SOS Message Board: SOS Message Board -> Episode 2

There were several of us gathered in the Queen's Chamber's when the King, full of energy and life, burst in and demanded an audience with the Queen. With quiet dignity she rose up and entered her privy chambers. My eyes followed the King and I remembered all the stolen moments and kisses that Henry and I had shared in the past several weeks. I found myself thinking of him always and longing for his touch. My heart raced just seeing him. Henry had told me he had state business and I would probably not see him today.

Henry slammed the door behind him whilst us courtiers remained silent. After a couple of heartbeats silence, we started talking again although all of us were straining to hear what we could hear. George, my brother, meandered his way over to me and Mary and asked in a hushed voice, "What do you make of this Anne?"

"I have no idea" I looked down at the shirt I was sewing. "I truly do not." We could hear the King and Queen's voices rising but we could not make out the words.

"It's been a long time since the King has been this angry." Mary murmured. Slowly we could hear the words "Your Nephew.....alliance....is ending...you know...about you and....girl....out here...." "Oh my Dear" Mary said, "We should get some music playing, something. The King is angered."

George went to speak to Francis Weston and Henry Norris and they spoke to the musicians. Just then the door opened and Henry stood in the doorway, shouting back at the Queen, "I do not believe that you did not know about your nephew Charles and his breaking our alliance! His betrayal is YOUR betrayal to me! You have no idea what you have done Katherine!"

"You are talking about betrayal your Majesty?" Katherine shot back, "What about you? I have to accept that your new whore and your old whore are to sit in the same room as me! Every day I am reminded that one or both of them share your bed!"

Henry turned as red as I felt myself turning, "Enough! Lady Anne is not a whore she is a maiden! If you do not want her here than I will grant you that wish! Lady Anne will be moved today into the apartment closest to mine! Know this Katherine, I will not cheapen Lady Anne by taking her maidenhood. I will marry her first!"

I froze and Mary gasped, grabbing my hand. Katherine wailed, "Henry no! I am your true wife!"

"You are more true to your nephew than to me! You Have BETRAYED me! I asked you for one thing, one thing only! I wanted a son and all you gave me was a daughter. I need an heir! This is all your fault Katherine! Your continued betrayal and allegiance to your nephew has denied me a son!" Henry slammed the door and yelled for Cromwell. Cromwell appeared and Henry ordered him to clear out the apartments next to his. Mary and I were moving in.

Later that evening, Uncle Howard, the Duke of Norfolk and my father called for me, Mary and George. Uncle had heard through his spies about the argument between Henry and Katherine. We three stood before him. "Anne, I understand that you are in the King's good graces. You are moving is that true?"

He knew that it was but I nodded. "How far you have risen in such short of a time daughter. I hope that your turn with the King will be more profitable than Mary's."

I looked up sharply, "I will not just take a turn with the King."

Uncle Howard narrowed his eyes, "You will do as we say Anne. The Queen is falling out of favor and you are the perfect person to step in to help soothe the King's" He paused, "ego. Now go! All of you. The feast begins soon and Anne, I want you to bathe. You are to look as vibrant and beautiful and you are to outshine the Queen."

George led us to our new rooms, promising to meet us later. When the door closed behind us I turned to Mary with tears in my eyes. She took me in her arms, "Anne, it will be ok."

"Mary, I don't know what to do. I am so torn."

Mary leaned back and held my hands. "I have been watching you with the King. You have feelings for him don't you."

The tears started to fall down my cheeks, "I do Mary. He makes me feel.....like..I can't explain it. Like everything is wonderful and my heart is full when I am near him."

"It is a good feeling, isn't it? Henry has that way about him." Mary consoled. I looked up sharply and searched her eyes, "Don't worry sister, I have no feelings for the King except friendship. You are in love Anne, something I was not with the King."

"Then how do you know? Were you in love with William?" I asked.

Mary shook her head, "It was different for us Anne, I really don't want to discuss it. Now, dry your eyes. Put a cold cloth to your eyes, we don't want them red and puffy. You must look ravishing for our King."

We could hear the music playing as we entered the hall. The Queen was noticeably absent and the King looked very angry. I sat down at the long table to the side of the King. I openly gazed at him and when he glanced my way I nodded. I was disappointed when Henry's eyes swept over me as if I was another courtier and not someone special. We ate and made merry and monitored the King. His arm went up to summon a dance and the King walked directly over to me.

"My Lady" His eyes smoldered as he spoke.

I placed my hand in his and he led me to the middle of the floor. The floor quickly filled up as the music began and I danced around the King. I knew I was graceful. I knew that my black hair, my best asset flew around me as I turned. I wanted to captivate the King. His hands touched my body and I knew that he could feel my body respond. The dance ended but we continued to dance as if we were the only two in the room. Our gazes were locked, his smoldering eyes deepening with passion and I knew that I desired him so. I started to feel a deep longing for him and my body started to feel warm. He grabbed my hands and roughly pulled me to him, our bodies touching from head to toe. I breathlessly looked at my Henry.

His voice was low and filled with desire, "My chambers. Tonight Anne."