma Cherie, you need to let her grow up you are sheltering her far too much" I sighed taking her face in my hands and placing a kiss upon her lips.
"I am not sheltering her" she protested.
"You are. She is pregnant and has the mindset of a child, let her grow up" I kissed her again before she could say anything else.
"Lord Wiltshire, a servant said you wished to speak with me" Lord Oxford said and Katherine turned to look at him suspiciously.
"Yes I do, Katherine go spend time with the children" I sent her away and she shot me an evil look, "I am sorry for my wife, she has become even more protective since...well since it happened" he nodded in understanding. I took a deep breath before I spoke again, "my daughter is very young Lord Oxford and very scarred by what happened. I know it is a custom to...consummate the marriage on the wedding night but I do not believe it would help Catalina any" it was a delicate topic.
"I know that Lord Wiltshire and I was going to wait till after she births this child" I nodded relaxing, it has been bothering Katherine a lot lately about Catalina's marriage night.
"Good, good" I said and heard the screeching of children running down the halls, "have you any plan for the child?" I asked him and he glanced towards the door then back to me.
"I shall allow her to keep it, but you can understand that I will not allow my title to pass down to it if it is a boy" I knew that and did not suspect any differently.
"I understand" I sighed, "be kind to her my daughter is...well she has been very sheltered if you have not noticed" he nodded and there was a knock on the door.
"Both she and I have come to an agreement; she will leave for Wolf Hall till June when she can return here till September when she will return to Wolf Hall. I have agreed to invite Your Graces so she can have you there for the birth" he said and I nodded glad that Catalina had made such an adult decision.
"Papa?" Michelle asked peeking inside and smiled when she saw me.
"Lord Oxford I believe you know my youngest Michelle" she ran forward and grabbed my hand smiling up to him.
"I am 6!" She said brightly.
"It is a pleasure to see you again Lady Michelle" he said and she giggled before looking up to me seriously.
"Papa, George asked to take us on a picnic! Can he?" She begged in excitement.
"Of course sweetheart, but tell him to be back before late afternoon" she nodded kissing my cheek.
"Papa watch Lily for us please! I do not want her sneaking away and getting lost" she begged with wide green eyes.
"I shall make sure there are servants watching her in your room" I placed her down and Lady Middleton escorted her back to her rooms to get ready.
"Husband?" Katherine asked and I knew she must have been waiting outside.
"Lord Oxford, I believe chambers have been readied for you" he left to settle in and Katherine walked in with determination on her face.
"Thomas what is happening?" She demanded and I took a deep breath.
"Catalina will go to Wolf Hall after her marriage and return in June; she will stay with us till September then return to Wolf Hall. Lord Oxford has invited us to stay with him when she is due to give birth" Katherine's eyes went wide and I quickly spoke again. "Catalina made this decision herself" Thomas said quickly and I looked at him in shock.
"Catalina made this decision herself?" She questioned and I nodded kissing her forehead.
"She did and I am very proud of her as you should be, this is a step in the right direction for her Ma Cherie you need to learn to let go and let her grow up" her eyes went downcast and tears formed. "You still have the other girls" I added quickly knowing it upset her but my words did not help in the least bit.
"Thomas...tis just...I love Rose, Michelle and Annette with all my heart but...Catalina is our little girl" I help her tightly and she buried her face in my shoulder.
"I know my love" I whispered and there was a knock on the door.
"Mama?" I heard Anthony ask, "Papa?" He then added and Katherine whimpered pushing her tears away quickly.
"I thought you went on the picnic with your brother?" I asked holding around my wife's waist.
"We did not really want to" William said with a smile following his brother in the room, "are you alright mama?" He then asked a little more serious.
"I am fine" she promised.
"You are crying about Catalina again, are you not?" Anthony said quietly closing the door behind him so we had privacy.
"You have nothing to worry about" Katherine said smiling to them, "you should have gone with your brother and spent time with him" she walked forward and kissed their heads.
"You will still have us for a while...we do not plan on leaving when we turn 16" Anthony said hugging his mother close.
