A/N- A new chapter already!….the story is flowing now. Bit of a time jump that gets us to the English court. I have added some of my own details to make sure both Bessie and Edward appear across the next few chapters, with Henry and Anne's story sort of playing out in the background.

As a side note- Thank you to any new followers and readers of this story! Also thank you to Dan Sickles for your lovely reviews

York Palace, England, 1522

The day had finally come where Lady Bessie Howard and Anne Boleyn were to make their debuts at the royal court of King Henry VIII and Queen Katherine. They had both been at their family homes for the last year after returning from France; Bessie at Kenilworth, and Anne at Hever Castle. Anne had sent her numerous letters, sometimes a few times a month, where she expressed her boredom at being couped up at home. Anne described how she missed their vibrant life at the French court, but she was also excited to make her mark in England. Bessie did miss her life in France, yet she also valued her time at her family home. Norfolk spent the majority of his time at court, meaning that Bessie could freely spend time with her family. Indeed, her siblings had been born whilst she was away, and she loved playing with them in the gardens. Moreover, she was able to catch up with Mrs Morely; taking walks across the grounds or sewing in her chambers together.

Now, however, she was in a small chamber that she was sharing with Anne at the palace of York, where the English court was currently residing. Norfolk and Thomas Boleyn had managed to secure their daughters places on a pageant that the Master of the Revels was running, which was being called 'Chateau Vert'. A fort had been constructed in the hall, to which the men would save the women, who were being held hostage by other women. The women were all named after feminine virtues: Anne was perseverance, Mary Boleyn was kindness, and Bessie was sweetness. Anne had been given strict instructions that this was the perfect time to make an impression on the King. Bessie had hardly spoken to her father, but she knew that he was searching the court for a suitable match for her, much to her dismay.

Bessie and Anne were helping each other to get ready, giggling at their costumes. They were wearing low cut, snowy white coloured dresses, with frills around their necks, and small gold crowns on their heads. They were required to wear their hair in elaborate up-dos; Anne had a sleek bun, and whilst some of Bessie's curls escaped from her bun, they both looked the part.

"Are you ready for all this, Anne?" Bessie asked, as they looked at each other in the mirror. They both knew she was referring to Anne's task, and not the pageant, which they had both been a part of a fair share of in France.

"Of course," Anne flashed a smile and reached to squeeze Bessie's hand. Bessie felt her stomach flutter for a moment, but Anne quickly recognised her nerves.

"Courage, Bess," Anne confidently reminded her.

The two women made their way to the hall and took their places next to each other in the makeshift chateau. Bessie felt a great sense of foreboding about what Anne was about to get herself into. She was about to tell her friend to be careful, but the music and fanfare started, signalling the start of the pageant. The courtroom cheered as the play began.

The male rescuers entered the room, led by King Henry himself, who stood out completely despite all the gentlemen being masked. After an exchange with all the 'evil' women guarding the chateau, the men started to advance on the display to save the women.

One masked man started to climb up the chateau, and Bessie quickly realised that he was heading straight towards her. Keen, she thought. She leaned over the balcony teasingly and blew a kiss to her rescuer to play her role to the court. She heard some court members laugh heartily at her actions.

"Oh my rescuer is here!" she exclaimed, putting her hand to her forehead in a false swoon, with a playful smile on her face.

That's when she noticed his hair- a deep blonde colour, almost brown. A wave of familiarity rushed over her as she thought back to that garden, nearly two years ago.

Suddenly, he looked right up at her, for he had stopped at her balcony. Despite wearing a mask, she knew straight away it was Edward. And he was well aware that it was her.

"A damsel in distress, once again," he said, quoting their first encounter, and smiling at her teasingly. He reached out and grabbed her hand. "Fair Lady Sweetness, I claim you as mine."

She was lost for words for a moment, then quickly remembered that she was required to come down to the dance floor if she had been claimed. Extracting her hand from his warm grip, she made her way down to the other dancers. She lined up with the other women and searched the row of gentlemen for Edward. She found him further down the line, and he was already looking straight at her. He offered her a smile, and she returned it.

Bessie faced her first partner. She was certain the gentleman was Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk- one of the most sought after bachelors at King Henry's court. They exchanged pleasantries and he flirted with her as they danced, but she was well-aware of his reputation and charisma.

She was then handed into the arms of no other than King Henry himself. He looked surprised at her appearance for a moment, then a smile graced his face.

"Lady Bessie!" he exclaimed, "You have come to experience my court in England, after all."

"I have, your grace, and I am most happy to be here," she replied with a smile.

He looked at her sash, which proclaimed to others that she was 'sweetness'.

"Ah," he said, "Lady Sweetness, how fitting."

He smirked as he saw her blush and raised her hand to his lips with a quick kiss. He suddenly glanced behind him, as if he had forgotten something. Bessie realised that he was staring straight at Anne. My god, Bessie thought, she's got his attention already.

"Who is that dark haired lady over there Bess?" he asked, trying not to look too interested.

Bess smiled politely. "My friend and cousin, my lord, Anne Boleyn. We were at the French court together."

Henry look satisfied as he kissed Bessie's hand again, and made his way over to dance with Anne, as befitted the steps of the dance.

Bessie was swept up by a new partner. It was Edward.

She kept her face forward as they made their way through the steps side by side. She was well- aware that he was not moving his eyes away from her face, daring her to look at him. It sent a thrill through her.

The turn came in the dance routine, where they had to circle each other. Edward found his chance to whisper subtly in her ear.

"You're not in a state of undress this time then Bessie?"

She smiled coyly and still did not look at him, but she replied "No, and I will not need help with my laces either."

She then turned to him for the first time in the dance, and the pair made direct eye contact. A spark fizzled between them as they danced without looking away from each other, as if a match had been swiftly lit.

"Who are you Bessie?" he asked her quietly.

"Who are you Edward?" she returned and spun away to her next dance partner.

The pageant finished and was greeted with great cheers of applause from the courtiers. Bessie made her way over to Anne, who look highly pleased with herself. Bessie had noticed the King's intense attention on Anne throughout the dance, and he was still staring at her now.

"That was easier than you thought, wasn't it?" Bessie whispered to her; amusement written upon her face.

"Much," Anne replied, with a satisfied smile.

"Are you going to keep your distance from him now?"

"Yes, I shall let him seek me out, for we need to attend to Queen Katherine now," Anne said. She looked at Bessie with a teasing smirk. "And who was that gentleman you were dancing with? He seems very keen on you."

Bessie and Anne both looked over to see Edward in the corner of the room, chatting to a nobleman that Bessie was unsure of the name of.

"He is called Edward, that is all I know. I am unsure of his family name."

"As long as he isn't a Seymour," Anne joked.

Bessie laughed and glanced at him again in the crowd. This time, he was looking straight at her.

She carefully pulled her gaze away, and turned to Anne "He is handsome, don't you think?"

"Yes, I suppose. Let us go attend the Queen then Bess."