My Heart Rests With You 5

Chapter 5
March 1522
"My lady, did you say something?" The words hit me just as he drew close enough for me to see his brown eyes. It was not Renard. My tears of joy stopped on my eyelashes, thank goodness.

"I'm terribly sorry," I said, trying not to breathe too quickly. "I mistook you for an old friend."
"Oh, it's no trouble, would you care to dance?" The invitation was sudden and grated against me.
"Were you not leaving?" I asked softly.
"No, the mask is just, well it is inconvenient is it not?" In a sudden motion he pulled the mask away from his face, smoothing his hair as I stifled a gasp. His resemblence to Renard was astounding. It stole my thoughts.

"Would you care to dance? I could put the mask back on," he offered with a smile.
"Do not think of it, I would love a dance." I was lost, assaulted with my own intrusive memories.

July 1519
I clenched my fingers in the soft fabric of my skirts. I then had to work to release them. I was incredibly nervous, nearly shaking right out of my shoes. Tonight was a ball, and I had recieved word that not only was Renard finally back in the city, he was to be in attendance tonight. My mind flew about in my head, lighting on one thought and then another like a small bird. What if he did not remember me, or worse, what if he did not come at all? My jaw strained against my teeth. I could not keep letting myself think like this. I was standing at the Queen's door, waiting to follow her down to dinner, for it would not do for a queen's ladies to arrive before she did. Of all the times for her to take a year to prepar herself. She would still be old and fat when she arrived, no matter how much powder she put on. I suppose that wasn't the point. My toe began to tap in my white slipper, I did not have the patience to stop it. I let out a huff of breath and bit my tounge. I had to do something. Finally the doorknob rattled furiously.
"Are you ready to recieve me?" her voice slithered under the door.
"Always your highness," I replied, dipping in automatic curtsey. I pulled open the door while remaining in the humiliating position. She swept past rather quickly with nose firmly in the air. I followed as soon as she was past.

The stairs proved difficult, there may as well have been a suit of armor stuffed underneath my dress. I was too nervous to move well. Even as the Queen moved at her normal, trudging pace, I had trouble following. Finally we arrived. I pushed up on tip toes, scanning past the ever long table, past all of the faces that I had already seen that month, looking for the one that I had not. Finally, I saw him. Renard's eyes seemed to find me just as I found him. I let out my breath in one large gasp, nearly all of my worries melting away at once, he was here. I tried to relax my body while I still stretched to see him. Was it my imagination, or was he stretching towards me as well?

I was pleased when I made it to my seat that Renard was in my eye line. Of course we would not sit next to eachother, but at least I could see him, I could even pretend he would be stealing glances at me through the meal. Once each of the lords and ladies were seated the king gave a speech and then signaled for the food to be brought forward. I could not wait for the meal to end and the dancing to begin, but of course, that was still hours away. To ready myself to last through these last hours before I would speak to Renard again I looked down the table at him. My eyes met his and he raised his glass, tilting it to me in a gesture that I doubted anyone saw. My cheeks immediately flushed with pleasure as I nodded. This was going to be a long meal indeed.

Food piled on top of food was brought to the table, flourishes each time. Each new brightly colored meat was a disappointment, each clearing of plates made me want to cry. This torture was so very near to unendurable. I allowed myself another look at Renard, who was talking to the gentleman next to him. I was surprised at the burst of violence that filled me, I wanted to attack the man for taking him away from me. What a foolish notion. Already I was so possessive of my Renard, this was sure to end badly for at least one of us. Finally each lord and lady at the table had been stuffed so full that dancing would be an effort, and we were allowed to move to the ballroom. The music began playing while I was still in the hallway. It played a stunningly beautiful melody, a good start to the night.

March 1522
"You were in court in France?" He asked, looking down to me as we danced.
"Yes, for several years."
"Is it truly the land of love?" A smile automatically pressed itself onto my face. Carefully examining the front of his coat I replied,
"Yes."
"I enjoy traveling myself," he said, unpreturbed by my sudden change of emotion.
"Do you travel often?"
"Yes, with my father when I was younger. Now I am old enough to travel by myself," I looked back up in time to catch a devilish smile lolling on his mouth.
"I've only just realized I never introduced myself! How rude!" I let out, unable to believe myself, but easily forgiving the error. "I am Lady Anne," I said, inclining my head because my body was in his grasp.
"I am Henry Percy, but please, call me Percy." I tried to control my facial expression, I was dancing with a future earl.