Free Back to the Fuchsia by Melanie James Page B

self-confidence inspired me.
    Jessica and I followed her through the torch lit passage. The new dresses were quite beautiful and not nearly as uncomfortable as I imagined women wore at that time.
    Mine was green with gold trim and Jessica’s was blue with white trim. Ezzy’s yellow dress was much fancier than ours, and all I could think about is how she always made anything black look good. My sigh was loud enough to turn her head.
    “Is everything all right, Gertie?”
    “I just miss the way I’m used to seeing you.”
    “I’m sorry. I have to say something. I may just stay here. There’s a man that I adore and I’ve managed to catch his eye. If I can ever get that damned duke and his hands off of me, I might have a chance.”
    “Ooh.” Jessica smiled. “Tell us all about this mystery man of yours.”
    “He’s King Henry’s guest. A man from a faraway land. So mysterious.”
    Her words floated away, ending in a whisper. I saw her eyes twinkle in the dancing torchlight and her face actually seemed to glow.
    “Hey, Ezzy.” Jessica snapped her fingers. “You’re spacing out on us.”
    “I think she’s daydreaming about the lad,” I remarked.
    “They call him the California King. He’s tall, muscular, dark, such a perfect specimen of the male sex. He would make Adonis jealous.”
    “But, Ezzy! You can’t stay here. You’re needed in the future. I need you, your friends need you, and the Union needs you,” I protested.
    “Gertie, just wait. Once you lay your eyes on that man, you’ll agree he’s worth staying behind for.”
    “Odd title, don’t you think? California King?” Jessica asked. “The state of California wasn’t even dreamed of during the time of Henry VIII.”
    She was right, but I dismissed any concerns. “Oh, you know Americans. They named most places after other places with the same name. Who knows?”
    “Ladies, I don’t care if he’s from the moon. You’ll see. In fact, we better hurry along. King Henry has a new fool.”
    Ezzy skipped ahead of us and I recalled our last visit to Salem. She made it very clear that I’d never, ever, see her skipping. Yet there she was, eagerly skipping down the corridor, towards a room filled with the ever growing sound of laughter
    “Gertie? Do you think we’re actually King Henry’s new fools?” Jessica asked.
    “Hmm. Good question. Makes you wonder what happened to the last one.”
    “We’re here!” Ezzy cried, and we joined her in a curtained doorway. “Just stay close to my side.”
    King Henry was seated in a large chair, a beautiful young woman sat next to him. The Duke Charles and Lord Tossinoff stood directly behind them, but there was no sign of the mysterious king. “Where’s the California King?”
    “I’m sure he’s around here somewhere. The new fool is about to start! Listen!”
    Sure enough, a brightly costumed man was cracking jokes. I could only see his back, but his voice was very familiar.
    “Thank you, thank you. Good to have you here in my nightmare. Whew, seriously. I haven’t tripped like this in years. Hey, I see some folks here from earlier today! Duke Charles, my man! Wow! New codpiece? Or are you just happy to see me? Jesus Christ, talk about false advertising. Trust me folks, I’ve seen bigger things wiggling on fishing hooks.”
    The fool moved closer to the young woman seated next to the king. “Whoa! What’s a nice lady like you doing in a dungeon like this?”
    “I’m the king’s wife. The queen,” she said dryly.
    The fool counted on his fingers. “Tell me to stop at what number you are.” The room went silent at his awkward attempt at a joke.
    “Oh, I know who you are. Look everyone! It’s Queen Anne Boleyn!” The room exploded in applause. “Good to see you here tonight, Annie. Calm yourself, I said tonight, not two knights.”
    The fool turned to the king. “Down at the pub, rumor has it she can handle more knights than two at a time.” Queen Anne stood up and walked away.