SOS Message Board: SOS Message Board -> Episode 1

It had been several weeks since that night I shared a dance with the King. I caught him looking at me several times and we had exchanged words once or twice. I danced, played the lute, rode horses, anything that the King or Queen wished. My sweet sister Mary, whom I didn't always get along with but now we got along famously, had arrived back in court. Her husband, William had passed away. Mary was once the long time mistress of the King, a fact that for some reason bothered me a little but hadn't before. Mary had confided in me that she had no desire to take up with the King.

Mary linked arms with me as we went outside. Several of the courtiers, along with the King were already by the stables. Mary and I put on our brightest smiles and Mary called out, "Good day, your Majesty! My Lords! I must be mistaken for I thought We were going out for a ride."

"Indeed we are Mistress Carey. We are waiting on Her Majesty." The King's closest friend The Duke of Suffolk,Charles Brandon called out.

I felt the King's eyes travel up and down my body. I smiled a little smile and the King broke his gaze. "My lords, it seems to me that we have all the sunshine we need for the ride. Let us wait for the Mistress Boleyn and Mistress Carey and we will take our leave." The King commanded.

The horse master brought about our horses and helped us up. We rode for several miles and came upon a large picnic area. Mary was being helped by someone I had never seen before and I found myself watching the King as he approached. "Your Majesty."

"Lady Anne. May I assist you?" The King asked.

I smiled, "Of course your Highness." I held my hand out but the King grasped my waist and lifted me down. My body slid down his and I could feel his beating heart, his muscular chest and strong legs. The King's arms tightened around me and I felt every part of his hard body. Every part. My heart quickened as the King's hands moved slowly over the sides of my body. Then I became aware of the several people surrounding us and I quickly backed away. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Henry, Lady Anne. Please do me the honor of calling me Henry." The King said softly. "I want to hear you say it."

"Henry." I said back, just as softly. I turned, lifting my skirts a little as I rushed towards Mary. "Mary, who was that man?"

Mary looked over towards the man that helped her earlier and shrugged, "I am not sure. I believe I have seen him in the King's chambers. What did the King want with you? He didn't mention me, did he Anne?"

I laid a reassuring hand on her arm. "No Mary, rest assured he did not."

Mary leaned back and let her glorious golden hair tumble down her back. "The King hasn't called for me in weeks. Uncle Howard fears we or I have done something to bring disfavor to our family. I tell him that I have done nothing of the sort but you know Uncle Howard."

There were masses of grapes and cheeses in front of us and I snatched up some cheese and gave a piece to my sister. "Yes I know. He can be quite dreadful and annoying. What has the King said to you?"

Mary looked over to our brother George, who was standing with the King and Francis Weston. "He has been nothing but kind to me. As far as I know, no one has taken my place. The King has no mistress. Yet I know he has not been with the Queen either. George told me that the King has not visited the Queen in many months. It has been a season since..." Mary's voice trailed off.

I made a noncommittal noise as the two of use watched the men. They were playing some game, I don't really know what. I have to admit I wasn't watching the game, I was watching Henry. He had auburn hair and a beard that covered his sensual mouth. Oh I loved watching his mouth move. His muscles flexed as he moved and I was transfixed by the sight of him. My gaze remained on him as Mary continued to speak.

Soon thereafter the men joined us women for a feast. We dined and drank, told stories and laughed. There were dogs there and the men were having a grand time seeing who could throw the food the farthest and who's dog could get back the quickest. The men soon got up and demonstrated their prowess on their feet whilst us ladies laughed and made bets.

"Lady Anne," Henry's eyes twinkled with merriment as he extended his hand to me. "I would like to take a walk and thought you might like accompany me."

"Yes, your Majesty." I took his hand and he helped me to my feet. We walked down a path close to a river away from the festivities. "Sir,"

Henry shook his finger at me, "I thought I told you to call me Henry."

"Henry, are you enjoying yourself?"

"Yes my Lady, especially with you here. I must say that it is a beautiful day out, don't you agree?" Henry asked as he strolled next to me.

I looked into his warm eyes, "It is the most beautiful."

"I must disagree, you Anne, are the most beautiful." I blushed and looked down. The King put his hand under my chin, "Do not ever look away from me Anne. I forbid it."

I swallowed. "Yes Henry. How about this my Lord, I will look at you forever and always until the day the Lord decides to take me to Heaven!" I quipped.

The King let out a bark of laughter, "What if the Good Lord decided to take you today Anne?"

"I would not let him, Henry."

"Now why is that?"

"We have just barely begun to know each other my Lord. And I plan on living a long life. So therefore it is much too early for me to go to Heaven." I ran ahead a little, turned back and flirted a little. "And who is to say that Heaven would have me, Henry?"

Henry continued to laugh and he reached for me, but I evaded his grasp. He continued to play along. "Oh Heaven will want you. The Angel Anne Boleyn. I can see it now. A choir of Angels will be awaiting you to escort you to your throne in Heaven. And I pray that I will one day get to see you there in Heaven myself."

"Oh, Henry, I assure you, you will have a place in Heaven as surely as the sun will rise next morrow, as sure as the stars will shine tonight. You are the dazzling light of all of Europe and you will always be." I chided.

Henry chuckled, "Anne, you are a flatterer I see." He paused as he looked over my shoulder. I watched as a look of concern flashed over his face. "Come Lady Anne, I want to check this out."

I put my hand on Henry's arm and followed him towards a grouping of trees that hid us from the rest of the group. "What is it my Lord Henry?"

"Anne, I have been wanting to know something about you from the moment I first saw you." Henry turned me to him and put his arms around my waist. He held me for a few moments as my breath quickened. He moved his hands up over my arms until they reached my face and he framed my face with his hands. I licked my lips with anticipation; I knew that the King was going to kiss me and I wanted his kiss badly. "What is it Henry?"

"I want to know what you taste like" His lips lowered and touched mine gently. I ached for more and moved my body closer. Henry opened his lips and moved his hands down to my bodice. My lips opened to accept his demanding tongue. Tentatively I touched my tongue with his and I encircled my arms around his neck, my hands touching the warm nape. Henry continued to kiss me with passion, pulling me closer and closer until we heard his name being called.

Feeling wanton, I pulled away, straightening my hair and pulling my dress back in order. The King was as breathless as I felt. After a minute or so, we strolled out from behind the grove and back towards the picnic. I caught Mary's eye and she raised an eyebrow in my direction.

The King and I departed and I went towards my sister. "So Anne, are you the reason I am no longer in the King's bed?"

I shook my head vigorously. "No Mary. It's not like that at all."

Mary laughed, "It's ok sister. I don't desire the King. My question is, do you?"

Mary followed my gaze, which was fixed on the King. "I guess I have my answer."