Chapter Forty-Nine: All Shall Be Well

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4th of February 1534 - Hampton Court Palace

Focusing on her work, Anne listened to her ladies gossip and giggle together across the room while she was huddled by the fire working on clothes for the poor; she felt so alone and she wished that Mary could be here with her. 

Her older sister was due any day now and Anne prayed that Mary would have a safe delivery, she had done well with her first two children but it had been several years since Mary had been delivered of her last child. 

Henry Carey had been born eight years earlier and Anne knew that the labour had been a difficult one for her sister, she had wanted nothing more to be at her side but had not been allowed. 

She had been at court at the time serving Katherine and it had been around that time that she had caught Henry's attention; though she had done her best to deter him since she would not be his mistress. 

Anne wondered what that Anne would have thought of her now, she had gone back to Hever Castle to avoid the King and hoped that by leaving court his attention would venture elsewhere. 

Instead it had inflamed his passion for her, her reputation left her ruins despite the fact that she had done everything that she could to deter him until she had no options left. 

Here she was now as his wife and Queen, she had fallen for him knowing that she would get hurt that he would never remain faithful and she would end up as Katherine had. 

The only difference being that Anne had done as she had promised, Henry could never rid himself of her not now that she had given him a son; though she needed to provide a spare to secure her position. 

The sound of Madge approaching made her look up and offer a weak smile to her cousin, who set about adding more logs to the fire so that Anne would not get cold. 

Though it was the backache that bothered her more than anything else, it had begun a little while ago and Anne had done her best to get comfortable knowing it to be the aches and pains of childbearing that she had suffered with before. 

Despite being surrounded by those that she considered her kin, she found herself feeling mostly lonely more so than she had felt when she was courting the King after he had announced his desire to marry her.

The path that she had taken had been a difficult one and she had been unsure who to trust especially when she was hated at court for the King's decision to replace Katherine. 

This had all been before Spanish Infanta had been proven to be a traitor to the country that she had called home since she had arrived in 1501 to marry Prince Arthur; though that had not stopped her from the treason that she had committed to aid Spain. 

"Your Majesty," called a soft voice making Anne look up from her work, she frowned slightly recognising the woman that had spoken as one of the Seymour sisters. 

The three sisters that had entered her household were all middling stature and very pale, though they served her well and she recalled having served Katherine with the eldest of the sisters. 

"Lady Ughtred," Anne stated when she gathered her thoughts and recognised which of the sisters it was that had spoken to her, she signalled for her to approach wondering why she had disturbed her. 

She did not know her female Seymour cousins well but she knew that having their support was necessary and she had consolidated her power by uniting what she could of her family. 

"I was wondering if Your Majesty might like some company, perhaps I could play something for you," Lady Elizabeth Ughtred suggested wishing to keep her Queen company, she desired to make herself important to the Queen so that she might gain further favour. 

Those who held the Queen's trust and confidence would do well at court, she had seen how well Madge Shelton and Lady Zouche did because they were the Queen's closest; they attended to her often and had been with her since her early days at court. 

Despite her husband's offices and wealth, Lady Ughtred was no fool and she was aware what would happen when her husband died; he had been unwell as of late and she greatly feared what would become of her and their son if the worst should happen.

"I would like that," Anne encouraged softly, her attention returning to her work and she was thankful for the company especially now that she felt so alone; like her world was crumbling around her and she did not know who to trust. 

The ache in her back made her squeeze her eyes shut for a moment and she let out a deep calming breath trying to focus back on what she was doing; she wished to finish at least one more shirt for the poor before she did anything else. 

Lady Elizabeth Ughtred started to play the lute for her mistress, the music soft and relaxing while Anne continued on with her work. 

"Madam, the Duchess of Bedford is without," Lady Madge Shelton informed Anne knowing that perhaps the presence of her sister might comfort her, she had been rather quiet and seemed down in Madge's opinion. 

Ever since the incident with Lady Eleanor Luke, Madge had noticed how quiet her cousin had been and had hoped that with the dismissal of the lady that Anne might cheer up. 

"Send her in," Anne instructed setting down her work and moving to get to her feet, a smile forming on her face since she had been unaware that Clarice had returned to court. 

It was only when she stood that the backache that she had been experiencing morphed into something much worse; she could feel a stickiness between her legs and a sharp cramping in her lower belly that she had never experienced before. 

Clutching at her small bump, Anne let out a cry just as Clarice came into view; her vision blared just for a moment as tears started to fall. 

