Behind Boleyn

V: England

"I think it's a great idea, Thomas," Elizabeth encouraged her husband as he contemplated this rather momentous decision.

He sat at his desk under the soft candlelight studying the letter before him. It was an offer of marriage that had arrived from a distant cousin. The Earl of Ormond proposed a union between their daughter Anne and his son, James Butler. It would be a very good match for the Boleyn family. Advantageous, to be sure.

The arrival of this letter was a sure sign that her hard work at court was starting to pay off. It had only cost her a piece of her soul. Flirting with the King was no task for the faint of heart. One had to be savvy - if the Queen were to discover their dalliances, all would be lost.

And then there were the actual romantic rendezvous. Satisfying the appetites of such an adventurous and demanding lover was no small feat. She sighed with dismay at the brief recollection of their trysts. A small shudder of revulsion ran through her body and she shook her head to clear her mind of the more unfortunate deeds that flooded her memory. Thankfully, the King had grown tired of her and offered her some final favours to show his gratitude and good graces.

She was happy for them but was even more grateful that Thomas seemed to think it was his own work that led to the King's favour. He would be destroyed if he ever found out the truth. She gently caressed his head as he bent over the missive.

"It would be very good for us. The tidings may even turn for our dear Mary. One can only think that offers will begin to make their appearances for her as well," Thomas contemplated aloud. "She has already caught the eye of many suitors. Even without this proposal, it wouldn't be long before we could bring Anne back to England. It's high time she's made her first appearance at court."

Elizabeth forced down the bile that rose at the mention of Mary. She knew King Henry had turned his eye to her daughter. His leering gaze followed her at almost every social gathering. She would have to offer some guidance when it came to dealing the temperamental monarch. Hopefully, things hadn't progressed too quickly. Elizabeth shrugged inwardly with resignation as she overturned her disgust to contemplate the benefits of the King's attentions toward Mary. In the end, it would lead to a good marriage, as all of his affairs did. The Boleyns' social standing required a certain price to rise in the court. The King had named his time and time again.

"With an engagement on the horizon, we can bring her back sooner," Thomas continued, not noticing his wife's distraction. He turned his gaze to Elizabeth's face and smiled as he thought of Anne's return. She was his favourite and he missed her sorely.

"We need to send notice to Queen Claude. Anne needs to come home," Elizabeth whispered.

"Indeed you're right, my love," Thomas agreed as he stood from his chair. He took his wife by the hand and kissed it as he led her away from the study. She followed him from the room with a heart full of guilt. Her thumb moved gently over his hand as they made their way to their bedchambers. She loved him deeply and would continue to do everything she could to help him gain the power he desired in this world.

~~

"My dear Anne," Claude acknowledged as she walked into the room. "I heard some rather disappointing news this morning."

Anne curtsied low to her dear friend, her eyebrows arched with a question. She glanced discreetly to James, who sat with some other lords chatting amiably amongst themselves. He had been playing things cool these last few days, piquing her interest and her own desires. They shared flirtatious looks and the odd caress as they passed one another. A certain attraction hung in the air between them, ever-present, never fulfilled.

But it was Henry who had stolen her nights. Their desire was as insatiable as it had been years ago. Although Millie was against these encounters, Anne simply could not help herself. His embrace left her feeling worshiped and loved.