One month. She had been married only a month. Wedded and bedded. The sealed alliance between the German Principalities and the English throne was bought with her maidenhead. Anne did not feel quite so different, although her life had changed so drastically. She had not ever truly thought of her wedding night before she had been shipped off to England. Her mother and certainly her brother had insisted that she not concern herself with wanton thoughts and only grit her teeth and do her duty. But the night she had shared with the king, while utterly terrifying being so intimate with a man who held such power over her and that she barely knew, had not been the hardship that her mother had described. She was not a woman who knew much of the world or what went on between man and wife, but she knew the king had been tender with her. There had been pain, of course, as she was a maiden, but it had not been nearly as bad as she had expected. She was ashamed that she had cried afterwards, but losing one's innocence was not something to be taken lightly. Still, she had recovered quite well and by morning she had been as optimistic as possible about her budding relationship with her husband.
But a whole month had gone by and he had not revisited her bed.
He was kind enough when propriety had dictated that they appear in public together. In the great hall, when they would meet for supper, he would smile at her, call her sweetheart as he inquired after her health, kiss her fingers and lead her up to her seat beside him. But he would not speak to her much outside of the necessary courteous comments. He never sought her presence in private and he had not joined her in her bed again.
A part of her knew that she should be much more concerned with this snub ,but she couldn't find it within her to be upset. Although technically the queen of this court, there was still so much she was unsure of-in and out of her marriage. She knew it would take time to be comfortable presiding over the courtiers as well as finding a balance in her relationship with the king.
So she watched everyday, learning about these foreigners she was supposed to rule. The English court was nothing like the one her brother held in Cleves. The pure opulence and vanity that drove these people was almost impressive. Gentlemen and ladies mingled often, flirting in hallways, walking in the gardens, gambling, and dancing in the evenings. It was so unlike the atmosphere she had been raised in where the genders were strictly separated, women taught to never attract the eyes so that they did not appear unseemly. But here, being able to stand out in the crowd was a virtue. Women did everything they could to set themselves apart and catch the eyes of every man they could. Their gowns were made of the thinnest of materials, showing enough skin to make her brother faint. But she knew she had to immerse herself in this culture if she was ever able to be successful in earning their respect and love. She met with her royal dress makers and ordered dozens of new gowns-not as revealing and ostentatious as her ladies, but still much more...English in nature. She quite enjoyed working with the women and made sure to pay them well, offering her compliments and promising to take their advice as new fashions became available.
It was beginning to get easier making friends among the courtiers as well. She had already created an easy relationship with Lady Elizabeth-Bess- Hart when she had been inducted into England but she soon found favorites in Lady Margaret Dymoke and Lady Elizabeth Somerset. That plus Maria and the Duke of Suffolk's wife, Lady Catherine Brandon, gave her a nice surrounding of friendly faces. She knew better than to think all her ladies gave her the loyalty their positions demanded. She knew the majority of her ladies and maids would watch her with seasoned eyes, hoping for her failure. It was not unheard of in this court for the king to look among the ladies at court when he was unsatisfied with his wife. One of these girls might even have an eye on her throne.
Already they were trying. Lady Rochford had not hesitated to inform her of the king's dalliances. The harsh woman had seemed almost eager to point out the king's latest mistress, Lady Mary Skipwith. Lady Rochford had made quite the show of pity when she had relayed the information, but Anne had waived her off, insisting that it was no matter-that the king would do as he wished and it was of no concern of her. Anne had heard plenty of her predecessors mistakes of objecting strongly to the king's infidelities and was adamant that she would never do the same. But then, it was probably easier for her than the women he had married for love. What had broken their hearts had come as almost a relief to her-knowing that the king was willing to give her some time before coming to her bed again. But she had been thankful for the insight to know which of her ladies was actively working against her. Lady Skipwith was no threat to her- not as long as the French-Imperial alliance stood. The girl was a flighty thing anyway and would probably not hold the king's attention for long. Besides, Henry needed her brother and would never offend him by directly insulting his sister flaunting a mistress after only a month of marriage. And by the time the French king and the Spanish Emperor's friendship waned (a certainty at some point) perhaps she will have settled enough to charm the king on her own. Until then, Lady Mary was welcome to warm her husband's bed and keep him happy.
"Your Majesty?" An impatient voice broke Anne out of her thoughts and she jumped slightly, turning to face the maid who had approached her.
It was clear that it had not been the first time little Kitty Howard had tried to get her attention, but she had been lost in her thoughts. She gave a small apologetic smile to the girl, despite her impertinence. She must always remember that all these girls were well connected and to never offend unless lines were crossed. Even this haughty little girl was niece to the Duke of Norfolk-one of the highest peers in the realm.
"Yes, Mistress Howard? Is it time to go down to dinner?"
"Yes, madam. Your gown is ready."
Anne rose and made her way into the privy chamber where the new gown was laid out by her ladies. It was a lovely gown, rich black velvet overlaid with a beautiful gold brocade stomacher. A lovely cloth of gold collar finished the look giving her a neat, gracious look without being nearly as dowdy as the gowns she brought from home. She would still stand out from the English ladies in their pastels, but she thought the darker colors suited her just fine. The pearly blues and pinks and golds would wash her coloring out with her slightly olive skin and her rich honey hair.
She dictated that Lady Rochford fetch her a beautifully ornate pendant to go around her neck and a bright golden tiara and that Maria step forward to pull her curls into a delicate bun. She gave a quick mischievous smile to her friend when the German woman pulled a few locks to frame her face. Having spent their entire lives behind tight hoods and veils, it was a learning curve for them both to have their hair worn like the English ladies. But the result was satisfactory and even the fashionable Mistress Howard didn't grimace at the finished look. Anne smiled triumphantly and led her ladies to supper.