"Anne," Clarice called hurrying forward and catching her before she could fall to the floor, the ladies-in-waiting stopped what they had been doing at the sound that Anne had made before hurrying to their Queen. 

Clarice felt like her heart was in her mouth as Anne reached under her skirts, tears shining brightly in her eyes; her hand covered in dark blood when she pulled it from under her skirts. 

"Someone fetch the doctor, quickly now," Clarice commanded, she had no experience of what to do in such a situation but she knew they must act quickly if they were to help Anne and saved the babe that she was carrying. 

It was Lady Elizabeth Ughtred that helped Clarice get Anne back to her feet and make the journey over to the bed; everything felt like it was moving so slowly while ladies hurried around trying to find some way of helping their Queen. 

***

Brushing her fingers through Anne's hair while she laid curled up in bed, Clarice found herself singing a lullaby that she recalled her mother had sung to her as a child; her voice soft and quiet in the silent chamber. 

Clarice could not find the words to express to Anne how sorry she was for what had happened, the loss of a child was something that she had never known and prayed that Anne would recover from what had happened. 

The dark room was lit only by candle light and only Madge and Lady Elizabeth Ughtred were close enough to hear the soft Italian singing that Clarice had begun only a short time ago. 

Anne's other ladies were scattered about the outer chamber, though Clarice knew not what they were doing though she had no doubts that they all worried for their mistress at this time. 

The sound of movement in the outer chamber caught Clarice's attention and she looked up just in time to see the ladies-in-waiting curtsying to the King as he came into view. 

Falling silent at the sight of Henry, Clarice moved from her position on the bed where she had been comforting Anne and offered a curtsy to the King along with the other two ladies in the room who quickly excused themselves. 

Clarice risked a glance back at Anne while she moved to the outer chamber, her heart breaking for the devastation that her sister and Queen was suffering. 

"I lost the baby," Anne whispered, her voice hoarse from crying and she could not bring herself to even look at her husband; she had failed him a second time and this time there was not even a healthy child to show for it. 

Her eyes stared at the far wall and she waited for his scolding at the loss of a child, she knew how much he wanted a second son and she had failed him again. 

"Yes. They told me," Henry confirmed after a moment, his own eyes filled with tears and he stared down at the once vibrant woman that he had loved so fiercely who now seemed so broken. 

He paused for a moment considering his next words, they would have more children in time of that he had no doubt.

Afterall, Anne was still young and they already had two healthy children in the royal nursery so his line was secure though he would need a second son to ensure it; he was most certain that they would not have this issue again. 

"We shall make no public announcement of the fact," Henry stated knowing that there was no such need, Anne had not been far enough along to warrant an official announcement that she was expecting even if everyone had known. 

His words failed him and for a moment, Henry felt utterly lost at how to reach out and comfort his wife; this was her first loss afterall and he had suffered many like this with Katherine. 

Henry waited for a moment almost expecting her to say something, anything that might indicate that she had heard what he had told her but he received nothing. 

Slowly turning to walk out of the room, Henry tried to hide the pain he felt at the loss of yet another of his children; had not he been punished enough for marrying Katherine by losing all but Mary of their children. 

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Anne whispered, her words reaching Henry just as he was about to leave the chambers and he paused at her words without looking back. 

He frowned slightly before continuing on his way out of the room, he ignored Anne's ladies who all looked down at the floor none daring to even look at the King in fear of angering him in some way. 

Clarice watched him leave, feeling for the first time that she was lucky to not be married to a man such as the King who would not even stay to comfort his wife in their time of grief. 

Slowly making her way back to Anne, Clarice did not hesitate for a moment to comfort her just as Anne started to weep for the loss of her child and wonder where the man that had loved her so greatly had gone. 

"All shall be well," Clarice reassured her, she held onto Anne and allowed her to cry knowing that the King would do as he pleased and when the time was right, she would share her mother's words with Anne. 

Perhaps they might bring the Queen some comfort especially in her marriage to a man like the King, who had no doubt returned to his mistress. 

***

"How fairs my sister?" George asked moving to pour Clarice a drink when she returned to their chambers later that evening, he had heard what had happened and he prayed that she was well especially given the foul mood their father was in. 

It would not surprise George if Thomas paid a visit to Anne in the coming days to scold her for losing the child; though it was surely no fault of Anne's since she had taken the same precautions she had with Alexander and Elizabeth. 

"She shall recover in time I think," Clarice replied thankful that she was able to break away for awhile while Anne slept, the doctor leaving her a draft to help her do so since the cramps continued still though her child was already gone. 

