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cup of tea; Tag; Thomas Seymour
Topic Started: Nov 11 2010, 08:49 PM (158 Views)
Jane Seymour
Unregistered

December 1511

Jane couldn't recall the last time she'd seen her brother, Thomas, and because of that, she sent off a servant to find him and bring him to her. As always, she was embroidering. That was something that gave her pleasure and the ability to hone her skills. It was likely not something that impressed many people, but she took great pride in it. She felt, out of all the Queen's ladies, she had the best, but she wasn't about to mention that to anyone. She didn't like to appear prideful as that would completely ruin the image she cultivated for herself over the years.

As she continued to work on the handkerchief she intended for her other brother, Edward, she watched a servant set out some mulled wine. It was far too early in the day, in Jane's mind, to have proper wine, though it was nearly noon. She would have to ask Thomas if he would like to accompany her to the Great Hall for lunch. Sometimes she took her meals in her chamber, but she knew she should make a few appearances in the Great Hall every week.

She knew infrequent forays to the Great Hall could be seen as antisocial behavior and that would reflect poorly on herself and her family. So, each week, she went there at least once per day unless she found herself to be suffering from some malady. That could be excused because, after all, everyone fell ill from time to time.

"Where is he ..." she wondered of Thomas, gazing at the door for a moment before dropping her eyes back to her embroidery.
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Thomas Seymour
Unregistered

How was it, that no matter how many times someone had come looking for Thomas, no matter who it was that was that had called for him, his first thought was always that he was in some sort of trouble? It must've been because people didn't seek his company often. He wasn't nearly as worried when it was one of his sisters mind you, but he still wondered why Jane had suddenly requested his presence. Thomas didn't see much of his siblings at court; the size of the place and the amount of people there made their paths less likely to cross than had they been back home where it was just them and the servants.

That was the logical reason, but Thomas couldn't help but have the nagging suspicion that maybe Edward had a little to do with it too, that maybe he had told Jane and Elizabeth to avoid him as much as possible (for their own good, no doubt). Thomas had no evidence to support this, and it was just as much his fault that he hadn't seen his sister in such a long time. There was no real reason, they were just all off doing different things. But if there was one thing he'd learned at court, it was that there was always something going on behind someone's back. And when it came to their brother, it didn't seem like too much of a stretch.

So Thomas was relieved when he entered the room to find his sister sitting there as calm as ever, quietly working on her embroidery, no expression on her face that would've led him to believe there was anything wrong. "You sent for me, sister?" he asked, stopping in front of her, his usually nervous smile more natural, more warm. "Everything is well with you, I hope."
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Jane Seymour
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At Thomas' voice, Jane looked up and smiled warmly, setting aside her embroidery and standing in almost one fluid motion. "Brother," she greeted, hugging him lightly, "All is well with me. Is it for you?"

She was glad she heard little of him. Mere mentions of him made her feel that he was staying out of trouble and unlikely to incense Edward. The last thing any of them needed was his anger. Jane preferred him to be as docile as he could be, meaning as happy with their family as he could be for the time.

Stepping back from Thomas, Jane appraised him with a smile still on lips. "You do look well. I am glad for it." she continued without waiting for him to respond. "Please come sit and have some mulled wine with me."

She returned to her seat, gesturing to the one across from her. Lifting her own glass to her lips, she sipped at it. She liked mulled wine, but it was something she could surely live without. However, she preferred it over ale.

"Are you looking forward to Christmastide?" she asked next, now pausing to let him answer.
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Thomas Seymour
Unregistered

"It can be an enjoyable time, but very tiring," Thomas answered vaguely, responding to the younger Seymour's invitation with a nod and settling into the seat across from her. He spent so much time trying to avoid giving a direct opinion that sometimes it seemed he couldn't, even when he wanted to. It was never a plain yes or no with him, always a careful dance around the actual question.

"There is always so much going on," he added, as if it would somehow clarify his answer. "But I'm happy to be spending it close to family, whether it be here or back at home makes no real difference to me." Accepting the second glass that had been set out for him with a quiet thank you, he didn't take a sip just yet. He enjoyed mulled wine, certainly more than Jane, but he wasn't in any particular sort of rush, happy to take his time and enjoy his sister's company.

"And what about you? I can't even remember the last time we sat down like this, I'm sure you have much more to tell me about than just Christmas. It's a sad day when brothers and sisters are reduced to little more than strangers. Though if the holidays are really all you wish to talk about, you know I'd be more than happy to listen."
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Jane Seymour
Unregistered

Jane agreed with her brother's point on how they were reduced to little more than strangers. Being in such close quarters, one would believe they would be able to enjoy much of each other's company, but at court, they had their own duties. Gone were the days when they were children with little cares but how to escape their tutors and nurses. She wished to try to enforce family time, but she was their sister and she couldn't very well tell them what to do.

"While the holidays are heavy on my mind, I merely wished to see you and inquire on your health and other affairs." She gazed at him appraisingly. "I have heard other ladies speak of how handsom you are and it got me wondering if there is a lady you might wish to marry. I would so like to meet such a woman and hope, by being in her company, I may be graced with your presence more often."

In truth, she longed for Thomas' company and wished she could see him but once a day. She worried about him marrying sometimes because then he would have less time for her, even if he wished to try to make some. A wife would be soon followed by children, sons if God would reward him.

"Perhaps it is too underhanded a thing for me, Thomas, but I do miss you." she added, feeling that she could divulge this to him. "More than I can say, honestly. You are very dear to me. Do you think you might see me more?"
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Thomas Seymour
Unregistered

At the mention of the women at court, Thomas immediately raised his glass to his lips. Another trick to avoid giving an answer no doubt, his face flushed slightly. He could have told Jane about Katherine Parr, who was probably the only woman at court that he wanted to be one of those that his sister spoke of. Unfortunately, Katherine Parr was also probably the least likely to go around commenting on such things as men's looks. It was so unlikely that she wasn't even worth mentioning.

Of course, Thomas wasn't yet aware of the run-in he'd have with Katherine Parr later that month. Maybe after that, maybe once he'd been given a little bit of false hope, maybe then he'd mention her to Jane.

But for now, he just skipped over it completely. "I can come and see you as often as you'd like." Within reason, he'd meant, because sometimes things might come up or he'd have other obligations, but he knew this wasn't something he had to explain to someone as reasonable and understanding as Jane. "I've missed you too, and Elizabeth as well. Maybe even more than if we had all been separated by some great physical distance."

Thomas looked down at his hands now, a thumb tracing lazily around the rim of his cup as he gave a sort of embarrassed chuckle; more of a hum and an exhale of air than an actual laugh. "You might think it's silly of me, but I was afraid that maybe you didn't want to see me, or had better things to do. I'm sure our brother has been keeping you quite busy."
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