Greenwich Palace (February 1530)
"You are glowing Bess; I hope you are not starting to prefer the countryside to life at court now," Anne said, as the two women sat by the fireplace in Anne's chambers.
"What, do you think I am becoming a country bumpkin?" Bessie laughed light-heartedly.
"You just seem happier when you are away from court life."
Anne's tone was teasing, as always, but Bessie detected a hint of vulnerability within her friend's remark. She was well aware of the pressure that Anne was beginning to feel; Katherine's faction was still fighting hard to plot against her, and Anne was worried that the King was going to tire of her. Bessie reached out and grabbed Anne's hand.
"I am always happy when I am with my siblings and Mrs Morley, and away from the intensity of the court. But I am happiest when we are together and enjoying ourselves."
Any tension in Anne seemed to relax at Bessie's words, as she squeezed Bessie's hand.
"Well it is wonderful, then, that I have planned a ball with the King's Master of the Revels to welcome everyone back to court tomorrow evening," Anne said, with a wide smile, "Especially you."
"It sounds like a perfect occasion to wear that crimson gown you bought me for Christmas."
The two friends continued to chat and catch up deep into the night, about all manner of topics, until they both nodded off in their armchairs by the fire.
...
Bessie looked at her reflection in the looking glass as Anne's maid helped to style her hair. It was the night of the ball, and she hoped that her appearance would impress.
True to her word, she was wearing the deep crimson gown that Anne had gifted her for Christmas. The underskirt and bodice of the gown were decorated with an intricate gold pattern, and the neckline was square and low which accentuated her full breasts.
Her curly blonde hair cascaded down her back, but save for a few loose, curly tendrils, it was pulled back from her face by a couple of braids that Anne's maid had just finished carefully pinning in place.
What Bessie could not keep her eyes off, however, was the necklace that sat just above her breasts.
Edward's gift.
Bessie thanked Anne's maid as she left the room. Now alone, she reached up to touch the sparkling ruby. It was almost as if the necklace represented her connection with Edward. The dark red colour of the ruby invoked slight feelings of pain, but also overwhelming feelings of passion and warmth.
Bessie was so transfixed that she hardly registered Anne's quiet arrival in the room until she met her friend's curious gaze in the mirror. She jumped and quickly retracted her hand away from the necklace.
"You startled me, Anne," Bessie said, turning to face the other woman. Her gaze swept over Anne's beautiful silver gown, adorned with sparkling jewels and pearls. Her dark hair offered a wonderful contrast to the bright dress.
"You look truly divine," Bessie added.
"As do you, Bess," Anne replied, "I knew that dress would suit you perfectly."
Bessie smiled, hoping Anne would not mention her necklace.
"That necklace is gorgeous, Bess, where did you get it?"
Oh God, Bessie thought.
"I-uh...my father gifted it to me for Christmas."
The timing could not get any worse, for Bessie's father suddenly made his arrival in Anne's chambers only seconds later, with Anne's father close behind him.
"The Duke of Norfolk and Viscount Rochford!" the door footman announced, as the men entered and strode over to their daughters.
"Ah! Uncle, Father, well met," Anne greeted, as she quickly kissed her father's cheek.
Norfolk kissed Anne's hand. "Evening, Niece. I trust you are prepared for this evening's festivities."
"Of course, Uncle. I have planned it all in great detail."
Bessie watched as Anne and Rochford started speaking quietly together. She begrudgingly turned to her father.
"Daughter. I trust you are well after being away from court," Norfolk greeted Bessie, with no warmth in his harsh voice.
"I am, thank you, Lord Father," Bessie said, inclining her head.
"I have some suitors I will introduce to you tonight, to see if they are worthy of marrying you."
She saw him studying her apparel, but she blanched as his hawk-like, beady eyes stopped upon her neck and decolletage, where Edward's necklace rested in its glittering beauty.
He stalked closer to her, like a predator assessing his prey. There was a violent glint in his eye that Bessie knew all too well.
In a flash, he reached out and grabbed the end of the necklace. The chain dug painfully into the back of Bessie's neck as he pulled it closer to inspect, and Norfolk was all too aware that he was hurting her.
"And where did you obtain this, daughter?"
"It was a Christmas gift, Father," Bessie replied, struggling.
"From whom? An admirer? If you have been encouraging that Seymour lad again I'll-..."
"It was from me, Uncle," Anne called out quickly, looking wary, "I bought it for Bessie for Christmas."
He slowly released his hold on Bessie.
"I see," he said, "Come then, Anne, Thomas, we must discuss an important issue."
He stalked from the room into Anne's ante-chamber with Rochford in tow. Silence descended between the two women for a moment.
"Anne..."
"It is from him, isn't it? Stop lying to me, Bess, we tell each other everything."
