In The Shadow
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Flirting with George Boleyn, who, however, was already tied to Jane Parker, the Queen's lady in waiting, Alienor discreetly sought out King Henry with her eyes. She knew that the king was tall and had a loud voice, but there was no man of that description among the guests.
The king did not appear. Neither did the Queen. And, hearing from one of the ladies in waiting that Their Majesties had decided to rest and would not join their hosts at the hospitable Norton Castle until tomorrow at breakfast, the diners in the dining room whispered. Some of the courtiers looked rather displeased, while an understanding smile shone on the faces of some, including the Boleyn family. The Boleyns knew: the king and Queen had had a big fight. For the umpteenth time. But it seems that Catherine of Aragon had hurt her husband so much with her endurance and firmness that he did not want to see anyone, not even his dear Anne, who, however, did not see fit to stay in her chambers either and was enjoying herself as much as all the other members of the royal retinue.
Some of the ladies close to Anne Boleyn were laughing and whispering so loudly that both Brigid and Alienor could easily hear their conversations, which even the musicians playing the lute, flute, rebecca and block flute could not drown out.
"Father's not happy… He's bound to break something out of anger!" she chuckled to herself. – Alienor chuckled to herself. She was not at all disappointed that she had not seen Henry the Eighth this evening, for the circle of admirers, who had written sonnets in her honour, had kept her busy. – But look at Miss Boleyn! What grace, what majestic posture, and the look of a she-wolf! But I wouldn't say she was beautiful. Yes, she's pretty. She has nice features, but that's all. Why did the King find her so fascinating? Her sister Mary is much prettier… That hair burning gold! Not without reason she was in his bed and bore him two bastards… Which, however, he never recognised. Two sisters, and both of them managed to win Henry over!
It must hurt Miss Mary to see her younger sister succeed… It must make her heart bleed that the father of her children chose her over her own sister!"
Alienor was right: Miss Boleyn, favourite of the King of England, rival of Queen Catherine, was not a beauty, but something in her was mystical, attractive, even witchy. Her eyes, graceful movements, high milk-white breasts, black hair … And the French accent, which she shamelessly used, not without reason she spent her young years at the court of the French Queen! This woman knew her worth and knew how to keep the king. She was stroppy and passionate, just as Henry wanted her to be. Anne saw how the King was irritated by his wife's obedience and calmness and played on it. Did she love him? Only she herself knew that.
Did Henry love Anne? He did. Desperately. He wished to possess her. He wished his wife would die and leave him a widower, so he could marry the woman he loved and crown her Queen of England. She would give him a long-awaited son, an heir. To the regret and annoyance of the favourite and her lover, Catherine of Aragon had iron health and was not going to die. They could only wait for the happy day when the Queen would leave this world and make way for Miss Boleyn.
The feast, at which roast pheasants, geese and a few young piglets, candied fruit, fish, egg and fruit pies, and many other exquisite and not so exquisite dishes were served, came to an end only at midnight, after the guests and hosts had eaten, gossiped, flirted and danced to their hearts' content.
– Ah, did you see me? I shone like a polished gold coin! – Alienor said dreamily to her friend as they went into her large, lavishly furnished room to discuss the past fun and guests.
– You are always shining. And this evening even Miss Boleyn paled beside your glow," Brigid smiled. – I wish the King and Queen had been there with us… I would have liked to see Catherine. I have never seen her, but my father told me a lot about her.
The girl delicately kept silent about the fact that her father did not miss a single opportunity to insult the name of England's favourite Spaniard: "She looks like an old goose. Just about to croak!", "It's high time she went to her grave!", "Let her make way for a decent English lady!" "Henry cares nothing for her. "He is wrapped up in the sharp vines of another Boleyn girl, and she is only happy about it.
– And what did he say? – Alienor responded with interest. She sat down on the scarlet velvet bed and gladly took off her new high-heeled boots made of soft leather.
– She loves her husband and he doesn't love her," Brigid said quietly and sighed heavily: she didn't know the woman or what she looked like, but she felt sorry for her.
It must be hard for a Queen to see her husband openly despise her and favour the court beauties… Both Boleyn sisters had been in his bed, and Miss Mary had even borne him two children. Yet these girls were just one of the unfortunate ones, in Brigid's opinion, who had no luck in attracting the king's attention. After all, if he wants to call a girl into his bedchamber, she cannot refuse him. He is a king. King of England.
– She's older than he is. What do you want? Of course he wants a younger, sweeter body," Alienor shrugged indifferently. – I wish he'd come down. I could have got him to ask me to dance.
– Oh, I have no doubt about that," Brigid said warmly. She went over to her friend, sat down beside her on the bed, and lovingly patted her cheek, ruddy from the wine and dancing. – 'Only I don't think Miss Boleyn would let him.
– She is only his mistress! – Alienor said ironically and squeezed Brigid in her arms. – You had better tell me, what of William? Has he already asked your father for your hand?
– I honestly do not know… I have not yet had a conversation with him on the subject… But he danced with me! He held my palms in his… I would have stayed with him in that hall, dancing and not saying a word! – whispered Brigid passionately. – Did he dance with you? I had to leave the hall… My mother called me: she said my face had become too ruddy.
– Your mother is a heartless woman, forgive me for saying it so plainly… But to make you leave the hall because you blushed with excitement after dancing with your beloved? And your future betrothed, as well! – Alienor grumbled unhappily.
– She cares for my reputation," Brigid said bitterly, and as her friend released her from her embrace, she rested her copper-haired head on Alienor's bare shoulder. – 'But did you dance with him?
– Just one dance. The fastest. He is as clumsy as a bear! – Alienor hastened to lie: she knew what love for William lurked in Brigid's heart, and she did not wish to provoke her jealousy. Besides, she was indifferent to the young man.
– And I thought we were floating in the clouds! – Brigid smiled and closed her eyes, once again seeing the beautiful proud face of her dear William in front of her. – I can't wait for the moment when he calls me his own!
– While you were dancing with the other men, William never took his eyes off you," Alienor smiled too. – Would you like some hot wine? Shall we call a maid?
– No need. It's so late… Do you think he loves me? – Brigid asked with a sinking heart.
– Of course he does! – Alienor squeezed her friend's palm with force. – Of course he loves you, and he's jealous of other men!
– I won't sleep tonight… I definitely won't sleep! – whispered Brigid.
Every cell of her body trembled at the thought that William Tury, the son of a rich nobleman and the chosen one of her young, pure heart, was reciprocating her love. Even if he did not show it as openly as she would have liked, even if he flirted with other ladies and danced with Miss Boleyn… He loved her and would make her his wife in the sight of God.