Chapter Eighteen - You Were the One that Got Away
Thomas Boleyn kept his gaze fixed on Anne, uncertain whether to yell at her first or reprimand her calmly. Either decision he made, it would be out of anger. He decided for her own sake it would be best to send her home to Hever Castle, until the dust settled. Henry Percy would be set to marry Lady Mary and once that was rearranged, Anne could return to court. That would be the initial plan - and then that would give the king a chance to pursue Anne, should he desire it. His liaison with Mary was practically over, King Henry hadn't specifically said he was bored, but every inclination directed it to be so. It was pretty obvious to anyone, the king hadn't asked for Mary anymore. Now it was Anne's turn.
"What goes on in your head, Anne?" Thomas finally asked, folding his hands over his stomach.
"I don't understand what you mean, Father."
"Oh, don't you?" he growled, clearly agitated. "What the hell is wrong with you, Anne? Why on earth would you risk everything for an improper match? You could've done some serious damage. I could have lost EVERYTHING WE HAVE FUCKING BUILT!"
Anne flinched.
"I'm sorry, Father, I didn't -,"
"DIDN'T WHAT? YOU DIDN'T THINK? YOU NEVER DO!" he bellowed. "You act too much on your feelings, not enough with your logical mind. I know you are a clever young woman, Anne. I'm sending you away from court. For a time. The last thing we need is Cardinal Wolsey breathing down our necks and convincing the king we are traitors. Which we are NOT! We are loyal to the house of Tudor. I'll not have you risking everything for a crush, Anne."
"It wasn't a crush, Father! I loved him, we were engaged to be married but I ended things with him earlier this morning! I don't see why you have to be so angry about it - we're of the same rank, he's not as superior to me as you might think!"
"Enough! I'll not have my daughter behaving in such a way! I'm sending you back home this afternoon. Her Majesty has also considered it a good idea. She will ask you back once things have settled. I can't have you wrecking things in court. You HAVE to learn to be more careful, Anne. We need more allies than we do enemies. There's already too many people who don't like us, now the servants will help you pack your things. Go!"
Anne left her father's study and went into the room she slept in. There were three large trunks all scattered around, two on the floor and then one on the end of her bed stand. Anne started packing her things, corsets and other under layers into one trunk and then the top layers of her dresses in another on top of all her shoes. She would have to take everything that was hers. Anne didn't necessarily trust the servants to protect her belongings, or even Mary, for that matter. She loved her sister, but Mary did like to borrow things for an extended time and often forgot to return those items. Her books and accessories piled into another trunk. She sealed them under lock and key. Once she was set to return to Hever Castle, Anne walked around their apartments, pacing rather, and sighed heavily. She'd made a mess of things - that much she knew and hoped that her mess wouldn't reflect too badly on her family with all things considered.
She prayed the king would be merciful and spare her father imprisonment in the Tower. She prayed he would be gracious to her and Mary also, just because Anne made mistakes - didn't mean her family ought to be punished because of it. All she had to do was beg the king forgiveness and step away from court life for a time. She grabbed her cloak and made her way to the king's quarters again that afternoon. Before she left, she made sure to leave a note for her father's menservants to bring her trunks to their carriage. Anne hurriedly dispersed and made her way to the king. She would petition him for leniency towards her family at least, but nothing for herself. She didn't want to come across as too ambitious for King Henry. Once she arrived, the pageboys standing in front of the king's quarters stopped her from going forward.
"What business do you have with the king, Lady Boleyn?" the page asked.
"He asked me to break a contract and I've come here to tell him the news about it." Anne replied, standing tall.
"Is the king expecting you?" the page questioned.
"Yes," Anne lied, raising a brow.
"Very well, my lady," the page responded, opening the door for her.
Anne slipped in, removing the cloak from her head. The king was there signing papers and writing letters. He barely looked up at Anne when she came in. The door closed behind her and she waited for his command.
"Lady Anne, what brings you to my office?" the king wondered, finally looking up at her.
"Your Majesty would be pleased to know that Lord Northumberland and I are no longer engaged. I did as you asked of me, my lord." Anne answered, dropping down to a low curtsy.
