Great Hall

"Well, a lady like us wouldn't normally go against their mother or father's wishes." Dorothy removes a small feather that must of came from a lady's headpiece out of Anne's hair "I presume that you're daring like your brothers."

She blushed lightly and she shrugged a little "I.." she took a deep breath "I was raised in the French court, I am naturally daring." she admitted to her and she looked down and gulped before smiling "I am my mothers daughter."

Anthony stepped into the great hall in the evening, ducking his head in a friendly manner to a few of his acquaintances. He collected a large cup of ale for himself and took a seat by the burning hearth.

Eliza hadn't been at the English court for awhile. She had been away to her ancestral home in Ireland. Making her way through to the great hall; Eliza noticed all the familiar faces that graced this court. She wasn't planning on stopping but a familiar figure catched her eye.

Picking up the hem of her dress; Eliza went and hid behind the curtain. Casually popping her head out now and then.

Anthony absent mindedly glanced up, looking about the hall casually and then he saw her. He nearly choked on his ale. He straightened up and put down his cup, nodding his head in her direction.

Eliza had planned to slip away but he saw her so she couldn't hide.

Stepping out she looked elsewhere keeping their eye contact minimal.

'It's been awhile hasn't it Denny.'

Anthony smiled to himself, he wasn't exactly used to coming across old conquests. He stood up and gestured for her to take a seat, "Come now, I'm not Medusa. There was a time you did nothing but gaze into my eyes, " he said and laughed mischievously.

He took a seat again and sipped his ale, glancing at her appraisingly. She had changed very little from when they had last been with one another, "You look well..."

'I would make a rather fitting statue.'

Seating herself Eliza did try to tone down her glare.

'The only reason I ever looked into your eye's was because I was vaguely naive. Not aware that both our families had other plans for us.'

When Denny wasn't looking Eliza allowed herself to stare at him just for a split second.

He was still the same old man which was surprisingly comforting. Especially in an ever changing court.

"Well neither was I, Beth, "he began, "I didn't know that I was already bound."

"When we were last-, "he cleared his throat, his mind quickly flashing to her...and him, "-together, well, I had no notion."

He leaned over the table-looking directly into her bright grey eyes, "I am sorry if I...if it, the situation, caused you pain."

It took a lot of self-restraint to not reach out to him over the table. To look in his eye's was also unbearable.

'Do you have any regrets.'

Eliza didn't want him to know that it hurt her to not see him again. It wasn't his fault it was our families.

He shrugged simply, "No...no, I don't believe that I do."

Tentatively Eliza rested her fingers before his. They weren't touching but it was a form of connection.

'I am glad that we can be civil towards each other. We had some-'

Eliza gave him a cheeky grin reminiscing about their time together still left her breathless.

'We had some exotic times that I think I must of dreamt it all up.'

Anthony smirked, laughing deeply and gently, "I suppose we did," he said and for a moment he allowed himself to touch her slender fingers. Yet he eventually sat back, breaking their chord of communion.


"But I hear you have another now, "He began, less intimately, "What is he like?"

'Not another by choice I assure you. He travels a lot don't be jealous Denny he isn't a patch on you.'

Eliza gave him a knowing look. It was nice to be in his company again even if for a brief moment.She wanted to ask him about his wife but couldn't face it.

'You seem very happy please know that I won't try to ruin your happiness.'

Anthony chuckled, "I'm not jealous. I am happy that you have someone...besides you and I were never...well it was never that serious."

He then poured himself some more ale and reclined into his chair, a relaxed smile formed on his lips, "I'm content," he began,"She is nothing like you...you are very different but...we get on."

'No as you never seemed like you wanted to settle down. Our fornacation, well it meant something to me. I mean, you opened up my eye's to the woman I could become so I become her.'

Before Eliza met Denny she wasn't as confident as she now presents herself.

Anthony smiled earnestly, "It did mean something to me...just not something serious. I'm glad you feel you have grown...but I don't feel you needed to. You were entirely capable and I think you are now.."

Eliza took his ale and drank the rest of his remains. She never loved Anthony never took their encounters serious so why did she feel a sad pull towards him.

'It was just sex without the finer feelings. But I missed you.'

Her voice came out hoarse as she tilted the mug for a refill.

Anthony poured her a cup of ale, "Well I suppose it is natural to miss...fun times."

'I think I thought I could turn to you whenever I wanted. Now that I can't...

Eliza covered her eye's she didn't want to act this way around him ever.

'I'm sorry Denny thinking about the happier days is always hard.'

Anthony frowned a little, "But you have someone now-who would be a fool if he did not recognise his luck in having you...I know."

He smiled a little, "If circumstances were different, Beth, well...," he trailed off, she'd know what he meant. Had she appeared when he arrived in court, she would have been his again. Now it was not that he couldn't but simply that he didn't want to. He felt no lust for others as he had. He would not say he loved Joan, at least not admit it for months to come. He still doubted he could love someone, not properly anyway. Yet, he admitted to the instinctive protectiveness he felt for Joan, her endearing character appealed to his heart such as one never had before.

"I do not wish to cause my intended hurt. I'm older than her and she'll be in my care. I think she shall care for me and I intend to look after her.'

'I don't want to be your lover.'

Eliza whispered her voice filled with anger she was not one to go and ruin others relationships.

'Francis begged the king for him to find me a marriage, they all knew about us Denny!

Eliza was going to tell him what had really happened when they stopped becoming lovers. But as he was happy she decided not to as it would come across as vindictive on her part. The only person who could understand her in this court she would have to seek and find.

He frowned, "I am sorry...but, we both knew what we were going into. It has done you no harm, I hope?"

'Their was a child but the past is in the past right?

Eliza felt no better for telling him it was evident that he cared only for his future happiness.

Anthony was about to take a sip of ale but after her words his eyes widened, his cup was put back on the table.

"What are you talking about?" he asked in disbelief, "What child?"