Château de Calais
~o~
Charles
The masque was very… French. The costumes were light and airy and he imagined the whores of Ancient Rome had worn something similar. Not that he minded much, Catherine was a delight in her low cut airy dress. He had half a mind to sneak out during the dance but of course, there was this unpleasant business with Laval.
Charles put his hand low on her back when the dance brought them back together. "You look ravishing."
She smiled. "I can see you are about to ravish me."
His hand wandered a little lower. "Not without your consent, my lady. I mean, we do have a lesson to teach still but I was always fondest of the breaks when I was tutored."
"You surprise me. And here I am thinking you loved theology most."
He gave her backside a quick squeeze. "That came second. Now, where is your spurned lover?"
"He was never my lover, Charles." He knew that of course but he loved the pink that had risen to her cheeks and the embarrassed look on her face.
"He says so." He grinned. "Ah, there he is. I will leave you to him. Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"
"There is something you wouldn't do?" Cat whispered but she only heard Charles chuckle as he headed over to the royal table.
"Mademoiselle Cathérine." Laval was faster than a pig fleeing from the bathtub. "A word?"
She nodded, defeated. They stood by the side of the dancefloor, looking upon the dancing couples with feigned interest.
"Now, your husband seems to be guileless, my dear. I assume you prefer it that way?"
"I do indeed, monsieur."
"Oh Cathy. Are we not long past these formalities?"
She said nothing.
"I could of course keep my mouth shut. You remember, he invited me to drink wih him? I can get… comment-on-dit...loquacious after a few cups. Is there anything you can give me to remember this conversation?"
"What do you want?"
"You are wearing a fine bracelet there. A wedding gift? You know of course that not much coin is coming my way anymore...you would not mind to help out an old friend?"
"N-no."
"I thank you. But still... as generous as your gift is, it is just not remarkable enough. Do you know which memory I will cherish forever?"
Cat shook her head. She was beginning to feel queasy.
"Our kiss, Cathy." His hand found hers and squeezed it.
"Shall we go and find a more private place… to talk?"
Cat nodded. She saw Charles to her left, hidden from Laval's view but more attentive than he had ever been at mass.
Laval lead her out of the ballroom and into an empty corridor. Left, right, right and right again they went and Cat only hoped that Charles could keep track.
"Here. Now, isn't this a comfy?"
A chest of drawers stood here, next to a carved chair. Neither of both objects looked comfy in the slightest.
"Well, Cathérine, the truth is: I could never forget you. Your beauty and your charme and your sweet character. There might have been other women, well, I am full of joie de vivre, but you were always special." He touched her leg and she felt his hand through the thin fabric of her dress. Cat shivered.
"I feel the same." Laval came uncomfortably close.
"Now, love, if you don't want me telling your husband all sorts of things, later, you know how to convince me, I assume. Raise your skirt a little, so that I can get a glimpse."
Cat shuddered again. Laval's hands were on her now and she pushed but he wouldn't move. Where was –
"You take your dirty hands off her." Charles had Laval pinned against the wall in seconds. Laval's feet dangled inches above the floor and his face began turning red.
"You talk to her again, you lose your tongue. You touch her again, you're dead." He did not ask whether Laval had understood. Charles considered him for a moment, then he hit him right in the face. Laval's nose crunched when it broke and bright red blood shot out of it.
Charles dropped him like something disgusting he had picked up accidentally.
"The king will hear of this." Laval said in a whiny nasal voice. "I vow –"
"A vow of silence? A wonderful idea. And yes, the king will hear of this. In fact, he already has. I've taken the liberty of telling him in your place. And when you led my lady wife out of the ballroom...well, I assume you will grow fond of the countryside. The swineherds are better company than generally assumed."
Charles wiped his bloody knuckles on Laval's shirt, then offered Cat a hand.
She took it and they ran together.
"I was almost too late." Charles kissed her. "I am so sorry, love. He knows this castle better than I do."
Cat brushed a few strands of hair out of his handsome face. "You were there exactly when I needed you. All is well." She smiled. "And now...wasn't there something you wanted to do… regarding this dress?"
Charles grinned. "Indeed. A true lady should not wear such a rag. I'll take care of it."
~o~
Anne
~o~
France was a dream and she never wanted to wake up. Katherine was waiting in England, and all her enemies were surely using her absence to forge their plans. Well, let them. Haven't I taken them down every time? She had. But the day would come when she could not. And that thought haunted her.
"Which nightgown will you wear tonight, my lady?"
Nan Savage was the most recent addition to her growing train of followers. She was sweet and eager and had her head in the clouds and she reminded her of Catherine when she had come to France. Eager to please and somehow lost in the fancy court dresses her father had commissioned for her. Looking at Nan was looking back in time and she always became uncomfortably aware how much time she had spent with fighting. She had not lost her youth yet, nor her looks, but time was not working in her favour.
