"Shouldn't you be with Lord Henry Percy?" Henry asked.
Anne laughed. "I have no desire to entertain Lord Henry Percy. He's too boring. Though he oozes wealth."
"Does he buy you gifts?" Henry didn't like the idea of her accepting gifts from another man. He wanted to be the one to give her gifts and spoil her.
"Yes. Though it's mostly clothes. Why, just two days ago, my lord Henry Percy, bought me a present. Shall I tell you the story?"
"Please do." Henry noticed Edward sat Jane on the edge of the fountain and began to talk. He was most likely trying to bore her to death with talk of flowers and the history of Richmond Castle. Henry and Anne sat not too far from them. Well, Henry sat and Anne stood telling her tale.
"I sat with my sister and cousin discussing various things. A maid came to tell me that I had a visitor. 'A Lord Henry Percy to see you, my lady,' she said. Imagine my surprise."
"Do people visit you a lot?" Henry asked.
Anne put her finger to her chin and thought. He noticed her right hand tapped her chest. She had a shapely chest. Child bearing hips, too, he guessed.
"Hmm. I can't really say. But anyway. I met him in the receiving hall with my handmaiden not too far away. I greeted him with a curtsey."
Anne demonstrated said curtsey. It was quite a low one. "I looked up at him with a dreamy expression. 'Why, my lord, what brings you to see the daughter of a mere Knight?'"
She rose from her curtsey and rolled her eyes. "If only you could have seen his face. Oh, and the words he spoke Mr. Henry! It was the stuff of fairy tales if I ever heard it."
"I'll bet," Henry replied.
Anne continued her tale. "He lifted my chin and bid me rise. 'You may be the daughter of a Knight but I love you. Take this as a token of my affection.' A man-servant of his stepped forward and presented a lovely dress in the French style. He asked me to try it on and I did."
"Did anyone else besides him see you in it?"
"My parents. Along with my sister and cousin. My mother was so happy. 'You look so beautiful Anne!' she cried. It was the most embarrassing thing, really."
"Are you two engaged?"
"Oh, goodness no! Why would you think that? My parents want me to marry him, no doubt about that. My sister and I will both be Countesses. Oh, what a wonderful thing my mother can brag about! We'd hear nothing but praise now and forevermore."
She sat and leaned in closer to him. "Listen to this." She waved an imaginary fan. "Did you here, Mr. Tudor?"
He decided to play along. "No. Do tell, my lady."
She smiled brightly. "Well. The Boleyns have done well. Both of their daughters are Countesses! And their son. My goodness! He's a Viscount."
"My. How exciting."
She rolled her eyes and threw her imaginary fan. "Yes, of course. So exciting." She turned to him and appeared serious. "Why aren't you married by now?"
He shrugged. "I'm not certain. My business is just starting to grow."
She moved closer. "And don't you want a strong and smart woman by your side? Someone who will bear you many children? Someone who has connections and will help you expand your business?"
Henry felt his heart beat faster. Unbeknownst to him, Anne felt the same way. She was treading on dangerous territory. Behaving so unladylike. Tempting a man. Like Eve, who caused the fall of all mankind.
"Of course, my lady," he replied as he allowed her to get even closer.
"Anne," she said breathlessly as her lips lightly touched his. "Call me Anne. In turn, I will call you Henry."
"Of course."
"Anne Boleyn!" A voice cried. "What is this?"
Anne stood. "Mother."
Before Anne knew what was happening she was on the ground and staring up at her mother. "How shameful!" Lady Boleyn turned to Henry. "You stay away from my daughter!"
"Don't just stand there. Escort your mistress," she said to a young woman.
The woman helped Anne up and they walked away. Lady Elizabeth glared at him before leaving.
"What were you thinking?" Arthur asked.
Henry knew he didn't want an answer and for that he was glad. He himself wasn't sure why he allowed it.
"Now Lady Elizabeth wants me to 'discipline' you."
Henry stared at him. The gall of this lady. She was the wife of a mere knight and Henry said as much.
"She's still a Howard by blood. Her brother is a Duke."
Henry said nothing. He didn't care if she was the related to a Duke or the King of England. She had no right to keep him from Anne.
Arthur stood. "She's agreed not push the issue. But you're not to have any contact with the Lady Anne Boleyn." He skimmed the letter that Lady Elizabeth had sent him. "She will remain cordial with you in the company of others but besides that..." he trailed off.
"Fine. I'll stay away from her."
Charles Brandon was a simple man. Not in the way he dressed or where he chose to live. No, not in that way at all. He was simple in that he didn't need much to make him happy. He had his wife, Margaret. His two sons and daughter, Charles II, Henry, and Francis.
Not to mention his best friend, Henry Tudor. Who he was listening to rant and rave about a Lady Elizabeth Boleyn. He'd heard of her and met her perhaps once or twice but he never sought to make her an official associate. He never cared to make friends. Margaret always went in his stead to different events.
"And now I can't talk to Anne anymore."
Charles felt bad for his friend. He wasn't sure how to help, though.
"Cromwell."
"Yes, sir."
"Write to the Lady Elizabeth Boleyn. Tell her that I apologize for my behavior and wish to make amends."
"Yes, sir."
"Now see this, Thomas." Elizabeth handed the letter to her husband.
"Hmm. He wishes to make amends."
"How can he? He behaved in the most inappropriate way!"
"Lady mother."
"Anne. We're going to Sir Henry Norris's party tonight. Be ready by 10."
Anne curtsied and left. Katherine sat in front of Anne's mirror trying on various necklaces. "I love the pearls, Anne. They're beautiful."
"Yes. They are."
"Cousin. What's wrong?"
"It's nothing. Mother says we have to be ready soon."
Henry looked around once more. He couldn't wait to see her. He specifically asked Sir Henry to invite her and her parents.
"Lord and Lady Thomas Boleyn. Lady Katherine Howard and Lady Anne Boleyn."
Henry felt his heart beat faster when he heard her name. He saw her moved towards a woman with blonde hair. Another woman, who appeared a girl really, followed behind them. He walked in their direction but someone stood in front of him.
He bowed. "My lady."
"Where are you going?" she asked. "Surely you do not mean to defile my daughter, do you?"
"Of course not. Lady-"
"Exactly. She is a lady and you are nothing but a mere upstart. You would do well to stay away, Mr. Henry Tudor." Saying nothing else she walked away.