Christmastide passed and with it the New Year festivities. The King and his new Queen received many gifts, much more lavish than the previous years gifts as she had been the one to sit by his side. When it was Anne's turn to present her gift, she did so in silence, barely curtseying before the royal couple as she wished them good tidings. She ignored Jane and kept her eyes on Henry as the small box was opened. She watched as his eyes glittered with delight as he held his hand out for the Tudor Rose pin she had had specially made for him months before her fall from grace. Henry's face remained passive, but she knew him too well.
He loved it.
"Thank you," he said stiffly, aware of the eyes upon them. Anne merely nodded respectfully, her face carefully placid as she stepped back into the gathered crowd.
Still, Anne kept a quiet presence at court as the months passed and winter slowly turned to spring. She kept to herself and though she had Nan and a few of her ladies who she trusted, Anne felt almost as lonely as when she had been Queen.
Elizabeth, however, flourished in court, just as Anne always knew she would. Even Anne's enemies could not help but be charmed by the child. She relished in the attention and praise, but none more so than her fathers.
Other than the occasional lingering look, Henry acted as though she did not exist. His pride saved Anne from any more unwanted advances after her previous rejection. Despite Anne's blatant rejection, Henry put time aside for his daughter far more often than she expected. For Elizabeth's happiness alone, Anne was grateful to him. He began to dote on Elizabeth once more, each gift and hour spent in his presence were worth the nerves and fear that attacked Anne's heart to see her darling girl smile.
It was a peaceful, lonely time for Anne.
But everything was about to change.
One day late in April, Anne sent word for Elizabeth to be dressed in her outerwear as she wished to take her daughter into the gardens. Though it was spring, there was still a sharp chill in the air but Elizabeth took after her mother and she adored being outside despite the state of the weather.
Anne was adjusting her fur cloak in the mirror when there was a knock on the door. Nan rushed to the door knowing how eager she was to see Elizabeth, but instead of hearing her daughter's melodic voice, Anne could hear the low murmurings of a man speaking.
With a sinking heart, Anne strode to the door and gently pushed Nan aside. "What is it?" she snapped.
The messenger bowed his head in respect. "Your Grace, the Lady Elizabeth is unavailable presently."
"Excuse me?" Anne hissed in disbelief.
"That is all I have been told, Your Grace," the messenger said calmly, completely nonplussed at her anger. She supposed that the staff that worked in the palace were more than used to the moods and anger of the nobility that they served. "Forgive me."
Anne slammed the door in his face. For a long moment Anne let that fiery rage burn through her and became consumed by it.
The Lady Elizabeth is unavailable presently.
Who on earth had the nerve to tell her when she was allowed to see her daughter?
Nan softly called her name, but Anne was too far gone as she wrenched the door open, ignoring the startled gasps of her ladies and strode to Elizabeth's quarters. She had long since learned to ignore the stares and whispers that followed in her wake, but they only encouraged her fury now.
Anne pushed passed the herald as he announced her, her face carefully cool as the members of Elizabeth's household dipped into curtseys.
Ignoring them, Anne made a point to look over the nursery, her shrewd eyes watching the staff as they carefully avoided her eyes. "Where is my daughter?" Anne demanded, her voice dangerously soft.
No one answered.
"Where is my daughter?" Anne shouted, her voice thick with a hot and burning rage.
"Forgive me, Your Grace," Katherine Champernowne said respectfully. Anne's gaze snapped to hers. She was a plain looking woman, but she was one of the most intelligent women Anne had ever met, and it was exactly why Anne had made her Elizabeth's governess. Elizabeth adored her, lovingly calling her 'Kat'. Her daughter was going to grow into a beautiful woman, but beauty fades, and yet a brilliant mind can last a lifetime and with who her parents were, Elizabeth would need every advantage she could get. Kat had a mind similar to her own, and there was no one else Anne would rather have teaching her daughter to prepare her for this cruel world.
"The Queen sent for Elizabeth to dine with herself and Lady Mary, Your Grace," Kat said quietly but not meekly, her green eyes never leaving Anne's as she spoke.
Despite the situation, Anne felt a sharp pang of respect for the woman. There were not many people brave enough to look her in the eye when she was in a fury.
And yet, Anne felt her heart sinking at Kat's words. It took all of her self control to keep tears from her eyes.
