Another Anne Boleyn

A Dart of Love

Anne could hardly contain her excitement. She would be going to Greenwich today, to be presented to her new mistress. No longer was she the naïve fifteen-year-old but a stunningly beautiful seventeen-year old young woman. No doubt, she would get engaged or married soon, being at the King's court. When she arrived, Father greeted her unusually warmly.

"You have grown sophisticated, daughter!" Father exclaimed.

But he was right. Anne had grown sophisticated. No longer was she overwhelmed by the grand palaces and costly furniture. She was showed to the Queen's chambers.

"You are indeed lucky to be in Queen Katherine's service." Father told her. "She is most kind to her servants, and allows the King's gentlemen to visit her ladies-in-waiting to entertain them.

"Your Majesty, Mistress Anne Thorton had arrived." The usher announced.

Katherine offered her hand for Anne to kiss. She was very different to what Anne had imagined. She looked much older than her thirty-three years, her hair was already thinning and her face was lined with care from all the children she lost but she expressed warmth and kindness.

"It is good to see you, Anne." She said. "Your sister Mary came months before, and she is a good woman." The Queen gestured for Anne to join the other ladies.

When the Queen left to walk in the garden with the King, they were required to follow out of earshot. The young ladies erupted with gossip

"Do you know that lately everyone is saying the King has another mistress?" Elizabeth Grey, daughter of the Earl of Hampshire piped up.

"Another one? They were all abandoned save for Bessie Blount, who bore him a son." Eleanor Freeman scoffed.

"I don't blame him, I suppose, because the Queen looks so much older than her husband." Anne chimed in.

"Don't you know? She is at least eleven years older than him."

Anne was appalled. Eleven?

"How did they get married in the first place? I thought Katherine was married to Henry's late brother, Arthur."

"But Arthur died four months after the wedding, and anyway, Katherine was smitten with Henry the moment she saw him."

The ladies quickly stopped when the Queen returned, a broad smile on her face.

"Princess Mary, my daughter, is getting betrothed to my nephew the Emperor of Spain." She told them.

Anne stifled a gasp. She had seen Princess Mary before, and she was eleven, a delightfully clever girl. The Emperor was thirty-five, and had neither looks, charm nor patience. Poor Mary, being tied to this man. But she would be Queen of Spain, and she was said to be friends with the Emperor. That, Anne knew, was a lie. The Princess had never even met her intended husband!

There was a banquet that evening to celebrate Princess Mary's betrothal. As usual, Anne dressed exquisitely, and was surrounded by handsome and awfully dashing young men. Suddenly, a very special man was standing in front of her.

He was King Henry of England. The King was tall and broad, with red hair, blue eyes, fair skin and pleasing smile. He was dressed magnificently, with the crown of England balanced on his head.

And that, Anne thought, disappointed, was all there could be said about him. She was aware that ladies sigh after him in the corridors, and he was praised everywhere in Europe for his model figure and handsome face. Anne held no attraction for him, and if he wasn't the King, she wouldn't give him a passing glance.

"It is good to see the other Thorton sister here today, Mistress Anne." He greeted.

"Thank you, your Grace."

They moved to the lively Irish folk dance. It was the hardest dance of all, but Anne had mastered it, leaping and dancing with her skirts swirling around her. She was aware that everyone was watching them. Oh no, do they think she would become the King's mistress? And the King was giving her an odd look too. Anne made sure she didn't dance with him again for the rest of the night.

As the weeks turned into months, Henry was singling her out more and more.

"How are you doing today, Mistress Anne?" he asked.

"I am fine, your Grace." She replied, her eyes downcast.

"Why won't you speak to me? And I am sure you are avoiding me too." Henry growled.

"I? Why is your Majesty singling me out? I have no intention to be anyone's mistress." She replied, startled.

"Anne, you have pinned my heart with the dart of love. Please, have mercy, I am in torment with my need for you!" Anne was shocked.

"As I have said, your Majesty, you have a devoted and loving wife, and I do not want to be anyone's mistress." She said again. "I have to go now, your Grace." And she ran off, her skirts flying.