Saying those words left a bitter taste in Anne's mouth, she felt the sting in her heart - betraying the one man she truly loved. King Henry put down his pen and shifted in his chair. He folded his hands in front of him, his elbows propped up on the armrest of his chair. Anne remained bowing in front of him, until he gave the command to rise.
"You may rise, Lady Anne," King Henry said. "Come, I wish to speak with you further."
Anne gracefully rose and made her way to his desk, sitting down opposite of him, her back straight and her hands resting lightly in her lap. He studied her for a moment and shifted again so he matched her stance, sitting up straight, his hands relaxed on the table in front of him.
"What do you desire, Lady Anne?" the king asked.
"I don't understand what you mean, Your Majesty."
"It's a simple question - what do you want to accomplish? What's something you desperately want?" he asked again.
"Well, Your Majesty, I suppose more than anything, I desire love and I want to be in love."
"I think that's a pretty common desire for most young women, to be in love. Men, too," King Henry said, plainly. "Do you think you genuinely found that love with Lord Northumberland?"
"I thought I did, yes, he showed me what real love can look like." Anne answered, truthfully, "not just the passions of lust."
"Do you suppose you can find something like that again?" King Henry continued his questions.
"I don't know, truthfully. I'm not God. I can't determine when I'll fall in love again, if it happens. I think I need some time to heal from this heartbreak. Your Majesty, if I might be honest again, ending my relationship with Henry Percy was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I desperately loved him, you see. I understand undoubtedly why it had to happen. I'm not saying that it was right for us to have gone behind your back, Your Majesty. We should've been open and forthright with you. You are after all, our most gracious sovereign. And we were fools to undermine you. I realize and see how childish of me that was." Anne explained, looking at the king intently, her voice firm and steady.
"I appreciate your sincerity, Lady Anne, I really do. I can see you are aware and clearheaded of the situation, better than most have been in the past. I thank you for your honesty and your apology. I know that your father is sending you away from court for a time until this dies down; which rest assured under my authority, it will. I'll settle everything between Sir Thomas, Lord Northumberland and his father. I'll write to you personally to let you know when you can return to court, Lady Anne. You'll know it's by my own hand."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness and mercy. I hope that I can prove to be a most faithful subject and serve you well."
"I hope so too," the king agreed, leaning back into his arm chair. "That will be all for now. Oh, and let me know when you are settled at Hever Castle."
"I will," Anne promised, with a light smile.
"Would you grant me the opportunity to write to you, Lady Anne?" King Henry asked.
"You are the king, you may do as you please!" Anne answered, uncertain of how to react to his question.
He chuckled humorlessly and gave her a half smile. He looked at her and shook his head, something about Anne Boleyn was perplexing. It was as though she tried to contradict her own feelings. But at the same time, she wasn't. Anne aggravated King Henry beyond anything else. She wasn't going to let him win that easily and he started to realize that. She granted him full authority as king, but when it came to courting her - well, chasing her, she flatly refused him. But then she allowed him to write to her - that was a start at least. Even now, sitting across the desk from him, she taunted him with how beautiful she was. She wore a deep red dress with a square neckline, only fueling King Henry's imagination, the dress neckline was embroidered with gold fabric and embellished with white pearls.
Around her neck she wore her signature 'B' pendant and teardrop pearl earrings to match. Her waist-length, raven, black hair was tucked underneath a matching French red hood. Anne's lips were lightly rosy and her complexion very fair, lightly freckled. Her green eyes poured into his soul and he caught his breath. Around her shoulders she had a lace collar with intricate patterns. Everything about her was stunning. He couldn't help but admire her.
"Is there anything else that I can do for Your Majesty before I return to Hever Castle?" Anne asked.
"There is one thing."
He stood up, holding out his hand to her. She looked at his hand, taken by surprise. Slowly, she took hold of his hand and stood up. Anne ignored the pleasant feeling she got when King Henry gently held her hand, as if it was the most delicate thing he had in his care. It was nothing, nothing of consequence. He was the king, she was his subject, that was it.
"May I kiss your cheek as my farewell to you?" he asked, his voice mellow and kind.
"You may," Anne replied, surprising even herself.
He stepped around his desk and came close to her. Anne held her breath for a moment and closed her eyes as he leaned in. He kissed her cheek softly, his red beard lightly scratching her face. He lingered only for a moment and then withdrew away from her, dropping her hand.
