Anne Lumley's bedchamber

"Charles smiled, shooking his head"

You're much more than modest, my lady. I've never a lady not aware about her beauty. I rather think...that you exactly know the effect you have on men...

"He added, teasing her again"

She shrugged with a smile,"Maybe-my mother says I have much to learn."

"Charles sighed. He was not eating, just staring at her"

Everyone has much to learn, my lady. Tell me: what's your dreams? I mean...how do you see your future?

"He asked, noticing she was also very deep"

She sighed and sipped her tea, wrapping her free arm around her knees.

"I am bound in a marriage that is not a marriage. Often my dreams feel of little consequence. I wanted to be a dancer when I was little for I do so love to dance. I wanted to go to countries and see the world and then come home clever and wise."

She shrugged with a fake smile to disguise her sadness,"But here I am-Baroness Ogle."

"Charles listened her carefully. Then smiled and nodded"

A dancer? Oh...I never thought you had such dreams. Hope they could come true, one day. Would you...dance something for me? If you don't mind. I'm not trying to embarass you...

"He added smiling warmly"

She chuckled,"There is no music..."

"Charles laughed"

I know...I just wanted to see few steps. But I won't force you, of course...

"He stared silently at her and then kept on taking some food again"

She rolled her eyes playfully and stood up,"One minute,"she said and flung her robe over her chair as she stood in her nightgown like some sort of nymph.

She cleared her throat - a little embarrassed- and smiled,"Coté, de,"she said and moved from side to side on her toes.
She then twirled gracefully on the spot, her dress flying around her with her loose hair covering her face. She paused and placed one foot in front of the other; with one hand held the hem of her gown, the other raised elegantly above her head.

"There,"she said, as she curtseyed. Her hair tumbled over her eyes and her cheeks flushed.

"Charles followed all her movements with surprised eyes. She was very gracious and light. He couldn't remove his eyes from her. Once she finished, he clapped slowly his hands"

Bravo! I...I'm really admired. I'm not an expert...but you could dance into a theatre. Or even here at court in front of the King. I...I loved your movements...

"He said before biting weakly his lips"

She chuckled with hands casually resting on her hips,"I doubt it. Although I shall settle for dancing for a duke."

"Charles laughed"

I'm impressed...really. Please, come and keep me company. As I told you, I don't like eating alone...

"He gestured her to reach him at the table"

She smiled and walked over, wrapping her velvet robe around her again,"You have cheered me-thank you. Although I wish I could call you something other than Your Grace."

"Charles smiled. He placed a dish full of fresh fruit in front of her on the table"

You can call me Charles. If you allow me to call you Anne...

"He said smiling teasingly as usual"

She laughed,"Of course you can! What else would you call me? Baroness-ugh, such a horrible title."

"Charles giggled"

Uhm...Baroness Anne, maybe. But it's so formal. Don't you find?

"He answered with a little wink"

She nodded with a smile,"Just Anne."

"Charles smiled her back"

So...what would you like to do today...Anne?

"He asked, before biting an apple"

She shrugged,"I don't know. All there seems to be here is walking in the gardens and I know them very well now."

She paused and glanced at her desk,"Perhaps I shall walk to London. I have a letter I need sent home."

"Charles raised an eyebrow"

A letter? To who? If I'm not too bold to ask...

"He smiled and bit his apple again"

"My husband, I said I would write as often as I could,"she replied.

"Charles nodded ironically"

Ahh...I thought it was a secret lover. Forgive me...

"He chuckled shooking his head. He loved teasing her"

She winked playfully,"Perhaps one day."

"Charles smiled again, surprised by her answer"

So...this could happen, in the future. Well, I honestly think that you deserve more than an impotent husband...

"He said rolling his eyes"

She tutted and stood up,"I am still his wife and he is more than impotent. I would I had never told you."

She walked to her wardrobe and looked blindly at her dresses, not really paying any real attention to them.

"Charles looked confused at her. His smile disappeard"

Oh...I'm sorry. I was just trying to make you laugh. I never meant to offend you. Maybe I should leave...

"He said standing up"