Anne Lumley's bedchamber

She couldn't help but laugh a little,"Not lie to me, but with me-in my bed."

"Charles remained silent for a while. Then a teasing smile appeared on his lips"

Forgive me if I'm so...bold. But...was your husband...impotent? Oh, you can choose not to answer, of course...

"He added quickly, noticing her embarassment"

Feeling the effects of the wine she chuckled and filled up her glass again,"Yes,"she said after a while,"I suppose that is the word for it."

She sipped her wine thirstily and glanced over her shoulder at him,"More?"she asked and gestured to his glass.

"Charles nodded, looking at his glass"

Oh yes...thank you. Ehm...I think it must be very...embarassing for a man. Why don't you ask an annullment, my lady?

"He asked again, raising hie eyes to her"

She padded over and filled his glass to the brim,"He is kind to me. I can't lie. I could barely read or write when I married him. Now I can even speak some French and Spanish."

She scoffed,"My mother said a woman only needed to learn how to use the 'gift between her thighs'...she said there were no need for education...not for a girl."

She took her seat again, cross legged and head tilted to the side. Her head felt a little light but she smiled serenely.

"Charles raised an eyebrow after her words"

Well...I think that you mother meant that your beauty can bring you far. But...education is important as well, in my opinion. Unluckily for him, your husband couldn't taste...the gift between your thighs...

"He said with a teasing smile. Then took a sip from wine"

She nearly choked on her wine at his words and laughed lightheartedly.

She shrugged and finished off another glass of wine as she stretched out in her chair. Sighing deeply she looked at the burning out fire,"I am much bound,"she whispered.

"Charles was sipping his wine and followed her glance towards the fire"

What do you mean, my lady?

"He asked, leaning his back against the sofa"

She glanced up and smiled,"Nothing,"she replied quickly and then giggled and stood up.

She skipped to the window and perched on the seat,"Since you are here...can you think of any games to play? I have no idea how people entertain themselves in the evenings at court."

"Charles looked curiously at her"

A game? Uhm...what kind of game have you in mind, my lady?

"He asked with a tesing smile"

She fiddled with her wedding band and sighed for a moment and then glanced up,"Oh I don't know. You've spent more nights in court than I ever have."

She shrugged and tilted her head -as she so often did- to the side, a tumble of dark curls fell over her left shoulder and broad and bright smile formed on her face,"Teach me something."

"Charles left his glass on table and stood up"

Uhm...what about cards, lady Anne? I can teach you...something, if you want...

"He said staring at her. He noticed she had beautiful hairs and a very attractive smile"

She looked at him, acting serious,"I said no need for titles and yes I would love to play cards."

She giggle as she retrieved a neatly packaged deck from her desk drawer which contained her unfinished letter to her husband, for a moment she felt a tinge of guilt but the perfume of the wine over came her.

"I should warn you,"she said and took a seat, bringing the bottle of wine with her again,"I'll steal a fortune from you."

"He sat at her table, leanining his elbow on it. He immediately laughed for her words"

Really? Oh...I hope you won't. I have many children to take care about. Does your husband take care of you? Oh...forgive my question...

"He added quickly, pretending to look for cards on the table"

She chuckled and sat on the edge of the table, her small bare feet dangling over the edge,"He does actually. He spoils me. He buys me books and dresses and cares for me. Since we have no children he can spend all his money on me,"she replied and grinned.

"Now tell me this game,"she replied, half lying on the table. Elbows on table, hands on chin and lips smiling.

"Charles took cards and put some on table"

Alright...we can play at trump french. It was my poor first wife's favourite game...

"He sighed while Margaret crossed his mind. Then he tried to smile again"

Anne patted his hand,"Come come-you have a pretty new wife now. Tonight we shall smile and speak nothing of sad times."

"Charles noticed her hand on his. He smiled, clearing his throat again"

Yes...of course. Well, what do you know about this game, my lady?

"He asked, moving his eyes from her hand to her pretty face"

She laughed and shrugged again,"Nothing at all."

She began to drink some more wine and passed him over the bottle.

"Charles smiled and showed her some cards"

Alright...look at here, my lady. That's very easy. Each card contains a list of numerical data, and the aim of the game is to compare these values in order to try to trump and win an opponent's card...

"He explained, raising sometimes his eyes amd meeting hers"

She practically lay across the table with only her bent knees on her chair. Occasionally she would sip her wine.
And all the while, she would nod and smile, whilst resting her head on her hand.

"Charles showed her another card"

So...the goal in this game is...

"He stopped suddenly, noticing her absent expression"

Am I making you bored, my lady?

She laughed,"No, I'm quite enthralled."

She glanced at the cards,"So the goal in the game is..."

"Charles smiled. He licked slowly his lower lip"

The goal of this game is...to entertain a beautiful lady...

"He whispered never leaving his eyes from hers"

She laughed and sat up, finishing yet another glass of wine,"That is your goal...what is mine?"she inquired.