Behind Boleyn

VIII - Engagements, Engagements...Oh, the Boleyn Girls!

"I am to be married to whom?" Anne asked in shock.

"James Butler," her mother responded evenly.

"James Butler, my cousin from Ireland? Does he live in Ireland? Will I have to live in Ireland?"

"At some point, yes, you would move to the family estate in Ireland."

Anne was silent. Millie could see her breathing through her back, in and out slowly and evenly. Mother and daughter were in the sitting room, though neither sat. Both women faced each other with straight, tense bodies. Millie and another maid watched the exchange in silent fascination from just outside the doorway.

"Anne?"

No response from Anne came.

"Anne, this is a very good match. Very good."

"Ireland, mother?" Anne's breath hitched. "Was I not in France long enough for you?"

Elizabeth's mouth set in a firm line.

"Don't be ridiculous, Anne. Your father would like nothing more than for you to be nearby."
Millie watched Anne's shoulders lower and her neck straighten as she held her head high. A slight smile touched Millie's lips as she recognized her charge steeling her emotions. That's my girl, she thought.

"Of course, Mother. I would like nothing more than to fulfill my duty for the family," Anne said with an airy voice.

Elizabeth was not fooled by Anne's musical tones and stared at her daughter with hard eyes. The seconds ticked by. Finally, Elizabeth's eyes narrowed. "Very good, Anne. We will speak more of this later." She paused briefly. "Why don't you take a walk through the gardens? Some fresh air will do you good."

Anne nodded her head and turned on her heel.

Millie and the other servant quickly pulled their heads back from the doorway before either noblewoman saw them. Anne walked by them at a brisk pace as she made her way to the door leading to the gardens.

After a few moments, Millie followed Anne outside. The warm, sunny weather did not agree with Anne's mood. She sat on a bench by a stream, staring into the bubbling water as it flowed along its path.

"James Butler. Can you believe that?" Anne said as Millie approached. "All of that harmless flirting in France and look what it gets me. Married, for Heaven's sake!"

Millie didn't say anything. She just nodded.

"All of the preparation I have gone through so that I can live in the backwoods of Ireland?" Anne shook her head in disgust. "Why would they do this to me?"

"It is a good match for the family. It isn't as if you could never be at court here in England," Millie soothed.

Anne looked hard into Millie's eyes. "We both know that's not true, Millie. Those are calming words that mean nothing. As soon as there are children, I will be...no more than a housewife. Running the estate. Seeing to the every need of Mr. James Butler." Here Anne almost spat her words. "Is this what I've planned for, Millie? Does it all end with this?"

Millie's eyes were soft as she looked at young Anne. Her heart ached along with Anne's. The situation did cause a bit of a bump in their plans...in Millie's plans for Anne.

"Perhaps we can manipulate the situation," Millie whispered hesitantly.

Anne's eyes lit up with hope and they searched Millie's with some desperation.

"I've heard that there are land ties making the match favourable to both families. But there are ways around such things."

The corners of Anne's mouth tugged upwards. "This should be interesting."