Post by stephowrites on Jun 28, 2010 6:12:49 GMT 9.5
I am currently writing a historical fiction novel and Jane Seymour, the third wife of Henry VIII. I couldn't find a lot of information about her, so I decided to invent the character Lady Miranda Cleveland and have the story from her point of view. I posted what I have written so far below! Enjoy and please tell me what you think! 
Prologue
My mother always said love was a foolish folly.
But as I look at sweet Thomas Seymour I can only deduce that her words were blurred together with the spite lurking in her heart.
My father echoed her silence, apparently his only coping method for the icy manner in which my mother treated him. You see, mother was a victim of lost love and a heart that is devoid of love will never live the same. Settling for Lord Cleveland was simply an act to ensure her economic security and my father’s permanent discontent.
Remembering my parents’ impassive marriage further cements in my mind the fact that I must disregard Jane’s words from last evening.
“Miranda,” she addressed me in her simple, solemn tone. “My brother Thomas may be a man to be guided by the whims of his heart, but I can assure you that our parents have aspirations for him that reach far beyond an orphan girl, barely clinging to a title.”
Her words were harshly spoken, but if you understood Jane, you would know that honest utterances were the only statements that ever graced her lips.
Dear Jane, I do hope she will experience a powerful love blazing in her life. She will know, as my mother did in the depths of her heart, that love is no folly. Love is an emotion that takes control and makes you live with a spirit that you never knew existed.
There is a man walking this world that is meant for Jane. I only hope that when she finds him she will hold him in her arms, no matter if he professes himself a peasant reaping the crops, or the man that holds the mighty power over that land.
Chapter 1
May 25, 1531
“He is going to topple Rome’s hold on the empire.”
I fell back in my chair. “But, Jane, how can he take what the people believe in? Will he destroy the religion of the people for his own gain?”
“He is King, Miranda,” Jane sighed, pacing the little room. “His word is law and we must all abide.”
“What about Katherine? The prattle that is being divulged around court is of the most horrible nature.”
“By severing himself from the Catholic Church the King will divorce her through his own power,” Jane explained.
I shook my head in awe. “He will rid himself of his wife of four-and-twenty years. What arrogance! What has Katherine done to deserve such cruelty?”
“She did not produce a prince.”
“What about Mary?” I exclaimed in frustration. “Princess Mary merits more right to the throne than any son that Anne Boleyn can procure.”
Jane put her hand on my shoulder to silence my fury. “Miranda, you must not speak such words in opposition to the future queen.”
“Are you simply going to submit to that harlot and do her tempestuous bidding? What about the Queen, does Katherine mean so paltry to you?”
“Miranda, this state of affairs is not as simple as you are proclaiming it to be,” Jane asserted. “Queen Katherine will always be a person of significance to me, but my personal inclination must be put aside. All of the courtiers are turning their allegiance to Anne. I cannot be left behind. I have my family’s status upon my shoulders. You are only here because I asked for you to attend me. If you desire to jeopardize your position by amalgamating with Katherine you may. But please do consider the corollary such actions will bring to me, your friend. I shall not stop you in whatever you do, but I am going now to swear my loyalty to Anne.”
We sat in silence for a moment as thoughts flooded my brain. What was most important to me?
Then I nodded. “What you say, Jane, I shall obey. You are my dearest friend and I will follow you anywhere. Let us go to see Anne.”
Jane smiled and we left the room arm in arm. As the door slid shut my heart pleaded:
Forgive me Katherine.
Forgive me God.[/pre]
Chapter 2
July, 14, 1531
Sneaking through the corridors, my shoes in hand. I have to see her. I have to warn her.
Finally the door I had been searching for. It slid open with a loud squeak, but I knew that the sound would not incriminate me as I was greeted by the silence of the entry room.
It amazed me to recall that this very space was the center of court not so many months ago. And now it was left abandoned with whispered memories of the past and silent confessions from the deserters.
At the end of the dark room I could see light reflecting onto the glossy floor from beneath the door up ahead. Hushed chatter fluttered into my ears as I pushed the large door ajar.