"Why was I not informed of this?" Anne demanded, her lips twisting in displeasure.
"Lady Rochford implied that you were aware, Your Grace," Kat replied carefully.
Lady Rochford-
Of course she did. The woman was an irritation that Anne did not need. She knew of her brother's tastes in bed partners and was glad that he had finally done his duty and gave his wife the child she wished for, if only for the fact that she no longer bothered Anne with her disgust for George's affairs now that she had a babe to care for. And yet, Anne had suspected for a while now that her sister-in-law had been part of the plot behind Anne's downfall. Afterall, Anne had easily dismissed the woman when she came begging her to convince George to commit to their marriage bed and it would have been the perfect opportunity to rid herself of the husband she hated and the sister she was jealous of.
Despite marrying into her family, Jane Parker was a well known friend to the new Queen, and she had just proven where her true loyalties lay.
Jane was a poisonous snake, one that Anne vowed to be rid of.
"And how long has this been going on for?"
There was a long pause. "This is the fourth time, Your Grace."
Anne stared at Kat for a moment. "Just to be clear, all invitations and audiences with Elizabeth are to be approved by me from now on, not Lady Rochford. In fact, she is banned from entering my daughters rooms until further notice, are we clear?"
"Yes, Your Grace," Kat said quietly.
With one last threatening look Elizabeth's household, Anne took her leave and found her feet carrying her the familiar way to her old rooms, the Queen's quarters. She had been careful not to come close to this part of the palace since arriving back at court. Whilst she may be forced to kneel before the wench that stole her husband and title, she had even less desire to see that woman living in her old quarters or the memories that were bound to shake her.
That woman had already taken her husband and her title, Anne would die before she let that wench take her daughter.
She was almost there when a strong hand curled around her arm tightly and dragged her into an alcove before she could even gasp in surprise.
"Calm down," a harsh voice snapped impatiently.
George.
"Let go of me," Anne snarled, her lip curling in fury.
"No," George snapped. "You are acting foolish Anne."
"You have no idea what is going on George! That woman-"
"That woman is the Queen and you will do well to remember that before you get yourself killed."
Anne ignored him. "She is trying to take Elizabeth away from me. That wench and Henry's shrew of a daughter have been dining with her and not one person deemed it necessary to even tell me!"
"Is it really so bad that Elizabeth gets to know her father's new wife?" George said, his tone a familiar one he had used throughout their lives as he tried to soothe his sister's worries.
Once, it had been a comfort to her. Now Anne knew better. She had been burned one too many times by the brother she had once trusted above all others.
Anne stared at her brother long and hard, and she just knew. Simpering Jane Parker would never have dared to do such a brash thing without the support of her husband, and he in turn would never do anything without their father's permission.
This entire affair was down to Thomas Boleyn, she just knew it.
"Tell me that you had no part in this," Anne said quietly.
She expected him to deny it, afterall, George had always been a liar since they were a child, but George remained silent.
"How dare you," Anne whispered in disbelief. "Elizabeth is a child and yet you use her to gain favor with Henry. I expected it from Father, but not you." She could barely contain her disgust as she looked at him. "What happened to you George?"
George did not even have the grace to look ashamed.
"Take your hands off of me," Anne said coldly, staring her brother down until he let her go with a sigh.
"We need Elizabeth, Anne, do you not see?" he said, his tone softening in hope of convincing her. "She is the only tie we have to the King, and letting her get close to Jane can help us. Perhaps even one day Henry will make her a Princess again."
"She is a child!" Anne repeated. "I have worked so hard to keep her safe, you have no business in even speaking with her let alone-"
"You would not help the advancement of her family," George snapped. "Do you have any idea what it is like for us now? The King does not acknowledge us, we have no allies. Even Norfolk has turned his back on us. We are nothing Anne. Elizabeth is a Boleyn whether you like it or not, and she will do her duty, just as her mother did."
"Is that what you call it? Duty. Your forget yourself, George. Everything that you have now is because of me. Duty has nothing to do with it. I fell in love, that isn't duty. Everything I did was for myself. You just happened to receive scraps from the King because he wanted to please me." Anne's hand curled into a fist. "This is over. You will put an end to all of this, do you hear me George? There will be no more plots and plans involving myself or Elizabeth. You're dead to me."
