28th of November 1533 - Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace

"Father. Lady Stepmother," Henry Fitzroy greeted with a bow of his head, his eyes moving between the royal couple who presented a united front even in the face of disappointment and speculation. 

It was no secret that the King had spoken greatly of his desire for a second son by the Queen, had been convinced that it would be awarded to them just as they had been rewarded by God when Prince Alexander was born. 

Today, he would be married to Lady Mary Howard who was a cousin to the Queen and the daughter of the Duke of Norfolk; she was a fine match for one such of himself especially with his loss of position. 

Now he was simply the Duke of Richmond and any ideas that he might have had of perhaps one day becoming King of England when his father passed because he had no royal brothers had vanished. 

"My Lord Richmond," King Henry greeted with a nod of his head, his eyes catching on the boy's mother who was also in attendance; he had not seen her in many years since she had been married off. 

It seemed like the years had treated his former mistress well despite the fact that she had lost her husband in the last three years; she had three more beautiful children with her and was now remarried. 

"Our Congratulations on your impending marriage, I am sure Mary shall make you a very happy man," Anne stated knowing that tying Fitzroy to her own family was of great importance, they could not have him become a figurehead anymore than they could allow Lady Mary to be one. 

Anne was doing what she could to ensure that the people looked favourably upon her, making her family strong was important especially so she could weather attacks from all sides. 

Fitzroy nodded his head, in truth he had yet to lie eyes on the bride that his father and stepmother had chosen for him; he had barely been back at court for long instead of at his country estates. 

He rather preferred the quiet there especially while he continued with his studies, he was certain that despite not being heir to the throne that he had a great future ahead of him.

"With both of your blessing I should like to visit Hatfield to greet my royal siblings," Fitzroy stated, he had yet to meet either of his new siblings by the Queen; if he were too remain in their good graces then he would pay his respects to Alexander and Elizabeth. 

He might have lost his Dukedom for Somerset but he could still have a promising career at court; he was the acknowledged bastard of the King. 

"You have our blessing," King Henry stated pleased to see that his son wished to pay his respects to his royal siblings, it was a good sign that Fitzroy was not too upset with the loss of his Dukedom. 

He was still Duke of Richmond afterall and he had a rather comfortable life, he was well cared for because of his royal family and he would likely have a very promising career. 

Fitzroy smiled before allowing his father and stepmother to move towards their seats, his smile disappearing when he was out of sight to them; his eyes moving to focus on his mother who was already seated. 

Bessie Blount had brought George, Robert, and Elizabeth to see their elder brother get married; she had been widowed three years earlier and it was pleasing to her to see her eldest boy married off to a fine match. 

Looking at her sweet boy, she could hardly believe how fast the years had gone and recalled how nervous she had been when she discovered that she was pregnant by the King. 

At the time she had been a lady-in-waiting to the false Queen and she had been worried about her reputation; she had been unmarried when her son had been born and she was lucky to have her son recognised. 

The fact that her boy still held one of his dukedoms was enough for her, she knew that there could be no doubt in the line of succession and her son was never meant for the throne. 

Music sounded through out the chapel and Bessie glanced towards the back of the chapel, her eyes catching on the Howard bride that had been selected for her son. 

Lady Mary Howard was on the arm of her father, the Duke of Norfolk and there was no doubt that the man was rather pleased to have his own blood marry the acknowledged bastard son of the King. 

***

"You could at least smile, we are at a wedding for goodness sake," Elizabeth Boleyn scolded taking a seat beside her husband, she was sure if anyone cared to look their way that they would notice the scowl on Thomas's face. 

They were here to celebrate her niece's wedding and Elizabeth would not have it said that they were displeased with such a match especially one that lessened the threat that Fitzroy might pose to their own. 

"What is there to celebrate? We still have no male heir to continue the Boleyn name," Thomas spat with a shake of his head, despite the time that had passed since the birth his disappointment in the birth of a second daughter for his son had not lessened. 

If anything, it concerned him, both his daughters had managed to produce a son in two pregnancies while Clarice had yet to provide one even though she clearly had no issue in getting pregnant. 

"You have six healthy grandchildren, one of which shall be King of England one day," Elizabeth reminded him, it was not like their line would die off; Catherine, Henry, Contessina, Alexander, Elizabeth and Filiberta were all healthy children and they would not doubt survive childhood. 

They could not ignore the fact that they had a grandson that would be King of England and it was highly likely that like her aunts before her; Princess Elizabeth would find herself as a Queen Consort. 

"Plus, Mary has written me and has announced that she is with child again," Elizabeth shared knowing that such news could not be sniffed at, their eldest daughter was a Countess and content with her life in the country. 

It had been a long time since they had had such news from Mary, her two children by her late husband had been most welcome and they had been adored even if people gossiped that they were the King's children. 

Elizabeth scoffed at such rumours, surely if either Mary or Henry had been the King's children then they would have been honoured like Fitzroy; the King had been desperate afterall to prove the issue of dead children was firmly at Katherine's door. 

His dalliance with Mary had been long before the King had even set eyes upon Anne so he would not have had to hide it then in fear of how it might affect his marriage plans with Anne.

"The Boleyn name shall be lost if that woman does not give George a son, after everything our legacy shall be forgotten," Thomas grumbled shaking his head, it did not matter to him if Mary produced another healthy child when the child would not bare his name. 

Her children were Carey and Stafford, they would carry Boleyn blood but they would not carry his name and were of no use to him when they would stand to only inherit their fathers titles. 

"There is plenty of time, they are both still young and they have only been married for two years, we had a child for each year we were married," Elizabeth reminded him, she recalled how happy she had been back there with children filling the nursery even if they had buried two sons before their time and two miscarriages between her children. 

It had only made her stronger and Elizabeth more determined not to pressure Mary, Anne, and Clarice into providing healthy children; she did not wish for them to suffer losses like she had done. 

"Only three of them survived to adulthood," Thomas replied bitterly, the loss of two sons had been far from easily and he had no doubts that his line would have been more secure if Thomas the Younger and Henry had both survived. 

Now he only had George to secure his line and his only son had two daughters, who could only make grand marriages and would take on their husband's name upon marriage. 

Elizabeth was silent at his words, she stared across the room at the bride and groom thinking of her own wedding and how happy she had been. 

It felt like a lifetime ago and she ignored the tears that burned her eyes knowing that she would not weep for his cruel words; she would visit Thomas the Younger and Henry's graves when she returned to Hever Castle. 

Her heart ached for the children that she had lost, those who had come into the world and not survived childhood and those who had not even made it into the world. 

God willing, she would be united with them when she called to God's side and she would be able to hold them in her arms; she prayed that none of her daughters would suffer a loss like she had. 

There was no doubt in her mind that such a thing would only lead to more pain for the three of them than she herself had ever suffered.