There she sat, beautiful Queen Katherine, her face weary from illness and distress. Her few loyal ladies were around her; closest to her was Maria de Salinas who had been with her on the journey across the ocean from Spain a quarter of a century before.
Katherine instantly rose at my appearance and I fell on my knees before my betrayed Queen.
“Why, Lady Cleveland, I have missed looking upon your sweet face,” the Queen smiled at me. “Rise up, my dear, and come to me.”
I walked over to her, my head still bowed in shame and my heart pounding beneath my gown.
“Your Grace, may I speak to you?”
She nodded to me solemnly. “Of course. Ladies you may resume your sowing.” She turned toward me. “We are sowing garments for the poor.”
“How kind of you.”
Katherine led me over to the window out of hearing of the others.
“Thank you for admitting me, Your Grace,” I slowly spoke, my heart pounded faster at each word. “But I do beg your forgiveness for turning away from you in these dark days.”
“My dear Lady Cleveland, you were only following the treacherous ways of court. I cannot blame you for desiring your survival,” the Queen gently affirmed. “I absolve any misconduct and am honored that you have come to my side now.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. Uh, I-”
Come on Miranda. This is why you came. This is your duty.
I looked her straight in her dark eyes and hated myself with every bit of my being for turning my back on her.
Then I whispered, “We’re leaving. All of court is traveling to Woodstock today.” I paused and took in a breath. “Your Grace, he is leaving you here alone, the King. He did not want you to know.”
She nodded calmly. “I see.”
“They say he will send you away. That he will lock you away from court and…and that he will…dissolve your marriage.”
“Lady Cleveland,” she addressed me, “Wherever he deposits me, I will still remain his wife and I will pray for him.”
I stared at her face, waiting for her to collapse. But Katherine remained somber. Her husband was betraying her and tossing her away, and she hung to her sanity and behaved with the true grace of a Queen.
“He will throw you out and take your crown-”
“I have committed no crime,” Katherine retorted. “I am England’s true Queen; they cannot annex me from my own home.”
I shook my head. “Even with the obviousness of your innocence, I must warn you, Your Grace, that they will still come and take you. Anne is already parading around court with your jewels. Everyone treats her as Queen. If the King commands it they will come for you, Your Grace.”
Katherine nodded. “Then I will remain here and await their arrival, I have nothing to hide.”
“But Your Grace-”
“There is no time for your protests, Lady Cleveland. If the court is leaving you must go. You will brandish your name and that of Lady Jane if you are seen in my presence,” she explicated.
Katherine brought me around the back of the room; she lifted a tapestry, revealing a door beneath it. She opened it and pushed me across the threshold.
“Make haste, Lady Cleveland.”
I nodded and moved reluctantly into the passage ahead as my heart beat rapidly.
Then she reached out and grasped my shoulder. “Do all you can for my Mary.”
“I shall, Your Grace. I promise.”
I curtsied, she quickly shut the door, and I sped down the passage. I hurried through the foreign halls and rooms until I finally came upon a familiar corridor.
Eventually I pushed a door open and collapsed on the bed before me.
“I told her, but she would do nothing but wait for them to come and take her,” I confessed.
“That is to be expected from innocent Queen Katherine.”
I sighed. “I feel as if we failed her, Jane.”
“We did more than the rest of the submissive court, Miranda. Now Katherine is in God’s hands.”
Chapter 3
February 10, 1533
Anne danced around the room; the royal jewels glistened about her neck in the fading afternoon light. She giggled and twirled before us, all the ladies in waiting forging joyous smiles.
Jane and I sat off in a secluded window sill. Our faces reflected Anne’s triumphant delight, but our whispers conveyed the thoughts that were truly written on our hearts.
“Any doubts that the marriage has taken place were certainly dissolved by this spectacle,” I muttered. “Look at her, parading around while Katherine is locked away in some far-off dungeon.”
