Charles Brandon's bedchamber

"Charles shook slowly his head while smiling"

There is no need, Catherine. Your mother...told me that your family is living a difficult period. But...you can always count on me, sweet Catherine...

"He added with soft voice, looking at her"

Catherine smiled her eyes filled with tears of joy and she kissed his cheek softly 'Thankyou' she whispered.

"Charles sighed as she kissed his cheek. He looked at her and touched softly her chin"

You're so beautiful, Catherine...

"He whispered, staring at her lips"

Catherine gulped and she smiled and leant in and kissed him gently.

"Charles kissed her back, closing his eyes. He sighed and looked surprised at her"

Catherine...

"He whispered, looking into her deep eyes"

Catherine panted a little and sat on his knee 'I think..i want this as much as you do' she whispered.

"Charles looked surprised at her again as she sat on his knee. He wrapped his arms around her waist and looked amazed at her beauty"

Catherine, I...I don't know what to say. You're so young...

"He whispered, removing slowly her hairs from her delicate neck"

Catherine gulped a little 'Age is just a number, your grace' she whispered.

"Charles sighed and looked at her with a tender smile"

I...I'm much older than you, Catherine. I have been married, I have children, I'm even grandfather....while you're just a young girl. You're almost the same age of my daughter...

"He said, thinking at his eldest daughter Victoria"

"My dear Charles,

I haven't seen for a while and I missed you. When you are available , let me know. Or I am in my room , you can visit me.

Alfonsina"

"Charles noticed the note on the table and read it carefully. It was from his dear friend Alfonsina. So he decided to visit her in the evening, since she was not in good health recently"

Geoffrey entered in the room and bowed. He left a note on the table and left

To Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk
Your Grace, you're invited to join His Majesty the King for an hunt in the Sun Forest. Please, bring bow and arrow with you..

Henry VIII of England

"Charles read the note and started quickly to prepare everything for hunt. He felt happy spending some time with King after so long time. After changing his clothes, he took his bow and arrows and left the room"

Alfonsina came to Charles' room to give the news. She was excited and scared becase she didn't know how he would react. She knocked the door slowly.

"Charles, are you there?"

"Charles was reading a book, sitting on his armchair. Once he recognized Alfonsina's voice at the door, he smiled, raising his head from book"

Yes, I'm here. Come in, please...

"He closed the book and stood up"

She came into room after hearing Charles' voice. She smiled and hugged him.

"Charles.. How have you been? I miss you."

She said and kissed his cheek.

"I hope I am not disturbing.."

"Charles hugged her while smiling and kissed her hand"

Alfonsina...my dear! You know you never disturb me. I saw you at the Party, but I had no time to approach you...but please, have a sit. Can I offer you something to drink?

"He asked, showing her the sofa"

She smiled to him and sat down.

"A glass of wine would be perfect as usual.."

She blushed and wondered if Charles saw Edward and herself while leaving the Autumn party. Then she smiled again.

"I saw you too. But I guess both of us had something important to do."

"Charles poured two goblet with red one wine and handed one to her. Then sat next to her on the sofa"

Yes...my sister asked me to introduce Nan to her. And you...you were talking with a man. Who was he?

"He asked curiously, before taking a sip from wine"

She blushed immediately after his words. She hesitated for a moment to answer then she took a sip from her wine.

"Thanks for the wine.. Did they finally meet?I mean Nan and your sister.."

She smiled and added.

"Actually , that's why I came here. He is Edward Seymour. Have you ever heard of him?"

"Charles nodded and looked at her"

Yes...they finally meet, even if Nan was rather surprised, I guess. Oh...Seymour, you said? Sure, I heard of him. His father fought with me and the King in France...

"He paused, showing a teasing smile"

Is there...something between you both?

She couldn't avoid smiling.

"It doesn't count something between us. We had just intimate moments."

She blushed and hoped Charles not to be angry with her.

"Charles stopped drinking suddenly and turned towards her with surprised eyes. He frowned"

Intimate...moments? Do you mean you both already...Ehm, you know what...

"He asked curiously, without removing his eyes from hers"

She sighed and stopped for a moment.

"Erm.. I guess... I don't remember much. There were lots of glass of wine in that moment."

"Charles frowned again. Usually she didn't use sleeping with a man just known. He nodded"

Oh...I see. Well...I'm surprised. But...I guess you found him very interesting. It has been...enjoyable, at least?

"He asked, showing a weak, curious smile"