Prompt: Masquerade

[happyfalcon]

((ooc: As always, free for anyone to tag, just beware the historical inaccuracies!))


Few things made Anne happier than dressing up. A masquerade ball at her family's castle at Hever before All Hallow's Eve was just what she had needed. Mary and her mother came from France to join the festivities, and George was finishing his own outfit in his room. Anne herself had prepared a fine blue gown and a nicer mask to match. She pinned some of her dark hair back and let it fall in waves down her back.

After she tied the mask behind her head, donned the dress and proper jewels, Anne made her way downstairs. Only a few guests had arrived, all clad in masks and laughing gaily. Anne recognized a few voices, and of course she recognized the goofy gait and teasing of her brother George. But others she didn't recognize.

Still, she enjoyed the atmosphere.

Comments

[happyfalcon]

Anne was indeed back to her old self, and it felt damn good to have her old strength and wit again. She shot her trademark grin at Thomas, keeping her lips close to his.

"He assumes that he holds my heart, and my father presumes that he can give my heart to whomever he pleases. Little does he realize, my heart's already been promised to another...to you..."

Anne parted her lips a bit, allowing her tongue to flick out and meet his. And then his stomach's rumbling gave her pause. She bit her lower lip in an attempt to silence herself, but sge could not fight her laughter.

"And whose fault was that? My father made it a point to prepare a very nice breakfast for his guests." She teased him right back.

((ooc: It seems to be winding down well enough - and believe me I have a few ideas myself! Whenever you're ready to start plotting those :) ))

[howlikeyouthis]

Wyatt let go of Anne and stepped back, a hand over his provenly empty stomach. "The fault lies within me, undoubtedly. I thought I would be half way home by now. Not that I mind this change of plans." He reached out to lightly tap her nose. "Being hungry is well worth this."

Because honestly, he felt indefinitely better than a mere hour ago. He might have even gone so far as to say that this feeling was more satisfying than having sex with her last night. That moment had been clouded by desperation that it was to be the last time he could hold her in such a profound way.

Now their disagreements had been settled and forgiven. Now he had something to look forward to.

"As much as I hate to say it, I should be going." He walked up to his horse and remembered there was a leather flask hanging from the saddle. A drink would give him the needed refreshment. He popped the cork off, glancing Anne. "I would offer but... it's just ale." He held the bottle toward her just in case.

"I'm going to be staying in Allington for a few days but I should be heading back to London by Wednesday the latest. What about you?"

[happyfalcon]

Anne's need to be ladylike was overshadowed by her need to meet anything she perceived as a challenge. She knew he wasn't trying to challenge her, but still. It wasn't a great many women who could handle the strong taste of ale. Anne stepped forward slowly as he offered the flask, wrapped her slender fingers around it and tipped it to her lips.

She didn't drink much, just a swallow or two. But Anne didn't waste much time handing it back to him. Her smile remained true even as she swallowed the drink.

"I suppose all good things must inevitabley come to an end," Anne sighed. She was sorry to see him go, but it gave her something to look forward to; the whole idea of plotting when and how they could meet again, actually getting to see him again.

Anne paused, pursing her lips, thinking on her schedule, which had little to do with her, when it came down to it.

"I am set to stay at Hever for a few more days, but really I'll have to return to London at my father's pleasure," Anne shrugged. "When last it was discussed, I believe he had planned my return for Tuesday."

Anne bit her lip to keep herself from asking the question that burned her mind: When would she see him again? She wanted to ask, but she did not want to portray herself as desperate or needy.

[howlikeyouthis]

Eyes sparkling, he watched Anne sip from the flask as if ale was her usual choice of drink. Wyatt himself took a sizeable gulp before securing the flask back to the saddle.

"Aye. There's time for everything, but end is this not, my dear."

He took the reins of Anne's horse and walked the animal to stand by her. Just like at the stables, Wyatt helped her up. He rested a hand on her thigh, wanting the contact while he could.

"Your father's pleasure... whatever that entails." A disturbing thought flashed through his mind. "You don't suppose he's invited Henry over?"

Come to think of it, Thomas Boleyn had probably extended his invitation for the Masquerade to the King as well. That Henry hadn't been present was no doubt due to the fact there were foreign envoys in London and he could not be spared from his duties. But what if he was free now? Would he try to seek Anne's company at Hever?

"I truly hope I am mistaken but if I am not, stay strong. I shall see you soon." He tugged at Anne's arm to encourage her to lean down for a kiss.

"I will tie a small ribbon to my door knob whenever I'm in my chambers. It is going to have to be very inconspicuous so you need to watch for it carefully." Carefully but quickly; she couldn't stop by his door to examine it for long.

He smiled again, and moved to get up on his own horse now.

[happyfalcon]

Anne climbed up into the saddle of her horse when Thomas brought him over to her, with his help of course. She was glad for his lingering touch at her thigh, for all too soon she'd have to endure the time away from him.

At the mention of the king, Anne frowned and gave a slight sigh.

"Father did send an invitation to the king for the masquerade, obviously he had high hopes for that night. But the king declined, though I'm not certain why. In his letters he usually declares any plans to visit, and thus far I've heard nothing."

She paused, looking to catch his gaze.

"But surely you know as well as I that the king does as he pleases," Anne sighed.

There was no question that Henry might very well decide that he wanted to see her and could wait no longer. Her father would be only too thrilled to receive the king at Hever.

But as he explained the plan, Anne nodded and a broad smile broke across her face as she leaned down to kiss him.

"I'll be only thrilled to return to London to find that favor then," Anne giggled. "Really Thomas, is it not the lady who is supposed to give a ribbon to her lover?"

She wasn't worried about getting caught examining the doorknob. Anne was stealthy enough and clever enough to avoid detection.

"So then, I shall next see you in London, I presume?" Anne asked as she turned her horse back towards Hever.

[howlikeyouthis]

"That he does," he agreed about Henry's whims. "All we can do is to take what is given, to accept what is not." Henry was charismatic and intelligent, and more than a little aware of the fact that he could do just as he pleased.

Wyatt laughed at her snarky remark. "There is no reason why it couldn't be your ribbon, Anne." Though in truth he had been thinking more of a piece of string than a ribbon.

"Yes. It will be a long wait for me." With a final courteous bow, Wyatt reluctantly left Anne's side and made his way to Allington.


((ooc: The End unless you wish to add something. I guess we'll go to London next? Can exchange details over PM. I'm willing to write a starter, too.)