Jane patted my hand, quieting my anger. “Katherine is at Enfield, it is hardly a prison, Miranda. You must silence your spiteful words against Anne. The events have taken place and we must abide by them.”
“Jane, I cannot sit by and let Anne-”
“Lady Seymour, Lady Cleveland, what think you, hiding in the corner, secluded from our amusement?” Anne exclaimed.
Jane smiled. “In this room, my Lady, the bliss that is being emitted fills every crevice and there could be no escape from your immense joy.”
Anne’s eyes narrowed and her smile faded. “I am getting the sense that one may have the inclination to depart from this room.”
I shook my head as a cornucopia of lies flooded my mind. “What place in this palace could be as amusing as this very abode? What woman could possess such pleasure as you, my Lady?”
A smile slowly drifted onto Anne’s face. Successful deceit. How can I take pride in deceiving the Great Fraudster? She befuddled us all in her lies and foolery until it was too late. She had taken Henry’s heart and he was lost.
Then he was there, in that very room, the regal King Henry. Over the past few years he has been slowly fading from the handsome young prince of dreams for all the ladies at court that he once was.
All the ladies rose and bowed to their King. But Anne stayed seated, smiling at him in playful glee.
“Good evening, ladies!” he trumpeted. “We must have dancing after dinner tonight. Look at all you idle beautiful ladies, too lovely to be off your feet.”
Henry took Lady Melbeckley’s hand and began twirling her around the room. Anne’s eyes glowed with envy and in the next moment Lady Melbeckley was again on her cushion and Anne’s feet were flying across the floor. Henry’s expression remained steady; he was well used to her antics.
“Your Majesty,” Lady Wingfield addressed him as he continued to dance. “I have been wondering, as of late, where the Princess Mary is. I have not seen her at court in quite some time. She is such a clever girl.”
The King was still, staring at Lady Wingfield. Anne glanced between the pair, a hint of fear swirled in her dark eyes.
“The child is finishing her education,” he replied gruffly.
Lady Wingfield nodded. “Well, I do hope she is well and can come to visit Your Majesty soon.”
Anne stepped forward. “That girl will come if the King commands her to.”
“Of course,” the lady agreed as she bowed her head and moved back toward the wall.
Anne turned to Henry with a sly smile. “Well, we must prepare ourselves for the evening meal.”
“Of course, my dear.” He kissed Anne on the forehead and left the silent room. As the door slid shut Anne smiled at all the ladies. Then her eyes met mine and my heart began to pound fervently.
“The Duke of Suffolk has been troubling me and I would like to keep him in line. So Lady Cleveland, you will take your interesting conversation and entertain him at dinner,” she commanded.
I bowed my head in submission.
All of the ladies went their separate ways to prepare for the meal. I fell in step with Jane on the way back to our room to change gowns.
“Just like Anne to throw me at her enemy,” I grumbled.
“Miranda, you should be honored that you were selected,” Jane retorted.
I shook my head. “She chose me because she knows that I detest her so. So she condemned me to be in the company of the horrid Charles Brandon.”
“You must not utter such cruel words, Miranda. You do not know who could be overhearing you,” she warned. “You should appreciate that Anne allowed you to join her ladies at all.”
Jane opened the door to our room and I slid into a chair.
“I am not honored and I cannot be thankful. I am ashamed above all else,” I admitted. “I am ashamed that Katherine is locked away and I am willingly serving her betrayer. I am ashamed that I have defied my promise to aid Mary and have done nothing to support that abandoned child. I hate this conscious-less life of lies and deference.”
“Well, no sense in complaining now,” Jane stated, laying out her pale blue gown. “The Duke is waiting.”
Chapter 4
Later that evening
I slowly crossed the large room, watching the magnificent dance performed in the center. My heart has always gone out to dancing. I believe it is a beautiful expression of love. My parents never danced and when I was young I alleged that was the rationale why they had so many arguments. If only life was so simple and problems could be resolved with a turn around the dance floor.
Finally I saw him out of the corner of my eye. Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, was a man in his fourth marriage with a long trail of mistresses.
