Did Henry love Anne? He did. Desperately. He wished to possess her. He wished his wife would die and leave him a widower, so he could marry the woman he loved and crown her Queen of England. She would give him a long-awaited son, an heir. To the regret and annoyance of the favourite and her lover, Catherine of Aragon had iron health and was not going to die. They could only wait for the happy day when the Queen would leave this world and make way for Miss Boleyn.

The feast, at which roast pheasants, geese and a few young piglets, candied fruit, fish, egg and fruit pies, and many other exquisite and not so exquisite dishes were served, came to an end only at midnight, after the guests and hosts had eaten, gossiped, flirted and danced to their hearts' content.

– Ah, did you see me? I shone like a polished gold coin! – Alienor said dreamily to her friend as they went into her large, lavishly furnished room to discuss the past fun and guests.

– You are always shining. And this evening even Miss Boleyn paled beside your glow," Brigid smiled. – I wish the King and Queen had been there with us… I would have liked to see Catherine. I have never seen her, but my father told me a lot about her.

The girl delicately kept silent about the fact that her father did not miss a single opportunity to insult the name of England's favourite Spaniard: "She looks like an old goose. Just about to croak!", "It's high time she went to her grave!", "Let her make way for a decent English lady!" "Henry cares nothing for her. "He is wrapped up in the sharp vines of another Boleyn girl, and she is only happy about it.

– And what did he say? – Alienor responded with interest. She sat down on the scarlet velvet bed and gladly took off her new high-heeled boots made of soft leather.

– She loves her husband and he doesn't love her," Brigid said quietly and sighed heavily: she didn't know the woman or what she looked like, but she felt sorry for her.

It must be hard for a Queen to see her husband openly despise her and favour the court beauties… Both Boleyn sisters had been in his bed, and Miss Mary had even borne him two children. Yet these girls were just one of the unfortunate ones, in Brigid's opinion, who had no luck in attracting the king's attention. After all, if he wants to call a girl into his bedchamber, she cannot refuse him. He is a king. King of England.

– She's older than he is. What do you want? Of course he wants a younger, sweeter body," Alienor shrugged indifferently. – I wish he'd come down. I could have got him to ask me to dance.

– Oh, I have no doubt about that," Brigid said warmly. She went over to her friend, sat down beside her on the bed, and lovingly patted her cheek, ruddy from the wine and dancing. – 'Only I don't think Miss Boleyn would let him.

– She is only his mistress! – Alienor said ironically and squeezed Brigid in her arms. – You had better tell me, what of William? Has he already asked your father for your hand?

– I honestly do not know… I have not yet had a conversation with him on the subject… But he danced with me! He held my palms in his… I would have stayed with him in that hall, dancing and not saying a word! – whispered Brigid passionately. – Did he dance with you? I had to leave the hall… My mother called me: she said my face had become too ruddy.

– Your mother is a heartless woman, forgive me for saying it so plainly… But to make you leave the hall because you blushed with excitement after dancing with your beloved? And your future betrothed, as well! – Alienor grumbled unhappily.