Chapter Thirteen - The Proposal
Anne found Henry Percy in the library, his nose completely immersed in a book. He had two other books beside him and hadn't even noticed her slumping beside him in a completely unlady-like manner. She folded her arms across her chest and sighed. He looked up surprised and then turned to his right, where she sat. Anne returned his look and smiled. He put a small piece of parchment onto the page he'd been reading and closed the book. It was a book written in Latin, something to do with political science, Cicero's writings.
"Are you enjoying Cicero?" Anne asked, picking up the book.
"Yes, I am rather. He's very insightful in philosophical ideologies."
"Such as?" Anne inquired.
"Well, for a start - he writes that no one should fear death. We all will face it one day and when that day comes, to embrace it. You know he was executed for speaking out against Mark Antony?" Henry replied, his eyes lighting up as he spoke about history.
"I actually didn't know that! Why was he executed?"
"According to history, Mark Antony didn't like what Cicero said about him. He supported the assassination of Julius Caesar but claimed that Mark Antony should have also been done away with in the same manner. He attempted to rally the Senate against Antony claiming he was a threat to Rome itself."
"Well, I wouldn't either if I was considered a threat to a kingdom like that."
(Oh, Anne, if only you knew what the future would bring, but we'll get to that later.) Henry Percy chuckled.
"I don't think anyone would appreciate that. But, it seems it's an endless cycle. It's never ending as it keeps happening. People rally against kings, get executed and are written down in history as the last stance against tyranny. It's happened for thousands of years and, sadly, I believe it will continue to happen. Unless we own our mistakes and are held accountable for things we have done. I doubt that will ever happen."
"It is man's sinful nature. Paul even wrote that he cannot do what he wants to but does what he doesn't want to do. That's the battle in and of itself. We do things we don't want to do, but the things we want to do, we don't do. I feel as though the more the church understood that, I feel the more forgiving people would be. We are given the choice of freewill, certainly. But our flesh is weak, we more often than not do things that God doesn't wish for us to do. It is simply human nature."
"You should be a philosopher, Anne."
"I would be condemned or burned at the stake as a heretic. I really think the Bible should be translated so all people have a chance to read it and understand it."
"I don't believe a lot of the common folk know how to read. I wonder if that'll have to change for them to have a chance." Henry remarked, looking at her.
"I think it should, honestly." Anne replied, in a quiet voice, so not as to cause trouble if someone else were to hear. "How is it only fair that the church tells people what they have to believe? People ought to be allowed to read it for themselves if they want to do that, rather than being puppets to the Pope. Salvation is for everyone and we can't earn it, it's already given to us because of the Lord's sacrifice."
"Indeed, but don't let Cardinal Wolsey hear you say that. He'll report you and turn you into a heretic."
"Then I'll be a heretic."
"If you are one, then I will be there right by your side, Anne. I believe the same as you. If they burn you, then they will have to burn me also."
"Let's just hope it doesn't come to that. I pray that it won't. But, I think more and more people are starting to realize the same things as I am but they're scared to say anything. They're afraid because it goes against the Catholic Church."
"The Catholic Church has been the head church for centuries in England, Anne. There's no way it's going to change just like that overnight," Henry said, while snapping his fingers.
"I know - it's a dream to imagine it could." Anne said, with a heavy sigh. "Anyway, let's focus on the present. Let's go do something fun, Henry!"
"Alright, I have been wanting to spend more time with you. I've been meaning to, but Wolsey is a hound when it comes to busywork. Every time I've tried to escape to solitude, well rather, to come see you. But I think he's caught onto my intentions."
"He's such a snake. I don't like him, you know."
"I know. It's best just to stay out of his way, Anne. I can try to get you messages or come see you as often as I am able. I can see about passing messages through your brother, Lord Rocheford."
"I think that'd work. I trust my brother, he won't give us away like that."
"Good." Henry said, with a smile.
He leaned down to kiss her but quickly recovered when he heard the voice of Cardinal Wolsey down the corridor. His face paled and he dragged Anne into a quiet corner. They attempted to make their escape, running away from the cardinal. They ran down a flight of stairs, Anne nearly tripped on the hem of her gown. Henry caught her and held her securely. They stopped for a moment, listening to make sure they hadn't led Wolsey down to where they were hiding. Much to their disappointment, he had been heading exactly in the same direction. His voice was getting closer as he spoke to another of his pageboys, venting about the king and whatever meetings he had been attending earlier that morning.
Henry and Anne looked at each other in shock and continued down the stairs in haste. He grabbed her hand and they took off down to the opposite end of the corridor, and then they took another left. Finding an unlocked door, Henry pushed it open and the two stepped in. It was a servant's storage closet, much to Anne's surprise. Henry closed the door quietly, slowly releasing the lock handle, hoping it wouldn't make too loud of a noise. Anne caught her breath and paced around the closet, looking at all the things that had been stored in place. Henry kept his ear to the door, holding his breath.
Cardinal Wolsey made his way down the stairs, hoping to find Henry Percy. He'd been aware the young man had been at the library but suddenly took off, obviously startled by the cardinal. Henry hadn't been expecting him. Cardinal Wolsey ended up losing sight of the boy and decided to veer left. Cardinal Wolsey gave up the hunt, this once - he would let it slide.