Anne and Henry were dancing near me and I could feel her glare. I stepped forward.
“Good evening, Duke,” I suppressed.
The large man turned to me and I could see him eyeing me over, a small, approving smile was visible through his thick beard. And in that moment I despised myself for wearing the low-cut bodice, fuchsia gown.
“Good evening, dear lady,” he greeted me, his smile increasing in size.
I blushed as he bowed his head and his eyes followed every curve of my dress. He was a monster and I had no to escape.
“My name is Lady Miranda Cleveland and I am one of Mistress Anne’s ladies.”
He nodded. “Well, it is lovely to meet you, Lady Cleveland.”
I took in a breath and spoke, “How is your young bride?”
“Catherine is well,” he replied. “She is a dear girl and I am glad to have her by my side.”
“I suppose you are glad that your son was too young to marry her,” I crudely commented. “Catherine was originally engaged to him, was she not?”
“She was.” The Duke quickly changed the subject, “I hear that you stay with the Seymour family at Wolfhall.”
I nodded. “Indeed I do.”
He moved a chair out for me and I reluctantly sat down. He settled on the chair beside me and inquired, “How did you come to reside there?”
“It is a long, dull story that I do not desire to bore you with.”
“Oh no, Lady Cleveland, please do enlighten me,” he requested.
I shifted in my chair uncomfortably. After a few moments of thought I began, “I was orphaned at eight years old. My parents were driving home from some visit of a sort and…the horses got frightened or something of the like…and the carriage collided with another. They were crushed beneath the rubble and found dead. Everyone else prevailed, but they died. A messenger rode to our home to tell us. My older brother Sinclair was out riding in the woods. Before he returned the Seymours were there. They were always there. Wolfhall was very near by our manor and my parents were often in the company of Sir John and Lady Margery Seymour. Jane has always been my friend and her brothers were always so kind to us.”
My mind drifted into my memory.
“Miranda!” Jane pulled her arms around me and I wept into her shoulder.
I felt so safe with my brother beside me and all the Seymours surrounding us. Sinclair bent down to my short figure and held my little doll before my face.
“Lady Mya!” I held her to my chest. Then I reached out to my brother and he lifted me into his arms. My big brother was missing his normal glow, his dimples had vanished, and I could feel the fast pounding of his heart against my arm. If my brother, my only intimate family left, was fearful, how could I stay strong? How can we support each other when we are both falling down?
I could not get into the carriage when the Seymours were preparing to take us to their home. I could not enter that structure that had claimed my parent’s lives. So I trudged through the mud and was kept company by the stinging raindrops hitting my skin.
“You look cold.”
Thomas was beside me suddenly. He gently laid his cloak upon my shoulders and rubbed my cold arms. I looked at him and my eyes could not look away. Thomas. Sweet Thomas trying to keep me warm.
He walked with me the entire way to Wolfhall in silence. When we approached the gate I shivered for the life I would now lead.
“You need not be afraid, Miranda,” Thomas assured me. “You will live with us now and we will take care of you. You are safe.”
I nodded and I truly believed him in my heart. Sinclair came on my other side and we three walked through the door. I was safe.
“Where is your brother now?” the Duke’s voice shattered my daze.
I sighed. “Sinclair joined the armed forces many years ago. He is away with the troops now, but I do hope for his return soon.”
He nodded. “He is a brave man to fight for his country.”
My heart disagreed as it ached with the pain of my brother’s absence.
The music grew loud as another dance began and the Duke smiled my way. “Shall we dance, Lady Cleveland.”
I certainly did not desire to sit here any longer and bare my heart out to the Duke of Suffolk, so I nodded.
He leapt out of his chair and pulled mine back for me. Arm and arm we crossed to the center of the floor and joined the other couples. At her table I could see Anne smiling gleefully at us. I hated that I was pleasing her and giving her satisfaction.
