The Mistress of King Henry VIII

Chapter Twenty-Three: Saying Goodbye

Queen Victoria

November 12th, 1518

I stood in the courtyard with Margaret and James as they began to load up their carriages to leave back to Scotland.

"Oh, I am going to miss your little ones," I said as I hugged James and Elizabeth.

"We will miss you as well Aunt Vicky!" James said and I smiled as I stood up and kissed his forehead.

"You be good now Elizabeth and help your mother with Albert," I said and Elizabeth nodded.

"Of course Aunt Vicky." She said before I felt arms around me and looked to see Henry holding Edward in his arms.

"Trying to leave without saying goodbye to your Uncle," Henry said as I took Edward out of his arms and wrapped his blanket tightly around him.

"Victoria said you were in meetings," Maggie said and Henry turned to me.

"I was but when Charles informed me your carriage was going to leave. I came to say goodbye. It is what family does." Henry said and I rolled my eyes as I stepped towards the carriage.

I opened the door and James and Elizabeth rushed inside choosing their seats before I waved goodbye to them. I turned back to Maggie who grinned.

"Take care sister, I am always a letter away. I know what it is like being the wife of a King." She said and I nodded as I kissed her cheek.

"Take care of those sweet children. Hopefully, we will see you soon." I said as she handed Albert to his nursemaid and climbed into the carriage. I stepped near Henry as the nursemaid climbed into the carriage.

I waved goodbye as the horses began to move and the carriage began to leave. I stood standing in the courtyard until I could not see the carriages anymore.

I closed my eyes and smiled before turning to Henry.

"Is there anything you want me to do today?" I asked and Henry raised an eyebrow.

"No, you may do as you please. Are you joining me for dinner tonight?"

"Of course, we always have dinner together unless you have a meeting," I said as he offered me his arm. I stared at it for a moment before placing my hand near his elbow and allowed him to lead me inside.

As we walked past maids and servants they bowed to us. I froze when I saw Lady Anne and her father Sir Thomas Boylen heading towards us.

"Oh for the love of everything holy." I hissed as Henry stopped us.

"Your Majesties," Thomas said as he took his hat off and bowed to us.

"Sir Thomas, what brings you and Lady Anne to court?" Henry asked and Thomas smiled as he turned to me.

"You allowed Anne to come once a month to get monthly check-ups on the babe growing inside of her." He said and I scoffed.

"As my husband and many others have told you, we do not believe the child growing inside of your daughter is my husbands. She was seen leaving the chambers of Sir Henry Percy as well as Sir Henry Charles." I listed as I fixed my wedding ring.

"I believe your daughter has a thing for men named Henry," I added and Henry laughed before facing Thomas and Anne.

"You allow your wife to speak like that?" Thomas hissed and I watched as Henry's ears grew red.

"My wife is the Queen of England. She may speak to whomever she wants however she wants. If you have a problem with that then you do not need to set foot in my court. Now move, we are going to visit our son." Henry said and I smirked as I wrapped my hand around Henry's.

"Who is going to be styled as Prince of Wales once he reaches six months," I said with a smile as we began making our way towards Edward's nursery.

When the guards opened the door for us I broke apart from Henry and stepped inside.

"Your Majesties," Lady Byron said as she bowed to us.

"Hello Lady Byron, how is Edward?" I asked as she stood up.

"The Prince of Wales is doing very well. He woke up twice last night, an hour after you left and then at four in the morning. Both for needing his nappy changed." She explained and I nodded as I stepped towards the crib and looked down at Edward.

"How is it he is only one month?" I asked and Lady Byron smiled.

"Do not worry, Your Majesty. He waits until you are here to do things. Like opening his hand and smiling at you." She said before she sat in the rocking chair and picked up her bible.

"And Henri? How is he?" I asked as Henry stepped towards the crib.

"They are bathing Sir Henri now." She said before the door opened and a maid came in holding Henri.

"Vous devez l'habiller Avant de quitter Les salles de bain. Il va tomber malade!" (You must dress him before leaving the bathing chambers. He will get sick!) I hissed and the maid nodded as she handed me, Henri.

I fixed his coat and he rubbed his eyes making me smile at him.

"Fatigué petit? Ne t'inquiète pas. Maman est là." (Tired little one. Do not worry. Mama is here.) I whispered as I knelt down on the ground and watched as Henri reached for his blocks.

"He is very active for a seven-month-old child. Soon he shall start standing and we predict before his first birthday he shall walk." Lady Byron said and I smiled as I looked over at Henry who was holding Edward.

"When is his birthday?" I whispered and Henry cleared his throat.

"March 20th. Sir FitzRoy wrote to me when he shipped the rest of Henri's belongings." He explained and I nodded as I turned to Henri who was trying to shove a block in his mouth.

"Non, c'est sale!" (No, that is dirty!) I said and Henry chuckled as he looked towards us.

"He will end up speaking French before he speaks English."

"And so what if he does? All of the children will speak multiple languages."