Roses of truth

"I think it is wrong to say that you were both in love with each other before you married Jane what about your daughter Margaret if she found out. From what I have learned from marriage you need to put children first as you never know when you will lose them trust me I know and it hurts." Taking in his face Elizabeth wondered if he was actually listening to what she was saying or maybe it was going over his head too much trying to help him build the bridges with his daughter seemed as harder as Elizabeth thought.

Thomas took a deep breath

My daughter Margaret already knows about that. She thinks that I wanted to replace her mother...but this is not true. Marrying Alice, I just wanted to give her and my other children a family. But I fear Margaret never forgave me for that...

He sighed deeply, raising his eyes to the sky

Elizabeth thought of her husband remarrying clenching the teeth at the very thought. "Oh my girls are just like me if Thomas remarried my two young daughters would give them a run for her money and if Thomas took a mistress well I shall tell you now I would gladly but an arrow through the lose legged women! See I am not all nice but how old was Margaret when she lost her beloved mother"

Thomas sighed deeply, reminding his first wife

Oh...Margaret was just 6 years old when her mother died. My other children, Elizabeth, Cecily and John were little too. I couldn't explain to them how much I needed a new wife. Alice took care of Margaret like she was her own daughter. So I can't understand why she hates her...

He added sighing and shooking his head

Elizabeth thought about this and the answer was so clear. "Well it is clear would you like me to spell it out for you? You were in love with Alice before you married Jane right? Well because of those facts perhaps Margaret thinks that you never really loved her true Mother as she was not yet laid to rest before you took on another wife! You were warned greatly by people not to do so and because of that you have lost the love of you're daughter. As hard as this might sound you may just need to leave it alone you can't force Margaret it will make the divide even greater." Elizabeth tried kindly to explain to him how awful it was when a young girl lost their Mother.

Thomas listened her carefully, thinking deeply about her words. He just tried to smile shooking his head

I'm not trying to force Margaret. But I would like she understands that I loved her mother, and I love her. She is adult enough to understand such things. Alice and I...we're trying to arrange a good marriage for her. I think that only when she'll have children she will finally understand my position...

He answered, looking around garden

Elizabeth shook her head in disgrace. "You want to marry her of? It sounds like she is asking for love from you being a young lady in a court like this is hard enough can you not for once just give her your love instead of trying to please Alice all the time! Elizabeth shouted at him why did men who remarry care more for the Wife then their own flesh and blood.

Thomas rolled his eyes

I think I'm showing my love for her thinking about her future, lady Elizabeth. Margaret needs a good husband. In this way...she'll have someone at her side, when I won't be on earth anymore. I already talked with Margaret about that...

He added thoughtfully

Elizabeth gave him a fierce look a daughter needed to see a love from her farther. "But she needs your love more than anything else Thomas."

Thomas took another breath. He was surprised to see how his love was not understood

But I love her. She is my daughter and I just pray for her happiness. But she becomes nervous when I talk about Alice or...her future husband. I choosed for her a certain William Roper. He comes from a catholic family and he will take care of her after my death. But the truth is...that Margaret is too much similar to me...

He added with thoughtful smile

Elizabeth sighed she felt lucky enough to fall in love gradually even if it was arranged. "Like farther like daughter it's an unbreakable bond. Maybe let her get to know him without all the added pressure let them get to know each other without the idea of marriage looming over their heads."

Thomas nodded in agreement

Yes..that's what I thought, lady Cromwell. She hasn't met him yet. She just considers him as a possible suitor. But I think they will fall in love. Also, Margaret in a virtuous girl and I trust her. I promised to Roper that he'll find my daughter still untouched during wedding night..

He said proudly

Elizabeth was taken aback by his boldness about his daughters purity and she could not help but blush. "Sir Thomas those things are kept private I am sure your daughter would not like you saying such things amongst other men but alas I am a woman." Elizabeth had to laugh he was being amusing.

Thomas smiled

Oh I already talked with Margaret about that. And she completely agrees. You know, I want her to be different from other ladies in court. I know she will respect her body until marriage. And she knows that her poor mother would say the same thing. I'm very proud of her...

He added, thinking at his last conversation with his daughter

Elizabeth laughed Thomas said the most funniest things at this time in present. "Dear Thomas that as it might be but I do not think Margaret would want strangers to know about her virtue I am surprised Alice never had the birds and the bees talk with her. Do you think this William Rooper has the same interests as Margaret." Elizabeth was trying to take all the advice she could get about arranging a marriage to suitable men she did have two daughters even though they were both young she had to think of these things when they grew.

Thomas rolled his eyes

I see you find it funny, my lady. But I assure you that that's no easy growing up a daughter. And the Lord gave me three. That's why I asked to Alice to talk with Margaret about..such things. I don't know why, but I have the feeling that she is a bit afraid of me..

He shook his head thoughtfully

Elizabeth stopped laughing at looked at him bewildered he was clearly being serious. "Oh dear that does not sound good." Elizabeth cleared her throat and tried to find the right words to approach him on this matter. "I do not understand why you should think that Margaret is afraid of you. What makes you say that if ir isn't to hard to talk about of course."

Thomas shrugged taking a breath and shooking his head

I don't know. Probably the fact that I burnt some heretics in the past. I could see the shock and the horror into her eyes when I told her. But it was my mistake. She is too young and sensitive. And I shouldn't involve her in such things. Also, she thinks that I never loved her mother. So..

He said with a resigned air

Elizabeth took in the way he just spoke about it freely as if he never had a single care she didn't know how to advise him on these matters. "That is a lot to take on board perhaps in time she will come round I always tell my Thomas to keep work matters away from our child as they are still so young."

Thomas smiled. She seemed to understand how he felt

You're right, my lady. We have to protect our children. Even if they don't understand our actions, sometimes. Have you ever had these issues with your children?

He asked curiously

Thomas smiled ironically at her last words

Really? We have something in common, then. By the way, I'm sorry about your son Gregory. I heard he lost a good marriage's opportunity with a Seymour girl. Because she married another man, if I'm not wrong. Oh but probably...they were not soulmates. Simply...

He added smiling warmly

Elizabeth simply smiled it was not the poor Seymour girls fault her heart wanted another. "Yes Gregory was rather sad by her choice to marry a russian but I think it is nothing more than a infactuation she will come to her senses my son was even willing to raise the child as his own but we can only wish her well."

Thomas smiled again and nodded

Well...we can't choose whom we fall in love with, my lady. We can just to accept it as God's will. I'm sure your son will find a girl worthy of his love. We want the best for our children...

He added thoughtfully, referring to Margaret

Even when you fall in love you still get left behind as was the case. "If the Seymour girl regrets marrying the Russian would it ve wrong to welcome her back into my family. We all sin but maybe I am just being wishful thinking right now. Did you attend the Easter Party Thomas."