"Yes," Bessie replied quietly.
"Please be careful, Bess. With your father and with your heart," Anne said.
Anne left the room, and a hushed conversation between her, Rochford and Norfolk began. Bessie could not hear the words of the trio, but she theorised that the group were likely strategizing for the evening ahead.
Bessie glanced at her reflection again and rubbed the back of her neck, which was red from the ordeal with her father.
She blinked away the tears that were threatening to spill and smiled at herself with as much strength as she could muster. Her smile grew naturally, however, as she looked at the ruby necklace still sitting proudly on her chest.
...
The King's musicians were playing a lively tune by the time Bessie made her way into the great hall of Greenwich Palace. Bessie admired the candlelit ambiance of the hall, and the twirling shadows that the dancing couples cast on the high walls. She spotted the King and Anne dancing at the centre of the room, laughing and gazing at each other in adoration.
She felt a pinch in her stomach at the thought of the unspeakable tension between herself and Anne before the ball. She could tell Anne was horrified at her father's treatment of her, but it was clear that she was also irritated that Bessie had lied about the necklace and Edward.
Bessie tried to push her thoughts aside. She was supposed to enjoy this ball, after all.
She wandered over to Madge Shelton, a distant cousin of hers and a fellow lady-in-waiting. They struck up a friendly conversation, and Bessie began to relax.
Madge left to get them both a glass of wine, and Bessie let her gaze wander around the room.
And then she saw him.
He was on the other side of the great hall in discussion with Master Thomas Cromwell, an old protegee of Wolsey, and new to court.
Bessie watched Edward for a moment as he spoke animatedly to Cromwell, gesturing with his free hand, whilst the other held a glass of wine. The two looked amicable, and Bessie wondered what they were discussing.
Yet, he suddenly looked up, and their eyes met. Everyone else in the bustling hall seemed to fade away.
She smiled at him as he glanced appreciatively at her whole appearance. She felt warm, however, when she noticed the way his eyes lit up at the realisation that she was wearing the necklace.
She saw Cromwell ask Edward a question, and he turned to the other man to reply.
He only took his eyes off of Bessie for a second, however, until he met her gaze again.
"Here, Bessie. I got red wine, as I was not quite sure what you liked. But I hope it is suitable. I must say, your gown is wonderful. Doesn't Anne look lovely tonight? I hear that she..."
Bessie turned to smile and thank Madge, zoning out slightly at Madge's endless chatter and gossiping. Her focus remained upon making eyes at Edward, until something that Madge hurriedly whispered snapped her out of her trance.
"Bessie! Your father is approaching!"
Bessie turned away from Edward's warm gaze and saw her father striding towards her, with an older gentleman in tow. The back of her neck still burnt from Norfolk's violent outburst earlier that day.
Is this a potential suitor? She thought, as the two men drew closer, and Madge hurried away.
She started slightly when she realised that the older gentleman was Lord Lisle. Lisle was the illegitimate uncle of the King. He was also nearing seventy years of age.
"Lord Lisle," her father began, "I would like to introduce you to my daughter, Elizabeth."
Bessie extended her hand to Lisle and tried not to shiver in disgust as he placed a wet kiss upon the back of her hand.
"Greetings, Lady Elizabeth. You are a true beauty," he said, as his eyes wandered over her face, but also down towards her breasts.
"Thank you, Lord Lisle," she replied graciously.
"Lord Lisle's wife has recently passed away," Norfolk said with emphasis.
So he does intend for this old man to court me, Bessie thought.
"I am so sorry to hear of your loss, my Lord," she said.
"Ah it is no matter, she was ill. I need a new wife imminently if I wish to sire a son," Lord Lisle replied, licking his lips as his eyes travel over her again.
"Perhaps you should share a dance together, Lord Lisle. My daughter is a very fine dancer," Norfolk remarked nonchalantly.
Lisle's eyes lit up as he slowly led Bessie over to the dancers.
Luckily, the dance was a quick one, and Bessie was relieved to escape the clutches of the old Lord. She could not quite believe her father would promise her to such a man, but she also was not surprised given his high status, which would bring the Howards even closer to the King.
She walked over to a quiet corner of the hall, and rapidly finished the last of her wine. Softly playing with the ruby necklace, she looked around the hall again to try and find Edward.
He was closer than she thought he would be, perhaps a few metres or so away, and his eyes were already upon her.
She offered him a rueful smile as she continued to hold her necklace, and feeling brave due to the copious amount of wine that she had just drank, she subtly brought the ruby to her lips and kissed it gently.
She saw him draw in a breath and grip his glass a bit tighter.
At that moment, she knew that Edward had definitely found his way into her heart once more, and she could not stay away from him, no matter how hard she tried.
A/N- Sorry its late, please comment if you are enjoying this story :)