Chapter Two
The happiness that I felt the first time I was in this position, the elation I had felt knowing that the King of England loved me is dulled. Every time I look around me I see the ghosts of the people I lost toward the end. Those who abandoned me when I needed them the most. All scuttling across to that mousy Jane Seymore. She does not recide at court yet, if only there was a way to stop Henry ever stumbling on Wolf Hall in a few years.
The sun streams through the open windows letting in a cool breeze the smell of roses and tulips carried in on the wind. Sitting by the window I gaze out at the pond beneath my window. I watch ladies of the court strolling by the waters edge Catherine is walking with Mary by her side talking to her daughter. For once I see her smiling happily forgetting the danger she is in of loosing everything. Henry will turn away from her for me unless...
Snapped out of my thoughts I look up as George strolls into my rooms unanounced. " How is your new lot in life Brother?"I tease refering to his once and ever annoying wife.
" She...seems bareble I only hope that once she has a child in her stomach I can send her away and be happy once more. She brings a storm with her Anne, constantly telling me that we should leave court. Pleading to leave and get away from the two waring factions" he smiles his charming smile. One that has won many a lady and a man over. " She is happy though... far happier than I ever saw her..before..." his words trail off as my doors open again.
This time my Uncle Norfolk strolls in. For the frist time since my trail I see him. His hautiness is obvious, he knows he is far better than me and he exsumes confidence. " Neice, Nephew" He greets us his words trailing off into silence as neither of us look at him.
" Uncle why do we have the pleasure of your visit? We were meant to have supper tonight with the Duke of Sufolk and the King" I look at him, his eyes are near black just like mine. His nose long like a talon as he looks down at me with a calculated stare.
" Yes yes we are having supper but I came to remind you that you will be instrumental tonight Anne, the Kings mood will darken the moment we start to turn against Wolsey, You dear neice will destract him. Wear your crimson dress Henry has told me it becomes you and he likes it best" He looks at George " Should you not be with your simpering wife?" he asks his eyes narrowing slightly " I have heard her crowing about her husbands new nature and affections"
" Yes Uncle I should be with her however my sister and I need to talk so if you'd please" George gestures for him to leave a brazen move that would get a sharp reproove had our Uncle been in a less than jubliant mood thanks to tonight. He looks at us nodding his head as a sign of goodbye before turning on his heel and striding out.
George looks at me and frowns " Anne I do not like this why must we stay on course when we know what happens to us in less than ten years..."
" Elizabeth" I murmer absentmindedly " I will not rob her of her chance of life, perhaps after she is born I could convince Henry to annull our marriage and let me go" My musings fall on deaf ears as George sighs and goes to my chest pulling out the very dress that our Uncle was refereing too. " George I will not wear that dress I think the green.. yes tonight is when he will tell me about Greensleeves" I smile at warm loving memory that will soon be made a second time.
Later that night I walk to the Kings private rooms. Just as I am announced Wolsey comes out looking flustered his eyes fall on me for a moment a look of knowing in his aged eyes he almost speaks but checks himself turning away and walking out of the presence chamber. Henry see's me through the open door and smiles. His smile lights the whole room up. His eyes filled with love and affection for me I walk in unanounced and fall into his arms willingly.
That night I make a mistake I should have steered the conversation away from Wolsey but these great men were determined to bring down a pretender to power.