Greenwich Palace, Kingdom of England, March 1510
The nursery in the palace was as lively as ever. Of course it was only natural, the Lady Joanna toddled around the room, irate at the absence of one of her dearest friends,”I want Mary! I want her now!”
The girl’s grandmother and namesake huffed,”Stop it Joanna! You will wake your brother!”
The younger Joanna stomped her foot defiantly, scowling,”I no care! I want Mary!”
The Duke of Somerset, in his cradle suddenly woke with a shrill cry. The Queen’s mother glared at her granddaughter,”You’ve done it now! Thanks to you your little brother is upset.”
Tears formed in the girl’s eyes, and her grandmother turned on her heels, ready to leave the room. Her own daughter stopped her with a frown on her face,”Mother, was that truly necessary?”
“Yes, it was. Say what you will of your father, but he made sure his children behaved. Joanna is the daughter of the King of England; it is time that she acts like it”
Giovanna replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.“I am sorry that my husband does not beat his young children and stuff those he perceives as enemies.”
The older woman grunted and brushed past her daughter, walking out the door. Left to deal with the aftermath of her mother’s temper, Giovanna first approached her daughter, who was whining about her grandmother. She scooped the little girl up and stroked her hair,”There, there. Your grandmama is just ill-tempered today.”
Joanna whipped a tear from her cheek, and sniffled,”Alright mama. I sorry.”
Giovanna set her daughter back onto the floor, as the attendants managed to calm her son down,”I understand that you are upset. Mary is a bit sick, she just has a slight chill, so she is staying in her mother’s rooms… We would not want you or little Charles to get sick would we?”
The toddler slowly shook her head,”No that would be bad.”
The girl’s mother smiled a little,”But we have a surprise for you…”
A smile made its way across Joanna’s face,”Really… What is it?”
The door opened, as a middle-aged man, and his young daughter, both of whom with dark hair, entered the room, both bowing politely, and Giovanna smiled,”Viscount Rochford, I am glad that you bring young Anne to comfort my Joanna.” (1)
“But of course, your majesty, we Boleyns are always happy to serve the King and his family.”
The little girl, just a couple of years older than Joanna walked up to her, and smiled,”I am glad to meet you, Lady Joanna. I am sorry that my sister could not be here, but I hope we can be friends too.”
Joanna grinned at this,”Yes… Can I call you Annie?”
Anne nodded her head,”Of course you can. I will also let you know when my sister gets better.”
“Thank you Annie.”
Giovanna was very pleased by this, and moved to her son’s crib, and picked up the calmed baby. Her son giggled happily as she picked him up, which made her feel warm inside, as only a mother could. She brought him down to where Anne and Joanna were playing with several small dolls. Anne, who had yet to meet the young Duke of Somerset, was overjoyed when little Charles smiled at her. The little girl giggled for a moment,”He is a handsome little Prince, my Queen.”
At this Giovanna wistfully thought to herself,
Perhaps Anne will also be a friend to Charles as he grows older.
(1) His family is granted the title early, a sign of the favor with which Giovanna regards his wife Elizabeth Howard