Was this really what my parents had died for me to become? Would they have desired me to become the pawn of that adulterer’s joke? What life was this? I truly lived in Katherine’s court; I was honored to serve her. And now I am left to fall into Anne’s traps and hate myself for the life I lead.
Come back to me Thomas. Come save me from this distress.
Prologue
My mother always said love was a foolish folly.
But as I look at sweet Thomas Seymour I can only deduce that her words were blurred together with the spite lurking in her heart.
My father echoed her silence, apparently his only coping method for the icy manner in which my mother treated him. You see, mother was a victim of lost love and a heart that is devoid of love will never live the same. Settling for Lord Cleveland was simply an act to ensure her economic security and my father’s permanent discontent.
Remembering my parents’ impassive marriage further cements in my mind the fact that I must disregard Jane’s words from last evening.
“Miranda,” she addressed me in her simple, solemn tone. “My brother Thomas may be a man to be guided by the whims of his heart, but I can assure you that our parents have aspirations for him that reach far beyond an orphan girl, barely clinging to a title.”
Her words were harshly spoken, but if you understood Jane, you would know that honest utterances were the only statements that ever graced her lips.
Dear Jane, I do hope she will experience a powerful love blazing in her life. She will know, as my mother did in the depths of her heart, that love is no folly. Love is an emotion that takes control and makes you live with a spirit that you never knew existed.
There is a man walking this world that is meant for Jane. I only hope that when she finds him she will hold him in her arms, no matter if he professes himself a peasant reaping the crops, or the man that holds the mighty power over that land.
Chapter 1
May 25, 1531
“He is going to topple Rome’s hold on the empire.”
I fell back in my chair. “But, Jane, how can he take what the people believe in? Will he destroy the religion of the people for his own gain?”
“He is King, Miranda,” Jane sighed, pacing the little room. “His word is law and we must all abide.”
“What about Katherine? The prattle that is being divulged around court is of the most horrible nature.”
“By severing himself from the Catholic Church the King will divorce her through his own power,” Jane explained.
I shook my head in awe. “He will rid himself of his wife of four-and-twenty years. What arrogance! What has Katherine done to deserve such cruelty?”
“She did not produce a prince.”
“What about Mary?” I exclaimed in frustration. “Princess Mary merits more right to the throne than any son that Anne Boleyn can procure.”
Jane put her hand on my shoulder to silence my fury. “Miranda, you must not speak such words in opposition to the future queen.”
“Are you simply going to submit to that harlot and do her tempestuous bidding? What about the Queen, does Katherine mean so paltry to you?”
“Miranda, this state of affairs is not as simple as you are proclaiming it to be,” Jane asserted. “Queen Katherine will always be a person of significance to me, but my personal inclination must be put aside. All of the courtiers are turning their allegiance to Anne. I cannot be left behind. I have my family’s status upon my shoulders. You are only here because I asked for you to attend me. If you desire to jeopardize your position by amalgamating with Katherine you may. But please do consider the corollary such actions will bring to me, your friend. I shall not stop you in whatever you do, but I am going now to swear my loyalty to Anne.”
We sat in silence for a moment as thoughts flooded my brain. What was most important to me?
Then I nodded. “What you say, Jane, I shall obey. You are my dearest friend and I will follow you anywhere. Let us go to see Anne.”
Jane smiled and we left the room arm in arm. As the door slid shut my heart pleaded:
Forgive me Katherine.
Forgive me God.[/pre]
Chapter 2
July, 14, 1531
Sneaking through the corridors, my shoes in hand. I have to see her. I have to warn her.
Finally the door I had been searching for. It slid open with a loud squeak, but I knew that the sound would not incriminate me as I was greeted by the silence of the entry room.
It amazed me to recall that this very space was the center of court not so many months ago. And now it was left abandoned with whispered memories of the past and silent confessions from the deserters.
At the end of the dark room I could see light reflecting onto the glossy floor from beneath the door up ahead. Hushed chatter fluttered into my ears as I pushed the large door ajar.
