25th of December 1533 - Hampton Court Palace
"Who is that with Lord Suffolk?" Clarice asked feeling a little out of sort being back at court after being gone for so long, her eyes caught on the young woman who looked like she wished to be anywhere but at the festivities.
Occasionally her eyes would drift over to where the King and Anne were dancing together and Clarice wondered if she realised that her displeasure could be seen upon her face.
"His new bride, Lady Catherine Willoughby; her mother used to be a lady-in-waiting to the Infanta," George told her with a frown, it was the reason that she looked so sour he guessed at the sight of his sister with the King.
Her mother's letter had been used to prove that the former Queen of England had been a liar, she had been in disgrace since and no amount of pleading had allowed Lady Willoughby to serve her former friend.
However, the apple clearly did not fall far from the tree and there was no doubt in George's mind given the look on the new Duchess of Suffolk's face that she was a supporter of the Spanish Princess in exile.
Although he was sure that Lord Suffolk would have spoken to his wife about hiding her true feelings for such matters; the young woman would be one of the minority that still disliked Anne.
His sister's actions towards the common folk had endeared her and the fact that she had done what Katherine could not had certainly improved her position with the nobility.
Clarice was not sure what to make of such news, her eyes watching the new Duchess wondering if the Duke had even realised the sign that he was sending with such a match especially given the tensions between the Boleyns and himself.
Any sign that he was siding against the Boleyn family and in doing so making it clear that he was not a supporter of the Queen could cause issues; issues that could lead to unpleasantness for them all down the road.
"Your brother does not join us, Your Grace?" Thomas Boleyn noted breaking Clarice from her thoughts, she turned warily to look at him knowing that he had not forgiven her for not giving George a son.
It was highly unlikely that he would ever like her until she had done just that and a part of her did not care what he thought especially knowing that George loved her regardless of that fact.
"He wished to remain home with his wife, she has entered her confinement," Clarice explained recalling his letter and wishing more than anything that he could be here with her now; she had already spoken to George about her being with Mary when she delivered.
It felt only right to offer the other woman such support especially given that her own mother was condemned to live out the rest of her life as a traitor in a nunnery.
"I am sure he sends us his well wishes," Elizabeth added knowing that her husband's prickly nature could be a bit much for some, she glanced at Clarice and offered her a reassuring smile.
It was not easy to be on the wrong end of her husband and Elizabeth doubted that Thomas genuinely cared about how heartless he appeared; his concern over legacy was just something one had to ignore.
"Shall we dance?" George asked wishing to escape from his father for a moment, he had no doubts that Thomas would be waiting either way to complain about his continued lack of son.
It was little wonder that he had not mentioned seeking out a third bride for George, as if the King would even consider allowing him to divorce when they needed the Medici alliance and he loved his wife.
Clarice smiled at that, she took his hand and allowed him to led her onto the dance floor away from his parents; anything to be away from his father.
Despite their return to court for the festivities, Clarice was thankful to spend more time with Anne; she hardly saw George's other sister who continued to prefer the quietness of her country home.
The two of them got along well and in private moments that could be spared, Clarice had found herself slowly starting to talk with Anne on the matters of the church and sharing some of the corruption that her own family had suffered because of it.
It felt like a relief to speak to someone who understood her and did not scold her for her changing views on the church and that of the papacy.
"Here my love, I have a gift for you," Anne announced leaning the King away from the dance floor, a smile upon her face knowing that all was well and she had been so worried that he would be upset with her after the birth of Princess Elizabeth.
Things had been rather tense and she was most pleased that once she had been churched that he had swiftly returned to her bedchamber; it was a sign that things were still well between them.
Approaching the decorative sculpture that she had commissioned for him, Anne could not help but feel at ease especially when he looked at her the way that he did.
It felt like they had returned to the days where they waited for the time that they could be married and Anne had been treated like the centre of his world; now they had two children in the royal nursery and she was his Queen.
"It's fantastic. Who made this?" Henry stated admiring the sculpture that was seated on the table, the festivities remained around them and he eyed Anne knowing that she had never looked so beautiful.
It pleased him that she seemed oblivious to the fact that he had been courting one of her ladies; a fine distraction from the disappointment that he had felt when she had given him a daughter.
"Master Holbein," Anne informed him, she did not turn to look at him instead focused on her gift with a small smile upon her face knowing that things were simply perfect.
For the longest time, she had not believed that she would ever be his wife not even when he had first proposed marriage to her and she had accepted already understanding that her reputation had been ruined.
Despite not laying with him many still thought of her as a whore, though she had done everything to protect her maidenhead having seen what had become of her sister.
"The man's a genius as are you, my beautiful Queen," Henry whispered into her ear, his head ducking down to kiss her knowing that in time they would have their little Duke of York.
It was clear to him that their marriage was blessed especially with two healthy children now in the royal nursery and the path was clear for the succession of their son Alexander.
Pulling away, Anne smiled allowing Henry to led her towards the dance floor where her brother was with his wife; she was most pleased to have them both back at court having missed them while Clarice had been home.
Not that she blamed her for wanting to spend as much time as she could with her children, she would do the same if her position as Queen allowed her to do so.
The dance was a merry one and Anne smiled standing beside her husband, she faced forward and pondered her next move knowing that there was something that she must discuss with her brother when the time was right.
Swapping partners for the dance, Anne was pleased to find herself partnered with George and a quick glance told her that Clarice was dancing with Mister Wyatt.
"Eleanor Luke, see the way the King looks at her," Anne murmured to George, she did not look towards where her husband was dancing with the lady; she had long suspected that Henry was taking others into his bed.
It hurt to think that having waited for seven years to have her that he had so quickly strayed from her while she was carrying their child; she had not suspected anything while she was pregnant with Alexander but this time had felt different.
"She's his mistress," George confirmed not looking at Anne's lady-in-waiting already knowing it to be true, it was expected of course and had only been a matter of time but he was sure his sister did not see it that way.
The King would do as he would and nothing Anne could do would stop him, he was the King afterall and had always taken mistresses; even when he had been married to Katherine and had slept with many of her ladies.
"Get rid of her," Anne commanded before dancing away from George to return to her husband, a pleasant smile on her face that did not reveal the heartbreak that she felt.
It would be dealt with and Anne had no doubt that George would do as she had asked, she could not bear the thought that Henry loved another when she had given him what he had genuinely wanted.
"I have another gift for you," Anne stated emotionally, her eyes searching his face and she waited for a moment trying to find the words to share with him such news.
"I am with child again," Anne told him, she feared what this could mean especially if he was already willing to take others into his bed; she did not wish to lose him as Katherine had to another woman.