"I wish you safe travels home, Lady Anne." King Henry concluded their meeting.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Anne said, admittedly touched by his sudden kindness.
Anne turned to leave the king's quarters. She closed the door gently behind her and returned to her family's apartment. Just before she would go down to her carriage, Princess Mary and Lady Jane came to see her.
"I hate the fact that you're going before the dance that's coming up! I can't believe you're being sent home!" Princess Mary cried.
"I know, but right now - I think it's for the best. Henry and I really messed things up and it's only until things have calmed down. Your brother was actually nice about it to me today. He wasn't angry and he didn't lose his temper."
"That's a great sign, Annie!" Princess Mary chirped, happily. "Clearly he hasn't gotten over you at all."
"What do you mean he hasn't gotten over her?" Lady Jane inquired, curiously.
"My brother has a crush on Anne," Princess Mary answered, smirking.
"He does NOT have a crush on me." Anne remarked, annoyed. "He sees me as he does any of his other mistresses."
"He is so into you, Anne and you can't even see it!"
"Up until this morning, I was engaged to Henry Percy, of course I wasn't going to allow the king's advances on me. I'm still in love with Henry Percy. I'm leaving because I don't want to cause trouble for Lady Mary Talbot. Your brother forced me to break up with my fiancé."
Princess Mary's face softened and she looked at Anne remorsefully.
"Oh, Anne, I'm so sorry - I didn't know that he did that to you," she exclaimed, feeling guilty for teasing Anne about the situation.
"You couldn't have known. Henry and I kept everything quiet. We didn't want Wolsey to find out, but somehow that rat bastard found out." Anne sighed. "So, you can imagine he went straight to the king and told him about it. My father's pissed, so is Henry's father and they're in a huge fight about it now. So, my dear father is sending me home until the dust settles - which is his way of saying that Henry is going to marry Lady Mary after all. Once he marries her, no doubt, he'll be sent away from court to the North of England to do your brother's bidding. Only then I'll be able to come back to court."
"I'm so sorry, Anne. I wish there was something I could do to help. But, my brother still hangs over my head the fact I married Charlie without his permission. At least you're doing the smart thing." Princess Mary reassured her friend.
"I hope so," Anne said, mournfully. "Also, Jane, how is the dress coming along?"
"It looks beautiful, Anne. I can't believe you're going to miss it though. Any progress I make with your brother, I'll keep you informed and write to you as often as I'm able to." Jane added.
"Thank you, Jane. I wonder - can you two walk out with me to the carriage? I don't want to go alone."
"Of course we can!" Princess Mary exclaimed, wrapping an arm around Anne. "Come on, and if Lady Mary decides to be a snob, you have me and Lady J to defend your honor!"
"I don't know how I could possibly help, but I'll be there to support you, Anne." Jane chimed in.
Princess Mary and Anne both smiled at Jane and pulled her along to the outer courtyard of Whitehall Palace. The carriage was ready for Anne, along with Sir Thomas to bid his daughter farewell, temporarily. George was there too, he embraced her warmly and promised often to come visit, if he was able to get away from the king's privy council. Anne spotted Henry Percy walking distantly with Lady Mary, at least three attendants with them. As if he could sense Anne, he looked up and saw Anne departing. She gave him a sad smile and stepped into the carriage, just barely noticing Lady Mary nudging him, obviously irritated he'd seen Anne leaving. She attempted to pull him along, hoping to distract him. Soon, the carriage was off to Hever Castle. Anne kept her gaze in front of her, not even looking at Henry Percy as they exited the courtyard. They went out of the city and down the countryside, where Anne often took to horseback riding.
Anne sat in silence; the journey home was full of quiet contemplation, no one to accompany her, but it was a reminder of what had happened. She'd been sent away - only for a time and the king himself even promised to personally write to her when she was allowed back. That was something, wasn't it? She wondered. She also said a silent prayer hoping and praying that Queen Katherine wouldn't be angry at her forever. She knew she made a severe mistake and owned up to it, that must have counted for something. But, Anne could only conclude that this was for the best, leaving court, even if it was temporary. Soon, she could come back refreshed and renewed and all would be relatively well. I hope, she thought.
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