The King's Bedchamber

We are all humans and make mistakes. You say you won't stray.. but if you did you would have to keep that mistress for life. I gave him a long cold stare wanting to waver away from this particular topic.

He sat up with a frown, wrapping one of the sheets around his hips. He moved to sit at her back, wrapping his muscular arms around her with care - his hands meeting at her belly. He tilted his head to the side and kissed her shoulder, "There is no need for that talk,"he replied gently.

He peered forward so he could catch her gaze. He looked into her bright eyes through waves of his dark hair. As he spoke a playful smile appeared to tug at the corner of his lips, "Look at my wife,"he began and touched her cheek tenderly,"Now tell me how I could even contemplate another? There is and will never be another...."

He added with a grin, "And I never break my promises."

Your words just confused me husband that is all. I pressed my back into his chest, my arm wrapped around his neck as I twirled his hair around my fingers. I would like to think if you were ever faced with such temptation I could relieve you from it.

He rested his chin on her shoulder, his beard brushing against her soft skin. He looked out the window as he spoke, "I will not be my father."

He mumbled more to himself than her. His father was a good man - of that he had no doubt, but he was weak. There were more children of his born out of wedlock than within, the treasury was all but bankrupt when James assumed his title and the nobles his father kept company with were sanctimonious and rich - caring only for their personal wealth.

James pulled her back playfully, rolling over so he could lie at her side. His hand caressed her décolletage, tracing patterns on her again but his eyes were fixed upon hers as he vowed humbly to her.

"Mary, my home is your home, my life is your life-" his fingers travelled to her flat belly momentarily, tracing circles,"-my children shall be your children," his hand finally moved to rest on her chest gently,"...and my heart is your heart."

I giggled as his hand circled my belly I seemed to be rather ticklish their. I absored every word he said it filled my heart with gratitude and warmth. James didn't see like the kind of man to say auch meaningful words to just anyone. Instead he had choosen me to say them to. He had forsaken all others to spend his life with a complete stranger, not knowing whether we would get along or not. I trust you completely you have my trust James. As much as I would like to have sometime for us. A little prince is just what Scotland needs.

He smiled - a rather boyish grin - as he allowed himself to indulge her suggestion of a son. Once he looked at her, his gaze was more mature. She inspired such an unusual feeling in hime - to not only protect her but make her proud. He would be a better man because of her.

He leaned closer and kissed her forehead affectionately. Being a king was a great enough burden for James but the load was lightened with the knowledge she would be by his side, "Nay," he hushed soothingly - well aware of the pressures she would be under to have his child,"We are both young - there's time..."

We both have our pressures an heir must be born within the first year. Otherwise people shall think me unable. I placed a hand to my mouth noticing I was talking about politics in bed. Our alone time was not meant to be of such talks.

He kissed her hand that touched her lips. He wished he could tell her there was no cause to rush, but the responsibility was on them both. Yet, he would never feel the pressure directly, the whispers would be about Mary alone.

"It will happen...eventually when God decides," he replied gently and caught her gaze. It was warm, comforting and he didn't even realise. His hand, large though it was, touched her jaw with such care - his thumb caressed her smooth skin as his eyes looked down to her rosy lips, "But...perhaps James for a boy or Mary for a princess."

He looked to her eyes again as his smile spread to a bright, indulgent grin.

I smiled as a specfic tune came into my mind. It was one that summed up this beautiful night but I wasn't a great singer. I raised myself up only to meet his lips with a fruitful kiss, my fingers pressed gently against his scar on his left top shoulder. Ô,belle nuit d’amour, shall always bring me back to this moment of us.

He grinned and moved to lie atop the pillows once more, wrapping them in the sheets again. As he gathered her to his side again, he placed his lips upon her forehead. There was an honesty to James when he was with her that he didn't have with others. He didn't lie but his heart was open, utterly hers.

"Then I shall have the musicians play constantly in court," he whispered - still smiling. He forget he was King and that tomorrow they would become monarchs again. He imagined the life they could have led, "This one memory shall sustain me."

Looking over at James he looked comfortable preparing for sleep. I could feel my eyelids grow heavier by the minute. All our courtiers shall be in a very loving mood if we had it played. Although I can imagine the odd woman seeing out a man and boldly declaring- Sweet zephyrs aglow, Shed on us thy caresses,

Sweet zephyrs aglow, Thy soft kisses bestow,

Thy soft kisses bestow, Thy soft kisses bestow. Ah! Laughing I moved to myself of the bed placing my hand in the middle.

He shut his eyes as she spoke, her voice sweet and clear. Even when she spoke, it was like a soothing lullaby. He took her hand gladly, resting his chin upon the soft waves of her hair while his other hand caressed her back absent mindedly.

His voice was even deeper than normal when he spoke, low and soft still in her ear, "Radiant night, with stars above, O beauteous night of love..."

He sighed contentedly as his eyelids began to feel heavy, anchors to pull him into dreams - yet, he doubted they would be able to surmount the peace he felt in that moment, "Goodnight, wife," he whispered. A mischievous yet sleepy smirk tugging one corner of his lip as he said it, amused and pleased at the thought of her being his.

His voice made me shiver coaxing me out of my sleepy state. Nuit plus douce que le jour
Ô,belle nuit d’amour! I went to sleep with a smile on my lips, a heart much bigger and a future waiting for us to both grab. Bonne Nuit, mon amour. It was only when James was fast asleep that I gently kissed the cross on his neck.

