Anne had escorted the drunken king inside before passing him into the care of his groomsmen. If the situation had been any less heavy, it would have been funny, seeing Henry so childlike in his inebriation. He had wished her good night, kissed her hand, and had toddled off. Alas, there was too much on her mind to find the humour in it.

Later that night she had spirited away to her brothers room under a cape. Normally, she would not worry about sharing a nightcap and exchanging advice with her brother no matter the time, but after everything that had happened, it was safer if no one was the wiser. George was waiting for her with mulled wine and a roaring fire. She took the seat opposite him and drank deeply.

"The king was in rare form tonight." He mentioned casually. Anne only nodded absentmindedly. "We were all taking bets on if you'd come back looking quite ravished" he wiggled his eyebrows at her with a wicked grin and she finally giggled. No one could make her laugh like George, even in these circumstances.

"Father would surely enjoy that" she responded sarcastically. "He's been pressuring me to lead Henry on. As if I'd want to tempt that lion again." Her feelings for the king confused her greatly. Of course she still loved him-a love like they had would never leave her. But that bright fire had burnt her severely and she doubted she'd ever walk into the flames willingly again. Besides, along with the man came the crown and that pressure had drowned her. If he had just been a regular lord, she knew they would have found happiness together. But her temperament and the exclusivity that she craved was not compatible with his role. She thought quickly of the pale, kind woman who now sat the throne and knew that it was no longer her place.

George was nodding solemnly to her words. He knew better than any other the poison that had seeped into their lives while she was queen. He seemed just as happy as she did nowadays-no longer having to keep to the rules of being related to the queen. "What are you going to do? You know when you deny him it makes him come on all the stronger." He asked, sipping from his glass.

Anne sighed and shrugged. "Don't I know that." Henry was so predictable. Always wanting what he couldn't have. "I don't know what I want anymore." she said honestly. Mary says I should pack up and go to Pembroke as quickly as I can. She said she'd gladly join me. I doubt you'll leave court though." She teased with a smile.

Her brother returned it, although wistfully. "I don't know either anymore, Anne. A break from this snake pit may be refreshing. Father is trying to push me to remarry. I'd happily run away from any bride he pushes on me" he grimaced and Anne patted his hand. After his first marriage had turned so toxic, she couldn't blame him for fleeing from a repeat experience. Had she not agreed in writing to remarry, she would be equally hesitant. "Remind me why he's back at court..." her brother groaned and she smiled.

"The king is in need of his services, brother." She giggled sardonically and George snorted.

The siblings lapsed into silence, comfortable with each other. They watched the flames roar in the fireplace and finished off their glasses. As George moved to refill them from the tankard, Anne spoke out into the silence.

"Hal is divorcing his wife." Although she whispered, her voice seemed to ring off the walls. George faltered slightly and stared at her, eyes wide.

"What?"

"Hal Percy...apparently Mary Talbot has been keeping herself from falling with child." She spoke tonelessly and allowed George to whistle lowly at the news.

"God, Anne. And he's divorcing her?"

"Sending her to a nunnery."

"How did you find out? I haven't heart one word of this."

"The king...he told me tonight." He waited silently for more information. "He thinks I knew. That Hal and I are trying to be together."

"And you aren't? The two of you did seem quite cozy while he was at court. He didn't mention this?"

"No!" Anne was indignant. How dare her brother accuse her of working with an ex lover to rid himself of his wife. She had learned her lesson with Katherine. She got exactly what she had dosed out. Henry had tired of her just like he had with his previous wife and she was NOT going to make that mistake again. She thought George knew that.

Her brother held up his hands in defeat at her anger. "I'm sorry, Anne. I'm just saying that's what all of court is going to think..."

Anne allowed her head to fall at that. She knew he was right. As soon as the courtiers moved on from this recent debacle with Thomas Seymour, news of the Percy annulment would hit and she would be the subject of gossip all over again. She emptied the goblet again resentfully. Couldn't things be calm for just one moment?