May 1, 1520
The whole court flitted around, gowns swishing, horses coming to and fro with news from England. Seamstresses sewed until the blisters on their fingertips swelled and bled. The kitchen felt like hell itself with the ovens and stovetops constantly aflame. Courtiers were busy preparing their wardrobes and deciding what to take.
The court had just gotten the news that the French and English court would meet together so the two European kings could discuss the treaty of London, a treaty that would bind the continent in peace. The meeting itself lent a bit of irony to the peace; it would be a war of the princes to see who was the most glamorous ruler in Europe. And it was causing a little bit of stress in court.
Anne, though, was an ice queen, and the court couldn't help but envy her coolness.
Three Weeks Earlier
Anne,
I hope you are still enjoying France. I miss you everyday. Only the cruelest of fates would separate sisters, but I hope you will be joining me at King Henry's court soon. We are going to be meeting even sooner—there has been talk of a meeting between the French and the English. Tell no one. The king would be furious if I told you. Besides the last thing we need now is more rumors of me in France…however true they may be.
Order new dresses from the seamstresses immediately but do so quietly as to not arouse suspicion.
I'll see you in Calais.
Mary
Of course, Anne had tossed the letter into the fire immediately and told no one—not even Claudine. As Lady Marie had tossed her head and ordered the ladies around for weeks, Anne was tempted to whisper the rumor into her ear and prove herself to be dominant. It was only for the love of her sister that she kept her cool.
The letter did make her suspicious though. How would Mary know the English king's secrets before the French court?
It wasn't until one of the seamstresses brought Anne's dresses into the queen's room one morning after Mass that any suspicion was brought on to her.
"How lucky of you that you had already ordered new dresses," remarked Lady Marie jealously. She had only been able to order one new dress with the high demand of the rest of the court.
Anne smiled smoothly. "Yes, I was very fortunate. My lord father had just sent over some money just a few weeks ago."
"It's a shame you had to get so many though. I'm afraid that's what happens when you're unaccustomed to fine dining: you begin to look like a pig at the king's own table."
Lady Claudine coughed uncomfortably. Thank God the queen is at a special Mass Anne thought. She couldn't bear for anyone else to witness this humiliation.
Anne cleared her throat. "I am glad to have begun to fill my dresses more," she said. "I was afraid I would end up twenty-three with only a body of a kitchen boy."
Lady Marie stared coldly at Anne. "Better a body of a kitchen boy than a body that no one will hold." Lady Mary stood and gestured to a few of her minions. "Shall we go for a stroll in the gardens? It's beginning to fill a little…" she glanced at Anne. "Cramped in here."
As Lady Marie sauntered out, Anne vowed to never again let her have the last word. She would rise higher than all of them, she promised herself. And she would punish those who stood in her way.