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Face claim for Clarice de' Medici - Synnøve Karlsen.
Chapter One Hundred & Seven: Rivals No More.
10th of October 1536 - Hampton Court Palace
"News from Wallingford Castle," Madge Shelton stated entering the chambers of the Queen, she had seen the messenger arrive to speak with the King while she had been on a task for her mistress and had come straight back here. This was news that Queen Anne deserved to know, Madge didn't trust that the King would inform her not when he was in such a pleasant mood since Anne had announced her pregnancy last month.
He was even being more discrete about the women that he brought to his bed, no official mistress but Madge knew his eyes wander through the Queen's ladies even when Anne turned a blind eye to his actions. Pausing in her embroidery, Anne closed her eyes and took a deep breath knowing what this meant; the room falling silent as the words sunk in about where the news had come from.
"It begins," Anne whispered softly, a hand resting on her own belly knowing that this day was always going to arrive and she had dreaded it; a part of her feared what would happen when this day would come. Madge nodded her head, stepping closer to her cousin and mistress knowing that such news would not be easy to hear; from the reports that came in from Viscount Bryan, his wife was still insistent that the King would wish to see her and their baby.
Apparently the former Jane Seymour was not adjusting to the realty of the situation, she ranted daily that this was all Anne's doing and that Henry would welcome her back to court once she had birthed their son. Anne opened and closed her mouth, not sure what she wanted to ask as she pondered the situation; there was one question that lingered on her mind that she was afraid to ask. There was no escaping the stories of how Henry had reacted when Fitzroy had been born, in the wake of the boy's death there had been much talk about how the king had celebrated the birth of his son.
"The King remains here at court, he waved off the messenger and invited the Duke of Bedford to join him," Madge stated stepping closer to Anne, she could see where her lady's mind had gone and she didn't blame her for worrying. The King was a fickle man that could change his mind in a moment's notice, he could leave in a moment's notice to visit Jane but he surrounded himself with Boleyns as Jane's labour begun.
Anne nodded her head, she was sure her brother would keep a close eye on the king and tell her if he suspected that he might go and visit Jane; she would tolerate his dalliances but she wasn't sure what to make of the baby on the way. The child if a boy could be a threat to her own children, one that would be raised to hate his half-siblings and her even with Francis in the picture; Jane would always be there whispering in his ear.
Henry wasn't going to live forever, her husband was slowly gaining weight and the wounds on his legs were causing him grief; he was remarkably different from the man that Anne had meet ten years ago that had tried to woo and court her. It seemed like a dream when she thought about who her husband had been when trying to court her, he had been so sweet to her but things changed once he had her.
If it weren't for Alexander, Anne was sure that he would have found a way to rid himself of her despite the fact that she had given him healthy children; she doubted he would have been patient with her for not giving him an urge. Even now there was pressure to provide a Duke of York, a second son to further secure the succession for her husband and his line. Alexander was a healthy boy but so had Arthur been before the sweat took him in 1502, there was never anyway of knowing what the future might hold.
"Madam," Madge asked snapping Anne from her negative thoughts of what ifs, she offered her lady a concerned look as Anne rubbed her hand against her ever growing bump. It was a wonderful feeling to have life growing inside of her, she adored each of her children and had no doubts that she would love this one just as much. The child was due in spring and Anne was eager for such a time that she might hold them in her arms, the wait for the child to be born seemed like such a long time and Anne knew everyone was watching and waiting to see what would happen.
Wallingford Castle
Pacing around the halls of Wallingford Castle, Edward Seymour tried to keep his cool as he waited for the news that he had been sent to collect; the labour dragging on into the evening as they waited for Jane to be delivered of her child. It had been the King that had tasked him to bring him the news, the man doing little else but returning to normal duties while the court waited to hear if Jane was delivered of a son or a daughter.
There was no secrecy now that Viscountess Bryan was expecting the King's child, it was hard to keep most things secret especially with the sudden marriage of Jane to the newly titled Viscount Bryan. Sir John was seated by the fire, deep in thought as he pondered the situation that his eldest daughter now found herself in; part of him believed himself for what had become of her. He should have refused her requests to serve Queen Catherine when she had fallen from grace, instead enforcing Jane and her sisters' into the household of their kin Queen Anne.
Perhaps then Jane would not be banished from court, forbidden to return married to a man like Francis Bryan who was nowhere to be seen while she laboured to bring the King's bastard into the world. Jane hadn't even been permitted to attend her brother, Henry's wedding when he had married Barbara Wolfe in June; in fear of causing great upset to their Majesties who hosted the festivities.
"Is there any news?" Thomas asked entering the rooms where his family was waiting to see what Jane delivered, he had hoped that his sister would have lost the child to spare them from further humiliation. Most of the Seymours had promising careers at court, rising high with their Boleyn and Howard cousins since Queen Anne had taken the throne; a son from Jane could jeopardise that for them.
"Nothing… she's been at it for hours now and still no news," Edward stated eager to return to court, he did not like being away from the King when he was making a career at court during this time. Despite Jane's misstep that had seen her dismissed from court, there had been no affect on his own rise during this time. It was bad enough that his first marriage had shamed them all so, his first wife's affair having caused serious doubts about the paternity of his eldest two sons. There would be no forgiveness for his former wife, despite her death in 1535 and Edward had focused his attentions on his new marriage; he was determined to make sure that Edward and John could not inherit his new title.
