A/N: Thank you guys for all your patience! Funnily enough I usually write while I'm at work in between customers, but the past week or so I've been training a new hire so all of my free time has been spent with them. But now that is over, so you should see an increase in chapter releases for a while. Please continue to review as it definitely helps motivate me! I can't believe I've already written this much!
As she made her way back to her rooms, she thought over what had just happened. She could never be alone with him again. He clearly hadn't had any intention of stopping-with their daughter sleeping mere feet away! How could she have put herself in that situation? It was foolish of her to think that Henry would leave her alone. Even when they had been close to hating each other, there had always been a strong sexual attraction. Anne had thought that he had been finished with her, but the heat was still there. She couldn't let it burn her.
As she rounded the corner quickly, she found herself colliding with someone on the other side. Her arms swung out wildly before a strong hand grabbed her, steadying her. Breathless, she looked up to apologize for her clumsiness-perhaps she'd earn a new bruise if she kept running around like a madwoman- but was caught speechless for the second time in the span of an hour.
"Hal?" She couldn't believe she was looking at Henry Percy-her first love. He had changed so much since her father had forced them apart all those years ago. His boyish charm was replaced with a roguish grin- now directed at her. His pretty face and kind, devoted eyes and turned into handsome features, but his once carefree expression was now marked with worry lines. She knew that her life had changed dramatically since she had last seen him, but she had no idea what had become of him. She had asked her father once, only to be met with a harsh glare. He had made it clear that Henry Percy had to be nothing to her anymore. It had been a hard lesson.
And now, this figure from her girlhood stood before her-dashing as ever- holding onto the wrist that only a moment ago had been caught by her ex husband.
"Anne" he said warmly. "Always doing everything at full speed still, I see" he chuckled at her and made sure she was steady on her feet before releasing her. Anne still just gaped at him, completely at a loss for words. He turned and offered her his arm "I'll have to make sure you make it to your rooms safely now."
As they turned towards her chambers, Anne found her tongue. "What are you doing here?" he laughed at her brashness. "I mean...at court. I hadn't heard you were coming"
At this he turned slightly serious. "I'm here to lend my assistance to the crown with the Lincoln dealings" Anne nodded solemnly. "Cromwell was not inclined to return to court quite yet, so he sent me as him messenger" he sent her a wink and she smiled. So Cromwell was still not welcome at court.
"A duke as a messenger?" she teased, earning a laugh.
"Yes, it's not the most glamorous job, but it brings me back here" he looked at her sideways at this and Anne gulped, remembering the last time he was at court. She could still remember the late cardinal admonishing her like she was some stupid slut. Declaring that their marriage was just a mistake between foolish young lovers. She and Hal had both known the truth, yet they had given in to the demands of their families. It had taken a while for her to accept that it was necessary for him. She had been furious in the beginning-had promised herself that she would never forgive him. But as time went by, she had realized their true situation. Hal would have had to give up his birthright to keep her-his father had threatened to disinherit him. She had accepted that it was the right thing to do-but seeing him now brought all those feelings back. All the rejection.
So she let him escort her to her rooms, kept up a nice conversation and then bid him goodnight. She had already lost her head around one of her old lovers once this day-she couldn't do it twice.