Behind Boleyn

X - Secret Engagement

Henry Percy watched Anne through the window of her room. She was packing, getting ready to go to the English court. He knew she would do well there, and vowed to go along with her, even if no one knew except the two of them. Watching her when she was unawares was one of his favourite things to do. She was so beautiful; every expression that crossed her face warmed his heart. Every now and then she would do something that reminded him of one of their many nights together over the years. They had been in love since they were very young.

Henry's own father was the Earl of Northumberland, and he was his father's heir. While Anne came from a well-bred line of nobles, he knew that she would never be good enough in the Earl's view to bring into the family as his wife. Still, he was in love with Anne and held the naïve belief that this would be enough for the two of them to live a happy life.

He watched as she looked out the window and waved to catch her attention. Their eyes met and his heart warmed as Anne's face broke into a broad smile. She dropped what she was doing and he saw her leave her bedroom. He waited under the tree, anticipating the feel of her in his arms once again.

He was not disappointed a few minutes later when she ran towards him, throwing herself at him.

Laughter bubbled out of his chest as she nuzzled his neck. "How are you here, my love?" she whispered into his ear.

"Haven't I already proven that I would follow you anywhere? To the ends of the world, Anne," he replied sincerely.

She pulled back from his neck and kissed him solidly on the lips. "Once you find your way, I suppose," she said with a grin.

His arm jerked forward as Anne lead him to the pond over a slight hill near the wooded area of the property. She pushed him down under a tree and fell on top of him in a pile of material. He pushed her skirts down and looked into her eyes.

"I heard some news the other day. But I don't want you to worry about it, Henry," she began seriously.

His eye twitched. Conversations that started with 'don't worry about it' were never good. He said nothing, only waiting for her to carry on.

"Millie is going to handle things for us."

"You have such faith in your matronly servant, Anne," he replied with a squeeze of her shoulder. "What problem is it that your miracle servant is going to handle?" He listened while Anne told him about her betrothal. When she paused, he just continued to listen. His mind whirled. How could the woman he loved be engaged to another? It felt as if his heart was being ripped once more from his chest, like the day she had left for France with no word. Would she be forever stolen from him? Was love not supposed to win above all else? The poet within him railed against the injustice of it all.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Anne asked with some desperation.

Henry shook his head in defeat. "What can I say to this? It is an arrangement of the King. What can I do?" He looked at their entwined hands. "Do you think this Millie can change anything?" he asked softly, not daring to hope.

"She can do anything."

Anne's confidence wiggled at him...breaking through his deep sense of loss. He felt the smallest piece of expectation rise within him. "If she is successful, we should wed, Anne."

Anne looked down to the ground. She wanted nothing more than to be with the man she saw before her. She could not deny her love for him. She had tried and failed many times. To marry him would be a dream come true. Already, she could see the adorable babies they could have and the life full of love and laughter they could lead. In addition to that, he was the heir to a great Earldom, certainly a good match for her family. But what about for his? Perhaps if they all worked hard to advance the family within the eyes of the king. Maybe then Henry's father would approve.