Bessie tried to keep a mask of indifference on her face as she swept a small curtsey to Edward, and held out her hand for him to kiss
Inwardly, she was struggling with all her might to not react to his sudden appearance. Edward's face seemed to reveal nothing, though as he kissed her hand, she thought he lingered a little too long.
There was something different about him. She studied his face. His deep blonder hair was longer, and he was sporting facial hair. She studied his mannerisms. That is it, she thought, a new air of confidence. Indeed, the way he held himself and interacted with the King was laced with importance, as if his new status as a knight meant that he subconsciously projected his status everywhere.
"Have you two met before?" the King asked, merriment in his eyes as he observed the unspoken tension.
"Indeed, your Majesty, how could I forget a face like Lady Elizabeth's?" said Edward, eyes twinkling.
Bessie looked down at her hands clasped before her.
God, she needed to leave this space as soon as possible- she felt as if she'd pass out soon. Everything she had pushed aside the past six years was rushing through her like a strong and unpleasant waterfall.
"Excuse me, Your Majesty, Sir Edward, I must see my Lord Father about an urgent matter."
Avoiding Edward's eyes, and curtseying to the King, she made a swift exit from Anne's apartments.
Bessie stalked down the corridor as fast as she could, holding her skirts carefully, and ran down the stairs. She then took the nearest exit to the gardens.
She leaned with her back on the wall, hand on her stomach, head titled upwards with her eyes closed, and took several deep breaths. The cold winter air of January hit the exposed skin of her face, but Bessie welcomed the crispness. Listening to the birds chirping merrily in the tree next to her also soothed her for a moment, and she was surprised when she heard Anne's voice suddenly next to her, snapping her out of her moment of bliss.
"Bess? Are you well? What in good heavens was that all about?"
Bessie opened her eyes and looked at her friend, who looked highly concerned.
"I think I have a megrim coming, that is all Anne."
Anne's eyes narrowed. "Do not lie to me, Bess. I know who Sir Edward is- he was that man you had a soft spot for a few years ago."
Unfortunately for Bessie, Anne had a wonderful talent for remembering a multitude of faces. Moreover, Bessie had never revealed to Anne the extent of her short relationship with Edward.
Bessie sighed. "Yes, that is him."
Anne drew Bessie to a bench nearby. "Come, tell me about him. You know you can tell me anything, Bess."
Bessie sat down and looked at her hands in her lap. They were slightly pink from the cold. She filled Anne in on the broader points of her relationship with Edward Seymour, including their initial meeting, their kiss, and the eventual reveal of their identities.
"I should have told you then, Anne. But I thought you would be disgruntled that I held feelings for a Seymour."
Anne was quiet a moment, clearly thinking on the matter.
"I do not like the way he treated you, Bess," she began carefully. "But perhaps it was for the best in the end."
"Perhaps. At the time, I believed he was my first love. And I am still not sure if I will ever feel that way again."
Anne took Bessie's hand and squeezed it. "You were young and in the midst of an exciting and new connection. Especially given you did not know who he was. One that probably would not have worked out in the future, and with a man who hurt you deeply."
Bessie kept quiet as she continued to think.
"I think you can do much better than a mere knight, Bess," Anne said, squeezing Bessie's hand with humour in her eyes. "Why, if I become Queen, I will find you a royal Duke, or perhaps a Prince."
Bessie laughed. "Now that would be wonderful."
The two women sat in a peaceful silence for a minute, as they reflected on Bessie's situation, and took in the fresh winter air of the garden.
Get a grip of yourself, Bessie thought.
"You are right Anne. I will not let him ruin my time at court, nor will I entertain him in the slightest."
"Good. Did you see him flirting with Margaret Blount? God, he had only just walked into the room!"
Bessie felt a flash of jealousy that replaced her dismay at seeing him. Of course, she thought, she was likely one of a number of his conquests. She also reminded herself of the way he made her feel that night, as she had been doing all these years.
"Let's go inside, Anne, or we will catch a chill."