It would have been a boy, that much was certain and Clarice wished nothing more than to cleanse the memory from her mind of what had transpired, it had been horrific and Anne would not forget such a thing. 

"That is good, the King was morose during the banquet tonight and I have no doubt that he shall be reminded of the children that the Infanta lost him," George stated handing Clarice the drink and sipping from his own. 

He was glad that his wife had made the trip to court, though he had no doubts that she would have preferred to remain at home with the children. 

George worried for Anne, especially her jealous fits that she had when it came to her attention that Henry's eyes were wandering; removing Eleanor Luke was one thing but he could not do that for every lady at court. 

He held hope that perhaps his wife might be able to bring comfort to his sister, she had a way about her for making people see things that they had not considered before. 

"There was news from my mother," George told her, the news would be kept from Anne for now especially given what she had endured that day but George knew better than to think his father would not use it against Anne. 

He reached for the letter that had arrived not that long ago and stared down at it knowing that there was no doubt that such news would greatly upset Anne. 

Though he could not blame Mary, it was not her fault that such a joyous event had occurred on the same day that Anne had lost the babe that she had been carrying. 

"Mary has been delivered of a healthy son, earlier this day... they have named him Edward," George revealed wondering how Anne would take such news, the day that her babe had been lost was also the day that her own sister had been delivered of a second son. 

Though Mary's situation was less precarious than that of Anne's, it was a good sign that she had been safely delivered of her third child especially after how her last labour had gone. 

Clarice was silent at the news, unsure how to respond especially after seeing the grief that Anne had felt at losing her child; such news would not be welcome to her ears anytime soon. 

Sipping on her drink, Clarice tried to wrestle with the thoughts in her mind and wondered just how to put them into words; she had long wished to speak them but seeing Henry's treatment of Anne had made up her mind more so than ever before. 

George stared at his wife, his dark eyes taking her in knowing that something plagued her and he set down his drink before moving to wrap his arms around her fearing that the loss of Anne's child might have upset her. 

He did not know what he would have done if he had been in her situation, he would not have known how to help his sister and he commended her bravery for sticking by Anne's side while she miscarried her child. 

Resting his head against hers, George did not speak offering Clarice the comfort that he could and wanting nothing than to enjoy this quiet moment with her. 

"He was so cold to her," Clarice whispered thinking back to what she had witnessed, he had made no move to comfort Anne while she laid in bed mourning the loss of her first child. 

There had been no reassurances and while he looked upset, Clarice had not expected him to just leave Anne alone to her grief and carry on like they had not lost a child; it made her more grateful for what she had. 

"That is the King's way," George told her simply, he recalled all the losses that the King had suffered married to Katherine and he did not think that the King even registered the loss of this newest child. 

It would be swept under the rug and Anne would be expected to fall pregnant again soon, even if she were not prepared for that; she had to show that her childbearing days with the King were not done. 

"Then I am grateful that it is not your way," Clarice told him, she turned around to face George and stared up at him with a smile; she had surely been blessed to have such a husband as him. 

Her green eyes searched his face and she rested her hands on either side of his face, Clarice hesitated for a moment not sure of herself and fearing that she would make a fool of herself; the words caught in her throat. 

"I have been trying to find the right way to say this but there is no other way, I love you George," Clarice whispered looking down and away from him, her heart pounded in her chest and her stomach twisted at the silence of the chamber. 

It was only when George chuckled and lifted her chin so that she would look at him that she felt a weight lift from her shoulders that she had not even realised that she was carrying around. 

Ducking down to kiss her, George smiled into the kiss thinking of how long he had waited for those words to come from her beautiful lips. 

He had counted down the days since he had first spoken of his love for her, convinced that she would make him wait years before she would return his feelings; he had not expected her to be so free with her heart with him. 

"My lovely Clarice, you have made me the happiest man in the world. You have blessed me with two beautiful daughters and I shall guard your heart now that you have given it to me," George whispered to her, his fingers brushing against her cheeks knowing that he would not take such a thing for granted. 

They would truly be happy and George would ensure that she always felt loved by him, their children would be proof of that and he would keep his family safe from whatever might come at them. 

The Boleyns had enemies that he had no doubt and they would move against them especially if they thought it would boost their positions at court. 

Anne's miscarriage would be used against her by those who sort to replace the Boleyns as the first family at court, they would wish to see them loose the power that had been granted to them by the King. 

Kissing Clarice again, George slowly started to help her from her dress wishing to show his beautiful wife just how much he loved her; they would not be disturbed unless necessary and they had to enjoy the peace that they currently had while they had the chance to. 

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