Read Online Le Temps Viendra: A Novel of Anne Boleyn by Sarah A. Morris - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Sarah A. Morris
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Bess, as Alice had already left the room,
‘Could you leave me, Bess?’ I said with a slight, consoling smile. Bess looked vaguely confused, but did not object. Rising, she bobbed a curtsey, and quietly left the room.
Finally, I was alone. So many questions that I had brushed aside since I had awoken in the Long Gallery tumbled back through my mind. I leant forward bringing my knees up to my chest, hugging them, and enjoying, just for one moment, the warmth of the water melting away the tension in my aching muscles. I rested my chin on my knees and began to sort through my thoughts. The first question on my mind was, ‘how on earth did I find myself in the 16th century and how would I get back?’ If this wasn’t a dream—and it seemed increasingly unlikely that it wasn’t—then how had I entered this reality? No one had noticed any change in Anne. So was I Anne, or was Anne me? I mean, did we share the same soul? I knew that in the 21st century, quantum physicists believed that parallel universes most likely existed. In such a paradigm, all possibilities and realities were taking place simultaneously. In other words, was it possible that I was actually in both dimensions at the same time?
Another more disturbing thought followed. Did I want to go back? The truth was that despite my professional success, my personal life had been less than a triumph. Some five years before, I had met and fallen in love with a man who, inconveniently, happened to be married with a young daughter. We were soul mates, Daniel and I. Unfortunately, the heady excitement of those early days soon faded into despair as we both realised that he was unable to break up his family. However, from our suffering, a deeper and stronger love emerged that endured despite the enormously trying circumstances. The relationship with his wife, like Henry’s with Katherine, was cordial; no more than brotherly affection. Yet that did not make our time apart any easier, and although I got on with my life, I died inside living without him. We promised ourselves to each other—in time—when his daughter was more independent. But he was a devoted father, and I knew our love was tearing his sense of loyalties apart.
The irony and parallel with Anne’s situation did not fail to pass me by unnoticed. But suddenly I had found myself living her life. It was almost as if I could escape into a fantasy and forget unhappy endings, whilst allowing Daniel to go back to his family. Yes, it is true; during those early days, I rather ridiculously believed that I could single-handedly change the course of history; that Anne would live happily ever after.
Deep in thought, I watched the reflection of myself in the water. A small knock at my bedroom door abruptly broke my daydream. I looked up as it creaked open slowly, and Elizabeth Boleyn entered the room alone.
‘May I come in child?’ her voice was soft and filled with tenderness. I immediately relaxed. This was my mother, and I sensed Anne loved her dearly. My intuition told me that there was a close and intimate bond between them, and I felt safe.
‘Of course, mother,’ was my immediate reply. Elizabeth Boleyn came over and knelt, just as Bess had done only a few minutes before. She too began washing my neck and back. At last, with my mother close by my side, I was able to see her face in detail.
Elizabeth Boleyn had clearly been a very handsome woman in her younger years. About the same age as her husband, some of her youth and beauty had faded. However, in her maturity, Anne’s mother had retained her striking looks and possessed considerable elegance and grace. Indeed, I saw immediately where Anne had got her famed allure and poise. Unlike Anne though, Elizabeth’s face was more round than oval; her cheeks were somewhat full but she had the same flawless, olive-skinned complexion set against dark hair as her daughter. I could not help but notice the dark mole high on her left cheek bone, as it drew one’s
‘Could you leave me, Bess?’ I said with a slight, consoling smile. Bess looked vaguely confused, but did not object. Rising, she bobbed a curtsey, and quietly left the room.
Finally, I was alone. So many questions that I had brushed aside since I had awoken in the Long Gallery tumbled back through my mind. I leant forward bringing my knees up to my chest, hugging them, and enjoying, just for one moment, the warmth of the water melting away the tension in my aching muscles. I rested my chin on my knees and began to sort through my thoughts. The first question on my mind was, ‘how on earth did I find myself in the 16th century and how would I get back?’ If this wasn’t a dream—and it seemed increasingly unlikely that it wasn’t—then how had I entered this reality? No one had noticed any change in Anne. So was I Anne, or was Anne me? I mean, did we share the same soul? I knew that in the 21st century, quantum physicists believed that parallel universes most likely existed. In such a paradigm, all possibilities and realities were taking place simultaneously. In other words, was it possible that I was actually in both dimensions at the same time?
Another more disturbing thought followed. Did I want to go back? The truth was that despite my professional success, my personal life had been less than a triumph. Some five years before, I had met and fallen in love with a man who, inconveniently, happened to be married with a young daughter. We were soul mates, Daniel and I. Unfortunately, the heady excitement of those early days soon faded into despair as we both realised that he was unable to break up his family. However, from our suffering, a deeper and stronger love emerged that endured despite the enormously trying circumstances. The relationship with his wife, like Henry’s with Katherine, was cordial; no more than brotherly affection. Yet that did not make our time apart any easier, and although I got on with my life, I died inside living without him. We promised ourselves to each other—in time—when his daughter was more independent. But he was a devoted father, and I knew our love was tearing his sense of loyalties apart.
The irony and parallel with Anne’s situation did not fail to pass me by unnoticed. But suddenly I had found myself living her life. It was almost as if I could escape into a fantasy and forget unhappy endings, whilst allowing Daniel to go back to his family. Yes, it is true; during those early days, I rather ridiculously believed that I could single-handedly change the course of history; that Anne would live happily ever after.
Deep in thought, I watched the reflection of myself in the water. A small knock at my bedroom door abruptly broke my daydream. I looked up as it creaked open slowly, and Elizabeth Boleyn entered the room alone.
‘May I come in child?’ her voice was soft and filled with tenderness. I immediately relaxed. This was my mother, and I sensed Anne loved her dearly. My intuition told me that there was a close and intimate bond between them, and I felt safe.
‘Of course, mother,’ was my immediate reply. Elizabeth Boleyn came over and knelt, just as Bess had done only a few minutes before. She too began washing my neck and back. At last, with my mother close by my side, I was able to see her face in detail.
Elizabeth Boleyn had clearly been a very handsome woman in her younger years. About the same age as her husband, some of her youth and beauty had faded. However, in her maturity, Anne’s mother had retained her striking looks and possessed considerable elegance and grace. Indeed, I saw immediately where Anne had got her famed allure and poise. Unlike Anne though, Elizabeth’s face was more round than oval; her cheeks were somewhat full but she had the same flawless, olive-skinned complexion set against dark hair as her daughter. I could not help but notice the dark mole high on her left cheek bone, as it drew one’s
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