Joan Champernowne Chamber.

"Close enough, " he mumbled with a chuckle, his hand touching her cheek and lip brushing against her soft skin.

He then sat down with a deep sigh, stretching out his legs and running his hands through his hair.

Sitting back I turned on my side facing him. He had very long legs that I had to fight back the urge to sit on his lap.  I bet you are a very good rider. I left my horse back at home but I would beat you in a race any day.
I smiled cheekily wondering if he accept my challenge what the prize might be.

He chuckled and rested his arms on the back of the seat, his lips turned into his habitual relaxed and confident smile, "I hunt from time to time, whenever I can really."

He then glanced to her and smirked playfully, "And I have yet to fall from my horse."

He then continued mischievously, casually glancing around the room at her things, "Besides...I would have to let you win - for the sake of chivalry, it would be an unfair race."

Anthony nodded and held her hand as she touched his neck. He then brought it to his mouth and kissed the back of her hand, "You should be on a pedestal...look at you."

He then let her hand go, "If that is what you wish, then so shall it be."

Anthony sighed with a gentle laugh between her kisses.

"You are cruel then, "he said teasingly, "You tempt me with these wiles."

He moved closer to her, taking a deep breath; his hand brushed through her long, dark hair - his eyes upon hers. He smirked knowing that she was his now.

Anthony sighed and reclined at her touch, "My father gave me money to purchase land while I studied at Saint Paul's and John's in Cambridge. I travelled a little to the continent with what money I had left over, acquired a knowledge of languages and made some connections. By my return I was in royal service."

He added jokingly, "I required little but a good family name and an ability to drink as much as the rest of the men...which I could."

He smiled and placed his hand on her lap. He shut his eyes and imagined coming home to her, the way his home look at sunset and how she would look at the door, "She may be correct...but won't have to do chores. Not now, not when we are married."

He then looked at her, "Just how young are you Joan?

He let his hand touch her cheek, his thumb gently caressed her smooth skin - running over the pink flush on her cheeks which were without blemish.

Anthony grinned contentedly, feeling the warm touch of her lips on him. She was young, much younger than him but he love her just as well.

He shook his head casually, "No, I'm a man...if anything, your age is appealing."

He then tilted his head to the side, crossing his legs as he watched her put on the cloak. Anthony asked playfully, "Is that my cue to leave?"

He laughed, "'My sweet'?"

He held her chin and said with a smirk, "Now that is one thing I shall not abide. I command it."

The idea of calling her darling and he her sweet was strange for him - much too similar to his parents. While he was endeared to Joan in such a way that she appealed to his heart, there were certain things that his pride would not allow.

Nevertheless he laughed good-naturedly, a warmly and deep sound and ran his hand briefly over her hair. "No, perhaps not for now anyway. Joan and Anthony shall do very well."

He laughed heartily and then deeply replied, , "Granted."

Anthony then stood up and glanced about the room. He smiled to see her bed slightly untidy and her little trinkets.

He smiled and took her hand, walking to the door with her. He unlatched the door and pointed along the corridor, "Down those stairs there and I am the last door on the right."

He then paused to look at her. For that moment he was quiet, his hand touched her neck which was nearly all but covered by her gown. He then nodded, with a small smile, "I'll leave you be."

He smiled earnestly, taking both her hands to his lips while his bright eyes looked into hers, "Go gentle into your sleep," he said lowly and kissed her hands.

"We shall see each other soon."