Seymour family dinner

Jane came to the hall which would happen their family dinner. There was noone yet. She started to wait her family. She was excited. A long time later , they would meet for a dinner.

I entered into the dining hall hoping that I was not late.I was very happy and excited,finally we will be all together.I smiled when I saw Jane.

''Sister!You look very lovely.''

I said as I hugged her,kissing her on the cheek.Then I took a seat at the table waiting the rest of my family to come.

I was curious to see what my first Seymour family dinner would be like, was there an agenda? Or was it just a casual family reunion? I made sure I looked my best for both Edward and Thomas. I laughed seeing that us girls were by far more keen, Elizabeth and Jane were already there! 'Jane! Elizabeth!' I called out as I entered. 'We are early it seems! Have you been waiting long?' I walked towards them and embraced them. 'Tonight is going to be a pleasurable evening, just the seymours all together.'

I smiled to Anne when she walked into the hall.

''Lady Anne,I am very happy to see you again!''

I said as I hugged her back.

''Not to long,lady Anne...Oh yes tonight will be very lovely.''

I entered the great Hall and was shown to the dining area where my family was to be having dinner together. As I walked in I saw Jane, Elizabeth, and the Lady Stanhope, all looking ravishing.

"Good evening my sisters, lady Stanhope" I said and gave them a kiss on the cheek and took Anne's hand and kissed it. "How is everyone this evening?" I asked smiling.

Dorothy walks into the hall and sees Thomas, Jane, Elizabeth and Lady Anne grand as ever. She walks over to greet them. " My dearest family, it's lovely to see us all together." she says with a grin.

I was the last to show and was already cursing myself for being late. I hurriedly last-minute checked my clothes in a mirror in the hall before entering the dining hall and finding my family waiting. "Please forgive my lateness. Time just ran away from me." I gave a hug and a kiss to each of my sisters, and shook hands with Thomas before taking my place next to Anne, whom I kissed on the cheek. "Ladies, you all look beautiful tonight, which is no different from any other time," I said with a smile.

After Jane , all Seymours came to the hall one by one. She smiled to all of them. "I think I am very well to see this picture. All Seymours are together. It's been a long time since I saw all of you together." She turned Thomas and smiled warmly. "Thank you , Thomas for this lovely night."

'Good evening' I said back to Thomas, copying his casual tone with ease.
As Edward sat down I smiled and said, 'Not to worry, you are here now and that is all that matters.'

I smiled happily to my family and nodded to Jane.

''Yes it has been so long since we were all together,and it is very nice that we are all here together again,like in old times,we just miss our father to be complete.''

I said with soft smile remembering old times.

"Ah Edward, I'm glad you decided to finally join us." i said in smug tone. I then stood at the head of the table. "Welcome my family, i'm very pleased we could all get together and have a meal as a family." I had the servants pour everyone some wine, "Now, I want to toast to family, health, and finally being all together in one room again" I raised my goblet and took a drink.

I drank to the toast, letting my brother have his moment as I took a glance at Anne, who looked gorgeous in every way. "Not bad," I said as an understatement, smirking.

After Thomas' speech , Jane smiled and raised her goblet. Then she nodded for Elizabeth's words."Yes.. I wish our father was here , too." Then she added. "I will return Wulfhall tomorrow , I guess. I do not want our father to be alone. Also , I don't know anyone at court. It's quite boring."

I raised my goblet as well and took a little sip from it.

''Thank you Thomas for doing all of this.''

I said with smile,and then looked at Jane.

''You are going back home?I thought you like to be here at court and we are now all here,so it can not be so boring.''

She smiled softly to her sister. "Of course being with you all can't be boring. But you know.. I love Wulfhall. Truth to be tol I miss father very much. But I'll be back."

I nodded to her with small smile.

''I miss him too,very much.But you know I understand you.Sometimes I miss our home,peace and silence,and fresh country air...Anyway we will miss you very much.''

I take a seat near Elizabeth. "I'm just pleased we could all be here at the same time. Even though I know after this dinner we shall all go back to our busy lives." I said glancing at Anne. "Lady Stanhope, why don't you tell my family and I something of yourself since you will be apart of the family soon" I replied putting her on the spot.

"You will be missed at court dear Jane, but it is best you go back home to Father. Sometimes I think court has too many temptations." I said perhaps a bit bluntly. As Thomas asked about Anne I listened intently, wanting to know more about my fiancee than what she only wanted me to see.

I smiled to Thomas and nodded.

''Since Jane will leave the court ,than I suppose that this will be the last time that we are together.''

I said sadly,and then looked at Anne wanting to know more about her.

After hearing the news of Jane going back to Wulfhall, Dorothy felt sad about leaving Whitehall but, happy for her to return to father. She assures he needs company. " I assume father would be happy for his daughter to accompany him." she says reassuringly

All this talk of what Father wanted was beginning to gnaw at me. "Perhaps our father will seek a betrothal for you, Jane." I started to drink some more wine.

She nodded Dorothy to agree with her."Yes.. I guess I will be happy to accompany him too sister." She smiled softly and then raised her eyebrows after Edward's words. "I don't think so Edward.. But if he has that kind of idea , I will have nothing to say of course." She smiled again but she started to be curious. What if her father was thinking that way which Edward said?

I looked Thomas in the eye confidently, 'I have been at court for many years, I was maid of honour to catherine, I am close to the Princess Mary, I have learnt alot being here but it does upset me that my family is not close, my family don't tend to come to court often.' I said looking distressed, I wanted to generate sympathy.

I could see straight through Anne's ruse, and it amused me that she would say such a thing. I hid a smile as I spoke: "Do not be so sad, my love. Family is an important thing, one of the most important things on earth. Now you have a new one to be part of, a new start so to speak."