Thank you for the reviews; here is the 2nd part of who knows how many.
It early June and King Henry's court was alive with exhilaration. Charles, on the other hand, felt listless and bored. With the numerous conferences with the imperial ambassadors, the Emperor's visit imminent and his sister about to depart for Portugal, the King had proved very poor company. Being so concerned with state affairs Henry had little time to hold banquets or dances, even the afternoon hunt or a game of tennis was becoming a rare occurrence. Of course, in such a situation Charles would turn to William or Anthony but since his investment to Duke of Suffolk they had been somewhat reluctant to be near him. They meant no ill will, it was simple jealousy and they would get over it. Eventually.
"The Queen's new ladies have arrived!" Charles heard a young squire excitedly squeal as though he had not seen a woman before besides his mother. Charles sipped his drink and smiled; regardless of his betrothal to Miss Elizabeth Grey, he could not deny himself the glimpse of a beautiful face or pair pretty breasts. Eight women were led through the court in a line of pairs, escorted by the formidable looking Sir Ashley Gross, to the Queen's chambers. The young men of the court swarmed to them like moths to a naked flame but were held back with one glance from beneath Sir Ashley's bushy brows, but his fearsome looks did not prevent them from trying to catch the eyes of the young women. Charles scanned the faces of the new meat and met disappointment; they were not ugly but not engagingly pretty either. Plain he thought. No challenge either, they could be classed as two sorts of women – the first being confident and probably give it away to the first page to help them carry something, the second would be shy and bound to be curious, either way they'd be on their backs soon enough. No sport at all. Then Charles noticed a young woman he had seen somewhere before. Her face was not one easily forgotten especially for Charles; then again he saw it impossible that anyone could forget such a glorious face. He'd seen her first in France at the Palace of Illusions and more recently at the dance of the Graces. His lost Lady Perseverance. Her sister had been the King's mistress for a time before, like so many others, Henry got bored of her. The name came to him at last; Mistress Anne Boleyn. Charles felt his heart surge in his chest and the all too familiar feeling of longing flooding his senses. The ladies past through the chamber doors and his Lady Perseverance was gone.
Anne walked in the procession of ladies somewhat solemnly contemplating her fate come mission. A pretty dress and a position in the royal household yet she felt little more than a whore. The jeering youths didn't help; it felt humiliating, as if they already knew what was to become of her. She walked on only taking in a brief glimpse of the sea of faces around her but something at the back of her mind was screaming at her, a creeping realisation. That face. She quickly turned her head to see it again, to confirm what she thought she saw but it was too late, the convoy of women had moved too far and he was gone.
Within days of Anne's coming to court there was another arrival. His Imperial Highness, Charles the Holy Roman Emperor. His royal chinness the King's nephew. Anne only saw him briefly but she did not like nor trust him; she had met him before in her childhood when she was in education under Margaret the Archduchess of Austria but the spoils of power had ruined the glimmer of goodness that he once had as a child. The Queen was ecstatic that her nephew had come to court and was adamant that she, and all her ladies, attend each event the King had laid out for the Emperor. Though for Katherine she would have many joys during this visit, not only was she seeing her nephew but her daughter, Mary, was to be betrothed.
Watching the Emperor and Princess Mary dance was a ludicrous, yet touching sight. He, being twenty-two and she only eight, towered over her while she had trouble keeping up with his bigger steps. To celebrate his daughter's engagement Henry held an outdoor feast. Thomas Tallis was leading the band as happy couples danced, a slight wind rustling through ladies' hair and blowing the clouds away, letting the sun shine on the palace's lush garden. As Anne watched the King dance with his sister, Margaret, she heard her father's orders repeat in her ear, "Put yourself in the King's way." Not that she saw a way in, with the Emperor being Katherine's nephew the King was paying Katherine especial attention and she was often at his side it would be near impossible for Anne to be subtle.
Charles was sat with Anthony and William as the King took to the floor with his sister. Margaret was a beautiful woman and naturally Charles' gaze was fixed on her. Tall and slender with grey eyes and silken hair bouncing freely over her shoulders. Dancing in her signature orange dress she was like a flame twirling over the floor.
"We're supposed to be friends Charles" Anthony continued the abuse he and William had been dealing, though Charles had paid little attention till now.
"Aren't we still?
"Not if you don't show us favour." William slyly remarked "It's within your gift to ask His Majesty to give us some titles...or at least some land"
"It seems that everything the King has to give, he's given to you"
"Jealous?" Charles smirked in response
"Naturally...As you rise, so too should we"
"So, what can we do for you, Your Grace?"
"Show me some respect." Charles said with a sterner tone. Annoyed and on the verge of losing his temper Charles got up from the table. He wandered through the crowd a little, sipping his drink as he went, taking in the sights and smells of the new arrivals at court. His eyes skimmed over the faces, nothing overly temping until he reached the King's table.
As the darling dance between the Emperor and Princess came to a finish, Anne approached the Queen's table and curtsied as she removed an empty dish.
