Chapter Text
Anne spends much of October in limbo. Henry has gifted her Durham House, and she spends much of her time there, organizing the household, preparing a wardrobe, and quietly agonizing over Henry’s decisions. She is to be his wife, that he has said clearly, but a clear action-the proposal-is yet to come. The lack of it prompts Lord Norfolk to visit Durham House one fine day, and Anne greets him as politely as possible, hiding a grimace all the while.
She is not pleasantly predisposed to her maternal uncle.
He is a man determined to gain power and prestige, and he has settled on Anne being the pathway he needs to do so. After all, she is perhaps the closest person to the King in all of England. Her success means Norfolk’s success. And for that, he is willing to do anything. Anne receives him in her sitting room.
“My lord, it is a pleasure.” She hides behind the wall of pleasantries. “What is it you wish to discuss?”
“Niece.”
He, too, inclines his head; it is a brief moment of mutual respect. Despite all his posturing as the premier duke of the land, Thomas Howard is still intimately aware of the tides of court. Disrespecting Anne gains him no favors in the King’s eye, and he is always careful not to cross such a line.
“Uncle.”
She is careful to make sure he is the one who must make his point first. She will not give away any of her cards. Instead of answering, Norfolk takes a seat in one of the armchairs. He looks up at her, so at ease, and smiles. Two can play the game. Pursing her lips, Anne follows suit.
“I am returning to my estate tomorrow,” Norfolk begins. “And I thought I would speak with you before departing.”
“On what matter?”
“The matter of your marriage, my dear niece.”
Anne barely hides a grimace. Only days ago, George had told her that members of their family were becoming fretful over the King’s reluctance to officially propose marriage to her. She had laughed and waved off the concerns airily.
“The King will propose when he thinks it best. I am not worried, brother, and neither should you be,” was what she’d said, and that was that.
Now, however, she is regretting all her bluster. The Duke of Norfolk will not accept the answer she gave to her brother, and he will not leave until she gives assurance. She cannot refuse to answer either; for all that she is the King’s sweetheart, Thomas Howard is her kinsman, and higher in rank.
“My lord,” she begins, careful, testing the waters. “Both you and I know it is up to his Majesty. I assure you, I await the day with anticipation.”
“And you cannot….persuade him to embark upon that journey quicker?”
“In a matter so important to the country, no, I cannot.”
“Country?” Norfolk has a way of speaking that makes the trivial pressing, and the most important matters trivial. He does so now, and Anne wants to give in to the urge to shout.
“Of course, the country, my lord. I will be Queen, and mother to a King. It will not do for our marriage to be unseemly, and his Majesty is most keen to avoid any opposition to the union.”
“Is that the answer he has given you?”
Anne glares at him. “What you suggest could be seen as treason, I would remind you.”
“Your suggestion goes too far. I am only looking to protect your future, niece.”
“And no, my lord, I am well aware of the politics at play. I would rather wait for years to tie myself to the King in marriage, than marry in a hurry and be tainted by the scandal.” She meets his eyes and holds his gaze. “For I alone will not bear it, but my children made to suffer as well – for a fault of their parent. I will not push such a burden upon them. And so it is better to be patient, my lord Norfolk, and reap the rewards when they come. You would do well to remember that.”
Her uncle rises to his feet. In a move born of stubbornness, Anne remains sitting. Upon noting the action, Norfolk’s face darkens just a touch, but before he can launch a scathing answer, the door to the room opens, and in comes Mary. Her sister stops short upon catching the gaze of their uncle.
“Lord Norfolk.”
“Niece, how nice that you seem to have found shelter. How are your children, if I may be so kind as to enquire?”
Mary stiffens. “They are well, thank you, Your Grace.”
For all that he is their mother’s brother, Thomas Howard does not care much about their feelings, but only for what they bring to him in riches.
“I should certainly hope they are raised well, given the King thinks you capable of doing so.”
Mary tips her chin up. “You will find that the King gave the guardianship of my children to my dear sister, who I believe is a refined woman. I trust her to ensure my children are raised well.”
“Yes, your dear sister.” His gaze turns back to Anne. “I hope that while you play about in this household, you do not forget the true reason for your advancement at court. Do whatever you must, however you must, but you must please the King, and you must have his ring on your finger before the year ends. If not, then you are a ruined woman. Good day.”
He smiles at them both – the sharp grin of a dangerous man – and departs. Anne sinks down to her chair, breathing deeply.
“Pay no heed to his words, sister,” Mary urges. “You know what he is like. Do not let what he says affect you.”
“I’m not!” Anne snaps back.
Mary raises a brow; it is such a familiar look, the one an elder sister gives to the younger, one that Anne has seen countless times. The years have passed, and now, instead of causing frustration, that look only brings fondness to her heart. So she rises and embraces her sister.
“The King will propose sooner rather than later,” Mary says. “Just you wait and see.”
Anne pulls away but does not meet her eyes. Her subsequent sigh says more than her words. Not for the first time, she is glad that Mary has escaped the scrutiny the King’s attention bestows upon the women of the court. Mary steps back further.
“I was coming to find you, to see if you could spare some of your precious time for your niece and nephew, oh my dear lady.” At her teasing tone, Anne lets out a short burst of laughter.
Hooking arms, she leads Mary out of the sitting room.
“My lady Carey, it would be my greatest pleasure.”
They head towards the nursery, and Anne tries to let the sharp words of their uncle fade from her memory. The King’s proposal will come when he deems it appropriate. Until then, as his loyal courtiers, they are resigned to wait in limbo.