"Or what?" George snarled.
Eyes blazing in fury, Anne hissed, "I will make sure that this entire court finds out about the company you take to bed. I will ruin you, Brother, with nothing more than a whisper in the right persons ear. Perhaps you will even find yourself making a trip to the chopping block if Henry deemed it necessary."
George reeled back, his face draining of colour. "You would do that to your own brother?"
"Yes," Anne replied simply. "For you have done far worse to me, George."
Anne pushed him out of her way and with one final hateful look, Anne left. She had no tears left to cry when it came to George or her father, and she was a fool for believing that they would leave her be. But for now Anne pushed her horrid family from her mind and focused on the one person who did matter.
George was correct about one thing. She could burst into the wench's room and strangle the harlot like she truly wished to. Even the support of the public could only reach so far, and assaulting the Queen was bound to end up with Anne locked in the Tower.
So as she paused outside of the familiar entrance to the Queen's quarters, Anne pushed aside her fury, took a calming breath and asked for the herald to announce her. She met his shocked gaze with a sly smile and hard eyes before he remembered himself.
"The Duchess of Pembroke, Anne Boleyn," he cried, stepping aside to let her pass. There was a large ornate table filled with the most delicious food placed in the middle of the main room. Jane and her ladies were gathered around, and their chatter died instantly as Anne was announced.
Every eye turned to Anne, and she met every one of them with an amused smirk. She did not bow, for she would never bow before her lessers unless forced to. Turning her gaze to the Seymour wench, Anne's amusement grew as Jane struggled to hide her shock and discomfort at Anne's brazen arrival. The Queen sat at the head of the table, the Lady Mary sitting on her left shooting Anne a scathing look, and Lady Rochford sitting on the Queen's right. Anne barely had time to notice how, unsurprisingly, the wench had no taste and had decorated her old quarters so blandly. No, her eyes met her daughter's who was sitting next to Mary, looking bored and uncomfortable until she saw her, and the most beautiful smile brightened her face.
"Mama!" she cried, pushing away from the table and ran to her mother. All thoughts of the wench and her simpering ladies were wiped away as Anne knelt down and hugged Elizabeth tightly to her chest, her smile real as she felt Elizabeth's arms wrap around her neck.
George was right. She was a fool.
How could she ever question Elizabeth's love for her? She was her daughter's world, just as Elizabeth was hers. It did not matter if Jane attempted to build a relationship with her daughter, nobody could ever replace Anne.
She was not the Queen anymore, but she was Elizabeth's mother, and nobody could take that away from her, not even Henry.
Jane Seymour was not a threat to her any longer. She had taken Anne's husband, her title, her ladies and even her home. But she could never take Elizabeth. Their bond was unbreakable.
Anne pulled away and smiled down at Elizabeth, ignoring the shocked stares of Jane's ladies as their former Queen knelt before her daughter.
Anne Boleyn, the woman who knelt before no one except the King willingly knelt before a child!
Slowly, Anne raised her eyes to Jane and slowly stood with Elizabeth's hand clasped tightly in hers. Jane remained seated, those blue eyes of her staring at Anne with thinly veiled hatred.
It did not matter that Jane had taken almost everything from her. Henry still desired her, and the knowledge of that would torture her just as it once tortured Anne.
Anne would never forget that this woman was partly to blame for her miscarriage - the death of her babe who could have one day been King.
Nor would she ever forgive.
"Your Majesty," Anne greeted completely at ease, her amused smirk fixed firmly in place.
It was the first time that they had spoken since Anne had ripped a locket Henry had gifted Jane from her neck. She briefly wondered if she had left a scar. Anne studied Jane for the first time since arriving at court all those months ago. After almost a year of marriage, there was still no sign of a child and the strain was clearly showing for Henry's latest Queen. Despite looking every bit the humble Queen that she pretended to be, Jane's eyes were sad, her smile slightly too tight.
Anne did not sympathise with her.
"Your Grace," Jane greeted, her kind smile marred by her stiff tone.
Anne turned her gaze away and swept them across Jane's ladies, most of whom were new as the wench would not want her household to be tainted by those who could still be loyal to the old Queen. No doubt that they were of Seymour blood, judging by the pasty complexions of half of them. Still, those that had served Anne turned their eyes away, Madge all but shaking under her cousins scrutiny. The only one to meet her gaze was Lady Rochford who met her stare with a baleful glare.
