The sky shined brightly with the sun. It splashed over her arms and his legs. There was a slight breeze and she welcomed it.

"I shall follow you to court," he said suddenly. She sat up and smiled. "And what would my Lord Northumberland say to his son and heir following the daughter of an upstart nobleman?"

"I care not what he thinks. I love you." He kissed her. She smiled against his lips and resumed her original position.

He felt her hair. Drew lazy circles on her neck. She giggled and he smiles a little. His hand stops on her cleavage. They stare at each other. "My lord?" she whispered.

"Marry me."

She sat up again and stared at him in wonder. "Truly?"

"Yes. You shall be the Countess of Northumberland. I promise."

"Oh, Henry! Do you mean it?"

He nodded. "We can ask the King. I'm sure he'll agree." She smiled and leaned against his chest. "I shall bear you many sons."

"It doesn't matter." He lifted her chin. "Have I made you happy?"

"No. You have made me the most happy."

XXXXXXXXXX

"No," he said.

Anne and Henry stared at each other. "My lord?" Henry said confused.

"I will not allow you two to marry." Henry Tudor felt bad seeing Anne so sad. She looked on the verge of tears and he felt guilty that he caused it, but he couldn't let Henry Percy or any other man have her. He figured that if she wouldn't share his bed by becoming his mistress she would be his wife and Queen.

"Leave us," Henry said to the Northumberland heir.

He bowed and left the room. It was then that Anne fell and began to cry. "Why? How could you?!"

"I love you." He knelt by her. "By God Anne, I love you. Please believe me. I couldn't do it. I'm so sorry, but I can't let you go." He tried to hug her, but she pushed him away.

"Don't touch me! If you truly loved me you would let me go." She stood. "My maidenhead is for my husband and my husband only. I will be a true maid when I wed Lord Henry Percy." Henry glared. "No, you won't."

"Try and stop me." She wiped away her tears and walked out with her head held high.

XXX

Hall of Beauty, Consort Bessie's residence

A maid curtsied to Bessie before reporting, "Your Worship, Lady Anne Boleyn has been made a royal woman."

"Anne Boleyn?" she asked confused.

"She's the woman who refused the king," her dowry maid, called Sarah, chimed in.

"She most likely did it on purpose," Bessie blurted out.

"Who did what on purpose?" a voice asked.

Bessie knelt. "Greetings to Your Majesty."

"No need for formalities. Are you upset about something?" He took the cup a wine a maid offered.

She hesitated. "Your Majesty is taking in new consorts?"

"My affairs are my affairs. You are second to the Queen and also have a child. What are you upset about?"

"Of course I cannot be upset," she answered quickly. "I only wish to serve Your Grace forever and pray that you don't desert me for another." She peeked at him through her eyelashes. His eyes were closed. The only sound in the room was the click of beads as he counted rosaries.

"Rise. You think too much. I will stay here tonight."

Hall of Peace, Queen Catherine's residence

"Your Majesty. His Majesty is still at the Hall of Beauty. I don't think he'll come tonight," Maria, her maid said quite bluntly. Any other person would be severely punished but Maria had served her in Aragon and Catherine was used to her manner of speaking.

Catherine sat up in her bed. "Alright then."

Maria stared at her. "Alright? Your Majesty, Consort Bessie does this too often. You should-"

"Complain to the Queen Dowagers?" She adjusted herself as she scoffed. "What good would that do?"

Maria said nothing. Catherine stared at nothing in the distance. "I have to be tolerant. I can't complain or I will look jealous. I can't lower myself to her level or I will lose the most precious thing that I have."

"His Majesty?"

"No. My daughter."