"The embellished one. His Majesty's gift."
Nan's eyes widened for a moment. Anne had never worn this most costly nightgown before. She had reserved it for a special moment, originally. She had reserved it for her wedding night. But Henry had announced he would come later to celebrate their victory and Anne had nothing better to wear. Perhaps it would remind him not to tarry any longer. Henry was certain it would all work out this time but he had been certain too often to make her feel certain this time. He was, in many respects, a child. She loved his youthful energy, she loved his self-centeredness and she loved his determination. Nothing had ever stood in his way before so he was certain he could have everything he wanted. Anne was a fighter and she was only too familiar with things getting in her way. It had happened in France, it had happened at home, it had happened at court. When she had lost Henry Percy, she had sworn she would never yield again. And she hadn't.
She had won the main prize, he was probably standing next to the French king right now, admiring one of Da Vinci's paintings. She had won him and she had won his love, and he hers on top. Anne had also sworn never to be ruled by feelings again. But Henry had swept her off her feet although she had filled her boots with stones and clung to the ground like an English oak. She was almost there. They were almost there. And while to Henry, this 'almost' was a cause for celebration, for Anne it was cause for extra higher you rose, the closer you were to the thing you desired most, the more the fall would hurt. Here, she was almost a queen, although Eleanor of Austria did not seem to agree. Here, she ruled almost supreme. But back home, everything was different. She had to forge her iron but she was not sure into which shape. Francis had assured them of his loyalty but he was a Frenchman and the pope's puppet, Anne expected nothing. Word of his support would reach England however and there, the French king could make an impact. Francis was young, attractive and decidedly French. The English people liked him and the English people disliked him but all took him for a man of importance and determination. His word had power in Europe.
This visit to France was not only a distraction, this was her first diplomatic visit as the queen. Katherine was discarded. She had a royal castle and her own small court but she was no threat. Henry had severed all ties. Katherine was not important anymore. Anne had vowed that this time, no one would stand between her and her love. Wolsey had been the first. Katherine was the second. And it would not end here. She would wear the wedding band on her finger and the crown upon her head. She had sacrificed everything for it.
The incident with the Duchesse d'Étampes had been unfortunate. She would have to learn to control her temper. She had today, Henry had told her how very pleased Francis was and how delighted Marguerite of Navarre had been. Today, she had acted like a queen, he had whispered and hot triumph had rushed through her veins.
Cat entered the bedchamber.
"There you are." Anne rose. "Where have you been all night?"
But Cat only smiled in a way that told Anne it had to do with her husband. Anne could not bear another tale about the Duke of Suffolk now. She was full of anxiety and the man… well, he did nothing to calm her.
"Your nightdress puts every court gown to shame." Cat's eyes raked over the rich embroidery, the pearls and diamonds that had been sewn onto the white silk.
Looking at Catherine was as if time stood still. Sure, she had changed over the years, but she always gave Anne the feeling that everything was fine. It was an air of continuous contentment, the feeling that no change was drastic enough to shake her. While Henry's boyishness and enthusiasm drove Anne forward, Catherine's soothing presence gave her much cherished moments of peace. Anne just wished, sometimes, when she was especially selfish, that Cat had married a different man, one whom Anne could trust. Suffolk was Henry's only loyal friend with the simple morals of a soldier. But Anne feared these simple morals failed to grasp the importance of certain deviations from morality, failed to understand the bigger picture. Suffolk did not like Anne, nor would he ever. Anne would have rather seen her two closest companions with another man but life had a habit of baking a hair into even the sweetest pie.
"I hope that shame is not the sentiment it evokes in the king," Anne smiled. She did not know what Henry wanted tonight. She knew he had entertained his secret, tonight he would reveal it. And Suffolk knew. Anne looked forward to being in on it and fumed at the thought that the duke knew more than her. She had no idea of the secret's nature, or she would have forgiven and forgotten right there and then.
Catherine grinned. "Only if he has taken an oath of chastity this afternoon."
"Well, he spent much time with Brandon, so I rule that one out."
"Just keep the laces tied and the skirt down, Lady Marquess."
"Yes, matron." Anne nudged her in the side. "There is nothing that can sway me anymore. He has tried everything. Only the wedding band will untie my laces." She was not aware how wrong she was.
"You are so very virtuous, an example of female chastity indeed." Cat brushed back Anne's shining dark locks and then made for the door. "I expect a detailed summary tomorrow. Good night. Sleep little."
The brush Anne threw after missed her by a few feet and she heard Cat giggle before she closed the door. Anne was alone now, waiting for her royal lover who was no lover in the true sense of the word...Not yet.
