& @semperanneboleyn
The journey to Dover had provided a welcome respite for Bridget; outside of the watchful eyes of her aunt and father, and with her brother occupied by more important matters, she had been free to flit about to her heart's content. Her laughter had been heard floating above the din of the crowd at nearly every gathering, so delighted was she to be socializing among courtiers English and foreign, basking in the frivolity of a social retreat, at least on her part. Negotiations seemed to be going well, as she could only surmise by the jovial mood of the king and those close to him; Bridget even thought she had seen Queen Mary crack a smile.
When they returned to Hampton, however, it was not long before responsibility appeared on her doorstep. Bridget had been summoned to an audience with the queen, which either meant that Alice's request was about to be granted, or the dowager wished to complete an evaluation of the Parr girl before she made her final decision. It would be an honor to serve the queen, Bridget knew, and would give her an edge over other ladies when it came to matters of her future; it would also provide Alice with a direct line into Anne's household, which Bridget suspected was the real reason her aunt pushed for this placement.
She went as she was bid, for nobody kept the queen waiting, and did feel a bit of apprehension building before the doors to the queen's presence chamber opened before her. Bridget planted a pleasant look upon her face and slowly crossed the floor to the dowager, sinking into a curtsy when she was an appropriate distance away. "Good morning, Your Grace. You wished to see me?"