Morning came gently and with it arrived a whispering wind, rasping at the window as the sun broke through the pale clouds. James awoke gradually, slowly coming to the happy awareness that it was her head on his chest, her hand touching him. A tired smile appeared on his face as gently as the sun came into the sky. He opened his eyes and glanced down to her.

He didn't disturb her, he let her be - keeping still. There was a warm quality to her as she slept, she looked younger and calm as her tousled hair lolled around her face. He could hear the estate coming to life and people already going about their business, packing in anticipation for the journey back to Stirling...

With a few birds chirping outside I awoke in the arms of my husband. It took awhile for my eye's to adjust to the early morning sun. Good morning James did you sleep as peacefully as I did. I still felt tired, my body unwilling to move from his.

"Good morning, wife," he mumbled and opened his eyes, brushing his hand through his hair and grinned.

He moved himself down the bed so he faced her, kissing her nose affectionately, "I slept," then her forehead,"Very," finally her lips,"Well."

With one arm around her, he touched her cheek with his free hand - his thumb moving to and fro across her cheekbone.

I was mesmerised by his kisses, his fingers tracing my cheeks had become a loving yet endearing habbit of his. It was part of his way with me and I was all to willing to relish in his love. Moving my hair I sat myself up, looking down at him as the rushing around of courtiers drew my attention. I was not ready to face the knowing glances of his courtiers. I pulled the cover over my head shuffling further down the bed. People are going to whisper about our antics. I wasn't ashamed of being intimate with James. I just wanted our intimacy to be known only to him and I.

He laughed, a warm and hearty sound as she submerged herself beneath the covers. The sheet billowed above her like a pale wave until it finally settled upon the curves of her body. With a smirk he rose from the bed and pulled on his breeches and shirt from the day before. Once dress he walked to the bed and pulled the sheet away from her head, peering at her he kissed her forehead - his habitual grin on his lips, "There is a door behind the tapestry, it leads to your room."

He had been told of the room upon arrival. It had originally been planned for Mary to be presented to him through that door, no doubt with a gaggle of giggling hand-maidens behind her. He did want to preserve some of their evening together, keep it sacrosanct - something between just he and her...there would be other times for public displays.

He then sat up again and pulled on his boots, sitting at the edge of the bed as he added warmly, "They will whisper about us anyway...but only about how lovely you are and how unworthy I am."

Scrambling under the sheets I made my way to the end of the bed where I wrapped my arms from behind him. You are a worthy man to love. You are loyal, caring, honorable I am indeed grateful to have you as my husband. I kissed the back of his neck as I eyed the tapestry which concealed the secret door. A secret door very mysterious of you James. However we act together in public or private, our lives shall be scrutinised I will grow used to it. I will endeavor such whispers just because your love makes it worth it.

James laughed and held onto her arms that she had wrapped around him. She was smaller than him but he felt at home in her slender arms and at peace. Her spontaneous display of affection warmed his heart, warmer than it had been before.

"We were given these rooms so you could be presented to me last night,"he mumbled and tilted his head back to touch her shoulder. He shifted a little and wrapped his muscular arm around her, bringing her to his side, "We shall be scrutinised but you shall be safe."

He knew how to fight and defend - of that he was confident. No harm could reach her as long as he was alive. He kissed her cheek, unaware it was becoming a habit, while his hand soothingly stroked her arm, "There will be many more hidden doors in Stirling that only you and I will know of...we'll leave soon, arrive before dark and you can properly settle."

His hair curled perfectly they were lose curls which easily wrapped around my fingers. Then I best let you get on with your duties. I moved off his lap running my hand over the back of his neck, as I left his side. Picking up my hair pins from the bed I proceeded to put my hair in a bun. Will you be riding in the carriage with me or alongside me. I was told that you like to travel incognito, appear in local taverns unknown.

He smiled, almost wondrous at how quickly she made herself look regal again. She was just a woman with him and he just a ma, but as she fastened her hair upon her head she seemed to transform - stand straighter, taller. She was the woman he met on the glen, he almost felt like he should bow.

He stood up and tentatively walked to her and kissed her forehead, "I'll be outside your carriage. I've appointed myself the captain of your personal guard," he said and grinned, almost proud,"-but, the journey is not long at all and I shall be with you again - soon."

It wasn't entirely proper of him to take charge of her guard, especially when there was no heir waiting in case he was unlucky in a fight. Yet, James was more skilled with a sword and musket than any soldier in his army and neither luck nor God had never deserted him. This was validation enough for James to continue to be a soldier in every way a King was allowed. He knew how to defend and it was more than duty now, to defend her would be his privilege.

I grinned as he told me this secretly I couldn't wait to see him in action. Placing my earrings in my ears I eyed him eagerly up and down. So you are my husband, my king and now my captain! So many roles for you to fulfill I accept your new role in my life James. In fact I shall see that you are rewarded handsomely in the task captain. My cheeks started to hurt from smiling to much I could tell that their was a lot of fun to be had with James. Never a dull moment in sight it seemed that spice was the variety of his life. And I couldn't wait to tastle all the different flavours he had to offer me.

He smiled mischievously, a boyish quality to the gleam in his eyes. He glanced down and gathered her  two small hands into his. James then looked earnestly into her eyes, kissing her hands attentively, "The only reward I shall be satisfied with is knowing you are safe...and happy."

Part of the reward was me my attempts to flirt are rather bad. I gathered the rest of my clothes on knowing I would need a hand with my chemise. Are the Scottish roads smooth or bumpy. As, I was thinking if you allow it I could ride on my own horse. I asked hopeful knowing that James was protective and took his role seriously.