The Other Boleyn Girl

by Philippa Gregory

never look back. We have no time for regrets or second thoughts. If a plan goes awry we make another, if one weapon breaks in our hands we find a second. If the steps fall down before us we overleap them and go up. It is always onwards and upwards for the Howards; and

‘You’re always in love,’ Anne said crossly. ‘You’re like a big butter ball, always oozing love for someone or other. Once it was the king and we did very well out of that. Now it’s his baby, which will do us no good at all. But you don’t care. It’s always seep seep seep with you: passion and feeling and desire. It makes me furious.’ I smiled at her. ‘Because you are all ambition,’ I said. Her eyes gleamed. ‘Of course. What else is there?’

Everything is changing, and here we are, at the very front of the change.’ ‘If I refuse?’ I asked, my voice very thin. He gave me his most cynical smile that left his eyes as cold as wet coals. ‘You don’t,’ he said simply. ‘The world’s not changed that much yet. Men still rule.’

‘I was born to be your rival,’ she said simply. ‘And you mine. We’re sisters, aren’t we?’

She had a grace that came from absolute confidence in her position in the world.