Disclaimer: I do not own the Tudors.
Chapter Fifty-Seven: A Woman's Place.
5th of August 1534 - Wulfhall
Staring down at the beautiful necklace that had been sent to her by the King, Jane Seymour could hardly believe the last couple of months especially since the Queen had revealed that she was with child again. It almost seemed like a dream that the King of England was courting her attention, he sent her poems and beautiful gifts such as the necklace that she now held in her hands; though everything had been returned and she had refused his attention.
When the King had first sent her a purse full of coins with a letter; she was clever enough not to open the letter and returned it unopened. With the aid of Sir Nicholas Carew, Jane had become everything that the King might desire in a woman and one that could compete with his wife; she employed the tricks that Anne had used herself to hold the King's attention.
She was considered to be soft spoken, docile, and subservient by the King, he whispered to her that she was a cool and calming presence in his life compared to the Queen who was like a flame threatening to consume him. It pleased her to do her mistress's work, to bring about great sadness to Anne as she had inflicted on Good Queen Katherine would be her pleasure.
Setting down the necklace, Jane reached for the letter that the King had sent to her, he wrote to her often and he pleaded with her to return to her position at court instead of remaining at her family estate. A part of her longed to give in and write back to him, his words ignited something inside of her and Jane loved the feelings that he woke inside of her.
Never in her life had she thought that someone could bring about these feelings from her, she longed for his letters and the way that he spoke to her; it was like she was the only one in the room when he looked to her. A small part of her was bitter that while her younger sisters were married off, she remained unmarried and no matches were being discussed for her; not even now that they were related to a 'Queen'.
Scoffing at the thought, Jane stood from her seat beside the fire place and moved towards her jewellery box; the letter that the King had sent her securely in her hand. If her brothers or sisters discovered that she was receiving letters from the King then they would turn on her; they believed that their loyalty to the Boleyns would pay off, that they would throw scraps from their table for them. They had turned their backs upon the true Queen, they ignored her while she remained trapped in a nunnery declared mad by those who had once sworn their love of her.
Opening the box, Jane placed the newest letter from the King inside with a smile knowing that once she had the power then she would do what Katherine could not; she would make the King see his mistake. Princess Mary would be restored to the top of the succession, Anne's bastard could come in after if the King so pleased; the Princess's marriage to the bastard could be annulled and her child raised befitting a royal bastard.
Closing the lid on the box, Jane made sure to lock it and pocket the key; she did not wish for such evidence to fall into the wrong hands, lest she find herself in trouble. There was no one that she could trust here, nor at court except those that had been sent to her by Katherine; she prayed every day that God would show her the way to restore what had been taken by the Boleyns.
Moving across the room and towards the windows of the chambers that she shared with her sisters, Jane allowed the silence of her childhood home to swallow her. It was strange to be home when her siblings were not, they were all at court and settled into their positions at court; positions that could be further improved upon should she play her part.
The King would likely come for her soon, he could not bed Anne while she was with child and after losing her last pregnancy, there was just no telling what might happen. Anne's time as the only woman that held the King's heart would come to an end, he would tire of her like he had done Katherine; she might be secure with one son in the nursey but things could change as they had done when Katherine was Queen.
Clarice could not contain the smile on her face as she admired her husband, they were at their home in the country and she was most relieved that they were able to afford such time away from the court. In a matter of weeks, the court was expected to go on progress and one of the stops would be here where her and George would be expected to house the royal court for a couple of weeks.
However, for now they got to enjoy their time with their children and looking after their estates while they relaxed away from the busy nature of the court; it was most relieving to be home especially when they knew what was coming. George had already expressed his desire, that if possible then he would travel with the army to do his part; he did not wish for people to think of him as a coward and cowering from his duty.
A lump formed in Clarice's throat, she did not know what she would do if something happened to George; she could not imagine herself remarrying if she lost him. There was no doubt in her mind that he was the love of her life, he had blessed her with two beautiful daughters; there would never be another for her and she would die an old maid without him.
"Mama," Contessina called snapping Clarice from her thoughts, she forced a smile to her face at the sound of her daughter's voice and blinked back her tears knowing that she could not allow them to see her sadness. There was no telling what God had planned for them, Clarice wished with all her might that she could understand what he had planned for her. Though she was but a simple woman, she was no more important than any other of her station; she had to hope that whatever God had planned for her that his plan would be just and she would not suffer too much.
"Sweetling," Clarice replied moving from her place in the doorway where she had been watching them, her heart feeling lighter at the sight of her beloved children who were learning how to ride the pony that George had acquired. George had thought it would be a grand idea especially to have the short, dappled grey, handsome pony on hand so that their daughters might learn to ride and it was something that he felt was important.
It was George's hope that their children would have all the advantages that he and his siblings had done; though he would do everything in his power to ensure that they were not placed in situations like Anne and Mary. Despite enjoying the benefits that had come with Anne's rise as Queen, George could not ignore the damage that had been done to her reputation and that of Mary; he would do anything to make sure that the same did not transpire for Contessina and Filiberta.
