In The Shadow - стр. 7
– Brigid is like a sister to me, Mother. Don't speak ill of her," the girl reminded her mother in a cool tone.
– Of course, my angel, I know that, and I wish her nothing but happiness," smiled Lady Norton, thinking to herself that in the struggle for the King's attention, friendship and sisterly love fade as quickly as the sun goes out on winter days. – I heard your cousin was interested in our beautiful Brigid… They would make a good match.
– Oh, no, he's not worthy even of Brigid's little finger. Skinny as a skeleton, ugly, stupid dwarf! – snorted Alienor.
– Owen is your uncle's heir, and when he dies he will inherit his lands and castle… Don't forget the position of the Guise family. Who else would want to marry the daughter of a disgraced former councillor?
– Someone will. She's so beautiful that if some single prince from Europe saw her, he'd take her away and put her on his throne without a word.
– That is why, my daughter, Henry should see and hear you and not her," said Lady Norton meaningly. – Shine like a gold ring in the sun, sparkle like a pure emerald, be lively and laughing, and the King of England himself will fall at your feet.
– Oh, mother, you forget that his heart belongs to Anne Boleyn! How can I compare with her in the art of seduction? No, I don't need a king for nothing! A handsome young duke is enough for me! – Alienor laughed, and her mother sighed patiently and continued her hard work.
When Alienor and Brigid, accompanied by her parents, entered the hall, which was already packed with at least a hundred guests who were part of the retinue of His and Her Majesties the King and Queen of England, their beauty was immediately noticed, and in a few moments the girls were surrounded by Henry's young retainers, including Anne Boleyn's older brother George. This nobleman hovered around Brigid, but quickly found her dull and dreary and turned his attention to her friend. Soon the copper-haired Miss Guise, despite her unique appearance, was standing against the wall, next to Queen Catherine's Spanish ladies-in-waiting, and Alienor was laughing and joking in the crowd of admirers. Indeed: Lady Norton had not lied when she said that Alienor always gets the upper hand over her almost-sister. Who needs a beautiful but dim jewel when you can have another, less beautiful but shining one?
Flirting with George Boleyn, who, however, was already tied to Jane Parker, the Queen's lady in waiting, Alienor discreetly sought out King Henry with her eyes. She knew that the king was tall and had a loud voice, but there was no man of that description among the guests.
The king did not appear. Neither did the Queen. And, hearing from one of the ladies in waiting that Their Majesties had decided to rest and would not join their hosts at the hospitable Norton Castle until tomorrow at breakfast, the diners in the dining room whispered. Some of the courtiers looked rather displeased, while an understanding smile shone on the faces of some, including the Boleyn family. The Boleyns knew: the king and Queen had had a big fight. For the umpteenth time. But it seems that Catherine of Aragon had hurt her husband so much with her endurance and firmness that he did not want to see anyone, not even his dear Anne, who, however, did not see fit to stay in her chambers either and was enjoying herself as much as all the other members of the royal retinue.