"Yeah! We plan to make life miserable as long as we can!" William said using his strength to lift Katherine of her feet.
"William!" She snapped and I walked forward wrapping an arm around her waist.
"No lifting your mother William, if you drop her I shall never hear the end of it" she smiled genuinely for the first time and shoved my shoulder playfully.
Anthony Boleyn, Duke of Suffolk
"William when are you getting married again?" I asked and he took a deep breath.
"In May I believe but I am not sure anymore" he sighed tossing a book aside.
"And why is that?" I asked curiously.
"Papa and the Duke of Norfolk are arguing again and Lord Norfolk said he would not marry his daughter to mama's son" he said dramatically.
"So you will not marry Lady Mary?" I asked kicking his leg off the end table.
"Probably not, but I do know. What I do know is papa has been writing the Earl of Shrewsbury and he as a 10 year old daughter named Anne" he said with a smile. "Master Grindal says she has auburn hair and green eyes" I could not help but roll my eyes. "Your wife is to be Amelia Sutton, correct?" I nodded ignoring his teasing.
"Yes, she is to be my wife" he sat up in his chair.
"I am told that her hair is a regular brown with muddy brown eyes" true I was told she was not something to be marveled at but looks are not what counted most, she was pretty to look at.
"You value looks far too much William, your wife may be a beauty but I bet she nags and whines at everything" his laughter stopped and I returned to my book. We were left alone for another hour before our sisters returned.
"Willy! Tony!" I heard Annette and Michelle cried running into the room.
"We are in the back" I called; we were in the library doing lessons for Master Grindal.
"We had so much fun! I wish you would have come with us!" Annette said jumping into my lap and I let out a grunt dropping my book to the ground and losing my page. "Oh...sorry" she blushed and Michelle jumped in Williams lap.
"I wish we could have gone too but we needed to study" I said with an annoyed sigh, as much as I wanted to a lawyer it was a lot of work. Constantly reading new laws and thinking of ways to improve them! But I worked diligently for lately I have been reading laws about rape victims and their rights. Surprisingly there were not that many laws helping the said woman but I planned to change that as soon as I could.
"Well I did not need to but Anthony was super annoying about needing help so I had to" mama walked in smiling at us.
"Girls, get off your brothers" she said and they both ran back to mama with bright smiles.
"We were just talking with them mama" Annette said hugging around her waist, Rose and Jane walked in and little Jane ran to mama jumping up and down.
"Nana! Nana! Hold me" she pleaded and mama lifted her up holding her close.
"William your father wishes to speak with you in his office" I looked over at him knowing he was expecting the betrothal of him and Lady Howard to be broken any day now and for Lady Anne Talbot to become his betrothed.
"Okay" he got up and I quickly followed him down the hall to papa's office, "papa, you wished to speak with me?" He asked opening the door, everyone has been busy lately for Catalina's marriage was soon.
"Your betrothal with Lady Howard has been broken" he snapped obviously still angry at Lord Norfolk, "I broke it yesterday" he pushed my shoulder as if saying 'I told you so'.
"Who shall I marry now?" William said a little bit too eagerly and papa looked up glancing to me as well.
"I am not sure, I have been speaking with Lord Shrewsbury about his youngest daughter but nothing it set in stone yet, you may leave now I wished to speak to Anthony alone" he nodded and left.
"What do you want to talk to me about?" I asked nervously.
"I have spoken with a few friends of mine and your studies show great promise, you have your choice of the two universities, Cambridge or Oxford" I looked at him in surprise.
"I can choose where I want to go?" I asked in disbelief.
"Yes you can" I know Tom attended Oxford for a little bit.
"Where do you think I should go?" I questioned nervously, this was a very big decision and I did not want to mess it up by choosing the wrong school.
"You wish for me to decide for you?" Papa asked with a raised eyebrow and I said nothing not really knowing what to say, he stood up and rounded the desk laying his hand on my shoulder. "Son, I cannot tell you which school is best only you can decide that we are leaving for Court after Catalina's marriage so whilst there speak with some of the courtiers who have attended the school and listen to their opinion. And once you feel you have enough information make your decision" he said leading me out of his office.