There she sat, beautiful Queen Katherine, her face weary from illness and distress. Her few loyal ladies were around her; closest to her was Maria de Salinas who had been with her on the journey across the ocean from Spain a quarter of a century before.
Katherine instantly rose at my appearance and I fell on my knees before my betrayed Queen.
“Why, Lady Cleveland, I have missed looking upon your sweet face,” the Queen smiled at me. “Rise up, my dear, and come to me.”
I walked over to her, my head still bowed in shame and my heart pounding beneath my gown.
“Your Grace, may I speak to you?”
She nodded to me solemnly. “Of course. Ladies you may resume your sowing.” She turned toward me. “We are sowing garments for the poor.”
“How kind of you.”
Katherine led me over to the window out of hearing of the others.
“Thank you for admitting me, Your Grace,” I slowly spoke, my heart pounded faster at each word. “But I do beg your forgiveness for turning away from you in these dark days.”
“My dear Lady Cleveland, you were only following the treacherous ways of court. I cannot blame you for desiring your survival,” the Queen gently affirmed. “I absolve any misconduct and am honored that you have come to my side now.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. Uh, I-”
Come on Miranda. This is why you came. This is your duty.
I looked her straight in her dark eyes and hated myself with every bit of my being for turning my back on her.
Then I whispered, “We’re leaving. All of court is traveling to Woodstock today.” I paused and took in a breath. “Your Grace, he is leaving you here alone, the King. He did not want you to know.”
She nodded calmly. “I see.”
“They say he will send you away. That he will lock you away from court and…and that he will…dissolve your marriage.”
“Lady Cleveland,” she addressed me, “Wherever he deposits me, I will still remain his wife and I will pray for him.”
I stared at her face, waiting for her to collapse. But Katherine remained somber. Her husband was betraying her and tossing her away, and she hung to her sanity and behaved with the true grace of a Queen.
“He will throw you out and take your crown-”
“I have committed no crime,” Katherine retorted. “I am England’s true Queen; they cannot annex me from my own home.”
I shook my head. “Even with the obviousness of your innocence, I must warn you, Your Grace, that they will still come and take you. Anne is already parading around court with your jewels. Everyone treats her as Queen. If the King commands it they will come for you, Your Grace.”
Katherine nodded. “Then I will remain here and await their arrival, I have nothing to hide.”
“But Your Grace-”
“There is no time for your protests, Lady Cleveland. If the court is leaving you must go. You will brandish your name and that of Lady Jane if you are seen in my presence,” she explicated.
Katherine brought me around the back of the room; she lifted a tapestry, revealing a door beneath it. She opened it and pushed me across the threshold.
“Make haste, Lady Cleveland.”
I nodded and moved reluctantly into the passage ahead as my heart beat rapidly.
Then she reached out and grasped my shoulder. “Do all you can for my Mary.”
“I shall, Your Grace. I promise.”
I curtsied, she quickly shut the door, and I sped down the passage. I hurried through the foreign halls and rooms until I finally came upon a familiar corridor.
Eventually I pushed a door open and collapsed on the bed before me.
“I told her, but she would do nothing but wait for them to come and take her,” I confessed.
“That is to be expected from innocent Queen Katherine.”
I sighed. “I feel as if we failed her, Jane.”
“We did more than the rest of the submissive court, Miranda. Now Katherine is in God’s hands.”
Chapter 3
February 10, 1533
Anne danced around the room; the royal jewels glistened about her neck in the fading afternoon light. She giggled and twirled before us, all the ladies in waiting forging joyous smiles.
Jane and I sat off in a secluded window sill. Our faces reflected Anne’s triumphant delight, but our whispers conveyed the thoughts that were truly written on our hearts.
“Any doubts that the marriage has taken place were certainly dissolved by this spectacle,” I muttered. “Look at her, parading around while Katherine is locked away in some far-off dungeon.”
Jane patted my hand, quieting my anger. “Katherine is at Enfield, it is hardly a prison, Miranda. You must silence your spiteful words against Anne. The events have taken place and we must abide by them.”
