1523 New Years Eve (Edited)

Taking my arm in his, my brother leads me across the snow-covered grass. "Tonight we celebrate," Philip says excitedly.

His eyes are alight with childish glee. I nudge him fondly. "It is the turning of the year. Of course we will celebrate," I say with apathy.

He looks down at me studying my expression for my lack of enthusiasm. "You adore New Year's Eve, Kat. What is wrong?" he demands in a pouty way.

I avert my gaze, looking out towards the darkening sky. "Nothing is wrong, brother." I lie.

"Is it to do with Joan?" he asks. I lean my head on his shoulder and sigh in agreement. "Just need to let her be for a while. We both know she is no fun, and whatever you have done to offend her, I am sure she will forgive soon," he says in a serious tone that I rarely hear him use.

"Why do you assume I am the one at fault?" I laugh.

He wraps his arm around my shoulder, bringing me in closer. "Because, little sister, it could never be our dear, sweet, Joan's fault," he says sarcastically.

I laugh at this. I would normally reprimand him on Joan's behalf, but today I do not feel inclined to come to her defense. She has been upset with me since learning about Anne's knowledge of us. She is taking it too far. If she thinks I will be begging for her to talk to me, then she is going to be disappointed. I can manage fine without her.

"Did the King like your gift? I heard he had hundreds, if not, thousands of presents to receive this morning. If it was similar to the amount the Queen received, I would not be surprised to hear the courtiers of the realm are all now penniless." I say as he leads us away from the garden.

"He liked our gift very much, and said he would give back in kind," he smirks.

"Our gift?" I ask, confused.

"Of course. Everyone must give the King a gift, sister. It is folly not to," he says.

I blush. I had not even thought to purchase a gift. Thankfully I had an older brother looking after my interests. Together we make our way back inside to the loud chatter of the court, and the sweet festive tunes of celebration.

* * *

I sip my wine slowly while listening to the soft-spoken voice of Mistress Darrell. She is a strange girl, yet she is undyingly loyal to Queen Katherine. Every word spoken out against the Queen would be reported by this girl, and she felt no qualm whenever she did so.

I try to make the right sounds and nod my head intently, as if I am hanging on to every word that falls from her lips. I wish Anne were here. She would always find a way to keep me entertained. She is witty and certainly has a way with her words that could easily draw anyone in. It has been nearly a month since I last saw her, and I already miss her presence.

The rumors circulating at court say a courtier named Percy married Mary Talbot in a quick ceremony, just a few days after Anne left for France. I wonder if he was Anne's lover. Percy would have elevated her status beyond measure, and the timing could not be coincidental. I am almost certain he is the man that has caused Anne's exile.

Philip grabs my hand, disrupting my thoughts. He draws me into the middle of the grand hall. He has not moved off the floor all night, dancing with so many women I have lost count.

Crooking his head to the side, he gives me a look—a look I know all too well. I squint my eyes, trying to determine what he is hiding.

Our arms link and we circle together. "What are you up to, brother?" I ask.

We take a step back, switching places with those next to us. I look across to my brother and his grin widens. Big hands take hold of mine as we begin to circle. "Are you enjoying the celebration, Mistress Champernowne?" a deep, silken voice asks me.

My knees feel like they are going to buckle beneath me. If it was not for the King's strong hands, I think I might have fallen then and there. It was one thing to look at him from afar, yet, to be dancing with him, touching him, it felt special somehow.

"I . . . Yes. I am having a great time," I finally manage to stutter out.

He smiles down at me. He certainly is a tall man. "Tell me, do you prefer the celebrations at this court or at the French one?"

I feel like I have just been thrown into court politics at the deep. I can feel eyes on me and him as we dance. His eyes are the most intense of them all. "I prefer the celebrations here at your court. They are much more grand and festive," I reply.

He beams at my response and I know I have answered the question correctly. It is said that he is very competitive—like in celebrations, among many other things. The dance changes pattern and I find myself back into my brother's guiding hands.

"You set me up!" I say.

"Not at all, sister." He smiles and I can not tell if he is being serious or not.

When the music finishes I take myself over to a jug filled with wine. With shaking hands, I take a large sip. The King stays for another dance and I feel the watching eyes slowly peel from me to see who else is entertaining the King.

I do not know why I feel so unnerved. I came here to get close to the King. It was not how I imagined our meeting. He radiated power, and his touch . . . it had done something to me. Maybe it was the wine? Goblet in hand, I head outside to cool down.

I walk quickly down the stone steps which leads out towards the garden. The cool air feels refreshing on my heated skin.

"You must be cold, Katherine," a voice says from behind me.

A gasp catches in my throat. For a moment I think it is the King. I turn towards the small alcove which jutted from the stone wall. Wrapped in its shadow is the source of a voice I certainly recognize. "My knight," I whisper.

He leans forward, and his face comes into view. He looks up at me with at slight grin on his face. "Your knight? Well . . . that's a new one. I like it," he says, smiling.

I stand, dumbfounded, unsure what to say. I can feel my cheeks burning once more, and I am at a loss for words as his handsome face comes into view. My eyes hungrily take in every detail. He is not wearing his armor, but close-fitting courtier clothes, which outline every robust muscle.

A slight cough interrupts my running thoughts, snapping me out of my lustful imaginings. "I am sorry to disturb you, Master Ashley," I finally say.

I turn to make my way back inside, but he stops me. His hand rests on my shoulder gently. "You did not interrupt me, Katherine," he says softly.

I am so close to him, I can do nothing but look upon his looming face. I breathe him in. He hesitates for a moment before his lips crash down on mine. They are soft, but his kiss is firm. He breaks away, looking into my eyes for reassurance. I do not look away, but I eagerly stand onto the tips of my toes, kissing him back in return.

Sparks flutter within my stomach as the heat which I had felt inside when I danced with the King fires up again as me and my knight embrace. He pulls away from me. "It does your reputation no good if we get caught out here, like this," he says remorsefully.

I grudgingly agree, though I would like to do nothing else but continue with this new experience. "It would look more out of place if you walk me back. I should go alone," I whisper.

He nods his head in assent, and I find it takes me a moment or two before I can break away from his embrace and make my way back to a celebration that holds no more interest for me.

"Happy New Year, Katherine." I hear him say as I walk away.