The hours seemed to drag on by with the candles burning low and the three waiting for any news that Jane had delivered her child; it was dawn before Lady Margery Seymour made an appearance with a grim look upon her face. John stood to greet his wife, he moved across the room as their sons watched their parents both waiting to hear what was going on.
"Well?" Thomas asked growing impatient, he needed to know what was going to happen now; they had to tell the King what Jane had been delivered of and then if her was merciful then he might acknowledge the child. It was bad enough that they'd spent all night waiting to see what would happen, if their chances were truly ruined because of Jane's mistake.
"Jane has been delivered of a daughter," Margery announced simply moving away from her husband, there was nothing more that could be done now; the child would likely be given Jane's husband. No doubt there would be great relief in the fact that Jane had not given Henry a son like their daughter had so desired to do; a daughter that would likely gain nothing in this life.
"And what has she named the child?" Edward asked, a weight had been lifted from his shoulders as a daughter would be no threat to Queen Anne's son; Alexander would be King, there would no doubt about that now. John thanked God that Jane did not have a son, that she had been married well and no doubt the Viscount would be relieved as well to learn that his wife did not have a son by the King.
"She refuses to do so, she states that she wishes for the King to name their daughter," Margery stated with a shake of her head, her daughter was a fool to think that the King would want anything to do with the child that she had birthed. The child would be raised to be loyal to the Queen and Prince Alexander, no doubt Jane would be allowed little to do with their education as they grew up.
Hampton Court Palace
"And what has Lady Bryan named her child?" King Henry asked looking down at Edward and Thomas, both men having returned to court that morning to deliver the news that Jane had been delivered of her child. His hand held onto Anne's as she was seated beside him, dressed in matching outfits to showcase their unity on the matter of Jane Seymour's delivery of a daughter.
"Margery after our beloved mother," Edward lied smoothly, it had been decided that they would tell Jane that it was the King's idea but they all agreed that it was for the best. Jane would never be in the presence of the King to learn that he had not decided the name of her daughter, a child that would not be recognised as the King's but rather as her husband's child.
"A wonderful name," Anne said smiling, she wasn't entirely sure how to feel about the news that her husband had a daughter at this time. It was a feeling that she doubted she would ever get used to, she wondered if this was how Catherine had felt when Bessie Blount had been delivered of Henry Fitzroy.
"You must send our well wishes to the Viscount for the birth of his first child. A daughter is a wonderful start to their marriage," Henry stated, the meaning behind his words leaving no doubt on the way that the girl would be brought up. It was for the best in his mind, that the child remained unacknowledged and he was certain that Francis would ensure the girl was raised to the best standard; he would not allow her head to be filled with rubbish from her mother.
"I am sure that there will be a place for the girl one day in the royal nursery… perhaps as a companion for the Princesses," Henry continued on, he would have the girl honoured by offering her a place in the royal nursery as a companion. It would enforce the position that was her life, a fine match being made for her one day and no doubt she would likely serve in Elizabeth's or Beatrice's households one day; perhaps she would even join them when they left to marry as one of their ladies.
"I am sure my sister would be honoured if that was what Your Majesties decided," Edward stated, it was the best that they could hope for and Jane would be a fool not to see it for what it was. While Jane had been shunned from court for her actions, it was good to see that little Margery would not be; she would be welcomed and hold a place of honour in the royal nursery.
Anne smiled at that, it had been her idea to see the girl raised with her royal half-siblings much like it had been her that had pushed for Jane to be married well rather than sent away to the country never to return. A part of her knew that this could have been her fate, that she could have been Jane if it weren't for the Medici and their aid in providing Henry an out with his marriage to Catherine.
Anne did not think Catherine nor Jane would have been kind to her if their roles had been reversed, she knew they would have seen her cast out and sent away to a nunnery with her child ripped from her. It as a kindness that they allowed Jane to keep her child now, she would be watched closely by those around her to ensure that she would not fill the child's head with nonsense but she would be allowed to be involved in their growing up.
"Your Majesties," Thomas and Edward stated bowing to their King and Queen before exiting the presence chamber, relief filling both of them knowing that they were extremely lucky. The meeting had gone better than they expected, it had been a deep concern that they might not be well received when giving the news that Jane had given birth although a daughter would help their case.
Lady Margery Bryan would never be a threat to her siblings, she would be raised thinking that Viscount Bryan was her father; she would likely never know the truth that she had been conceived by the King. The two brothers shared a look, Jane would have to be kept in check; she would not be allowed the chance to ruin things for them, not when they had so much more to achieve.
They were nearly the third family at court now, they gained much from their cousins and they would give them no cause to think that any of the Seymour family were a threat. It was on them to raise their family higher, they were cousins to the Queen and people saw them as powerful; they would not allow anyone to displace themselves from the power that they now had.
I recommend Bed of Deceit by BellalunaMcKenzie, For Even as Love Crowns You by wizardfantasy and Sanctuary by Cattyfan. Also check out My Lord Husband, The Enemy by Esme24, That Subtle Wreath by EvilFluffyBiteyThing and its sequel, A Progress in Kent.
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