I stared out of the carriage window with a heavy heart. I would be leaving my parents for a while. I would travel to King Henry the VIII's English court to serve as a Lady in waiting to his Queen Anne. I'd heard rumours about Queen Anne. She'd captured the King's heart by flirtation only. And they supposedly never consummated their relationship until they were married. The rumour now is that the King is tiring of her already. Queen Anne has suffered three miscarriages and has yet to produce a male heir. As I watch the trees passing the carriage window I wonder if I will change while living at the English court. Would I become arrogant and vain? Maybe I'd shed my shy but jolly self and become deceitful and arrogant. Or worse, what if I become a mistress?

The carriage came to halt at the gate of the grand Hampton Court. I held my breath as the carriage door opened, the guard took my hand and helped me out. I was led into the palace by three guards. They were very formal and didn't smile. I was already feeling like an outsider. It wasn't the same atmosphere here as it was at home. Here it felt grey and lonely, while at home it felt bright. I missed my mother and father. I missed the small village we lived in, and our cosy country cottage. I missed home. The guards opened a door to reveal the King and Queen. They sat on their thrones holding hands. They were both dressed in divine clothing. I felt like a peasant in their presence.

"Lady Rose Chapman" announced the guard as I entered the room

I stood in front of them and slowly bent into a curtsey.

"Your majesties" I said

The King's polite smile spread into a wide grin full of amusement. I smiled nervously.

"Lady Chapman, you are to be a Lady in waiting to my Queen?" he asked, his voice amused still

"Yes your majesty" I said

"Anne?" he looked his beautiful Queen in the eye

"Your majesty?" she said

Her eyes were full of an untrustworthy hatred for me.

"Are you pleased with your new Lady?"

Queen Anne stared me up and down in silence for a moment.

"Yes your majesty. Very pleased"

Her voice was cold and angry. I didn't blame her for not trusting me. People say that the King's attentions are elsewhere nowadays. I have no interest in becoming the Kings latest mistress. I have no interest in becoming any man's mistress. I hope to be a true maid until marriage. When I lived at the French court, many French men had tried to take my virtue. Luckily I am my fathers daughter and I taught the French men a lesson or two.

"You are the Duke of Cambridge's daughter?" the King asked me

"Yes your majesty"

"He is a very loyal man. I hope to see him again"

"I am sure my father misses you dearly your majesty"

King Henry stood from his throne and walked down the few steps to the ground I stood. The King slowly and gently lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it. I have to admit, I felt a little weak at the knees when I felt the Kings lips. What woman wouldn't? King Henry's complexion is healthy and glowing, he is above the usual height, has a fine calf and has the bluest eyes I have ever seen. He speaks Latin, French and a little Italian, he plays the flute well and the harpsichord. He jousts marvellously and can sing a little. But still, I have no interest in becoming the Kings mistress. Queen Anne was beautiful, she was dark skinned, and dark haired with very brown eyes. She was the opposite of the classic Tudor beauty, as am I. I have dark hair and very green eyes, I am said to look like and act like my very beautiful French mother. My mother lived at the French court and encouraged me to live there too. Mother wasn't like the typical French women at court. The ladies who are interested in flirtation and the physical form. Mother loved art and literature, and spent most of her days reading and drawing at court. Then she met my English father when he was visiting France. They fell in love and my mother left with him back to England.

"Lady Cassidy would you instruct Lady Chapman on her duties please" Queen Anne said bitterly

A young woman dressed in a long yellow silk dress came into the room. She curtseyed for the King and Queen and gave me a polite nod.

"Lady Chapman, you must join our table tonight when we feast" the King said

"Of course your majesty, I would be greatly honoured"

I followed Lady Cassidy through the palace in silence until we came to my chamber. It was a small brightly lit room. The bed was made and my belongings were already in place.

Many men asked me to dance that night. The music was loud, and people were laughing and smiling. It was very different atmosphere now. Before its was dull and sad. Queen Anne was constantly pining for the Kings attention. She would whisper in his ear and tap his hand, but the King didn't even look at her. His blue eyes were glued to the beautiful Lady Jane Seymour. Jane was also a Lady in waiting to Queen Anne. She was kind and very pretty. She didn't seem like the type of woman to betray her Queen for the love of the King. Jane was loyal, wasn't she?

"May I have this dance milady?" a tall blonde haired man smiled kindly at me

"Of course"

He took my hand and led me to the centre of the hall. The band began again. It was a fast dance that involved many turns and twirling. When the music finished, the kind gentleman gently kissed my hand.

"Thank you milady" he said politely

I glanced around the hall. Everyone was happy and smiling. Apart from Anne. The King caught my eye and he waved me over. I tried to ignore the glances I was receiving.

"Lady Rose, please join us" the King said

He patted the seat next to him. Anne gave me a hard, cold look.

"Are you enjoying your first dance here at my court?" the King whispered

"Yes your majesty. Very much so, thank you"

Henry smiled and waved away my thanks.

"We are going hunting tomorrow, you must join us"

"Of course your majesty, if you wish"

A servant poured the King another glass of wine as he spoke.

"I will send someone to collect you in the morning"

I couldn't turn down a Kings offer. Anne quietly sipped her wine as the King told me of his great triumphs. Suddenly the King whispered closely in my ear.

"Please excuse me Lady Chapman" he said

I smiled politely and nodded, then watched as the King made his way across the room to Lady Jane Seymour. I wondered if Anne noticed, and if she did, did she say anything to King Henry? I dared a glance at Queen Anne. She was staring into her wine glass with an expressionless face. She was broken. Henry had broken her heart and it was obvious.