I listened carefully to everything he said "okay papa, is William going to college as well?" I asked curiously.
"He does not wish to go right now, he is not as serious about education as you are" I knew he was right, William was all about having fun and was not much interested in law or politics.
George Boleyn, Duke of Rochford
"Papa I like it here" Jane said with a sigh as we sat in your chambers.
"I know, but we have to return to France" she has been hinting at staying for a while now but we had obligations in France that we could not just abandon.
"Please papa!" She begged grabbing my hand, "mama make him!" She then said to Jane.
"Love...I am Charlotte's governance and your father runs the Prince's household those are veryimportant obligations. I know you love England and maybe when you are older you may become a Lady in Waiting for the Queen here but for right now you must stay with us where ever we are" her forehead creased in anger and she pushed us away from her and ran from the room probably to find my mother.
I stood up with a sigh and went to follow her "Jane you know better than to run" I called after her as she burst into the parlor and threw herself at mama.
"Papa is leaving!" She sobbed as I entered, "I want to stay!" I closed the door behind me and my sisters looked up in surprise at Jane's behavior.
"We are not leaving soon Jane" I told her rubbing my forehead.
"Sweetheart stop crying" mama told her pushing her tears away. "Of course papa is going to be leaving and you with him, France is your home now" I knew it hurt her to admit it.
"No!" Jane snapped in anger.
"Yes, but tis a good thing mi amor for you can watch Charlotte and Harri for me! I cannot visit France. You will be doing me a great favor to watch them and write me about them" she whispered looking back to me.
"But I want to stay her with auntie's and uncle's" she whimpered.
"You will see them again sweetheart have no worry about that, now you must obey your father in what he says and if he tells you that you shall be returning to France you should not contradict him" she nodded but with great sorrow and anger.
"I am sorry she bothered you" I told them picking my daughter up.
"Tis no problem" mama quickly said looking to my little sisters.
"Jane must go to her studies she has been falling behind" she whimpered burying her face in my neck.
April 11th, 1535
Catalina Boleyn
"Mama...I do not wish to do this" I whispered to my mother nervously, I lay cuddled in her side for probably the last time. Papa had fallen asleep way on the other side of the bed and I was still too scared to sleep with my sisters.
"You can my love" she said kissing my forehead but I could hear the pain in her voice.
"No, please do not make me!" I begged holding her as tightly as I could.
"I love you so much and I thank God every day that I lived to see you grow. Catalina was my original name, it was changed when I came to England, I feel like I have failed you. I kept you so sheltered" I kissed her cheek cuddling closer.
"Your name was Catalina?" I questioned hoping she would no longer blame herself.
"Yes, I was Catalina de Aragón" she said with a smile, "I thought you knew" she then sighed caressing my cheek. "Catalina you need to close your eyes, tomorrow shall be a long day" I pressed my cheek against her chest closing my eyes tightly praying tomorrow never came.
April 12th, 1535
When I woke up mama had be dressed in a simple gown and we went to service than ate breakfast, everyone was quiet and not even William make any jokes. Mama, Isabella and Cordelia brought me back to mama's chambers where they had a bath drawn. "Do not be nervous Catty" Cordelia said with a smile and I nodded unable to speak.
"The bath is ready, My Lady" a servant told mama and she nodded helping me undress and get into the tub.
"Have any of you been to Wolf Hall?" I asked curiously knowing I was leaving for it in the morning.
"No" they all said, "but I hear it is quite lovely" Isabella added quickly.
"You do not need to be worried mi amor" mama said washing my hair, once they were done I was dried off and they put on my wedding dress. It was a beautiful dove grey satin with small jewels encrusted into the bodice. Isabella clasped a diamond necklace around my neck as a servant curled my hair before putting it in a net under a matching dove grey gown with small diamonds encrusted in it. "You look absolutely beautiful mi amor" mama said with tears in her eyes and she kissed my cheek smiling happily.