He came alone, without servants, and carried a bulky robe in his arms that he set down on a chair by the door.
No sign of a surprise.
"My love." He kissed her. "The best of nights. Francis is charmed, his sister his charmed and his mistress is delighted. We will have his support. He said to me that you are a queen in appearance, intellect and manner."
Of course he would say so. Anne sat down on the upholstered bench and smiled graciously. "He is too kind."
Henry grinned. "He is not kind enough. I, on the other hand, my darling...What are you willing to trade for my surprise?"
This was a game Anne knew well. "Why, Your Majesty." She crossed her legs so that Henry could catch a glimpse of her ankles, then leant back so that he could admire the shape of her naked body under the silk. "I offer you eternal gratitude."
Henry grinned and walked over to her without haste, like a lion that knew his prey was cornered. He knelt down next to her and ran his fingers through her long hair. He took a neatly curled lock and raised it to his lips, inhaled the scent, a perfume of roses and lily-of-the-valley, then kissed it.
"Eternal gratitude?" his eyes were glittering.
Anne raised her eyes to him, looked at him through her lashes. He loved it when she played it coy. He loved this game. "I would be your servant." He liked the idea, she knew he did. But today, he did not reply with the excited smile she knew so well, clouded with desire. Tonight, he grinned, then kissed her on the lips. "I would rather have you as my queen." He was giddy as a maiden when he jumped up and darted over to his piled cloak. He carried it to the bench.
"I would rather have you as my queen here and now."
He set it down on the costly rug and the fabric slipped.
It had not been a cloak. In the bundle, there was a chest of oak wood, inlaid with gold and jewels. He opened the golden clasp.
"I would rather have you, Anne Boleyn, as my queen. From this day forward. For better, for worse. Forever."
Anne was speechless. Glittering jewels lay before her eyes, rubies, diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, pearls, set in gold and silver. And on top of the pile lay a crown of gold and gemstones. These were the Queen's jewels. The crown jewels.
Henry couldn't contain his enthusiasm. "I had them altered for you. Only you are worthy of them. What do you think?"
He loved the expression of awe on her face. He had surprised her and he loved surprising her. He had wanted to give them to her earlier but there had never been the right moment. Today, when he had seen her in the masque, when he had seen how impressed Marguerite was, when he had seen the wway Francis looked at his Anne although his mistress stood next to them, he had made his decision. What did he care about the pope? About the grumbling old lords? His own blood was still stirring, he was still young and it was his country. He was the King of England and it was time for change. Anne would be the queen every man desired. Anne would be his Portia, his Livia, his Helen of Constantinople.
She smiled, not graciously or slyly, she smiled honestly. He loved the joy on her face. Anne looked most beautiful when she was happy, perhaps that was one of the reasons why he loved spoiling her.
"I am truly the most happy, my king." Anne was for the first time in forever, uncertain how to react. He had given her the greatest treasure. Henry wouldn't be Henry if he didn't expect anything in return.
"The most happy. I like that. It will be your motto as Queen. That is what I will always strive to make you. The most happy."
Still on his knees, he kissed her. It was a chaste kiss and Anne was caught off guard. He expected nothing of that sort in return.
"Tomorrow, I will write to Cranmer. We will be wed soon, my love. Properly. Queen Anne of England. You will be crowned and the people of London will cheer the best queen the country ever had." He kissed her hand. And Anne made a decision.
She took one of the rings, one set with a ruby, the gemstone of love, and put it on the fourth finger of her right hand, where usually the wedding band would sit.
"Tonight, Henry, I consider myself a married woman."
He gazed up at her, it took him a moment, the it dawned on him.
"You mean…" he said, completely speechless. Was she truly offering what he thought she was offering?
"That only tonight, I will behave like the king's wife. To practise for role I will fulfil very soon." She was not completely certain that her decision was right and sensible but she wanted it. Oh God, she wanted this man. Her love for Henry was red hot as a smith's iron and she would forge it now with their shared passion. He had given her the thing she wanted most. The queen's crown, a royal wedding band of sorts. She would give him what he desired most. Only tonight, they would truly be husband and wife.
Henry was as giddy as a child before Christmas. "Then, my queen, I will do my duty as a husband." This time, his kiss was the opposite of chaste.
~o~
Catherine
~o~
Anne was late. Anne was never late unless there was an advantage in it. But being late for mass was certainly nothing that would benefit her, definitely not in France.
She saw that some of the maids-in-waiting were whispering and was reminded of her own time in the old Queen's service. Queen Katherine had never been late for mass.
"Pardon." Anne entered, dressed in red and gold. A new necklace glittered at her throat. She surely knew how to make a dramatic entrance. "I did not catch a wink of sleep last night." She smiled uncharacteristically brightly. "Now, shall we?"
