part ii

Oh, why couldn't he been the son of Earl or Duke, Anne thought to herself as she sat staring at him.

This was the King of England standing in front of her. She hadn't expect the King – really anyone besides the King of England! – to appear. Maybe a young handsome – not that the King wasn't handsome because he was very handsome – lord or maybe the son of a Earl. Or if she really wanted to make father proud then a son of a Duke would have worked too. She did at one point though it might have been James despite their broken betrothal. Anne swore she even saw James looking at her funny after father had told of the news.

"Mistress Anne, has my handsome looks render you speechless?" jested Arthur watching Anne as she stared dumbfounded back at him. He laughed as Anne leaped from her seat into an awkward curtsey.

Deciding to spare Anne from the misery and the shock of his presence, Arthur walked over closing the distance between the them. He bent down placing his gloved hands on either side of her shoulders and brought her up. Up close Arthur could see how much more captivating her eyes were. The same pair of eyes that months ago grabbed his heart and left him wondering and wanting this beautiful creature.

"Your Majesty," said Anne hesitating not sure what to do. No one taught her how to act when a King took fancy to you. She hoped the King hadn't noticed that she wasn't doing anything but gawking awkwardly at him. A small thought ran through her head making her question how she even attract the King's attention in the first place if she couldn't even act like a normal person in his presence now.

"Mistress Anne, I can very well see your shock. I presume you weren't expecting me to appear then?" chucked Arthur. Despite the display that Anne had made of herself he was charmed by her actions. She looked genuinely surprised and maybe even a little astounded at seeing him.

"No, no of course not you, Your Majesty," said Anne not knowing what else to say. Since the King could clearly see that she was absolutely horrid at concealing her feelings than it was probably best to be truthful.

"Maybe the son of an Earl or if my father would have it the son of a Duke," Anne said weakly, offering a small smile. She hope it would humour the King and not offend him.

"Then your father would be jumping in joy to know that you've got yourself a King," joked Arthur.

Anne starred in panic at the King's words.

"I jest in good nature, Mistress Anne," reassured Arthur. He could see now that his joke had a more frightening effect than comforting her. Taking his hands off her he took a step backwards once again admiring the pretty sight in front of him.

"Father would drop to his knees and thank the Good Lord Jesus before fainting from joy," offered Anne having realized that the King was humouring her. "And then mother would have the servants carry him to his chambers so that he didn't make a fool of himself again."

Arthur's loud and bellowing laughter brought a giggle out of Anne. Her giggling face reminded Arthur of the very moment that she had captivated his attention all those months ago. She was magnificent in her beauty and standing her presence he felt awed.

The words had come out of Arthur before he had even realized what he said when he saw Anne's face morphing from joy into disbelief.

"Mistress Anne, give me your permission to court you."

It had been four days, twelve hours, forty-five minutes and thirty-six seconds … thirty-seven seconds since the King asked Anne those terrifying, horrifying, life-ruining words. And now here she was sitting in her chambers thinking, deciding if she would let the King court her. As if she could reject the King and say, 'No Your Majesty, I do not give you my permission'. This was much worse than her dealing with Her Majesty's barely concealable dislike and the Duchess' outright rude behaviour.

At least the King had stopped sending her letters giving Anne a small piece of mercy. Really, she wouldn't know what to do if she had to make the decision while receiving those letters. Susan didn't say anything to her when she brought the morning's meal and acted as if nothing had changed but surely she must have been given instructions or something.

After that she had tried to avoid the King afraid that something would happen. But true to his words the King had acted like nothing had happen. As if he didn't tell her that she was to become his mistress because that was what she would become – his mistress. This would be nothing like the romantic courtships she's had in France. This was not what she had expected when she agreed to meet her secret admirer. If she were being truly honest with herself, Anne had hoped for a romantic courtship with a noble lord – one that wasn't related to her Howard cousins – that she would treasure before her father had married her off to whichever lord he had chosen. But now the future was so uncertain and she didn't know who to turn to for advice.

She couldn't go to Mary not when she was so far up north and taking care of the baby. Anne wasn't sure what Mary would even say to her if she did go. Would she encourage Anne to become the King's mistress or would Mary tell her to refuse to save her reputation and their family. She couldn't go to her mother especially not when Mary had ruined her marriage prospects by becoming a mistress, albeit a royal mistress. Her mother had already suffered so much heartbreak and hurtful gossip when Mary became the Duke's mistress and she couldn't hurt her mother like that. She wasn't sure how her father would react if she wrote to him about the matter. She wasn't sure if he would push her to become the King's mistress like he did with Mary or if he would advised her to return to Hever to escape the problem. George would probably follow with whatever their father had decided.

