Dearest Henry,



You will not hear from me again. Your love for my sister is ever growing, and I cannot bear the pain and ridicule that comes with it. I gave you the heir that you so desperately sought, and yet you still turn me away. Henry Carey, our son, will not to be taken from me in such leisure. Anne may have the power to claim wardship over Henry, but she will grow tired of him even faster than she grows tired of you. You will see. Dear Henry - what agony it will bring you to marry a woman that despises you! And what agony, again, you will feel when she cannot bear you a son. I do not speak in jest. Anne has relented to me in secret about how she fears she is a cursed woman, and will never bear you a living son. I fear for you - you and your sanity - but I feel I must move onward and forget my past. Life in the Queen’s servitude, especially when the Queen is my sister, is no longer an option for me.



You may think it funny that I have chosen this life full of hardships. However, there is nothing more rewarding to me then spending my days with a man I love, and my children. Sir William Stafford and I will reside in Rochford and I intend to live happily without the thoughts of you in my mind. I will have my son back - that is a promise. Also, when Catherine grows older, I will tell her that you are her father. I will not lie to my children, as I was so often lied to.



There will always be a place for you in my heart, Henry, and I do wish you happiness with Anne. Please tell Anne that I love her, and that I bear no disgrace to becoming, again, just the other Boleyn girl.



All my love,

Lady Mary Stafford