Quiet Corner in the Chapel

"I know that you are married my lady I did not mean for you to be my misress all I want is to know whether you have a son because I am looking for a suitable marriage for my youngest daughter". "Let me know what you think?"

Margaret looked at him, still very suprised for his words "I feel honoured, my lord. But..actually, I am not that old. I have no children, yet. But thank you for your consideration.." She answered, still wondered what Howards's were planning

" Oh I am sorry I did not know. Would you care to maybe think of a marriage proposal between my son Henry and yourself?"

Margaret smiled weakly. But she was rather perplexed. So she took a breath, trying to be kind "I am flattered by your proposal, Your Grace. But, as I already told you, I am already married. Probably you know my husband, sir Anthony Lee.." She said, wondering why Howard's were so interested in arranging marriages. Especially before Lady Anne Boleyn's marriage to the King

"I have not her of him my lady. I believe that you told me you were not married and that you were available for my son".

"I would like it if you are happy to attend my niece's marriage to the king which will not be long until Catherine is divorced and at last I will get my desire to see my niece become queen". "Hope you will be there.

Margaret nodded with a kind smile "Of course, Your Grace. I shall be happy to attend to your niece Anne's wedding and coronation. I believe the whole court can't wait for this event to happen.." She answered, still keeping the rosary in her hands

"Great I will inform her right away"

Margaret nodded while smiling "It's kind of you, my Lord.." She said simply and she kept on waiting for him to leave to continue her prayers

Gabriel had been in the chapel for a little over half an hour when he heard footsteps approach. He expected it to be a priest, they usually let you stew before avowal; enough time to brood and think of sins you hadn’t thought of for years. Gabriel readied himself to move into one of the confessionals which bordered the chapel, throwing the hood of his cloak over his head and casting a dark shadow over his face.

He glanced behind him with due reverence but saw, from beneath his disguise, that it was Joan. He smirked and removed the hood, nodding his head respectfully to her. Perhaps he ought to have brought something from the market - although there was not much left. A piece of lace, a silk ribbon or—she isn’t yours, dammit, he corrected himself, don’t be tying yourself up in knots for a woman that you know damn well isn’t yours, "Does your husband not mind you wandering about so late?" he asked with a smirk, avoiding the question.

[list]It was hard for Joan to talk about her marriage; it had disintegrated way too quickly leaving Joan feeling hollow. How terrible it was to love somebody and to have them leave your life was a feeling she would rather forget. Only a few special couples managed to be married for a lifetime. "I haven't seen my husband in over a year a time I would rather forget. " Even casting her memory back to that time caused Joan to shiver. The hairs on her arms standing to attention as though someone had breathed their breath on her bare back. "

It was only too obvious that Gabriel had joked about that which he should not. Perhaps he was too used to being in the company of men, men like Joan’s husband, who left their wife for months and sometimes even years at a time. He didn’t know her husband but he knew he didn’t like him. The motivation behind his dislike was a mystery but irrelevant to Gabriel.

He didn’t know her age but she looked young and not like the type of woman who would have a mere sailor as a husband, “I’m sorry, Mistress Joan,” he offered quietly, resting his arm on the bench her’s was upon, “I’m sure no man could command you,” he tried to joke with a smile.

So I was correct, thought Gabriel, she is no simple woman, she was married off - no doubt to some titled man. He wondered - rather often - how it must feel to have your heart commanded like that. In any case, Gabriel believed all kinds of marriage to be a tyranny upon a man’s freedom…yet he daren’t say so under the shadows of the chapel’s cloisters, “I suppose there is always the possibility of an anul-“ he stopped himself. If she was married to the gentry she’d hardly expect Gabriel to speak of the marital bed. He might have been a humble soldier but the schooling of an Irish upbringing had not left him and so he found himself sitting up straight, talking gentler than usual, softening the rugged...and probably failing.

“You were not so very quiet...it even takes me a while to learn how to talk to proper people again - such as yourself - and not just men aboard a ship. You're lucky to have encountered me when you have, I normally don't shut up. My mother blames my father for that”," he joked with a clear smile, he didn't usually talk of his family, "And anyway if you spoke too much I might not have had opportunity to see you now -” he stopped himself and glanced around the chapel.

He stifled the immediate joke that came to mind. It was strange, thought Gabriel, she seemed like an entirely different woman now that she was away from the market. Of course, he was different inside the chapel walls too but the brightness in her seemed affected now.

“Your mistress?” he asked out of politeness, assuming she was one of the King’s wife’s many ladies in waiting. It made sense, Gabriel had heard she only employed handsome courtiers…a little shortsighted given how she came to know the King perhaps, “And…God forgive me, but you needn’t have a relationship necessarily. If it was your wish you might always follow the example set by your King," he said rather mischievously.

Gabriel laughed lightly, truly unaffected by the change in her temperament. He continued to sit casually in his pew, one arm on the back of his chair, “I confess I have very little interest in your marriage, Mistress Joan. Indeed, any interest I might have had…was in you,” he replied simply and looked at her sincerely.

He did find it rather amusing and almost laughed at himself for how he had wondered if he might have brought her some gift. An English woman entirely, thought he, “And, I also confess, I have no comprehension about what you now speak of. I merely intended that you may enjoy interactions beyond those simply with your husband. As far as I was aware - last time I was on these shores - friendships and the like still exist.”

"In any case," he began with a calm sigh, turning to face the altar, "I do not wish to offend you, madam," he said, crossing himself and kneeling as he left his pew to find a quieter spot away from Joan, whom he discovered, was as fickle as it was possible to be...