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.

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[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.)