"If I find that boy, it'll be a good reprimand. I'll let it slide this once." Cardinal Wolsey shouted.
He continued walking down the corridor, followed by his pageboy. Meanwhile, Henry Percy released a breath. He turned to look at Anne and laughed.
"That was a close one, wasn't it?" he exclaimed, breathlessly.
"Too close," Anne answered, feeling her shoulders relax.
She released a sigh of relief as Henry opened the door. He looked both ways and turned back to look at her.
"Come on, the coast is clear!" he whispered, nudging his head towards the corridor.
Anne pushed herself up off from leaning on the wall and took hold of Henry's hand. He led her out of the corridor and they made their way outside. They decided to walk through the gardens again, enjoying the cool, spring air. The last of the snow had nearly melted and signs of life were starting to bud again. The evergreen hedges that lined the maze were already a brighter green than they had been in the winter. The ground was wet and sludge-like with mud from the amount of snow that had melted. Anne took careful steps to avoid the muddy places. The last thing she wanted was to ruin her favorite dress. The shoes were of little consequence, Anne was more interested in dresses and jewelry than shoes. Dresses and jewelry were oftentimes harder to clean and replace in her opinion.
They continued to talk about literature and history, Henry's favorite being Roman philosophy. He liked Ancient Roman history too and a little of Ancient Greece, the little information they had. Anne thought it was wonderful, his passion for history. And she loved how interested he was when he talked about it. She was barely able to get a word in edgewise but she was content to listen to him narrate his knowledge to her. She smiled and admired him. How could she not? It was like watching a child receive a gift from their mother or father.
"What do you suppose the Ancient Romans would think of us now?" Anne wondered, when he had finished his spoken essay.
"Well, they would have frowned at our religious choices, but I think truly the Romans would enjoy the tourneys we have, the dancing, the food. It's quite similar, really. The only thing different is the language and dress and of course the government seat. People haven't changed much through history, and I doubt they will change much a hundred years from now. Imagine England in 1622! I wonder who will be King of England then."
"God knows," Anne remarked, with a chuckle. "I shouldn't dwell too much on what the future will bring. It's best left to God."
"You don't ever wonder about the future - even about us?" Henry questioned, surprised.
"I haven't given it much thought, perhaps I should. Have you?" she returned.
"Yes," he replied, stopping her. "Anne, I love you."
Anne looked at him, bewildered - she felt her heart leap inside. He loved her? She held her breath as he brought his hand up to her cheek. His hand felt warm on her skin. She slowly stepped closer towards him, facing him properly. He stepped closer to her, nearly closing the space between them. Henry ran his hand through her long, raven hair - gently using his fingers to brush through it. The action weakened her knees and made her heart race more.
"Kiss me," she pleaded, placing her hands tenderly on his chest.
"Gladly," he murmured and his mouth crashed on hers, kissing her fervently.
He finally closed the space between them and pulled her completely into his body. Anne moved her hands and wrapped her arms all the way around him. His hands slid up her back and to her shoulders, caressing her skin. Anne felt like her soul lit on fire when his hands made contact on her bare skin. God knew how in love with this man she was. She wanted him more than anything. Anne knew she desperately wanted to be with Henry Percy. This was her match - and she begged God to not let anything or anyone take him away from her. He moved his lips from hers, planting kisses down her neck, and nipping at her shoulder blade, sending shivers down her spine. He pushed her up against the garden wall, hoisting her up. He fervently lifted the skirts of her dress, pressing his body against hers. Henry looked down to see her legs and began to caress her thighs. He stopped, listening to both of them breathing heavily.
"Don't stop," she whispered, looking at him seriously. "Why did you stop?"
"I want to," he said, returning her intense look. "But not here. Marry me, Anne."
"Ask me properly!" she exclaimed, with a smile.
He set her down and dropped her skirts. Anne shook them out and straightened her gown. He smiled widely and got down onto one knee, pulling out a ring from his coat pocket.
"Anne Boleyn, will you do me the honor of marrying me - allowing me to be your husband?"
"Yes!" Anne shouted, with a delighted shriek.
He slipped the ring on her finger and stood up, not caring about the mud stains on one knee. Henry picked her up, kissing her passionately. Henry Percy never in a million years imagined he could ever win a girl over like Anne Boleyn. She had been beyond his league but yet, she had fallen in love with him - much to his surprise. He felt so fortunate to have her and prayed with all his heart that he wouldn't lose her. That was the last thing he wanted was to lose Anne.
They both knew they would have to keep their engagement a secret - Cardinal Wolsey was not a forgiving man, neither was the king. Anne couldn't trust anyone with this information, not even her siblings. It had to stay hidden, just for a time. Henry knew this also, the fact of the matter was - by proxy - he had still been engaged to Lady Mary Talbot. But it hadn't even been something he'd wanted. He wanted Anne, more than life itself. Without her, he felt like his life was boring, nothing exciting ever happened. He felt alive when he was with her. This was it. If it was the last thing Henry Percy would ever do, he was set to marry Anne Boleyn. And NOTHING would get in the way of that.
. . . AB . . .