Anne Boleyn stepped off the carriage with the help of Edward Seymour himself. The male kissed her hand gently and looked into her eyes as she curtsied. "Lady Anne. We meet again. I bid you a good morning." He spoke.
Anne graced him with a smile.
"Indeed we do meet for a second time, Lord Seymour. A good morning to you as well." She replied. Edward led Anne into Wolf Hall after their brief exchange. They marched down the corridor in comfortable silence before Edward passed Anne on to a lady maid.
"Edith, take Lady Anne to the quarters she will be staying in. As soon as she feels settled, bring her to the gardens where I shall be." He commanded, not harshly, but still quite firmly. He then turned to address Anne. "Edith shall tend to your needs, my lady. It is not appropriate that I enter, let alone be near, your bedroom. I look forward to your company." He bowed and took his leave.
Edith bowed to Anne. "Y-your Majesty! It is an honour to meet you! Please, come this way! You must have tired out on the journey here."
Wolf Hall proved impressive - it was lovely inside, with portraits and sketches decorating the cold stone walls. The windows were large and let in the outside light extremely well. It wasn't like the King's castle at all, it seemed more homely and...Anne felt free somehow.
The young Edith pushed open the door to reveal a room with cream coloured walls. It was quite spacious and Anne marvelled at how warming and welcoming it was. There were multiple chairs around, a table where she could compose letters, a large bed with the best blankets and pillows outside the palace and there was even a portrait of Edward Seymour up on the far side of the wall. The ex Queen allowed herself a little laugh before spying the balcony. She pulled the curtains apart, opened the doors and stepped out onto it. Below her, she could see miles and miles of estate.
Edith saw fit to dismiss herself and send in Anne's own lady maids to dress her.
Once she had settled and put on a new outfit - a purple satin gown - Edith led Anne out into the gardens. Edward Seymour was a amongst the white rose bushes, thinking to himself. "Master Seymour, the Lady Anne is present." After announcing their arrival, the servant took her leave. Her duties were to aid Anne's lady maids on navigating their way around Wolf Hall.
Edward turned to face Anne. "God has blessed me to allow such beauty in my presence." He hummed. "The most beautiful woman in the whole of England, right here at my home."
The Boleyn woman walked up to him, smiling. "Much of a charmer, Lord Seymour. I ask again, how many women have you taken to bed with words like these?"
"And I shall tell you again, my lady, no other woman has ever caught my eye. I have taken no one to bed. I had hoped to meet a woman worthy to take and indeed I have, although she is much too regal for me to even attempt to marry her, yet alone court and take her to bed." The man plucked a rose from the bush and presented it to Anne.
She accepted it. "Your worth is for her to decide, my Lord. Love is love, regardless of titles and wealth. Love itself is a title, and if you have it, you're a wealthy being. Love brings happiness, children, family and most important of all, life. I often wondered about it, trapped in the Tower of London. If Henry loved me as he said he did, he'd have taken my word over Cromwell's, would he not? But the King wants off with my head."
"A white rose. The symbol of purity and peace. You are worthy of it, Lady Anne. For you are pure at heart. And do not think of the King whilst with me. For I shall take care of you from now on. Please, accept my hand in courtship." The nobleman held out his arm for her to take.
Anne nodded. "Very well, dear Lord Seymour. I shall gladly accept your proposal. You know love like I do, and love like we know is based on trust."
Nearly an hour later, Anne was seated across from Edward, and Lady Seymour sat at the head of the table seeing as she was Anne's host. A good impression had been made on Edward's mother and she blessed their courtship with her acceptance of it.
"Such pleasant conversation with a well mannered young lady." Lady Seymour praised. "I would love to stay a little longer, but I'm afraid I was called to court today in order to prepare my daughter for her wedding. Shall you attend the ceremony?"
"Indeed, Lady Seymour. I shall be attending the wedding in company of your son." She replied respectfully.
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Anne Boleyn's days at Wolf Hall were absolutely perfect. Anne and Edward grew closer and closer to each other, alone - all the other Seymours were at court or living at their own homes.
Both agreed that they had never felt so carefree and comfortable in their surroundings. Anne no longer worried day in and day out about getting pregnant and birthing the future King of England. Edward no longer stressed over succeeding in court and bringing honour to the Seymour family, for his sister had done that by becoming the King's new fiancée. Both were free to be free with each other. Both were free to live a life for themselves.
Each no longer had to achieve greatness for their family's sake.
