Queen Anne's living room

I look closely at the young lady before me.

"Lady Basset it is an honour for me to receive these fine gifts from France. It has been a while since I last saw your parents how are they? Please show me these silks you have brought with you and the wine we shall have it over the feast with my husband thank you Lady Basset.

As for a position in my household I do believe that you would make a fine lady of the Wardrobe should you wish to accept it?

Anne couldnt help the smile that came over her face, she nodded her head and she looked around to the man that had escorted her and nodded to him and he brought over the pitcher of wine for Queen Anne, offering her it to taste the delicious French Wine. Another brought over heavy silk fabric of different colors, some red damask, others pink and purples; all colors of royalty
"Mama said you would look radiant in the purple, but you will shine in any of them." She was shocked at her offering her the position and she nodded her head eagerly "You do me a great honor, your majesty. I only hope that I can live up to it and follow your virtuous and honorable ways."

I nodded my head to the servants and they opened the chest and I picked up the purple silk.

"Your mother appears to know me very well Lady Bassett and I shall greatly accept these fine silks and have them sent to the tailors at once for a new gown. Now would you care to join me at the table by the fire and try some of this wine you have bought whilst I inform you of your position which I have no doubt that you will be perfect in.?

Anne looked at the Queen and she smiled and nodded her head. She was more than sure she was making a good impression and she hoped that the Queen didnt take offence at her earlier immature reactions. She walked over and sat beside her at the fire, waiting till Queen Anne sat first before sitting down on the other one "I am most honored that you see me as such. My mother and her household spoke of their great love for you and your cause." She said and the servants poured the French wine into goblets and handed it to the Queen and Anne and Anne nimbly held the silver goblet in her hand "I heard that you have a great love for music, do you like the lute, your majesty?"

I sat down by the fire and I was happy to have this fine young woman for company.

"I do like music yes it has been a while since I heard a nice piece of music. The lute it is one of my favourite instruments Lady Anne do you play?

I had been in my private chambers preparing for the tea I was about to have with Catherine Willoughby and I was wearing a dark purple gown with my pearl necklace and diamond earrings and I went out into the Living Room to receive Lady Catherine myself.

"Lady Catherine thank you for accepting my invitation to tea. Please do sit down and I shall have the tea brought in."

As we sat down I signalled to one of my ladies to bring in the tea and shortly after some herbal tea was bought into the living room.

"Catherine we both fare well thank you and Elizabeth has been appointed with a new governess recently. I trust that you are your husband the Duke of Suffolk are well? I say seeing her excitement.

"It is okay Catherine I understand that you must be really excited as usually I do not let many ladies have tea with me and only very few have entered my private chambers which I may show you later on Catherine. Tell me do you like the tea?

I couldn’t believe my eyes to what was unfolding inside my tea cup! I had never seen or even heard of lotus tea until today.



“ Your majesty, it’s simply divine! Did king Henry source it for you or was it an overseas ambassador? I continue to watch, lifting the tea cup gently up to my nose and breathing in its sweet scent. ” Charles and I have yet to spend some quality time together as of late. I hope to rectify that.”

I looked at Catherine as she admired the tea.

"The tea it was brought over from France and I must say it is very fine. Henry has decided to have an English version made for me. Is everything okay between you and Charles?

I looked towards Catherine.
"I am sorry to hear that it can be unhappy at times. Your husband he is a very important person here at court as well and Henry well he trusts him. Catherine if you ever need a friend you can always come and see me. Why not join with my ladies?

”That's very kind of you to offer your majesty. I will have to ask my husband what he thinks of it, but I would love nothing more than a friendship between us.” I smiled with sincerity when I placed my mug on the table.