Over the next few weeks, Anne's health slowly improved. Louis took her for long walks in the garden, hoping that the fresh air would do her good, and they also went sailing on the Grand Canal, horseback riding, and for picnics in the woods. Although he was a King and she a mere lady-in-waiting, when they were together, the differences in their rank seemed to melt away, and to Anne it seemed that they were truly equals.

"I have made a decision in the matter of my possible remarriage," Louis said to Anne one day. Anne felt her heart sink. So one of the rumors concerning him and a European princess was true, after all, she concluded.

"And who shall be the next Queen of France?" Anne asked, trying in vain to sound casual.

"Why, the woman who makes my heart beat faster every time I'm with her. The woman whom I can't live without." He smiled shyly. "If you're willing, that is."

"Do you mean it, Louis? Do you really want to marry me?"

"I love you very much, Annette." He took her hands and looked into her eyes. "If you were to become my new Queen, it would make me the happiest man in the world."

"Oh, Louis!" Gasping with joy, she threw her arms around his neck.

He chuckled. "I'll take that as a yes."

They were married shortly afterwards in the royal chapel, kneeling on silken cushions. As they walked arm in arm down the Hall of Mirrors, little Princess Marie-Therese walked behind them, scattering flower petals. Anne recalled her own first marriage to Henry, how secretive it had had to be, due to the situation with Katherine of Aragon and the annulment. But Louis' marriage to Marie Antoinette had already been annulled long ago, so he didn't have to make any effort to hide the fact that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Anne.

The people of France had, surprisingly, been accepting of the union as well. The fact that their monarch was to wed a relative unknown who'd served as lady in waiting to the previous Queen did raise a few eyebrows, but the overall reaction had been positive. Anne suspected that the reason was that Marie Antoinette had been so hated that almost any choice would have been an improvement over her. Katherine of Aragon, on the other hand, had been well loved by the English people.

"You look more beautiful than ever to me today, dearest Annette," Louis said to his bride as the two ate dinner together in the royal theater later in the day. "I love the way your eyes are sparkling."

"They're sparking with joy, dearest Louis," Anne replied. "Today has been the happiest day of my life."

"As it has been of mine," Louis replied. "I love you so much, sweet Annette."

"And I, you," she replied softly.

After dinner, an orchestra followed, and dancing. Much later, Louis and Anne were escorted to their nuptial chambers.

Anne's heart beat with anticipation as she began to undress. She hadn't made love at all since the last time she'd been with Henry, which now seemed a lifetime ago. She remembered Louis' confession of how long it had taken him to consummate his marriage to Marie Antoinette. Would he have a similar problem with her?

As they fell into bed together, Louis took her into his arms and held her tightly. "You'll never know how long I've waited for this moment," he murmured.

As he gently caressed her, her hand wandered downward until she felt the smooth skin of his member, which she was pleased to discover was already rigid.

A few moments later, he moved into position and entered her, and they made love together for the first time. Afterwards, they lay together, cuddling.

"Did I please you?" Louis sounded anxious.

"Yes. Did I please you?"

"Oh, yes! It was completely different from making love with Marie. In that situation, I felt that it was something that I had to do, a duty. With you, it seems the most natural thing in the world, like it's something that was meant to be."

Anne smiled to herself and stretched in lazy contentment. "When did you first realize that you love me, Louis?"

"To be honest, I believe it was the first time I saw you."

"Do you mean that rather embarrassing incident in which I nearly bowled you over in search of a basin?"

"The very same." They both laughed. "Although I never would have admitted it to myself at the time, as I still had high hopes that my marriage to Marie would work out."

They were both silent for awhile, remembering their respective first marriages and the heartaches that had followed.

"I only had one successful pregnancy before," Anne finally said. "After Elizabeth was born, I had three miscarriages. I don't know whether or not I could ever successfully carry another child to term."

"That doesn't matter," Louis told her. "Whether or not you ever give me another child, I'll always love you just the same."

He could never know how much those words meant to her.