The Italian Rose

Fourty-Four

Anne laughed as Madge Sheldon repeated everything that had happened since she began her confinement, the Seymour family was scrambling to save what dignity they had left as Thomas Seymour was branded a traitor to the Crown and Jane Seymour was nothing more than a whore.

Henry had gifted her with jewels for the birth of her son, who, unlike Elizabeth, favoured the Boleyn bloodline, and so, Henry named her newly born son, George.

It broke Anne's heart that her stillborn daughter never survived long enough to be named, but the child was buried in the Boleyn family's mausoleum at Hever Castle, the funeral for the little babe was short and quick.

Anne was churched and presented back at court. Many had given their congratulations for the birth of her son, and Isabella had gifted Anne several pieces of clothing to make into outfits for George.

Soon, he would join his siblings in the Royal Nursery and mayhaps even score a grand marriage to a high ranking Lady or even a Duchess.

Henry Fitzroy had moved to Hutton Castle in Richmond a week after his marriage to Mary Howard, Anne's cousin of sorts.

Henry was in good spirits as word from France stated that Mary had given birth to the future Duke of Calais, a match was already settled for little Louis De Valois as he was set to marry Margaret Stuart, cousin of Mary; Queen of Scotland.

Though, his merry mood did not last for long as Jane's presence was still a burden, he ignores all her letters which ranges from her pledging her love to him, pleas for him to acknowledge their son when he is born and for Thomas release from the ship that was bound to the New World.

When Jane received no reply to her letters addressed to the King, she threw a small fit that Baron Belford quickly shut down, he confined Jane to her chambers until she calmed down enough to hold a decent conversation.

They received word from Ludlow Castle that under Charles's strict instruction, the renovations were finished a month earlier than planned, Henry made arrangements with Isabella to go and inspect the castle before Princess Anna moves in.

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The newly wedded Baroness Belford stood as her maid's and husband's grooms rushed about to pack up their belongings as they were headed off to Byland House, Jane's new prison as she was no longer welcomed at court, she had hoped that that Henry would at least see her off but he was too busy attending to his Whore and her spawn.

Jane had tried to sneak out undetected during the late hours of the night to see Thomas but her husband seemed to be a step or two ahead of her, he quickly put Jane on lockdown and the threat of spending the rest of her pregnancy in a nunnery made Jane be submissive to Sir Charles Belford; for now.

Her eyes scanned the many windows of Hampton Court, trying to see if she could spot Henry or any of her family. No one was there to bid her farewell.
Hardly anybody came to see the married couple off. The birth of the King's bastard son overshadowed Jane's departure.

Soon, Henry would come to his senses and save her from this sham marriage. Maybe he will not make her his Maîtresse-en-titre but at least give her a permanent position as his Mistress...

"Madam, we must make haste if we wish to arrive at Byland House by midday." Sir Charles spoke from his horse, not really taking notice of his wife's tears.

When he noticed that Jane made no notion to move, he dismounted from his stallion and forced Jane into the carriage.

"It will not suit to dwell on false promises and hopeless fantasies, wife." Sir Charles hissed, handing Jane a hankie for her tears. "He will not come. You have been used and discarded like all the rest of the King's Mistresses before Lady Boleyn. You will never win against her."