Docks

I took a walk down to the docks in the morning, heavy cloak draped over my shoulders and a small loaf of bread wrapped up in some cloth.

I perched on the waters edge and tore off a piece of bread for myself - the water was dark and inviting, if only it had been summer.

Thomas walked down to the docks to greet a new duchess that was supposed to be arriving at court. The fog was thick and he couldn't see much until he saw a beautiful woman standing near a large vessel. He assumed this was the new duchess, and with the fog so thick he couldn't see if her ladies or her clothes too well. "Your grace, welcome to Whitehall. Upon his gracious majesty, may I be the one to grant you leisure here." He bowed before her and just as was looking up he saw he had made a mistake.

I glanced up as I am addressed as 'your grace', I grinned,"That is a first...I usually reply to Gwen."

I stood up and brushed myself down, smiling at the handsome man],"If I had just arrived then I would be glad that you were my guide, Sir...?"

Tom realised his mistake and chuckled at her words. "My lady please forgive my mistake, Thomas Seymour at your service" He said with a bow and saw how she was undoubtedly beautiful.

I laughed and dipped into a shallow curtsey,"I'm Gwen - I hope I'm not too much of a disappointment...from what you were expecting."

Thomas looked at her and admired her beauty; the way her her long locks of blond her covered her face and bounced every time she moved her head, and although her clothing said she was of a lower status, Tom still was intrigued by her. "It's a pleasure to meet Gwen. Is it just Gwen or do not have a status here at court?" He said bluntly.

She chuckled,"Well my full name is Guinevere D'Amboise - rather a mouthful - and I'm a nurse nurse but that is hardly a title...so no, I have no title nor status."

She glanced with a smile to the sea and then him again, he had such curious blue eyes,"...I assume you have a title, Thomas."

The waves began to crash up against dock, each wave was like a thud in his head. Thomas looked to the girl and gave her a half smile "Well I do hope if i'm ill you shall care for me." He said in a flirtatious tone.
"I do have a title however, I don't think it will any justice at this point, unless you care to know."

She laughed and stepped away from the docks, a little closer to him as the sea churned,"I absolutely insist that if you fall ill -gods forbid- you should come to me. I hope you are not ill disposed presently?. "


She then glanced up to meet his eyes, tucking her hair away from her face,"No I doubt your title would be very well appreciated with me. Thomas is all the title I require."

She was the most beautiful nurse he had ever seen. "If I do ever become ill I shall hope I have a kind nurse, as yourself to care for me." He said and lightly kissed her hand.

I chuckled - what theatrics,"I am glad you are well. If you were ill that kiss on my hand would have transmitted some foul illness and I should never forgive you,"I joked.

Thomas was enjoying his time with this new lady, she was different from all the rest; perhaps because there could be nothing beyond the flirtation, however he thought he would keep her around. "Tell me lady Gwen how does a female get into a profession where there are mostly men, do many people trust you?" he asked bluntly.

I laughed, the rising sun touching my face as I did,"Hardly any. I'm pagan so even less."

I glanced to him, was it he who made me warm or the sun? I cleared my throat and smiled lightly,"But..I am good at my profession so I have loyal patients."

When she mentioned she was pagan, Thomas tried not to steer away knowing somewhat of their practices. "My lady Gwen, you don't have to be a Catholic to heal to sick, I prefer my physicians to know what they are doing rather than their religion. However, most are not like me I have an open mind . I rather not die of something that is very curable." He said with a smile.

She noticed him flinch and she laughed heartily, touching his arm,"Oh Thomas, you needn't worry...I'm not the type of pagan who perform sacrifices. You are quite safe I can assure you."

She shrugged and retracted her hand - it tingled,"Perhaps I am a bit too honest."

"I think honesty is the way to anyone's heart...except in the political sense" He laughed. "I have never met anyone like you, lady Gwen and i'm quite enjoying myself." Thomas said although he knew he could never introduce her to any of his so-called friends at court without being judged.

I smiled,"Happy to be of service - you too are good company indeed."

I cleared my throat a little - there was something curious and perplexing about him, especially his eyes. I felt as though I wished to take a step closer - even touch - but he seemed so very reserved. Perhaps I had been too honest - did he think me common and strange?

It was getting late and the fog had cleared, although for some reason Thomas wasn't ready to say goodnight quite yet. "Well I suppose the duchess I was sent down here is late or the fates sent me here to meet you." he said wondering whose work was at hand here. The moon was full and it reflect off the water so beautifully, he had never thought to appreciate such small things in this world. "Tell me Gwen do you come from a long like of physicians?"

She smiled and joked,"Guilty. My father and grandfather were physicians and most of my mothers family were involved with physic in some way. All my family came from Sweden -I suppose that explains the religion - although it was my father who took us to France and then here..."

She noticed the darkening sky and reluctantly added,"Perhaps we should begin to walk back..."

Thomas listened to every word she said without his mind wandering and thinking about lustful visions of her nude body. He didn't know what was happening to him, he glanced down at her perky breasts but the only desire he had was for Catherine. "Well I have never come across a Swed before, always wanted to travel there and see what they call the northern lights." He spoke to her as if he had known her his entire life and enjoyed that feeling. "Your right we should be getting back" He offered her his arm as they began walking back to the palace.

I smiled and wrapped my arm around his. I could feel his strength through his doublet,"It is very beautiful and unpolluted like here."

I quickly stole a glance to his eyes and then looked back at the ground again, smiling to myself.

"Indeed, the mists of the docks give out a feeling of peaceful sanctuary" He said as he could feel her petite arm cradled in his. "Do you have a chamber or do you sleep with the rest of the servants?" Thomas asked, then realized how rude that was but said nothing.

I smiled a little as I look at the ground and replied with a joking tone,"No, I have my own room and everything."

I glanced up and chuckled.

Thomas laughed and placed his palm to his face "Forgive my rudeness, lady Gwen. Sometimes I speak before I think." He replied "Now, should I help you to your room?"