Another Anne Boleyn

A Home She Does Not Belong To

Father had sent an escort to bring her back home, a man who rarely talked and kept his eyes on the road ahead.

"That's yer home, madam." He said finally, after twelve hours of silent riding.

After the luxuries of Ludlow Castle, Hever Castle seemed cramped and drab. But she was truly happy to see her beloved older brother, George, and her sister Mary again. Anne would stay at home for six months until Father returned to escort her to court. She would be serving Queen Katherine as lady-in-waiting, which, to confess, is a lot higher a position than her previous one. Meanwhile, she had plenty of time to have new gowns being made, since her rapidly maturing body was making her old gowns much too small. Father declared a huge sum of money he was willing to spend on new clothes for his favourite child.

Mary was already at court, and she was happily engaged to a man she loved. Like Anne predicted, he was only a Viscount of Rochford, but it was obvious that they adored each other and the young man was quickly rising in favour of the King.

It concerned Anne that George and his newly wed wife, Jane Parker, disliked each other so much. George was only his lively self when Jane wasn't in the room, and Jane had a sour look on her face every time George was within five-metre radius. So Anne tried to find out why.

"Dear sister, I have indeed noticed that you are not your usual self when my brother is around. Is there a reason why?" she asked Jane politely one day.

She only huffed, "You will not understand. George can do no wrong in your eyes."

"You have not tried me." Anne insisted, annoyed.

"He dallies with other women!" Jane cried. "Even married ladies and widows does not escape his attention. I won't be surprised if he has a mistress tucked away somewhere, maybe even a bastard child!"

"I am sorry my brother is not faithful to you, but that certainly does not give you a reason to be so bitter to everyone around you." Anne retorted quietly.

"See! I knew you would stand up to your brother! You Thortons are always the same." Jane hissed, then strode away, terrorising the servants in her path and leaving Anne standing there astounded. If Jane Parker, who is part of our own family, resent us so much, what can the rest of the court possibly think about our family?