Steps

"Charles smiled her back"

Are you saying that the King...is interested in you, sister?

"I think so."

She said with a smile.

"Charles raised his eyebrow again"

Uhm...has he told you that?

"He asked, wanting to be sure"

"We have met in private in gardens."

She said with a smile.

"Charles opened his eyes bigger"

Ohh...really? Does lady Anne knows about that?

"He asked curiously"

"I know she doesn't like me."

She said with a smile.

"Charles rubbed thoughtfully his chin"

Well...I don't like her neither, sister. What's your intentions with the King? I mean...have you shared your feelings for him?

"He asked"

"Yes but he doesn't want to do anything because he has something to do with the pope."

She said with a smile.

"Charles frowned. He couldn't understand what she meant"

With the Pope? What the Pope has to do with you, Faith?

"He asked, a bit confused"

"Because he doesn't want anything to go wrong with fighting the pope for Lady Anne."

She said with a smile.

"Charles shrugged"

Well...maybe it's better not to disappoint him. I already did...

"He added rolling his eyes"

"Yes I heard what happen."

She said with a smile.

"Charles took a deep breath"

I never fought with the King. He is like a brother to me. And...all this happened because of lady Anne...

"He said letting out another tired sigh"

"Do not worry if you are like brothers he will forgive you in time."

She said with a smile.

"Charles took a deep breath and shook his head"

Not this time, sister. The King banished me from court...

"He said finally, looking around"

"Has he done this once before?"

She asked him.

"Charles rubbed thoughtfully his forehead and nodded"

Yes...actually. When I married Princess Margaret without his permission. He banished both of us...

"He sighed rolling his eyes"

"He can't be mad forever."

She said to him.

"Charles took a breath and nodded"

I hope so...but now I need to go, Faith. I can't stay at Palace further. Catherine, little Henry and I will spend some days in Suffolk. I'll write to you. Take care, sister...

"Then he stood up. And after kissing softly her forehead, he smiled and walked away"

Anthony had arrived back in court after a brief stay at his family home in Northumbria. The three day journey back had been long and tiresome, with his sleepy little hamlet closer to the Scottish border than Whitehall.

However, Anthony was needed in court. As a member of the Privy Council, court was increasingly gaoler of his time. Although court posed little challenge for him - he had many old friends here now and the small matter of his marriage would create further shackles.

After resting a while in his room he padded down the stair which led down to the garden. Perching on a step and Anthony regarded the view of birds dancing about, collecting for their nests and enjoyed the sun on his face.

Quite lost in his seemings of the garden, Anthony was jolted out of his thoughts when he heard the gentle tap of a stone tumble down the stairs. It conveniently settled upon the step where he sat. Taking the pebble in hand he glance behind him and noticed a young woman, more conservative in her dress than the other ladies. He smiled kindly, bowing his head and then tossed the stone towards the garden.

I... Need to get past please sir.

Joan asked in a small voice as she halted her foot over the first step. He was a very silent man not all charms and smiles like other men would be at the sight of a lady.[/color]

Anthony chuckled and glanced behind him, "There is plenty of room for a waif to slip past."

"Never the less," he said and stood. He moved to the very edge of the steps and outstretched his hand for her to take, noticing the dark hue to her glossy eyes, "And my name is Anthony...Denny...sir makes me feel old."