Anne Lumley's bedchamber

She smiled lightlu and tilted her head to the side, dipping her toast in her tea,"She does not trust you?"

She then added to lighten the mood,"And if I were your mistress, I'd expect some sort of reward. Dresses and such,"she said and giggled,"You haven't given me any of those,"she finished and winked.

"Charles raised his eyes towards her again. He showed her a teasing smile"

She...she is trying to trust me, actually. She knows that I'm not exactly...a saint. And in any case, if you were my mistress...I would do more that giving you dresses and jewels as gift...

"He said, leaning his elbow on table without removing his eyes from her"

She chuckled and held her hands on her cheeks, noticing his eyes on her,"Now you shall make me blush. This sounds more of a proposition than talk at breakfast."

"Charles bit his lips, still smiling"

A proposition...really? And...what would be your answer, if I would offer you to become my mistress?

"He asked directly and boldly, wondering for her reaction"

She smiled,"My reply would be, I could never do that to your wife-despite tempataion. If I were her it would break my heart if he loved another."

"Charles nodded, putting down his glass"

You look very vitruous. What a pity for your husband...he can't share his bed with you. Have you ever thought about...a lover?

"He asked, still keeping his teasing smile"

She chuckled and ran her hands through her hair,"In my heart I have committed adultery a thousand times-but with my body I must be true."

"Charles leaned his chin upon his hand"

Uhm...so you have a lot of fantasy. Have you...had such fantasies about me too?

"He asked, smiling and looking carefully at her reaction"

She smiled and leaned foward, hands on the table with eyes intent on him. She touched his hand lightly and then sat back and giggled,"Of course not! I have just met you."

"Charles looked at her hand on him"

Of course. Well...I'd like to say the same, but...every men would make fantasies about you. But I'm also a married man, as you said...

"He added still glancing at her hand"

"That you are,"she replied,"So what is she like?"

"Charles took a sip of milk and looked at food again"

My wife? Oh...she is beautiful. Her name is Catherine, and she has your age. As I told you, she is with child now...

"He explained"

She smiled,"I'm happy for you and her...you are lucky to have found one another."

"Charles smiled her back"

Yes...even if sometimes I think I don't deserve such love. That's not easy being my wife, Anne. Believe me...

"He said ironically"

She laughed,"I do believe you. You should be kind to her-especially if she is pregnant. The very thought of it scares me."

"Charles frowned and smiled at the same time"

What scares you, my lady? Being pregnant or...sleeping with a man?

"He asked curiously and his eyes fell on her neckline for a moment"

She rolled her eyes,"Being pregnant,"she said,"It must be horrible."

She shivered and then chuckled.

"Charles chuckled"

Ahh...really? Why? Usually ladies wish that since their childhood. You must be...beautiful pregnant...

"He added almost whispering"

She rolled her eyes,"Do you mean to flatter me?"she said playfully.

"I'd rather stay thus-not round and fat,"she shrugged and combing her hair with her fingers,"For now anyway."

"Charles laughed"

A pregnant woman is not fat, my lady. Lady Buckingham gave me five children. And she still has a very attractive figure. Exactly like yours...

"He said smiling before biting his bread"

"Really?"she asked jokingly,"Are you always this flirtatious?"

She stood up and warmed her hands infront of the fire and glanced over her shoulder to him.

"Charles followed her with his glance and shrugged a bit"

Uhm...only with beautiful and funny ladies...

"He said with fake careless"

"Funny perhaps, beautiful no,"she replied modestly with a smile.

"Charles giggled"

Don't you find yourself beautiful? Oh...maybe your husband broke all mirrors around you...

"He said amused, still admiring her figure"

She shrugged,"I'm modest,"she laughed a little.