01 December 1520
Whitehall, London
"What is wrong with you," said Marguerite storming into the King's office,
Henry looked up quite shocked, "What do you mean," astonished that his wife would talk to him like that,
"You have agreed to pay Lady Mary Boleyn's dowry, for her marriage to the Emperor," asked Marguerite,
"Of course, Lord Boleyn's family have been exceptional servants for the crown, their exploration has built us a trade empire, it is the least I can do to repay them," replied Henry angry at the way she was speaking to him,
"I'm sure the Boleyn family can afford its own dowry," said Marguerite,
"They can, but I offered, as an expression of gratitude," said Henry,
"Why are you showing more concern for the Kent girl's marriage, than that of your own daughters," asked the Queen,
"I believe this to be beneficial," said Henry temper rising, "furthermore our daughters are not yet of marrying age,"
"Furthermore you are still trying to get the Pope to authorize an attack on the Turks, knowing my brother has a treaty and trade agreement with them," asked Marguerite,
"Madam, I believe you are meddling in affairs that don't concern you," scowled Henry with a clear note of dismissal
Marguerite realised she was on thin curtseyed and left,
Henry scowled, and rolled up the parchment he had been reading, sighing he stood up and decided to go for a walk.
Strolling through the gardens Henry fumed to himself, Marguerite had no right to criticize him, he was simply repaying a noble family that had done an enormous amount for the Crown. He was so deep in his thoughts that he didn't notice a young girl coming around the corner walking straight into her,
"I'm very sorry," said Henry bending down to help the young girl off the snowy ground,
"Oh your Majesty forgive me I was not paying any attention," said the girl taking his hand and then curtseying,
"Nay my lady, I'm the one who should apologize," chuckled Henry, "What is your name he inquired,"
"Lady Anne Boleyn," said the girl,
"Ah Catherine's daughter," said Henry his eyes lighting with recognition,
"Yes," said Anne with a giggle, "I was just taking a walk, we are getting fitted for our dresses for my sister's wedding,"
"Ah of course you must be excited," said Henry,
"I am," said the fourteen-year-old, "My sister will be an empress,"
"She most certainly will," said Henry, "And what of you my dear,"
"My future has yet to be decided," admitted Anne,
"Do not fear," said Henry smiling, "I'm sure nobleman will be found for you,"
"Anne," came a voice from around the corner, and Catherine appeared,
"Mother," said Anne,
"Your majesty," said Catherine smiling at Henry,
"Catherine, I was just talking with your charming daughter," said the King genially,
"All of my daughters are quite wonderful," said Catherine,
"Of course they are, they have you as their mother," laughed the King
As the three talked none of them noticed the Queen watching them from the other side of the gardens,
Boleyn family chambers
The chambers were a hive of activity preparing for the spring wedding in Spain, Mary and the 3 eldest Boleyn daughters and their cousin Lady Mary Howard, along with their mother, and grandmother Lady Isabel, the dowager duchess of Kent were all being measured for their outfits,
"Oh I do wish you would have gone with Senor Matteo, I would happily have paid," said Lady Isabel as they discussed Mary's,
"I know but his dresses can be quite flamboyant," said Catherine,
"You look really beautiful Mary," said Cathy Boleyn,
"Thank you sister," said Mary,
"Oh you do, the image of a mighty Empress," said Lady Isabel, "Oh Queen Isabella would be so pleased,"
"Oh I could imagine," smiled Catherine thinking of her heavenly mother,
"Are you nervous," asked Mary Howard,
"A little bit," admitted Mary,
"Oh, that's perfectly normal my dear," said Catherine
"It was very generous of the King to pay the dowry," said Anne,
"He was expressing gratitude," smiled Isabel