Something had happened. But of course, mass was not the time to discuss any progress in Anne's love life. Catherine thought that the priest's sermon had never taken as long as today but Anne and the king seemed to enjoy it more than ever. In fact, Henry grinned throughout the service, even when the priest started to pray for the dead. There was only one person that could make the king smile like this. So, what had Anne done to please him so? Had she...?
When the service was finally over, Cat was relieved.
"What happened?" she whispered as they walked to the great hall for breakfast, mindful of Lady Jane Boleyn's curious ears. Instead of replying, Anne shook back the sleeve of her gown, only a little, so that Cat, and no one else, could catch a glimpse at the bracelet. Catherine recognised it right away. It had been the Queen's. Now it was Anne's. Which meant that now, Anne was Queen in truly everything but name.
"The crown jewels?" Cat whispered. "And how did you thank him for that?"
At once, Henry's exceptionally good mood made sense. "Oh Anne. You are one lewd young lady."
"What can I say?" Anne grinned. "I was taught in France after all."
The other ladies in waiting caught up with them and Cat started babbling about the exceptionally nice weather and her new velvet cloak. Anne gave her a furtive smile. "Meet me after breakfast, down by the riverside. I want to tell you everything."
That morning, it had turned out that, maybe, Cat had something to tell her, too. Although it was perhaps a little early.
The whole court broke their fast together. Francis and Henry sat next to each other, giggling over honeyed nuts and fried bread like young maids of honour. Now, of course, Cat knew the reason. Charles had left his seat by the king's side to sit with his wife, a choice that Anne, in her elated mood, did not leave uncommented.
"Your Grace, you honour us with our presence. In fact, you fit in so nicely, I feel compelled to order a set of court gowns for you and make you a fine lady."
Some of the younger maids giggled, the older ladies knew about Charles's less amicable feelings for the Howard family in general and the Boleyn family in particular. Cat, sensing Charles's irritation, put a hand on his leg and smiled at Anne with warning eyes: "You cannot do this to me, Anne. No doubt he'd look finer in a gown then I do."
Charles squeezed her hand a little too tightly. "I doubt anyone looks finer than you do, Cat." His smile was forced. "Lady Anne, although you seem to value my presence so much, I have to disappoint you. The king might feel betrayed if I traded my doublet for a dress."
Anne was on guard again and there was the usual alertness in her gaze when she looked at Charles now, though her smile was as wide as before.
"Never would I deprive the king of his most loyal friend, Your Grace."
When Charles was gone, Cat leant over to Anne:
"What was that supposed to mean, Nan?"
Anne looked at the soft white bread on her plate. "I was just joking. Heaven knows, Cat, you have a prickly husband."
She did, actually. But that was part of his charm. The tension between Charles and Anne was still there, however, and Cat was unsure whether it would ever wane. The two of them were too competitive by half and there would never be a clear winner in this case.
~o~
The rest of their stay in France passed without much excitement. But that was, perhaps, because the things that had happened could hardly be surpassed.
As the day of their departure neared, both Cat and Anne became more and more tense, though for entirely different reasons: For Anne, the stakes could not be higher. The next few weeks would decide her fate. She could not wait any longer. She had given everything and she would finally see, whether she had played her cards well.
Cat, however, was elated. The weeks had passed and she had become more certain with every passing morn. She would finally tell Charles on the ship… and hope that the Lord would be kind to her. There was always the risk but she would not have to carry the burden alone.
So while Anne spent the journey in her quarters, gambling and distracting herself, Cat had asked Charles to meet her on deck.
They sat down on a pile of unused sails.
"There is something I need to tell you," she started.
"If this is about Lady Anne – "
"It is not, actually. It is about us."
Charles looked troubled. "What is it?"
"I think I might be with child."
This took me forever to write. On the plus side, I wrote a lot about future events, kind of like story milestones. Quite a few deciding chapters are finished but these in-between chapters can be so tedious that I rather occupy myself with writing the fun parts. Also, I have a terribly time consuming real life at the moment that really gets in the way. This work, sleep, social life thing leaves little room for writing, which is annoying.
Admittedly, writing Anne's point of view was rather difficult for me (ShinyRedPenny, how do you do this so well?!) but I wanted to try it. It will probably not happen again, I prefer a little bit of the Anne Boleyn mystery preserved in this story.
Thank you for bearing with me! I won't abandon this story although it might take me ages to finish chapters.
I thank you all for your kind reviews, follows and favourites. I honestly don't derserve such nice feedback but I will try to be better next time, promise!
For those who talked about potential endings for Anne - I have something planned (and written, actually) now that I quite like. Stay tuned! It might take me half a century to actually come around to publish that, but we're all still young, right^^
