2nd of January 1532 - The Palace of Beaulieu
Clarice wasn't sure she had ever been more bored in her life than the month that she had spent in her confinement so far, she had not even been permitted to see Anne's first Christmas as Queen of England having been sent back to Beaulieu to start her lying in.
Isotta had been a great comfort to Clarice, her oldest friend and confidante had been by her side doing her best to keep Clarice occupied while they were stuck in her chambers in the dark.
Clarice's rooms had been closed off and tapestries had been hung over the windows to block out as much light from the outside world as possible; only a single window would have been left open to allow fresh air into the room and only a small amount of light.
The only other light in the room were from the candles that were sparsely dotted around the room, not that they helped much and Clarice had found it hard to read when she was able to.
Her room had also been decorated with calming tapestries and images as not to upset her and which could in turn harm the unborn child; she found herself growing tired of having nothing to do while trapped in her rooms.
George could not visit her despite the fact that he had returned from court with her to their home, wanting to be close in case anything happened to her or the unborn child.
He had sent her letters passed on by her ladies while she awaited the birth of their child, informing her of what was happening and the news that Anne would be taking to her chamber in a matter of days.
"You have a visitor, Your Grace?" one of her ladies stated catching Clarice by surprise, she was not expecting anyone and she had thought that most would be a court celebrating the new year.
The King was apparently throwing the most elaborate festivities in preparation for the time that Anne would leave his side and prepare for the birth of the child.
Rubbing her stomach, Clarice stared down at the bump that now blocked out all sight of her feet when she was standing; she felt huge and she did not envy Anne who still had a month left of her own pregnancy.
Elizabeth Boleyn stepped into the room, her eyes sweeping the ladies in Clarice's attendance before she made her way over to her daughter-in-law; a smile on her face as she approached her recalling each time that she had been in this position.
Out of the five that she had carried to term, only three of her children had survived to adulthood; Elizabeth prayed that each of her children would be luckier than her.
"How are you feeling?" Elizabeth asked moving to take a seat beside Clarice wishing to offer her comfort at a time like this; she could not imagine that Clarice's mother would have prepared her for this.
It was a shame that Clarice's parents would not be here to share in the joys of their first grandchild; they would be greatly missed but there was no doubt dwelling on what might have been.
"I feel well," Clarice replied with a smile, she was most grateful for the visit as it was refreshing to see someone new after the time that she had spent here.
There was not much change in this room and Clarice didn't think she could take much more staring at the walls or sewing, she had made the baby so much clothing that she very much doubted that they'd be able to wear it all.
"I remember when I was pregnant with Mary, I was so nervous. Trapped in my confinement alone while I waited," Elizabeth recalled softly, her eldest daughter had been her first child and it had not helped that she had only a couple of ladies in her service.
She'd married beneath her station, Thomas had been a diplomat and it had been a great step down for her to marry him but it had been a love match and she had quickly settled into life at Blickling Hall.
"I can't say the delivery was easy. I have never felt pain like it but it will be worth it when you hold your child for the first time," Elizabeth encouraged softly, she would be here to aid Clarice in her delivery and she would not let her suffer alone.
It would not be easy and Elizabeth knew that there was nothing that could be said to prepare Clarice for the impending birth of her first child.
***
"I see you are spending your time here wisely," Thomas Boleyn noted with a frown seeing George seated at his desk, it had surprised him that George had so willingly stepped back from court while his wife was in her confinement.
His son had a very promising diplomatic career and career at court serving the King, it would not do to have him out of action for so long especially to wait on the birth of his child.
They needed every Boleyn possible at court especially with Anne about to give birth herself, if things went south and she failed to do as she had promised by giving the King his most desired son then they needed to be prepared.
Anne might be Queen now but she could easily be removed as much as Katherine had if she failed in her duty; she needed a son and they could not allow the King to be distracted.
"I am running my lands and preparing most heartily for the birth of my child," George replied simply, if he wanted to ensure that his wife and unborn child were well cared for then he needed to make sure that there were funds to do so.
He would not be like his father who often lived beyond his means, he spent more time at court than at the estates taking care of their running.
"It won't matter much if Anne fails to give the King a son, we need you at court," Thomas ordered, he would not stand by and allow everything that they had worked for to slip away.
Finally, things were working out for them and every move that they made had to be carefully planned; there would be others waiting for Anne to slip up and would happily take her place.
"I shall return before Anne births her child. I won't leave my wife when we are expecting any day now," George replied defiantly, there was nothing that he could do to help Anne while she birthed her child.
He was a man afterall and would not be permitted to attend to his sister while she delivered the King's child; he would be better served at home making sure that everything was ready for the birth of his first child.
Thomas scoffed at his son's words, he rolled his eyes and moved to look out across the gardens from the window of George's office; his eyes taking in the views of the wintery gardens.
He did not speak for a moment instead taking in the view, he believed his son to be a fool and it would be his undoing if he was not careful; he was a servant to the King and he would do well to remember that.
"Have you spoke with Mary?" George asked trying to recall the last time that he had spoken with his elder sister, he had been rather distracted as of late and he did not know when he would next see her with everything that was going on.
It was odd and George did wonder where his dear sister had disappeared to, it was no secret that she preferred the life in the country to that of one at court.
"She's with Anne in London doing her family duty," Thomas muttered with a roll of his eyes, he had not much time for his eldest daughter with everything that was going on; he had a lot on his plate and Mary would do her duty in time.
Once Anne was secure in her position, he would turn his attentions to find his daughter a new husband suitable for her station as the sister of the Queen of England.
Mary had been widowed nearly three years earlier, her young children were being well cared for and Anne had taken them under the wardship; it would be time soon enough for her to marry again to benefit her family.
Thomas just wasn't sure which match would be best for her especially given her reputation, she had been the mistress of not one but two Kings and people knew that.
"I am sure that Anne is most grateful for her company especially when she is about to enter her own confinement," George mused trying to hide his amusement, his sisters would look after each other and Mary would be more help to Anne at such a time than he would.
Mary had birthed two children of her own to her late husband, she would know what to expect and how to guide Anne while she birthed the future heir to throne and anything else that came up.
Nothing that his father could say would make him travel to court before he was ready, he would remain here until he was sure that his wife and unborn child were well.
George knew how dangerous child birth could be, there had been many that had perished and he would not be able to bare it should anything happen and he was not here; he would pray for his wife and their child to make it through this alive.