The corset was not tied too loosely; I looked at myself in the mirror. My stomach was not noticeable but if you looked closely enough you could tell that it was starting to swell. Cordelia was 3 months now and her stomach had a more noticeable bump than mine and Mr. Clancy was always touching it as if it were the most fascinating thing ever. "Catalina? Did you hear me?" Isabella asked and I jumped a little turning to look at her.
"No, I am sorry" she smiled sadly and glanced to mama.
"We have to go get ready now" I nodded and they left, I looked outside seeing the guests walking into the castle. There were not that many, the King and Queen with their children and a few nobles at court. I wondered what my life would be like now as the Countess of Oxford. I wanted to believe that it would be fun and exciting but I was so scared, I did not trust Lord Oxford…I did not trust any man and wanted nothing more than to stay home with my family. But I had made a deal with him and there was no going back on it now.
"Ma petite?" I heard and turned and smiled at my papa.
"Papa!" I did not realize how happy I was to see him till I jumped in his arms hugging around his chest tightly. "I am scared papa" I admitted tears forming in my eyes, I buried my face in his chest and he hugged me tightly and kissed the top of my head.
"No one will hurt you again Catalina I promise. And if anyone dares to all you must do is tell me and I will strike them down with such a force even God shall be amazed" I smiled looking up at him and he brushed my tears away and kissed my forehead. "I love you Catalina and all I ever wanted was for you to be happy and safe, sometimes I fear I have messed up and in the end you were hurt" I chewed my lip desperate to stop the tears.
"It is not your fault papa…I promise it is not" I whispered and tears slowly slithered down my cheeks and stained his coat. "I am still scared though…I do not know how to raise a baby but I do not wish to leave it to a governance because I know it will not be treated fairly" I added quietly.
"We are always here to help you and I am sure Lord Oxford shall help as well" he leaned back and cradled my face. "You will be a good mother ma petite" he promised and I smiled softly.
"I hope you are right papa" he took my hand reassuringly and I swallowed hard. I wanted nothing more than to run away right now. So far away that Lord Oxford shall not be able to find me and I could live in peace with my baby and family.
"Catalina it is time" papa said bringing me back from my dream, I could not help but let out a whimper of sadness and he kissed my forehead lovingly. "Hush sweetheart you will be fine, he will not...touch you tonight" I leaned into my father and could not help but let tears fall as he led me down to the church. I remembered being little and sneaking into their room at night when I was scared. I remember when I was really little and had a nightmare and sometimes he would be there instead of mama. He would hold me close and tell me stories about when he was little.
Before I knew it I was at the alter I held tightly to him staring up at him with wide fearful eyes "no" I whispered unable to let him go.
"It is alright" he whispered and gently took his arm back and went to mama. I felt so alone standing up here in front of the small crowd, to me it did not even feel like Lord Oxford.
"Lady Catalina?" I finally heard and shook my head a tiny bit looking to the priest. "Do you take Oxford as your husband?" He questioned and I opened my mouth unable to speak for a moment.
"I...I...I do" I finally said and he nodded continued on with the words I did not want to hear. I glanced towards my mama who smiled lovingly to me giving me some courage, but not enough. Finally the words were said. The ones I had dreaded the most.
"You may kiss your bride" I whimpered audibly not wanting to feel his lips near mine. It made my skin crawl and I wanted to scream, he thankfully seemed to understand and place a small kiss upon my cheek and I flinched away.
He led me down that aisle and the small banquet hall where food and wine were to be served. Lord Oxford was speaking with my brothers and I quickly snuck away to my mother and she hugged me tightly. "Mi amor" she sighed as I hugged her tightly with a whimper, "do not shed a tear you are a Boleyn and the granddaughter of great Queen and King's do not let these people see you cry" I nodded and squeezed my eyes shut for a moment forcing the tears away.
"Please mama I do not even want to be in his bed mama" I whispered in distress.
"He promised your father and I he would not try anything Catalina and I believe him to be a man of his word" she said staring into my eyes and I nodded praying she was right.
"Catty?" I heard Michelle ask and looked down to see her tugging on my dress.
"Yes?" I asked taking her hand.
"Are you going to leave now?" She questioned me with tears in her eyes. It made me feel horrible.
