Anne was only too eager to return that second kiss. Her body leaned into his, craving his heat against the chill of the air and the loneliness that had plagued her. She moved with his direction, her cheek against his shoulder and the velvet softness of his tunic. Both her hands came down to rest against his chest.

"The Devil himself could not have detained me," she replied softly, nuzzling more against him, letting the heat melt between them. "I'm holding on as well as I can, and you, love?"

Anne tilted her head a bit, her lips moving to brush against his neck, craving the contact with his skin they had been so denied.

"I took your advice - the ladies are preparing a play for Her Majesty, and the King seemed satisfied with that when I gave it as a reason that I could not see him," Anne told him. "He seemed busy enough anyway, preparing for all the festivities."

But she didn't want to talk much more of the King now. It was bad enough she had to spend endless hours with her father and brother discussing matters of the King. She was only given little time with Thomas, surely there were better topics of discussion.

"God, help me, but I have missed you so sorely..." Anne sighed, nuzzling against the crook of his neck.