"Look at Merrylegs," Contessina said with a large grin, she adored the pony as she offered him another carrot; she enjoyed her pony riding lessons that her father gave her. It was much nicer here than at court and while she did adore seeing her Aunt and Uncle King, she missed seeing her parents when she liked.
"He is a beautiful pony," Clarice agreed, she reached out her hand and petted the pony who seemed most pleased with the attention that he was receiving; he was a perfectly good-tempered and trustworthy pony. It warmed her heart to have such a kind creature for her children to learn to ride on, she recalled her own pony that she had learned to ride upon; she had been a sweet timid creature.
"It is time that you washed up for supper," Clarice instructed with a wave of her hand, she summoned the children's governess closer so that she might take the children and prepare them for supper. Filiberta would need feeding before she was put to bed for the night and Clarice was hopeful that her youngest would not give the governess so much grief as she usually did when it came to bed time.
Pressing a kiss to the top of Filiberta's head, George handed her over to the governess before signalling for the stable boy to return Merrylegs to the stables for the night. Moments such as these were rare and he was thankful to be back home where he could sort out the running of his own estates; it would not do for them to fall into disarray while they were away at court.
"We are most certainly blessed," George stated with a smile, watching them head back into their home; he moved towards Clarice and kissing her, he felt at peace here with his family around him. It was a breath of fresh air compared to all the happenings at court, he had always been a keen courtier and eager to serve his King; however, there were times that he wished for nothing more than his warm bed and his wife.
The position that he held had only grown more important with Anne's rise and George knew that his sister relied on him more than ever now; it was him that she expected to hear of the proceedings of courtly things. To hold the King's ear in important matters was not something that anyone could turn their nose up at; the King's ever-growing desire for family meant that he often turned to George as his brother.
"Anne's pregnancy is progressing well, they say she is expected to deliver in the Spring," George noted with a frown, there was more care being taken this time with his sister and he had no doubts their father and uncle had pressed upon her the importance of a healthy child. Though they would not say it out loud, she was expected to deliver a Duke of York; one that would further secure the succession for the Tudor dynasty.
The two of them slowly walked through the stables towards the gardens, their arms linked as they walked and Clarice smiled thankful for a private moment with her love; there was much to be discussed especially with the court coming to their home.
"My father speaks of us, he has high hopes that he shall soon be blessed with more grandchildren," George stated thought he was in no hurry, they were both still young and he had no doubts that they were going to have more children when the time was right. Nor did he see his father pressuring Mary to have more children, it had been months since her son had been born and she had two children from her previous marriage.
"Perhaps this time, your Lord Father shall not be so disappointed," Clarice mused with a smile, she slowly came to a stop and stared up at him wondering if he would catch her hint. It seemed like fate almost that yet again she shared a pregnancy with Anne, they had both been pregnant at the same time when they were expecting their first two pregnancies.
Now it appeared that they would share this one as well, she had no doubts that she would give birth after Anne had done; that had been the same way when Filiberta had been born. George turned to look at her, confusion clouding his face for a moment before he realised just what she was telling him; he almost did not want to believe that they had been blessed again.
"You are with child again?" George asked taking Clarice's hands in his, he wished for nothing more than for the to be blessed with another child; he would welcome another daughter if that was God's wish. He truly did not care, any child that she gave him was a blessing and he would adore them none the less; he knew others would not be so pleased with many daughters but each of them would be loved none the less.
"My courses are late," Clarice confirmed, she could not contain the joy that she felt for such news; she had longed to give him news that they were expecting as it had been many months since their last. Filiberta would be turning one in a couple of months and Clarice had worried that she would not fall pregnant, when her courses had stopped, she had prayed that it was a sign.
Stepping forward, George kissed Clarice unable to contain his joy at the news that they would have another children; he had prayed they would be blessed again and God had answered his prayers. Pulling back, he brushed his thumbs against her cheeks, this news would surely silence his father who was eager to see the Boleyn line continue; he wished for more grandchildren, especially boys.
"We should head back inside," George said not wishing for her to catch a cold, he would not forgive himself if anything where to befall her. Even in the warm summer evening, George would not risk her health especially not now that he knew that Clarice was with child; he would do most of the preparations for the royal visit himself.
As kin to the King and Queen, it would be expected of them to host and make them comfortable here at their home; hosting the royal court was an honour that no one would refuse if given the chance. Slowly making their way back inside, George could not help what would happen while the court was on progress; they could only hope that such a trip would be peaceful and the common folk would welcome the sight of their King and Queen. It was a show of strength and Anne's newest pregnancy would no doubt boost the moral of the people.
Highly recommend Athenais Penelope Clemence's story, Chained by Love and War as well as the short prequel An Enchanting Dance in Calais by Countess of Sherwood. I also recommend For Even as Love Crowns You by wizardfantasy and Sanctuary by Cattyfan.
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