“Jane, I cannot sit by and let Anne-”
“Lady Seymour, Lady Cleveland, what think you, hiding in the corner, secluded from our amusement?” Anne exclaimed.
Jane smiled. “In this room, my Lady, the bliss that is being emitted fills every crevice and there could be no escape from your immense joy.”
Anne’s eyes narrowed and her smile faded. “I am getting the sense that one may have the inclination to depart from this room.”
I shook my head as a cornucopia of lies flooded my mind. “What place in this palace could be as amusing as this very abode? What woman could possess such pleasure as you, my Lady?”
A smile slowly drifted onto Anne’s face. Successful deceit. How can I take pride in deceiving the Great Fraudster? She befuddled us all in her lies and foolery until it was too late. She had taken Henry’s heart and he was lost.
Then he was there, in that very room, the regal King Henry. Over the past few years he has been slowly fading from the handsome young prince of dreams for all the ladies at court that he once was.
All the ladies rose and bowed to their King. But Anne stayed seated, smiling at him in playful glee.
“Good evening, ladies!” he trumpeted. “We must have dancing after dinner tonight. Look at all you idle beautiful ladies, too lovely to be off your feet.”
Henry took Lady Melbeckley’s hand and began twirling her around the room. Anne’s eyes glowed with envy and in the next moment Lady Melbeckley was again on her cushion and Anne’s feet were flying across the floor. Henry’s expression remained steady; he was well used to her antics.
“Your Majesty,” Lady Wingfield addressed him as he continued to dance. “I have been wondering, as of late, where the Princess Mary is. I have not seen her at court in quite some time. She is such a clever girl.”
The King was still, staring at Lady Wingfield. Anne glanced between the pair, a hint of fear swirled in her dark eyes.
“The child is finishing her education,” he replied gruffly.
Lady Wingfield nodded. “Well, I do hope she is well and can come to visit Your Majesty soon.”
Anne stepped forward. “That girl will come if the King commands her to.”
“Of course,” the lady agreed as she bowed her head and moved back toward the wall.
Anne turned to Henry with a sly smile. “Well, we must prepare ourselves for the evening meal.”
“Of course, my dear.” He kissed Anne on the forehead and left the silent room. As the door slid shut Anne smiled at all the ladies. Then her eyes met mine and my heart began to pound fervently.
“The Duke of Suffolk has been troubling me and I would like to keep him in line. So Lady Cleveland, you will take your interesting conversation and entertain him at dinner,” she commanded.
I bowed my head in submission.
All of the ladies went their separate ways to prepare for the meal. I fell in step with Jane on the way back to our room to change gowns.
“Just like Anne to throw me at her enemy,” I grumbled.
“Miranda, you should be honored that you were selected,” Jane retorted.
I shook my head. “She chose me because she knows that I detest her so. So she condemned me to be in the company of the horrid Charles Brandon.”
“You must not utter such cruel words, Miranda. You do not know who could be overhearing you,” she warned. “You should appreciate that Anne allowed you to join her ladies at all.”
Jane opened the door to our room and I slid into a chair.
“I am not honored and I cannot be thankful. I am ashamed above all else,” I admitted. “I am ashamed that Katherine is locked away and I am willingly serving her betrayer. I am ashamed that I have defied my promise to aid Mary and have done nothing to support that abandoned child. I hate this conscious-less life of lies and deference.”
“Well, no sense in complaining now,” Jane stated, laying out her pale blue gown. “The Duke is waiting.”
Chapter 4
Later that evening
I slowly crossed the large room, watching the magnificent dance performed in the center. My heart has always gone out to dancing. I believe it is a beautiful expression of love. My parents never danced and when I was young I alleged that was the rationale why they had so many arguments. If only life was so simple and problems could be resolved with a turn around the dance floor.
Finally I saw him out of the corner of my eye. Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, was a man in his fourth marriage with a long trail of mistresses.
Anne and Henry were dancing near me and I could feel her glare. I stepped forward.
“Good evening, Duke,” I suppressed.
