Chapter Eight - The Return to England

After the events of the Field of the Cloth of Gold, the Boleyn family had returned to England. Anne had resigned her post as lady-in-waiting to Queen Claude. The French queen had personally written highly esteemed letters of Anne's character should she ever be in need of a position for a lady-in-waiting again. The crossing of the Channel had been a little choppy and the girls were thankful to be on land once their ship finally made port in England. Anne was grateful to be headed straight home to Hever Castle. It had been so long since she'd been there. England almost felt foreign to her. Anne told her father and mother both that all she wanted was to be at home for a while before rejoining any kind of court life.

She would help her mother with household duties and running the home, as Mary was a wife and had her own home to run. Anne didn't mind the domestic duties, particularly after so long being involved in courtlife. Even George had come to visit, excited to see his family returned in one piece to Hever Castle. George was fairly tall, lean and well-built. His head of dark hair fell just a little over his shoulders and was rather wavy, perhaps windswept because of the horseback ride over. There was quite a feast for their family dinner that evening. Anne was so grateful to be home, present amongst those who knew her the best.

Their voices were all overlapping one another, even as musicians played in the corner near the large hearth that was burning. Anne felt joy as she looked around at her family, Mary was sitting beside her husband. George and Anne sat across the way from them and their mother and father at the ends of the table. I wish as the author I could say that this is the life that Anne Boleyn continued to have; pleasant, away from royalty and enjoying a country life with her loved ones. This was her desire - what she had come to realize in France. But of course, that is not how this story is going to unfold. Anne never told anyone that day she was introduced to the King of England - she had had a sense of foreboding when she'd seen him staring at her.

The feeling crept back over her as she thought back on that day in June. A chill went down her spine as she remembered the look in his eye, the desire for her. Her smile faded and she drank some wine, hoping to forget those thoughts. George glanced over at his youngest sister, noticing the look of dread she had etched on her features. He grasped her shoulder gently, startling her from her daydreams.

"Annie? You alright, sis?" he asked, concerned.

"Fine, just trying not to think about France anymore." Anne said, a ghost of a laugh escaped her.

"Was it really that bad?" George wondered.

"Not really, but the last few months, I'd rather just forget about."

"Alright - who's the guy?" George whispered, leaning over to Anne so only she could hear him. "Whose nose do I need to break?"

She looked at him shocked.

"What are you talking about?" Anne questioned.

George sent her a look and rolled his eyes.

"Anne, come on," he scoffed, teasingly.

"How can you tell, Georgie?" Anne hissed back.

"I'm your brother, I know we've been apart for some time, but give me some credit. Something's clearly bothering you, you've gotten all quiet all of a sudden and you have a distant look on your face like you're thinking about something or someone."

"Meet me in the library later and I'll tell you. I don't want to say anything here."

"Alright," George agreed.

They finished dinner and the family quietly dispersed. Anne said good night to her sister and brother-in-law. The pair made their way home for the evening. Anne met George in the library after their parents went to bed. The fireplace was still lit and some candles were about. Anne sat down on the chair beside her brother. He poured them some more wine.

"Okay, tell me about the guy."

"How can you tell just like that I'm thinking about a guy?" Anne wondered, in amazement.

"I've seen Mary with that same look, especially after she started seeing our beloved Tudor King." George remarked.

"Well, I met him during the Field of the Cloth of Gold. I didn't like the way he looked at me, George." Anne answered, truthfully.

"How did he look at you?" her brother asked, calmly - there was no judgment in the tone of his voice when he spoke to her.

"Like how some men look at women - when they can't have them." Anne confessed, looking at the crackling fire. "George, he's already gotten Mary. She's the king's mistress - one of them. And you know she's been with Francis too. I don't like the fact Henry probably thinks I'm easy like Mary. Don't get me wrong, I love our sister. But, being at the French court really didn't help her with that. It happened all the time there."

"I knew there was a reason why I don't like Henry. This just confirms it. Sadly, I can't break his nose. He's the king. He'll have my head if I try to do that." George exclaimed, the irritation growing in his voice. "Damn it. Do you think William knows about this?"

"If he does, he's playing it really well; that it's not bothering him. I'd be so pissed if I was in his position. But, I'm just a woman so what do I know?" Anne said, with a huff. "I can try to put it off as long as possible, if he tries to pursue me. I don't want to go to court because if he sees me again, he just might."

"Well, you can't exactly disobey the king. None of us can. If the king tells me to marry some chick I don't even know, I have to do it."

"What if Father's the one to tell you to marry some chick?" Anne asked.

"So, then I could say no; technically, especially if I don't like her or see it going anywhere. I have some say if it's our father making those demands. But, the king - good luck."

"Don't ever tell anyone I said this out loud, but fuck the king." Anne whispered, in case there were servants about listening.

"Fuck the king," George whispered back with a smile, clinking their wine chalices together. George began laughing.

Anne burst into a fit of giggles hearing her brother laugh. They shared a good laugh for a moment before it subsided.

"I missed you, Annie."

"I missed you too, Georgie."

He patted her on the shoulder and got up.

"I'm off to bed. I'll see you in the morning. Good night, Anne." George leaned down and kissed her on the forehead before leaving.

"Good night, George."

She was glad they were on the same page about their king. Anne smiled and leaned back into the chair for a while longer. She certainly was happy to be home and hoped to avoid telling the king and queen she was back for some time.

. . .

The next couple years had been completely uneventful for Anne, which she was thankful for. She had stayed mostly at home with their mother and helped continue running the household. Every now and again, she'd visit her sister and brother-in-law at their home. Mary had frequently come and gone to Hever Castle also. Despite being the King's mistress, she often was able to retreat to her and William's estate. It had to be approved by King Henry of course. William also had indeed known about his wife's liaisons with both kings but had been gracious about it. Mary was so fortunate to have a husband who had been willing to stay even after her being adulterous. Anne was quite certain that most men would not have. She wondered even if the king had paid a great deal to silence William. That's something she felt like King Henry would do.

