Quiet Corner in the Chapel

Anthony walked into the chapel with Joan. It was submerged in silence and they had no spoken for the whole walk there. He walked ahead of her and summoned the priest who stood by the altar. He quickly began to explain with feigned urgency and detail, their situation. The priest obliged disappearing for a moment to collect his prayer book while Anthony took his place at the altar.

The priest turned to Anthony after opening the ceremony,"Will you have this woman to be your wedded wife? To live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, remain hers, so long as you both shall live?"

Anthony held Joan’s hand but looked ahead - his emotions mixed between affection and weariness. The was a distance between them, a wall Joan had built around herself that Anthony did not have the energy to tear down. After a pause, Anthony finally whispered seriously, “I do."

The priest then turned to Joan, "And, will you have this man to be your wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Will you obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, remain his, so long as you both shall live?"

The priest continued with a series of rites and rituals - finally concluding ,"Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder. I pronounce that you are now Man and Wife. You may now kiss your wife.”

Anthony turned to Joan and his heart was aflame. He wanted her hungrily, but he was quite convinced she was unhappy with him now. How strange he thought, that they had been so happy - delirious really. Now everything he feared before knowing her had come true. He had trapped her now and his guilt consumed him.

He leaned closer and kissed her, taking a deep breath as he did. He wanted to linger - he wanted to take her to bed and love her but he knew in his heart their relationship was as frayed and she had no affections for him now. It was duty for her he was sure - nothing more.

Eventually he broke away from the kiss, his eyes staying closed for a moment or so afterwards. It wasn't the same. He didn't know if it was because of where they were or what had happened, but the kiss was how he imagined his first kiss with her would be. Perhaps he was too complacent, not appreciative enough of how good things had been - these thoughts crossed his mind in brief flashes.

He took her hand and guided her back down the aisle, "I suppose you'll need your ring now...do you still have it?" he whispered, "I left the wedding rings are in Cornwall. I didn't think I'd need them here."

He took the ring from her hand irreverently, and slide it upon her finger. With a sigh he glanced up, touching her cheek dutifully. He couldn't read her - was she happy or apprehensive? He couldn't tell. He hoped they would be able to forget the whole situation at Chavenage and not have it hang over their marriage.

"What...Here?" he replied mischievously with a playful smile.

However he eventually shook his head and became serious. He didn't know why he was going to say no, it was utterly out of character but he was still unsure about their situation. He never would go on without her consent and he wasn't entirely sure she meant what she said,  "Not tonight, Joan," he said and kissed her cheek.

"And I you," he replied as they began to walk out of the chapel, hand in hand.

"Besides," he added and kissed the back of her hand, "We have been together enough to count for tonight."

"Of course you do," he muttered, "But..."

He didn't especially know what it was that had changed. Joan had been the girl he'd been with longest - he still wanted her but there was only embers where there had been flames.

"But I should visit my sister...see how she is getting on," he leaned towards her and gave her a cordial kiss, "Perhaps when I return..."

From this quiet corner where she prayed, Alice could see the gentle snow falling, outside the tall window that guarded over her view of the cemetery beyond. The night grew dark and cast long shadows upon the chapel walls that flickered in the candlelight. She felt at peace for once, as she began to say her rosary.

Margaret came in the Chapel and sat in front of the altar. She needed to thank God for everything she had in her life. Including Anthony and her friend Elizabeth. She crossed herself and began to pray silently

I arrived at the quiet corner of the chapel and approached the lady Margaret: "Greetings my lady. How are you ?"

Margaret heard a male voice beside her and she turned her head. She recognized the Duke of Norfolk. Surprised to see him there, she smiled weakly "Your Grace..how nice to see you. I'm fine, thank you for asking. Do you come often in the Chapel?" She asked curiously. She knew that Howard's were ardent catholics, but she never saw none of them in the Church before

"No not really my lady I just came to see you"

Margaret looked at him with surprised eyes "To see me? Really? Oh..I feel honoured, my lord. Is there something I can do for you or your family?" She asked whispering, since they were in a very silent place

"Why don't you come to Kenninghall to my study and I will tell you."

Margaret looked surprised at him "Do you mean..to your homeland? Is this such an important matter, my lord?" She asked, wondering what Howards's wanted from her

"I would like you to come and serve me as a mistress Margaret and I know that I can make you great."

"What do you say?"

"I would like our family's to be great my lady"

Margaret felt very surprised by his words. She didn't know what to say "My lord..what do you mean as mistress? You should know that I am happily married.." She said whispering, but without hesitation in her voice