The large man turned to me and I could see him eyeing me over, a small, approving smile was visible through his thick beard. And in that moment I despised myself for wearing the low-cut bodice, fuchsia gown.
“Good evening, dear lady,” he greeted me, his smile increasing in size.
I blushed as he bowed his head and his eyes followed every curve of my dress. He was a monster and I had no to escape.
“My name is Lady Miranda Cleveland and I am one of Mistress Anne’s ladies.”
He nodded. “Well, it is lovely to meet you, Lady Cleveland.”
I took in a breath and spoke, “How is your young bride?”
“Catherine is well,” he replied. “She is a dear girl and I am glad to have her by my side.”
“I suppose you are glad that your son was too young to marry her,” I crudely commented. “Catherine was originally engaged to him, was she not?”
“She was.” The Duke quickly changed the subject, “I hear that you stay with the Seymour family at Wolfhall.”
I nodded. “Indeed I do.”
He moved a chair out for me and I reluctantly sat down. He settled on the chair beside me and inquired, “How did you come to reside there?”
“It is a long, dull story that I do not desire to bore you with.”
“Oh no, Lady Cleveland, please do enlighten me,” he requested.
I shifted in my chair uncomfortably. After a few moments of thought I began, “I was orphaned at eight years old. My parents were driving home from some visit of a sort and…the horses got frightened or something of the like…and the carriage collided with another. They were crushed beneath the rubble and found dead. Everyone else prevailed, but they died. A messenger rode to our home to tell us. My older brother Sinclair was out riding in the woods. Before he returned the Seymours were there. They were always there. Wolfhall was very near by our manor and my parents were often in the company of Sir John and Lady Margery Seymour. Jane has always been my friend and her brothers were always so kind to us.”
My mind drifted into my memory.
“Miranda!” Jane pulled her arms around me and I wept into her shoulder.
I felt so safe with my brother beside me and all the Seymours surrounding us. Sinclair bent down to my short figure and held my little doll before my face.
“Lady Mya!” I held her to my chest. Then I reached out to my brother and he lifted me into his arms. My big brother was missing his normal glow, his dimples had vanished, and I could feel the fast pounding of his heart against my arm. If my brother, my only intimate family left, was fearful, how could I stay strong? How can we support each other when we are both falling down?
I could not get into the carriage when the Seymours were preparing to take us to their home. I could not enter that structure that had claimed my parent’s lives. So I trudged through the mud and was kept company by the stinging raindrops hitting my skin.
“You look cold.”
Thomas was beside me suddenly. He gently laid his cloak upon my shoulders and rubbed my cold arms. I looked at him and my eyes could not look away. Thomas. Sweet Thomas trying to keep me warm.
He walked with me the entire way to Wolfhall in silence. When we approached the gate I shivered for the life I would now lead.
“You need not be afraid, Miranda,” Thomas assured me. “You will live with us now and we will take care of you. You are safe.”
I nodded and I truly believed him in my heart. Sinclair came on my other side and we three walked through the door. I was safe.
“Where is your brother now?” the Duke’s voice shattered my daze.
I sighed. “Sinclair joined the armed forces many years ago. He is away with the troops now, but I do hope for his return soon.”
He nodded. “He is a brave man to fight for his country.”
My heart disagreed as it ached with the pain of my brother’s absence.
The music grew loud as another dance began and the Duke smiled my way. “Shall we dance, Lady Cleveland.”
I certainly did not desire to sit here any longer and bare my heart out to the Duke of Suffolk, so I nodded.
He leapt out of his chair and pulled mine back for me. Arm and arm we crossed to the center of the floor and joined the other couples. At her table I could see Anne smiling gleefully at us. I hated that I was pleasing her and giving her satisfaction.
Was this really what my parents had died for me to become? Would they have desired me to become the pawn of that adulterer’s joke? What life was this? I truly lived in Katherine’s court; I was honored to serve her. And now I am left to fall into Anne’s traps and hate myself for the life I lead.
Come back to me Thomas. Come save me from this distress.