"Yes, but I promise to be back in June and I am staying till September then when October comes you are to come to Wolf Hall and stay with me till my baby is born!" I said with as much excitement as I could muster up.
"Do you promise?" She whispered.
"Yes, I promise" I leaned down and hugged her tightly. I spent the rest of the night talking with my brothers and sisters trying my best to stay away from Lord Oxford and his father. But slowly the night seemed to fall away and people retired and went to bed and my eyes started to fall.
"Wife, I believe it is time we retire to bed" he said at last and I whimpered recoiling away from his hand as he tried to take mine.
"Sweetheart" mama said and I looked towards her, "everything is alright, he is not going to hurt you" I knew she was right but there was something in my mind telling me that he was going to. He led me to my new chambers where I quickly entered the dressing chamber. Lady Middleton came in helping me undress for the night.
"Please I cannot go out there! I am in my chemise" I whined as she urged me to walk out for bed.
"You have to Lady Ca...Lady Oxford, he is your husband and is allowed to see you in your chemise" I shook my head reluctantly.
"I do not like it" I whined and she took a deep patient breath.
"You have to, I must go attend your sisters now" she left and I was alone in the dressing chamber for 10 minutes before I heard him.
"Catalina, you need to come to bed" he said knocking lightly on the door. I whimpered and backed away from the door, he opened it and I screamed in surprise. "Christ woman! Tis perfectly fine, you need to come to bed" I had grabbed a robe and quickly held it to me self-consciously.
"Get away from the door" I finally whispered after a few tense quiet moments and he held his hands up backing away. Timidly I walked out of the dressing chamber clutching my robe closed tightly.
"I am away now get in the bed" he said and I walked towards the left side of the bed. He blew his candles out and got in to his side of the bed "Catalina get into bed" he said impatiently.
"You are in bed" I whimpered and he took a deep breath.
"I know that Catalina. Now take off your robe and into bed" I knew I must be getting on his nerves but I did not care.
"I do not want to" I whined.
"If you do not get in the bed I shall make you" he ordered and I stomped my foot.
"I want my kitty!" I had left Lily in my old bedchambers. He got up and threw his covers back; I blushed quickly looking down at the ground seeing him only in his linen shorts.
"I am being very kind and going out my way for you!" He grabbed my arm and pushed me back onto the bed. I let out a sob burying my face in the pillow "just go to sleep Catalina" I kept far away from him that night and made sure my robe was tied tightly.
April 13th, 1535
Everything was packed into the carriage and I held onto mama tightly praying that the few minutes I had left here at Hever would drag by very, very slowly. "I do not want to go" I whimpered to my mother and she kissed my cheek hugging me tightly.
"Mi amor you have too, you already made a deal with him" she pulled away just a little to look down at my face.
"I take it back!" I cried and she hushed me.
"You cannot take it back my love it is too late now" I did not want to believe her! It was never too late.
"Catty it is going to be okay" George said comfortingly from beside her.
"I just want to stay" I whimpered tears slipping down my cheeks.
"We will not be so far away my sweet. And if ever you need us we are only a letter away" mama promised and I had tears slipping down my cheeks as she hugged me again tightly.
"Write us when you get there...so we know you are okay" Isabella added forcing a comforting smile.
"Tell us how the gardens are" Cordelia then added.
"Yeah...and tell us if you get any new pretty dresses!" Rose said hugging me tightly.
"Do not be too worried Catalina we are never far away" Anthony told me and both he and William hugged me as tightly as they could without hurting my baby.
"We might just come by Wolf Hall and play a few pranks" I smiled to William as he whispered into my ear.
"Come back soon please" Annette said and Michelle stayed silent beside her. I hugged both my little sisters tightly.
"Catalina we must be going" I heard Lord Oxford call and let out a small whimper. I looked at my mother and siblings once more before walking to the carriage.
"Everything is okay Catalina, he will treat you well and if he does not just send me a letter and I shall speak with him" Tom said and I hugged my big brother tightly.
"Catalina" papa said and my throat squeezed shut. I did not know what to say and quickly threw my arms around his neck hugging him tighty.