"Madame". For a moment Katherine held her gaze, looking at the beautiful young woman with a kind of infinite sadness then waved her away. Anne, remembering her father's command moved away, placing herself in the path of the oncoming dancers, including the King. Henry turned away from his sister and all but walked into Anne. She lowered her eyes demurely and curtsied.
"Lady Anne" Henry said.
"Yes, Your Majesty" Henry just stared at her, saying nothing. Anne slowly raised her eyes letting them hang under her eyelids, sending Henry messages of delightful coyness and darker seduction as she met his gaze. His eyes were lost in hers. After a long silence, Henry stepped aside to let her pass.
"Forgive me" Anne nodded in acknowledgement and walked away. She returned to her father who was beaming with a hungry pride. It was like a jester's grin, wide and daunting, or perhaps the grin of a butcher as a plump lamb was brought to the slaughter. Once within reach he took Anne's hand and held it tightly.
"Oh Anne, if only your sister had the slightest part of your charm." He raised it to his lips and kissed it, his eyes sparkling a little more with the thought of his supposition. Her father rested his chin on his daughter's hand. "We would the most powerful family in England"
"Aside from royalty" Anne added; her tone somewhere between disbelief and caution.
"Of course" He agreed, though Anne could see his vanity questioned it. True, a cunning man like Thomas Boleyn could play a King like a good hand of cards and be the better for it but Henry was inconsistent and easily changed. Everyone knew the wrath of a King, even if temporal, was not something any man or woman should like to fall prey of, especially if they value their titles or lands or lives. With a triumphant laugh he let her go. For now Anne had finished her duties so she took the chance to steal away from the crowd and lose herself in the garden's maze. It was more than pleasant walking along the leafy maze, the crowd little more than a mumble; it had been the first time since her arrival at court that Anne had truly spent alone. Whether in the service of the Queen or at dinner, Anne was constantly surrounded by the chatter of the other ladies. Always trivial and shrill, to listen to it was like having an ants nest between her ears. Now there was nothing but the silence of nature; bird song and trees shaking in the breeze.
"Lady Perseverance" The intruding salutation caught Anne off guard and she gave a little shriek. There was a heady male laugh in response. "Forgive me, I did not mean to scare you, Mistress Boleyn." Anne would have made for the stranger but his voice, his face stopped her in her tracks. Lord Gentleness.
"You only startled me, Your Grace" She curtsied, it taking much of her control and will to maintain her air and wit where she wanted to fall in to his arms or turn in to a puddle.
"Your Grace? I'm still not used to that. Please, call me Charles" Anne nodded shyly restraining herself from smiling like an idiot.
"You may call me Anne if you like.. Charles" He smiled with a small laugh of satisfaction. Anne's mind was screaming at her to say something, anything would have sufficed, but she was spellbound .
"Would you walk with me? Anne" Charles held his arm out for her like a true gentleman and wholly uncharacteristic of him. As each became accustomed to the other conversation became easier.
"So, you are to Portugal soon with the King's sister. And give her away at her wedding, such an honour and a Dukedom in such a small space of time, I wonder how you can stand it being all so sudden."
"I have spent my whole life with the King; I am used to his impulsive decisions. It makes life interesting." Charles drew the couple to a stop, he placed his free hand over hers that rested on his arm and held her as close as he may while still being decent. "Anne. You should be wary of the King; he is fickle around pretty women."
"You think I'm pretty Charles?" Anne remarked playfully unaware of how close her innocent comment was to the truth. Charles motioned to reply but could not form the words only swim in her gaze.
"Anne, I wish you had told me your name at the dance, I half thought I imagined you." His voice was soft and how Anne wanted to drown in it. Her eyes drifted towards his lips, hovering there before returning to his eyes and back again. Anne could feel his breath on her mouth, her nose brush against his lips, the sweet crush so close, but she abruptly recoiled recollecting who she was and why she was at court.
"I must go back to the Queen" Before Anne could rush away Charles grabbed her arm in tender yet firm hold.
"Anne, I know what people say about me, it's probably true, but I should very much like to see you again." How could she deny him when he looked at her like a pup begging to be stroked?
"I do not wish to be the subject of ladies' prattle. Your Grace" With that Anne hurried away knowing that if she stayed any longer she would not be able to control her desire. The court were just as she had left them and barely noticed her absence, even her hawkeyed father showed no concern, then again he had already seen Anne and the King exchange so in his mind the day's battle was won. Anne joined the rest of the Queen's ladies at a table and looked at the King. What was his name in the pageant? Honesty. Anne laughed soundlessly to herself; what a picture of honesty he was, masquerading as the dutiful husband to the Emperor, promising Francis an everlasting treaty of peace. Damn you Mary, she thought, If only you did have my charm, if only. Anne pulled her gaze away from the King gladly and soon found the face of Gentleness staring at her through the crowd.
End of part 2, please review if you like, if you have suggestions and/or you want to see more of Anne and Charles.