Anne wasn't sure what she would do but she was afraid. The small nagging doubt that had grown bigger and bigger had now become her greatest fear. She was afraid that the King punish her and her family if she refused him. The King wasn't like the Duke who had multiple affairs. She hasn't heard of the King being involved in any affairs in his entire union with the Queen. Or maybe it was because he was the King that there was no rumours. Anne wasn't sure if the King had affairs or not but she couldn't stop worrying that the King would get angry and then her family would suffer. Her father already relied heavily on her uncle, the Duke of Norfolk, for connections at Court and she knew how much he resented the fact of the matter.

No, there was no one she could ask for help.

"Mistress Anne, you will serve the Princess when she meets with Their Majesty's for lunch. I will not have you making a fool of yourself by slacking in your duties, do you understand?" Lady Thimelesy was the chief lady-in-waiting to the elder Princess Mary and one of the sternest lady she knew.

"Yes, Lady Thimelesy," said Anne, dipping into a low curtsey with her head bent down. She could feel her heart thumping against her chest at her words. She was going to see the King!

Anne hadn't received any news from the King since she sent her reply (Yes.) and she was starting to go mad from wondering. Had she waited too long to respond and made the King angry or had she made a complete fool of herself that the King no longer interested. Anne didn't know the answer to her questions so all she do was wait. It was excruciating, painful waiting for something when she didn't even know what she wanted.

When she and the rest of Princess Mary's ladies had arrived in the King's private chambers she didn't know what to expect. Anne could see the King sitting beside the Queen with his back turned away from her as he talked animatedly to the Prince of Wales. The young prince Edward, the only son of the King, was a tall but pale boy of twelve that resembled neither his mother nor father. His dark blonde curls and blue eyes were supposedly reminiscent of his late grandmother. Edward was never a healthy child especially when compared to his lively sisters but as each year passed the people sighed in relief knowing that there was an heir to the throne.

Edward's sisters, Isabella and Mary, sat on their mother's side talking quietly to each other. Anne could see the fondness that the Queen held for her youngest daughter Mary as she reached out to smooth the strands of hair on Mary's head. Princess Isabella laughed as Princess Mary tried to shove her mother's hands away.

Anne widened her eyes as Princess Isabella turned to look directly at her as if she could sense that Anne was staring at them. Princess Isabella had the same inquisitive eyes as the Queen. It felt as if the Queen was staring at her telling Anne that she knew of everything. Anne dipped into a shallow curtsey hoping that the princess didn't notice her hesitancy but the princess had already turned her attention elsewhere.

Throughout the entire meal, Anne stood quietly behind the elder Princess Mary watching the royal family. Her mistress never called for her assistance having preferred the help from her own trusted ladies instead which had allowed Anne observe them. The King and Queen never once spoke to each other unless someone else had addressed them. They were the cordial to each other but held none of the warm to each other as they showed their children. The young Princess Mary was seemingly unaware of the coldness between her parents unlike her older siblings.

The King did not look at her at all. Anne could feel herself becoming smaller and smaller as each minute passed. At the end when the elder Princess Mary was excused she had hoped the King would look or signal at her to show that he recognized her presence but the King did nothing. She felt the sickening twisting of her stomach as she glanced at the King one last before she left. He didn't see her pleading eyes as she walked away with her shoulders dropped and head hung low.

She was surprised when Susan told her that the King wanted to meet her the in two days' time. She was so sure that her hesitancy had turned him away but knowing now that the King was still interested she felt unsure. There was fear mixed in with her unsureness and she couldn't help to begin to regret her choices.

Anne was so certain that King had come to regret his decision after not sending a reply even after yesterday's lunch that she began to feel relieved. Relieved that she wouldn't need compromise her honour or her family's reputation. Relieved that she would haven't to make the choice between sacrificing her future for an unknown present. But if Anne was truly honest with herself she was a little disappointed when the King didn't send for. There was a thrill of excitement when she realized that it was the King that she had captivated. She felt powerful knowing that someone as low as her had caught the King's attention.

When Susan came in two days' time she carried a cloak of black velvet with her. Anne knew that it was meant to hide their movements and felt relieved knowing that she would meet the King in private. When they arrived at the small library on the end of a rather hidden hallway, Susan had closed to heavy doors behind her with a thump. The King stood waiting illuminated under the warm glow of candles surrounding him. He looked so much more handsome with his hair loose and free of his crown. He looked nothing like the stern King that everyone saw but a young man full of promises. The man of your dreams, Anne whispered to herself.

She had passed the time just talking to the King about herself because he said that he wanted to know everything about her. He asked her to call him Arthur after she called him Your Majesty for the second time too many. It felt weird to call him Arthur but the smile he gave her was so beautiful that she felt stunned. She had never had anyone smile like Arthur did at her. Her heart thumped quicker and she felt her face flush with heat. And when it all ended she left feeling dizzy with wonder as Susan lead her back to her chambers.