Anne sighed as she sat at the desk and read through the household ledgers. It wasn't something she normally did, but both her brother and father were away. Her mother, as kind and considerate as she was and good at running a household, did not know a thing about finance or what their expenditure was like. Thankfully, Anne had a thorough education and was clever. She sat in the study until sundown and realized her eyes had been strained. Her vision was slightly blurred and she was exhausted. Anne couldn't wait until her father and brother came back. She didn't mind the responsibility and the trust that her father had in her. But at the same time, Anne wanted to do more than work the ledgers.

She got up and massaged what she could on her shoulders before making her way to the dining hall. Her mother was there; William and Mary had joined them for dinner again. Anne poured herself some wine and sat down across from her sister. She filled her plate with pheasant, potatoes, some pudding and a bit of tart. There was also a small suckling pig which she had carved some meat out for herself. The rest of her family had already been eating, but slowly.

"How was your day, Annie?" Mary asked, kindly.

"I went over the week's ledgers. It's an exhausting business. I don't know how Father does it on a regular basis."

"It's so good of you to do it, Anne, while he's away. I know that your father will appreciate it also." Lady Elizabeth said, warmly. "I hope that everything is running smoothly."

"Yes, there are a few things I think Father can cut back on, but I'll mention it to him once he comes back from court. Overall, we are financially doing alright. Nothing is suffering, thank God."

"That's excellent news!" Lady Elizabeth complimented. "I'm sure that this will be a good experience for you once you have your own household, should something happen to your husband one day. I'm so glad that my children know many things. You know more than I did when I married your father."

"I wonder if my husband will be intimidated by my brains." Anne commented.

"If he is, then he's not the right match for you. A husband who's intimidated by his wife will do you no good. You'll need someone who can encourage you to continue to be intellectual, my dear sister." William chimed in. "And he will love the fact that you are so smart."

Anne and Mary glanced at each other, immediately impressed by William's words of advice. Anne took it to heart and kept it near and dear to her.

"Don't give this man up, Mary. You'd be wise to stay with him. I like my brother-in-law even more." Anne exclaimed, laughing.

"I don't intend to. I really am the luckiest woman to have someone like you, Will." Mary said, lovingly.

"Just as I am honored to be a part of the Boleyn family. It's nice to have siblings of my own that actually like my company and tolerate me. George has been an excellent brother-in-law and Anne a wonderful sister. To our family," William confessed, and raised his glass for a toast.

The Boleyn ladies reciprocated the toast and raised their glasses before the intake of the wine. The sound of a carriage rolling up the path had them all startled and confused. It was nearly nine in the evening and they had visitors coming? The greyhounds outside began barking and the family within the dining room could hear the servants speaking loudly, giving orders. The ladies and William dispersed quickly from the dining room and made their way to the entryway, wondering who'd been coming to their home this late hour. The heavy mahogany door opened, only to reveal their father and George. Thomas looked at his family in surprise and smiled when he saw they were all here.

"Father!"

"Thomas!"

The family greeted their father and brother, completely shocked at his arrival. He hadn't even mentioned to them that he'd be coming home. He laughed and gave everyone warm embraces and kisses on the cheek.

"Thomas, you horrid tease, why did you not tell us you were coming home tonight?" Lady Elizabeth cried. "I would have waited to have supper until you came home."

"Nonsense! I like to surprise my family once and a while. I have a few days I can spend with you all before I have to go back. But while you all are here, I have an announcement. Her Majesty Queen Catherine, has offered Anne a position as a lady-in-waiting. I told our queen that you have been a lady-in-waiting before and have plenty of experience in it. And there is to be a performance done at York Palace with a few ladies the queen has asked and the king has asked some men to be included. It is for the masquerade ball, and you have been given the role of 'Perseverance'. And Mary, you will be playing 'Kindness'. Now, girls, in a week's time, I want you both to be ready to return to court with me. It's high time you were presented here, Anne." Thomas explained, looking at Anne and Mary.

"Queen Katherine wants me to be her lady-in-waiting?" Anne asked, shocked.

"Yes! I told her of your good conduct and reasonable skills and she would like to meet you personally when I go back. She seemed very interested."

"That's wonderful news, Annie! We can both go together again! Just like when we were with Princess Mary!"

Anne smiled gratefully at her father, even though deep down she had anxiety about seeing King Henry again. She had seen him completely lose his temper in France and that was something she didn't want to experience again. She had known from Princess Mary that her brother had a temper - but her opinions had been a total understatement. She had underplayed her brother entirely.

"So, Tuesday next week, we'll go ahead and leave for York Palace."

"Alright," Anne agreed.

She looked over at George who'd been watching her reaction the whole time. George had that annoyingly knowing look on his face. He was the only one who knew so far of her true feelings. She was close with Mary, certainly, but Mary was too infatuated with her relationships now. She had two different ones and wouldn't understand in the same way. Mary did before she'd married, but married life had shifted her opinions on things. Not entirely, but there were some things that did change. Who would have guessed that in two weeks' time, Anne would once again become a lady-in-waiting to a queen?

She certainly hadn't planned on it. But, it was looming ahead. She didn't know what to expect from Queen Katherine; the little moment they did share back in Calais, Anne could tell Katherine didn't like her already. But, Anne was very impressionable. She would make every effort to win Katherine over and perhaps then she could steer clear away from the king. With Katherine's protection as an ally, Anne prayed that King Henry would stay away. God willing.

. . . AB . . .