My Heart Rests With You 2

Chapter 2
March 1522
I woke with a startled gasp in a cold sweat. The very essence of my love had just been in the room with me, I could swear it. I could almost hear him now,
"Forgotten me already? My darling Anne, am I really so far away?"
"Of course not," I would reply, "You are always with me, right inside my heart." He was there now, I could feel him in the smoothly thrumming muscle. Always we would be one and he would be in every breath that I took, until we could be together again.

The room was too cold, but I drifted to the window anyways. Any portal to the outside world, where I could imagine him more easily. I could see walking along the street, or maybe even looking out a window too. If I worked hard enough, pulling all of the strands of my memory then I could just barely hear his footfalls on the stone, barely feel his hands on my shoulders again, only just hear the whisper of his voice. But soon the memory fractured, spilling away from me.

I could not stop my sigh with all the will power that I contained. How I missed him. I couldn't find words to properly describe the acute agony tearing me apart. With every breath that I took the tear in my flesh grew wider, waiting to swallow me entirely. Some days I wondered when I would finally loose my balance and topple in.

The door opened without a knock or my consent, whoever it was must've thought me asleep. I turned, ready to yell at whichever maid had so rudely intruded on my solitude. I stopped short when I saw my father, standing with wide hands propped impatiently on hips.
"Well?" he questioned, "Are you ready?" Something inside me swooped even deeper than I realized was possible as I remembered with sparkling clarity. The masque, it was tonight. This very evening, not thirty miles from where I now stood.

"Ready? Of course not Father," I muttered to the floor as I curtsied hastily.
"Well get to it, the carriage leaves in two hours!" He strode out the door and I flew to pieces. Two hours! Was it even possible? Perhaps it would be a good thing that I would be wearing a mask.

Moving to the door I bellowed for my maid, panic stretching my voice. Footsteps rushed up the stairs and as preparations began I let myself sink into another memory.

I had moved through the back allies, foolishly thinking that because of the early hour, no one would be watching. Watching for someone just like me to come wandering along. They seemed to come from the creases between the wall and street, seeping out of the darkness. Smiling while their stench permeated my spoiled nose.

Even now, in the chair my fingers tensed on the rests. But I had to remember this part, it made the next moment so sweet.

I had backed into a corner, trying to keep myself clean even as they pressed in. And then, the most wonderful sound.
"What exactly do you think you are doing?" Each filthy head slowly swung to look at the owner of the deep voice, as my eyes shot straight forward. A tall man, with goldish brown hair stood firmly with one hand resting on the hilt of a sword.

After a few muttered curses the monsters of the ally crept back to wherever they had come from. I let my hand rest on top of my heart, as if I could slow it so simply. The man drew closer, bending slightly so that we were eye to eye. "Are you well Madam?" After a moment more I found the breath to reply.

"Now I am. How can I ever thank you, Sir...?"
"Ah," He quickly straightened and then swept low in a bow. "My name is Robert Fitzroy, most everyone calls me Renard. And I would be delighted to accompany you wherever your destination may be." I quickly curtsied and replied,
"Lady Anne, my destination is the dressmaker's on the North side of the city. May I ask why everyone calls you Fox?"
"It's a rather long story," he explained with a light in his eyes and a tilt to his mouth.
"As I recall, it's a rather long walk. If you still intended on accompanying me that is."

"Anything for a beautiful lady. Shall we go?" I nodded and slid my arm over his offered elbow as we made our way out of the ally.

"All finished my lady," I heard, pulling me away from what I wanted most. I sighed, eyes still closed, still imagining his perfect face. Slowly I opened my eyes to take in my metamorphosis that could only happen with many hands working in various, excruciating ways.

My hair was swept into more complicated knots and swirls than my eyes could count. Pearls running over my neck and through the maze of my hair. "One last thing," A mask was offered for me to take, and after a moment I did. Slipping the formed white silk over my eyes I could almost believe that it was a different time, or that I was a different person. Almost.