"I love you papa so much" I cried into his neck and his grip on my grew tighter.
"I love you too ma petite" he whispered kissing my forehead. "You need to get in the carriage but I promise you will see us soon enough" I nodded and kissed his cheek never wanting to let go. But I did.
He helped me into the carriage and I looked back towards my family as the carriage rolled down the cobblestone. "There is not need to fret Catalina you will be treated with the utmost respect" Lord Oxford told me as Hever Castle grew out of view.
"You say I shall but I do not believe you" I whispered keeping as far from him as possible. Mama had talked to me about what it was like for her when she had Cordelia and it scared me to think the world could be that cruel to an innocent baby.
"And why is that?" He asked grumpily.
"My child will not be legitimate and no one will treat it with respect...or me" he let out a sigh and rubbed his forehead.
"Catalina I promise you that no one holds what happened against you" I flinched as he spoke of what happened. I do not like remembering it.
"What if I have a girl?" I asked testing the water out as I placed a hand on my small belly.
"I would help raise her and find a good match for her" I nodded and bit my lip.
"And if it is a boy?" I questioned fearing that if I had a son he would sent away to some school or church.
"Catalina...let us not talk about this right now" I balled my fists angrily.
"Yes! We shall talk about this right now! I am having a baby and there is a chance it could be a boy! Please...just tell me what is to happen" my voice was strong until the end.
"I am still in the process of thinking what I shall do" I grabbed my skirts and twisted the fabric in between my fingers.
"Will you send him away?" I asked nervously.
"No. I promised your father I would take care of you and your child and that does not mean sending it away" I let out a sigh of relief happy to know that my baby would be staying with me.
"I have been thinking about what I would like to name it" at first I had not really thought about it when I first got pregnant but lately it has been on my mind.
"Have you made any decisions?" I smiled happy to talk about my baby.
"Not really...there are so many options" I looked down at my belly for only a moment "I have not told my mother but I decided if it is a girl I want to name her Mary after my older sister" he smiled glancing towards me.
"That is very kind of you, now what if it is a boy?" He asked.
"I am not so sure...I like the name Robert...but there are so many other choices!" He listened patiently as I spoke never once interupting. Then another thought struck me "my baby...um...I know it shall have a first name but...but what of its last name?" I asked softly.
"Maybe Boleyn...I am not sure yet Catalina not let us ride in silence for a while" he said his voice edging with annoyance.
Thomas Boleyn, Viscount Lincoln
"I feel so sorry for your sister" Elizabeth whispered as we sat in our chambers. No one really wanted to be outside doing much really the weight on Catalina's departure was so heavy in the Castle right now.
"Why is that?" I questioned.
"Twas my brother who hurt her" I looked up sharply. No one has mentioned Thomas Butler's name at all.
"There is no need to speak of him" I snapped and she backed down only a little.
"But I feel there is...he was my brother and I grew up with him" she started off and I turned my back to her angrily. "But I hate him for what he did...for what he has done, not just Catalina but other girls as well" Butler had been accused of many other rapes as well.
"What is this supposed to mean to me?" I demanded.
"I just wanted you to know I do not want to have anything to do with him" she spoke quietly staring down at the ground, "what he did to your sister hurts me as well" I took a deep breath and looked out the window of the room.
"Thank you Elizabeth" she nodded and kept her eyes on her shoes.
"May I go to your sisters room?" She almost begged. She got along well with all my sisters.
"You may" she left with a few servants following close behind her. I was left alone in my chambers and I sat down closing my eyes and trying to think clearly I knew Catalina did not hold anything against Elizabeth, no one did. But it did not make it any different that she was the sister to my sisters rapist. I knew it was not my place to punish her for something her brother did and she herself agreed that what her brother did was disgusting and he deserves to be punished. I just worried for my little sister. She is so young and...I would not say she is stupid but she is very innocent in matters and is having to grow up very quickly. Lord Oxford was being kind enough but once she births the child I fear he shall force her to submit herself to him and get with child quickly so he can have a child of his own.
I swear if he hurts her he will pay dearly.
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