York Palace (September 1531)
Gossip had been rife at King Henry's court across the past few months. Indeed, the major news on every courtier's lips was the banishment of Queen Katherine. In July, Henry had sent Katherine permanently away from the rest of his court. She was housed in a minor, ruinous manor, in no fit state to house a Queen, and she was forbidden to see her daughter Princess Mary.
Apart from the Howard contingent, there was a deep wave of sympathy for the Queen. Bessie was an outlier among the Howard faction, though, as she too felt great sadness about the treatment of Katherine.
However, there was another significant piece of gossip that the hungry courtiers could not get enough of: the feud between Bessie Howard and Anne Boleyn. It had taken a matter of days after their fight for the rest of the Tudor court to recognise the tension between the two women. Bessie and Anne were known to be inseparable, but now actively avoided each other's company.
Moreover, no one knew what the issue was between the two women, save for Edward Seymour of course. Many speculated that Bessie was now secretly siding with Katherine's faction. Others believed that the King's eyes had fallen on Bessie and that he was going to put aside Anne in favour of her.
July and August passed into September, and the frostiness between Anne and Bessie had still not thawed. Stubbornness was a well-known Howard family trait, and both women had plenty of Howard blood.
Bessie had spent a long time pondering to herself as to whether Anne had informed the King about her relationship with Edward. If she had, the King had not mentioned it and still treated her as pleasantly as he had always done. Bessie put this down to Anne still caring for her despite their differences.
She truly missed Anne. Particularly, she missed Anne's close company and strong presence; something that she had had since she was a young and timid girl at the French court.
Yet, Bessie was also adamant that she would not give in to Anne first. Anne's words had upset her greatly, and she was sick of Anne controlling her life. Who was Anne to tell her who she could and couldn't love?
Bessie's thoughts wandered as she rode her horse Sampson down the old forest trail of York Palace. Whilst it was past the turn of the summer season into autumn, the day was crisp, with warm sunshine and a soft breeze. The only thing that differentiated the day from a summer one was the scattering of fallen leaves on the trail, which Samson had been happily stomping through.
"You are miles away, sweetheart."
Edward's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. She had not realised how engrossed in worrying about her argument with Anne she had been.
She turned her head and smiled at him, to assure him that she was happy and well.
He returned her smile and pulled his black stallion closer to Sampson. He reached out to grab her hand and placed a soft kiss on it.
He had sent her word via Tom early in the morning to inform her that most of the court, including the King and Anne, would be attending an archery competition on the green in front of the palace, thus affording them a small opportunity to spend time together.
Despite everything, Bessie and Edward remained closer than ever. Edward was certain that they would be able to obtain the King's permission to marry next year sometime, as Edward had been constantly rising in the King's favour and had a growing reputation at court as an astute, ambitious and capable man. Their relationship was still a secret, but it was one that Bessie treasured deeply.
They finally arrived at a small clearing in the forest, that Tom had scouted for them as a safe place to stay for a while.
Edward dismounted and made his way over to Sampson to help Bessie down. His strong hands gripped her waist, and they did not move even after her feet had touched the forest floor. He moved one hand and tilted her chin to look up at him. She felt hot under the scrutiny of his grey eyes. His eyes held both concern and desire.
"You mustn't worry, Bess. All will be well," he said gently, stroking her cheek with his thumb.
"I know. I am so angry at her but I still miss her, she is like a sister to me," Bessie replied, burying her face into the crook of his neck.
His arms tightened around her in their familiar way, and he rubbed her back soothingly.
Stop thinking about her, she thought to herself. Bessie banished thoughts of Anne and the argument from her mind and turned all her attention to Edward.
She looked up at him and confidently met his lips with her own.
He seemed surprised for a fleeting moment that she had initiated the intimacy between them, but he quickly reciprocated and made a noise deep in his throat as he hungrily returned her kiss.
As they kissed, he slowly walked them both backward until her back hit a large oak tree. She moaned softly as his head dipped and his mouth moved down across her neck, to the tops of her exposed breasts. She ran her hands through his thick, wavy hair.
