Bound to Obey and Serve: A novel of Jane Seymour

Summer 1522 - Chapter 1 [the wedding]

‘Jane! Jane, you’ll never guess what!’ Lizzy shrieked, crashing through the door of the study.

Jane jumped, jolted from her reverie, jabbing her finger with the needle and nearly falling off the stool. ‘For goodness sake, Elizabeth!’ she snapped, righting herself, ‘what is it?’ She had been concentrating hard on an intricate piece of embroidery, making the most of the bright May morning to get through the most difficult part of the pattern.

Ignoring the cross tone, Lizzy tore across the room and dropped to a cushion at Jane’s feet, grinning up at her sister, hazel eyes shining with childish excitement.

‘You’ll never guess!’

‘Then why don’t you tell me?’

‘I’m betrothed!’

The news hit the older girl like a punch in the stomach, ‘you’re... what?’

‘I know! And before you, too!’

‘That’s not fair! Why should you be married first? You’re only thirteen!’

Lizzy shrugged, ‘maybe they’re saving you for someone else?’

‘Who is it?’

‘I don’t know much about him. Father said his name is Sir Anthony Ughtred and he lives somewhere called Kexby, in Yorkshire. Fancy that, Janey! I shall be Lady Elizabeth Seymour, married to a knight, just like Mother!’

Hiding a triumphant smirk, Jane replied, ‘yes, an old knight. I’ve heard Sir Anthony mentioned before – he is nearly as old as Father! They campaigned together in Tournai ten years ago.’

Lizzy’s smile faltered a little, but she put a brave face on it, ‘oh well, perhaps his age means he’ll be faithful after marriage!’

Jane raised a sceptical eyebrow.

‘Oh, Janey! Why can’t you just be happy for me?’ Lizzy pouted.

‘I’m sorry, Lizzy. I am happy for you, honestly. I’m just a bit shocked.’ Jane put aside her embroidery and pulled her sister into an embrace. ‘When is the wedding?’

‘Next month.’

‘So soon!’

‘I know, it’s all arranged already! Father wanted it to be a surprise.’

‘Well, it certainly is that.’

‘You will help me, won’t you? I should so love you to attend me on my wedding day.’

Yes, so you can queen it over me all day, thought Jane, but aloud she made the only reply she graciously could, ‘of course, sweeting.’

‘Great!’ Lizzy leapt up, calling ‘thanks, Jane!’ over her shoulder as she flew out of the room to search out the rest of their siblings and share the news.

Retrieving her embroidery, Jane tried to regain her tranquillity and focus. After twenty minutes of botching and unpicking stitches, she gave up and went to the stables.

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It seems that the week of Lizzy’s wedding comes around before I have a chance to blink. God forgive me, I am so jealous that it’s hard to feel truly happy for her. Lizzy is a full two years younger than me! It’s so unfair that she should be married while I am left on the shelf to go stale like yesterday’s bread.

I do take some small consolation from the fact that she’s marrying such an old man! He’s more than twice my age, even. Father met him when they were campaigning with King Henry in France – they were both honoured after the campaign and I guess they have been in touch ever since. Elizabeth keeps on and on about the fact that she’ll be a Lady. I’m sure she is just trying to rouse my envy. Well, it’s working, but I’ll never show her.