She didn't meet with Arthur for another week not until he had finalized the details around Princess Isabella's betrothal to her Spanish cousin, Prince Charles. The Queen had pushed and pushed for the alliance and was in happy spirits when the matter had been settled. Her own mistress had remarked bitterly that she would have become an old maid if the Queen hadn't gotten her wish. Anne had said nothing and kept her head down.

She spent the next meeting listening and watching Arthur talk about himself after she insisted that it was only fair. She wanted to hear the stories he wrote in his letter in person told in person. She wanted to hear his voice, to see his face, and to touch him. She wanted to fall in love with the man in front of her as she did when she read his letters before she even knew the man was the King. And she wanted to him to like her, to want her, to protect her. Or else she would be left with nothing.

The more they meet each other, the more she grows bolder with her actions. She reaches out for his hand to hold them in her own the fourth time they meet. She tucks his leg into hers the sixth time they meet. She thinks that her boldness hides the fear she holds so deeply within her heart. She is afraid that she'll make one mistake and it would cost her future.

Tomorrow would mark her first Christmas Day in England. Anne had spent all her other Christmas' in France that she hardly even remember what it was like in England or to spend it with her family. Her mother had finally come back to Court after staying with Mary and the baby up north for the past few months. Her baby nephew was growing up to resemble his father more and more with each passing day that only brought more joy to Mary. It did certainly help silence the horrible, nasty rumours that the baby wasn't born to the Duke and she had some ideas on how those rumours started.

She had been excused from Princess Mary's service today as her mistress would be spending the morning with the rest of the royal family before tonight's Christmas feast. George had mentioned that the Christmas celebrations were always the grandest because it was also the Prince of Wales' birthday. This was a special year for the Prince as he would be turning thirteen and soon after would marry his Portuguese bride. She had remember that the King of France's disgruntled face when he told Queen Claude that England had rejected their daughter in favour of the Portuguese Infanta. And not soon after that incident had father called her back to marry James.

Anne had long debated if she wanted to give the King a gift for Christmas but in the end decided against it because what could she give someone who had everything. Anything I'll give will look like poor, shabby things amongst the gold and valuable treasures, Anne thought to herself as she wondered around the gardens. It was nearly the noon meal and she knew that she had better start heading back or else she'll be left nothing but scraps.

"Anne!"

Crinkling her brows Anne turned herself towards the direction of her name. She widen her eyes as she turn to face Arthur. His cheeks were flushed with his breath coming out in shallow huffs and a thin layer of sweat on him despite the frigidly cold air. He had ran here to me, thought Anne as her lips curved up in a smile.

"Arthur," said Anne, "What are you doing here?"

Arthur had said nothing in return and walked towards her until he literally standing inches. He reached into his sleeve and pulled out a small wooden box. Anne blinked her eyes once, twice before pointing a finger towards herself.

"For me?" she whispered not believing that the King had gotten her a gift. She stared at the box wondering what was inside.

"For you to celebrate your first Christmas here," Arthur said softly, "With me."

Anne looked at Arthur again before turning her attention to the box. She reach for the box and carefully opened the lid. Inside the box was a magnificent pearl necklace. She glanced up at the King in disbelief as Arthur smiled back. He took the pearl necklace out and unclasp it. Taking a step closer, Arthur leaned into Anne as he wrapped the pearl necklace onto her neck. She could feel his warm breath against her cheek as he clasped the lock. She felt her face flush red and skin tingle as Arthur gathered her hair and pulled it out allowing the pearl necklace to rest delicately on her long neck. He reached out and ran his fingers around the necklace sending shivers down Anne.

"Arthur, you didn't have to-"

"No, think of it as my first gift to you," smiled Arthur.

"But I have nothing to for you," said Anne with her eyes downcast. She felt a hot flash of shame run through her body.

Arthur had reached for her chin and titled her face up. Anne saw no anger or disappointment in his eyes and that only made her feel worst. She had gotten him nothing to show him that she too cared for him when he had gotten her such a beautiful and precious gift. She was unworthy of his gift and of his affections.

"Nothing would please me more than to see you wear it tonight," said Arthur admiring the necklace against her neck. He saw the fear in her eyes and it hurt him knowing that Anne was still so fearful of him.

Arthur froze in disbelief as he felt Anne brush her lips against him. He had never acted on any of his desires to kiss her having seen how guarded Anne acted around him. Arthur felt his heart race in excitement as he stared back at Anne. He leaned in closer and place a another chaste kiss on her lips not wanting to wait any longer. He felt Anne grabbing his face as she pulled him in for another kiss.

The wooden box had dropped with a thud onto the cold snow having gone unnoticed by Anne and Arthur as they shared their first kiss. Preoccupied by their kiss they too hadn't notice that it had started to snow.

Author's Note:

And here is part ii! I hoped you guys liked it and once again sorry if there is any grammar/spelling mistakes as this is unbetaed. If you notice any glaring mistakes please message me and I'll correct it asap. I've also made some minor changes to part i to clear things up for the later parts.