She felt his hand begin to pull up the skirts of her gown, but when his hand ran up her thigh, she stopped him before it went too far.
"Edward, we cannot," she said reluctantly.
"Why not?" he murmured, his face nuzzled against her chest as he continued to pepper small kisses over her breasts.
"We do not have time, and it is too open here," she said breathlessly.
Seemingly with all his willpower, he pulled away from her slightly, desisting the actions of his mouth and hands. She giggled at the forlorn expression on his face. Any opportunity that could get had resulted in quick trysts, but alas, opportunities were few.
"You will be the death of me, Elizabeth Howard," he said teasingly, as she tucked her hand in the crook of his arm, and they walked companionably through the beautiful forest with the little time they had left together.
…..
(2 weeks later)
She was late. Very late.
Whilst the King was growing increasingly intrigued with the reformist theories that Anne had introduced him to, he still attended mass regularly and expected his courtiers to do so as well.
The cause of Bessie's lateness was her frantic search for her personal prayer book. It had been a gift from the King last Christmas. Henry enjoyed lavishing gifts upon his favourites, but he also enjoyed showing off his wealth and generosity. He had recently asked Bessie to bring the book to the next mass, and what the King asked for, he expected.
As she turned out another of her clothes chests to no avail, Bessie realised with a sinking feeling that she must have left the book in Anne's chambers sometime in June.
Certain that Anne would already be at the King's side at mass, she picked up her skirts and hastened down the corridor to Anne's rooms.
Without feeling the need to knock, Bessie walked straight into Anne's rooms, but she suddenly stopped in her tracks when she saw the shaking figure on the bed.
Anne's tear-strewn face shot up and met Bessie's gaze. Her chest heaved, her eyes were red and puffy, and her light blue gown was crumpled and creased.
"Anne?" Bessie asked tentatively.
Bessie's presence seemed to only make Anne break down again, however, and Bessie could take no more.
She instantly pushed their argument from her mind, hastened over to Anne, and wrapped her arms around her oldest friend.
Anne clung on to Bessie tightly.
"I do not know if I can take it anymore, Bess," Anne managed to say between sobs.
"Why Anne?" Bessie said as she smoothed Anne's limp hair away from her face.
"They all hate me. Ambassador Chapuys and his cronies have started spreading awful rumours about me. And oh Bess when am I ever going to marry the King and give him an heir? I am thirty-one years of age and I am running out of time!" Anne sobbed.
"Oh Anne," Bessie said soothingly. She found her handkerchief in the sleeve of her gown and helped to mop Anne's tears away from her face.
"Anne, you are the strongest person I know," she said, "We have had our differences but I still love and care for you very much. The Ambassador will never warm to you as he is fully supportive of Katherine and Mary. I am certain, also, that the King is working tirelessly to marry you and you will be with child by the end of next year. He adores you."
"Truly?" Anne asked, as she took several deep breaths to compose herself.
"Yes," Bessie said, with as much confidence and conviction as she could, "Now we must go to mass, and you must show the court that you remain as strong as ever."
Anne smiled at Bessie's words, but her eyebrows drew together in concern as she seemingly remembered their argument.
"Oh Bess, I am so sorry about what I said to you. I was so angry and I shouldn't have lashed out at you like that. I just care for you so much and I do not wish for you to get hurt. I-" Anne blurted out, but Bessie cut her off.
"I am sorry too, Anne. Now let's forget it happened, and get you tidied up, you cannot have the court seeing you like this," she said, with a small, teasing smile.
Anne laughed gently, and the two women fell back into their usual, easy friendship, that had existed for sixteen years. The argument, and the prayer book, were quickly forgotten about.
A/N- Hello everyone Firstly a big apology for this (very) late update. I have recently started a new job and time for writing has been scarce. This story has not been forgotten though, and nor will it be anytime soon!
So Anne and Bessie have for now put their differences behind them. I couldn't have them fighting for too long as I love their friendship/sisterhood. The issue still stands though- can Bessie and Edward keep their secret relationship going? Will they ever be able to marry?
Reviews are always welcome!
Hope x