Returning to Heaver I felt more at ease. The long lazy days of summer are relaxing. I spend the time thinking in the garden the very garden I once told Henry that I would not be his mistress and could not be his scent of the flowers blooming around me. The more and more I let myself think the more I find myselfdesperate to escape the fate that haunts me whenever I drift to sleep. Henry loves me now and that is shown in the letters and gifts of jewels and dresses that seem to come every other day. The thought of him hating me in less than ten years haunts me. Day after day my father tells me that my choice to leave court was a foolish decision eventually my will to remain silent and bite my tongue fades away and I finally snap ' Father this is my life, my choice you will not dominate me!" I scream the words at him and in a flurry of skirts I run from the dining hall ignoring the aghast looks of my family and the guests dining with us tonight. Mary promptly follows me I can hear her footsteps chasing me up the steps and down the hall. I slam the door of my chambers shut knowing that she will follow. Within moments she's behind me as I lay on my bed. Her hand on my shoulder as I let tears fall. Thoughts of my future scattering through my mind.
"Anne... what is it? Do you miss court that much?" her voice is teasing, the way you would speak to a love sick child. I frown and nod slowly thinking that it would easy enough to pretend. " Henry loves you I am sure his majesty would send for you soon do not worry" Her voice is cooing the way that she speaks to Catherine and Henry when they fall ill with a fever or trip and graze their knees. Letting my eyes shut I nod and mumble a simple goodnight.
That night I dream. He chases me again his hands grasping at the skirts of my dress but I slip through his grasp again and again. Pulling myself forward as I stumble trying not to fall to the floor and leave myself helpless. " You wont get away" his voice is crawl warping into a snarl. Waking I sit up forcing myself to calm the breathing. The murderous glare from Henry's ice blue eyes makes me pant with fear. I slip out of the covers of my bed, my dress still on.
Days later against my will I return to court. Seeing the sun drenched buildings of Hampton. Henry is there to greet me openly. This I dont remember he scoops me into his arms kissing me gently on the mouth. Everyone watching us including my father and brother who seem to look happy at this show of affection. Returning the kiss I pull back setting myself down on the ground I reach up stroking his cheek the bristels of his beard tickling my hand.