She would deal with her sister-in-law later.
For now, she turned back to the Queen, Elizabeth averting her eyes as Anne said, "I hear that you have been spending time with my daughter."
There was a lengthy silence as everyone waited with bated breath for Jane's reply. With her kind smile firmly in place, Jane carefully replied, "Yes, I thought it a good idea to get to know Lady Elizabeth now that she is at court."
"Is she not the most precious child?" Anne said, her smile turning smug.
Jane clasped her hands together upon the table, her fingers twisting tightly together as she attempted to keep up in her war of words with Anne. "Lady Elizabeth is a very polite girl and incredibly bright for her age." Jane paused. "I am sure that you are proud."
"Yes, extremely proud." Anne smiled softly down at her daughter and squeezed her hand. It was the only comfort she could give her presently. It pained her to see Elizabeth so withdrawn, but this was not the place to comfort her with the eyes of Anne's enemies upon then. "The reason I am here, Your Majesty, is because I was unaware of these meetings you had arranged."
"Oh?" The Queen shot Jane Parker a sharp look. It all but confirmed that dear Lady Rochford had lied to her Queen as well! "I meant no offence, Your Grace," Jane replied stiffly after a long pause.
"Of course," Anne soothed as though eager to relieve Jane of her guilt. "I had planned to spend the day with Elizabeth, you see. I simply cannot bare not knowing where my daughter is and it worried me greatly. The matter is forgotten. All I ask is that next time you ask my permission first. " Anne paused, an innocent smile fluttering on her red lips as she added, "If you become a mother, you will understand."
A sharp gasp erupted from Lady Mary and the ladies around the Queen tittered disapprovingly, but Anne's eyes remained fixed on Jane as a blush stained her cheeks. "Come along, Elizabeth. Good day, Your Majesty."
Anne turned her back on the Queen's shocked face and gently tugged Elizabeth along with her. She had to hide a smirk as she heard Mary whisper in outrage, "How dare she!"
It was foolish and reckless, no doubt she would be the centre of gossip once more at her blatant dismissal of the Queen. Henry would no doubt be furious, and yet, Anne could not keep the smile from her face.
She was playing with fire, and it excited her.
When they arrived back in Elizabeth's quarters, Anne ignored Elizabeth's staff and took her straight to Elizabeth's chamber to help her into her winter clothes. It was the first time since arriving at court that Anne had helped her daughter get ready for the day, and it sent a pang of nostalgia through her. She missed their simple days in the country.
Elizabeth was uncharacteristically quiet, her eyes not quite meeting Anne's as she put her fur cloak over her small shoulders. Anne ruffled her daughter's curls and gently said, "I am not angry with you, my darling."
Elizabeth looked up at her, those dark brown eyes heartbreakingly sad as she softly said, "I am sorry, Mama."
Oh Elizabeth. Sweeping her skirts out of the way, Anne knelt before her daughter and reached for her hands. "Elizabeth, why did you not tell me that you have been spending time with the Queen?"
Elizabeth hesitated, her bottom lip trembling as she finally replied, "I did not want to upset you, Mama." Tears pricked in Anne's eyes as Elizabeth's confidence grew again, as though she could not stop now that she had started. "Father made you sad, and I do not want to be like him! And.. I wished to see Mary," she added sheepishly. "I do not like her Mama! I swear it! She is a bore and she ignored me! Mary said that I must grow to love her, but I shall not!"
Oh, my darling girl! For a long moment, Anne could only stare at Elizabeth. How had her daughter become so strong, she wondered.
"It is my job to protect you, Elizabeth," Anne said softly, her voice steady though her heart was not. "Promise me that we shall always tell one another everything. Even if you think it will make me sad."
Elizabeth nodded solemnly. "Yes, Mama. I promise."
Anne pulled Elizabeth into her arms and held on tightly.
It did not matter how much Anne kept to the shadows, for there was always something her pushing her back into court drama.
But now it was affecting her daughter, the time for keeping her head down was over.
Her father once said that there was something deep and dangerous inside of her. There was a time that she could destroy anyone and anything if it suited her. Her circumstances may have changed, but Anne had not.
It was time for the English court to remember just how dangerous Anne Boleyn truly was.