Margaret Wyatt's bedchamber

As I arrived at Whitehall, I was eager to see Margaret. I went to chambers to see if she was in.
I knocked "My lady are you in, it's me Anthony."

Margaret was reading a book, resting on her bed. Suddenly she heard knocking. As she recognized Sir Anthony's voice, she closed her book and stood up immediately. She wasn't expecting him "You can come in, my lord. It's opened..." She answered with trembling voice

I walked in and smiled as I saw her standing. She looked so beautiful. The sunlight behind her made her silhouette glow.
I walked toward her, took her hand and kissed it. "You look ravishing my lady." I said as I couldn't think of anything else.

Margaret curtsied deeply as she saw Anthony entering. She raised her eyes and smiled as he kissed her hand "Thank you...you're too kind, sir Anthony. What a nice surprise. Would you like to have a sit?" She asked blushing and pointing at the sofa

"Yes, of course my lady." I said and took a seat on the sofa. "Tell me my lady, how was your journey to Whitehall?"

Margaret sat on the sofa next to him and smiled "Oh...it has been rather enjoyable, thank you my lord. I never saw Whithall before. But I guess you know te Palace very well, sir Anthony. Oh...how rude! Would you like something to drink?" She asked kindly, looking at his handsome face

"Yes I know most of the palace although, Hampton is more familiar to me." I said as I took a goblet of wine from her. "Would you like to see the grounds, and get some fresh air?" I asked as I wanted to spend more time with this wonderfully intriguing woman.

Margaret was going to take some fresh water from the table. Her brother never allowed her to keep wine into her bedroom. But Anthony's suggestion surprised her and she turned towards him "Oh...of course, my lord. It would be kind of you. I don't know very well these places. So...I think I'll have to trust you and follow you, sir Anthony..." She said with a playful smile, looking at him

I drank the water she brought to me and sat up. "Well are you prepared to go now?" I asked hoping she was. "I would like to show you many parts of the palace, especially this wonderful fountain that I used to to go to." I said smiling at her.

Margaret nodded and took her long coat. She wore it fastly and showed him a bright smile "I'm ready, my lord..." She said with a joyful expression and walked towards the door

I was pleased to spend more time with her. As she took her coat, I opened the door and we walked side by side down a few corridors through the palace and outside to the warm spring air.

Margaret gave him an amused glance and left the room with him

It's late afternoon and the servants are just now beginning to light the candles in the tall candelabra that are throughout the hallways. We reach Margaret's door and I smile at her.

"My lady, you made my day very enjoyable, and I'm pleased we got to know each other better."

Margaret stopped infront of her door and turned towards him with a smile "Thank you for your time, sir Francis. It has been lovely talking to you. Oh...and thank you...for this..." She added, glancing at her finger while blushing a bit

I can't help but chuckle when she thanks me.

"I am sincerely sorry you were stuck by a thorn, my lady. Next time I shall have to choose a more careful gift for one so delicate."

I look into her eyes again, still mesmerized by the sparkle in them, and I quietly kiss her hand, my lips barely touching the surface of her ivory skin.

"Until next time, Lady Margaret." I smile once more and leave, walking backward a little so I can see her as I leave.

Margaret curtsied deeply and watched him leaving silently . Then she walked into her room and closed the door behind her. She leaned her back against the door and smelt deeply the rose still in her hand. She smiled to herself, happy to have met a such kind and handsome man. But suddenly she shook her head, trying to forget. She was afraid to suffer again because of a man. And what if Thomas came to know? She threw herself on bed and closed her blue eyes, trying to sleep

Margaret was brushing her long blonde hairs, sitting in front of the mirror. Once she heard her brother's voice at her door, she turned her head with a smile "Thomas! Yes, I'm here. Come in, please..." She answered joyfully

Margaret smiled warmly as she saw him entering. She shook her head after his words and looked up at him "Oh...not at all, brother. I was just brushing my hairs, as you see. I'm fine...just a bit tired. What about you? Come, sit next to me and tell me everything..." She said showing him a chair next to hers. She was smiling, curious to hear some news from his voice

Margaret nodded with a small smile "Oh yes...the child is healthy. But she has been sick, recently. She is better, now...but still weak. And I'm fine too...I take care of her all day. That's why I'm tired, brother..." She smiled and opened her eyes wide by surprise "Wait...an hunt? It's a big honour being invited by the King, Thomas! You must be proud of that...and also very excited..." She giggled and patted softly his shoulder

Margaret nodded and smiled back at him "Yes, Thomas...I met a gentleman. His name is sir Francis Bryan. He has been so kind...to give me a rose as gift..." She added with fake careless, turning her eyes towards mirror again