Chapter Eight: Forbidden Kisses

"Your Majesty, what if it wasn't a dream?" In spite of the beautiful spring morning, Mary Boleyn's sweet face wore a look of worry and anxiety. There were big, dark shadows under her lovely blue eyes.

"Wasn't a dream?" Queen Katherine of Aragon looked closely at her lovely young lady-in-waiting. The two of them were still in their bed gowns, sharing breakfast in the queen's private chamber. Katherine knew that Mary had slept restlessly, moaning and tossing beside her all night. "Sweet child, what in heaven's name are you talking about?"

"Well, ever since we came here to Ludlow Castle, I've been dreaming of the strange beasts who once lived here. The gigantic creatures who lived in England before Stonehenge, before the Flood!" Mary made herself busy buttering a slice of toast. The golden-haired girl spoke in a hurried manner, her eyes downcast, as though afraid of being mocked or scolded. The queen saw the blush on her cheeks and the way her long, golden lashes curled at the very tips. Even after a restless night, Mary was truly stunning. "But what I think, Your Majesty, is that my dreams have been sent to me as a warning. I think that the beasts are still among us!"

"And you think that the Friar at St. Dunstan's Well was killed by them. That is why his body was crushed, the bones all broken, yet no sword wounds, nor any mark of a man's hand upon him."

"Yes, Your Majesty, that is exactly what I think!" Mary's shoulders slumped with relief. All night long she had tossed and turned, tormented by her nightmares. The younger Boleyn girl felt as if a huge load had been lifted from her. "My dreams might just be foolish fancies, but I've heard there are caverns nearby where ancient Druids summoned the beasts with magic. Maybe someone like the Friar has been tampering with the secrets buried in those caverns. Maybe someone has unearthed the ancient magic!"

"It is possible," the queen acknowledged. "Ancient heathen magic is always dangerous. But how did you hear about these caverns?"

"Oh, everyone at the castle knows about them. The boys even found an old tunnel that goes for miles! And Tristan says . . ."

"Tristan?" Queen Katherine gave Mary Boleyn a sharp look.

"He's one of the young gentlemen who mind the horses while the great lords are in council with Your Majesty," Mary quickly explained. She was very careful to keep her voice ever so casual. "They're sons of the great families hereabouts. All are very familiar with the woods, and the caverns, and the ancient, hidden places!"

"Ah, and young Tristan wishes to show you these secret places." It wasn't a question. The queen looked deep into her servant's eyes, as though she could imagine Mary and Tristan in a lover's tryst.

"No! I mean, well . . . well, yes. All I mean is that . . . that the two of us could find out more, and then report to Your Majesty!" Mary felt like a fool. She had fought all night to banish Tristan from her mind. Yet even as she slept side by side with Katherine in the queen's great bed, the lovely young lady-in-waiting had dreamed of the handsome boy with the winsome smile. He was the one who was trying to warn her about the ancient cavern, and the giant beasts.

"My honey-sweet Mary, get that nonsense out of your head." Katherine snorted and stamped her foot, like one of the great elephant-like beasts in Mary's dream. "A letter from my lord and husband King Henry has just arrived. I read it while you were still sound asleep. It seems that no-good sister of yours has displeased the king, and we are summoned home at once. So you must try to forget your handsome Tristan, and his forbidden kisses."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Mary Boleyn blushed. It was no use to resist. There hadn't been any forbidden kisses. And there never would be.