Cottage in the woods

"A brave and bold warrior...whose kiss is like fire and whose embrace melts your very bones!" I said dramatically, hugging myself and making kissy faces. My laughter stopped as she neared me, and I knew a beautiful sisterly moment would be had. I couldn't help smiling even though my heart ached for my forbidden love. "I would marry him if he was free. Even if it meant living off a music teacher's meager earnings. I'd take him for him alone."

"Such poetry, sister!" I praised her and clapped politely. I usually had so many interesting thoughts and imaginings but I was embarrassed that I could barely read or spell my own name. "The duchess knows nothing of me and Henry, of that I'm sure," I said steadily. "I will simply have to wait until I am old enough to attend court. I would like to be a lady in waiting."

As my sweet sister spoke of the life I could live if I was away from here, hope began to rise in my heart. I knew that it would not be easy to go from mere country schoolgirl to lady in waiting. A queen's lady in waiting, if the rumors I heard were true. God willing, my cousin Anne would ascend the throne as Henry VIII's new queen. I smiled at Isabel. "Would you, sister, would you help me? To think of all that I could have but don't..if you could help me leave Lambeth behind forever I would be so grateful! Perhaps you could even speak to the dowager duchess for me."

The idea of meeting my cousin Anne Boleyn made my heart feel light, but at the same time I knew I had to answer my sister's question. I wondered if there was something she knew of my family I did not. "My father was -- I mean, he is, a Howard. He had twenty siblings and was not fortunate enough to be the firstborn. I may be a silly girl, but I know that means he didn't get a share of the family's wealth. I couldn't be brought up in penury, so here I am."

"Lord Thomas Boleyn?" I repeated. "Yes, perhaps he may be able to help me leave, even if only for a little while. Oh Izzy, could you help me? With the letter I mean, I am not very good at writing," I admitted as my cheeks blushed.

I bit my lip and twirled my hair as I thought about what I wanted to say. "I suppose I should inform the duchess that, though I am gracious for her generosity and hospitality, it is time I go off to court to practice what I have learned here. And, I don't mean the things that Henry Manox taught me," I replied, blushing. "And to Lord Boleyn I wish to say that I am ready to serve my cousin Lady Anne Boleyn, with all my heart and soul."

I nodded somberly at my sister's words, yet the thought of court still had a sparkle in my mind's eye. "I would never dare do anything to risk my reputation at court, nor would I risk being removed from Lady Anne's service. But don't you see, Izzy? This is my chance to do something wonderful, to be part of something wonderful. Even if I am only in the background, just a tile in the grand mural of court."

I was so happy that my sister wanted to help me. I thought the two of us, together at court, would make an amazing pair. "The only man I know here is Henry...but he would be filled with jealousy for me to leave. Then there is the duchess's secretary Francis Dereham, but I think he hardly likes me at all," I said thinking of our last encounter.

"He is the secretary of the duchess and helps with taking care of the estate when Her Grace cannot," I said as I played with the folds of my skirt. "I don't think he likes me. He often teases me and says I have a way with men as to use my looks and charm to bait them."

I looked at my sister with surprise. That thought had never occurred to me. "Dereham, jealous of Manox? To my ears it sounds so absurd, but now that I think about it you may be right!"

Feeling hopeless I merely shook my head. "He has never made it plain that he feels any way about me except to show contempt for seducing Manox to my whim, which isn't true by the way. What would you do if you were in my position?" I asked, my hands taking Izzy's.

I felt the blush creep up my neck and into my face. Giggling, I began to play with my hair. "I don't know for sure. They are both handsome. But Henry is married and therefore not a viable option.. I wouldn't ever want to be the other woman."

But yet this Henry is enraged with jealousy. Sounds as if he wants his cake and eat it too!

Such predicaments were always a torture to the heart. Yet all the ladies at court would be envious of my sweet sister. Even the stuck up snobbish people would bow down to her.

You are a woman yet you do not know the power you hold over men. You should yield it to your advantage! I don't want you to cry over these men I want you to know that the ball is firmly in your court. You call the shoots and I mean all off them.