…..
Windsor Castle (February 1529)
"Look at that Seymour lad. Becomes a knight and suddenly thinks that the world shines out of his arse," Norfolk snarled next to Bessie.
The court was gathered in the great hall of Windsor, for the official recognition and knighting ceremony of the men who had recently fought in France for the crown. Bessie's father was one of many of the 'old' nobility that was becoming increasingly aware, and angered, by the 'new' men Henry was promoting.
Bessie remained quiet as her father continued his rant to Thomas Boleyn.
"The Seymour family are nothing- arrogant knights trying to parade around as nobles. John Seymour has always been that way."
"He will not rise far, Thomas," Boleyn replied.
Bessie did not believe that for a second. She had witnessed Edward around the court for the past few weeks and was surprised at his growing influence, especially over the King.
Anne was not shy of showing her dislike of him, but Bessie knew she harboured a secret interest in him for his reformist sympathies.
"Arise, Sir Edward!" exclaimed the King, to much applause around the room.
Bessie clapped very lightly, trying to remain unseen next to her father and Uncle, who were very clearly not applauding Edward.
She could see Edward start walking around the room as if looking for an individual. He stopped now and then to receive congratulations, and to acknowledge certain members of the court.
He was getting closer and closer.
Oh dear god, thought Bessie.
She tried to subtly step further behind her father and uncle but froze when she heard her father pipe up.
"Sir Edward. You must be pleased with your knighthood- a significant rise for the son of John Seymour," he remarked cooly. Bessie could not see his face from her position but could imagine his lip curling with distaste.
She could see Edward, however. Inclining his head, he smiled politely at her father and Boleyn.
"I am, my Lord Norfolk. My father is coming to court next week- a personal invitation to dine with the King."
"Indeed," replied Norfolk, his voice dripping with venom.
She tried to look away with all her might, but she knew she had to steal a glance at him again before he moved on.
Craning her head slightly, their eyes met.
"Lady Elizabeth, well met," Edward said, smiling at her.
"Sir Edward," she replied cooly, inclining her head gracefully, "I offer my congratulations on your knighthood."
"Thank you, my lady, your congratulations are most appreciated," he said, his words loaded with meaning.
She could feel her father and Boleyn staring at their interaction intently. Bessie was trying hard not to reveal anything on her face, but Edward looked highly smug at their situation.
He looked at her for a bit longer, then bowed to her first, then Norfolk and Boleyn.
"Please excuse me, my Lady, my Lords."
With that, he took his departure from the group. Bessie watched his retreating back, with a sense of relief but drew in a breath when she saw him glance back at her one last time.
Her heart skipped, but she quickly looked down at her clasped hands, praying that her father did not notice anything between them.
"How do you know this man, Elizabeth?" he asked her in a calm, but menacing tone.
She tried to answer her father in a nonchalant voice.
"I met him at the Chateau Vert Pageant a few years ago, Father. And last month, the King introduced him to me again when I sang in Anne's chambers."
"I see," Norfolk replied, "Boleyn, will you excuse us for one moment?"
Without waiting for a reply, Norfolk grabbed Bessie's arm and guided her to a quiet corridor to the right of the great hall. His nails dug into her arm, and she tried not to grimace in pain.
"You listen to me, Elizabeth. You are forbidden to interact with this man ever again unless you must in the presence of others. I do not like the way he looked at you, nor do I miss the way you looked at him like a common whore," Norfolk seethed quietly, gripping her arm, "Do I make myself very clear, Daughter?"
She met his black, hawk-like eyes as bravely as she could. "Yes, my lord Father."
He let go of her arm when he heard voices approaching, and dusting his hands on his doublet, stalked away from her.
Bessie let out a breath that she did not realise she was holding in. Rubbing her sore arm, and straightening her clothes and hair, she made her way to her chambers to search for Anne.
A/N- An earlier update than expected :) I have now planned all chapters up to about 1538! Thank you to all readers of this story.