Mary Howard's Bedchamber

"His name is Francis Bryan. I met him quite by accident." Mary smiled thinking of him. "But I am not getting too involved, I do not want to be hurt if I am merely a passing fancy to him although I do not think he is that type. For now he is just someone I like greatly and wish to get to know better." She glanced at her cousin, "The way you speak, is there something that is troubling you?"

Her eyes went wide when she learned his name. She knew very well who was Francis Bryan and she prayed to not broke Mary's heart. You cannot be  a passing fancy to anyone. But just be careful with him and not to give him your heart to easily. She advised.  Oh, no! There's nothing that troubles me, sweet Mary.

Sabrina's reaction to his name did not surprise Mary at all, in fact she expected it. All the things that were said about him Mary knew that she would probably see that reaction from most that she said his name too but it did not bother her or frighten her. They did not know or see the man she did, he had been kind and gentle with her and so amusing. She smiled thinking of him now then she looked at her cousin. "Only time shall tell and my heart has not been given just yet but I will not lie, I like him a great deal but I do not think myself such a great beauty that I can enchant him to want what I want. If he does I shall be overjoyed but if he does not then I shall hold him dear to me always."

Sabrina was proud at Mary to see her thinking so mature for her age. I don't know him personally, only from rumors. So I shall not judge. She said with sincere smile. But come sit with me, and you can tell me more about how he's like. She suggested.

Mary nodded to her and then sat down on the edge of the bed. She loved having someone to confide in and the fact that Sabrina was not judging her for possibly falling for one of the men with the worst court reputations warmed her heart. "Oh Sabrina, I do not know that man they speak of as a user of women. Francis has been nothing but a true gentleman with me from the time we met."

She sat back on the bed with a small smile spreading over her face. "He is funny and very charming. I will never believe any of those things they say about him. I deem them horrible lies as the Francis I know does not take advantage. He asks....." Mary hesitated then dropped her voice to a whisper. "Before he kissed me."

Sabrina smiled as she listened, nodding from time to time. He sounds like true gentlemen! Not like  Francis Bryan  I heard of. She said honestly, as she sat once more on the bed next to Mary. I hope he realizes what an amazing woman you're.

"He has been very amazing but Sabrina I do not trust myself with him. He brings out a different side of me. I know I ought to hold back more with him, I am supposed to safe my maidenhead for my husband but what I cannot?" Mary sighed then shrugged her shoulders. "I care for him so much."

Sabrina had heard of such temptation, even experienced some of them. It was very hard to resist them. You must. I know it isn't easy, believe me I know.The only thing you wish is to be with him, but you must resist. She said in serious voice, then added, At least until you make sure he is serious about you

"But Sabrina." Mary whined in protest, "I cannot think whilst I am with him. If you asked me while I am in his arms I barely know my own name, how can I think to stop him?" She lowered her head in shame as she admitted, "I want him to have me, I want him in the worst way."

Anne knocked at the door

"Mary? Are you there? It's Anne!"

Hearing a knock at the door Mary opened it quickly then gasped to see her cousin Anne. She opened the door wide and dropped into a curtsy, "Please come in."

Sabrina opened her mouth but whatever retort she had prepared was never actualized, because at that moment, someone knocked on the door.

Mary flashed a look at Sabrina and hid a smirk knowing what she was thinking but glad that she did not have to hear it. She knew it was wrong to want him that way but it was not a lie. She did.

Anne smiled and kissed Mary's cheek and she saw Lady Sabrina.

"Ah you have a visitor"

Mary hugged Anne tightly, "I have missed you, you look wonderful Anne. How is life at court?"

Anne rolled her eyes and she giggled

"Thank you honey. I love the court life, you know"

Mary giggled at her cousin's eyes rolling but then leaned closer to her, "So I finally got to met the King. Oh Anne he is devilishly handsome almost as much as Francis." As soon as his name came out of her mouth Mary's hand covered her mouth and she flushed bright red. She had meant not to mention Francis in front of Anne.

After visiting with her Father, Mary returned to Whitehall following his orders. It felt strange to be here again and just being here made her think of Francis again. Trying to ignore her thoughts she kept herself busy straightening her clothes.

I tell Mary's servant to inform her that John will soon arrive and for her to get ready.

Her Father's last words were still running through Mary's mind as she tried hard to distract herself and not think about Francis. When the servant came she nodded and then changed into one of her favorite gowns. Sitting down she held onto one of her books but didn't read anything as she waited nervously.

I enter and speak to my daughter: " You look wonderful my dear.

" I have news and sir John will be hear soon and have you brushed up on your Spanish Mary?"

I have come to meet you mary in the hope of arranging a marriage with you

I want yo marry you mary because i love you early

" Mary my dear those are the only sentences he knows in English he is trying to learn try and speak Spanish to him my dear.

Mary looked up in surprise when her Father came in with a man she had never seen before. As she listened to her Father introduce him to her she stared at him with wide eyes. He was not at all what she had been expecting and all the spanish she had been brushing up on went out of her mind as she listened to him. Smiling shyly at him Mary stepped over to reach out her hand to him. "Hola John." Then she bit her bottom lip looking over at her Father then back at John. "Senor John antes quiero que te quedas esta noche conmigo para conocerte mas que dices eh?"