Margaret Wyatt's bedchamber

Margaret turned her head to him and nodded quickly "Oh yes, Thomas. He is a true gentleman and he never said...nothing bold to me. We just had a little argue. But I think he could be a good friend to me. I need friends in court..." She sighed and smiled sweetly at him

Margaret shrugged a bit "Oh...nothing serious, really. The rose's thorn wounded my finger, so he gave me his handkerchief. The day after, I went in his study room to give him his handkerchief back. But he looked surprised...and said that I don't have giving nothing to him, cause it was just a gesture of kindness. But the truth is...that he misundestood completely my words, Thomas! Maybe he thought I wanted giving him something else..." She explained. Then she rolled her eyes and sighed

Margaret blushed suddenly and shook her head after Thomas's question "Oh no...I hardly know him, Thomas! I admit he is rather handsome...yes. But I'm interested in his friendship only. I think we could be...good friends, after all. He apologized for his reaction..." She said as calmly as she could, feeling her heart beating faster inside her

Margaret smiled and looked at him "Thank you, brother. I do my best in order to not disappoint you. I want you to be proud of me...But tell me, who else will join to this...hunt in the forest?" She asked giggling, patting softly his arm

Margaret giggled "I know. Our father tried to bring you with him for hunting when we were at Allington, but you always refused to join him. But you're a King's man, now. The most popular poet in the court...And what about your private life, Thomas? Is there a lady in your life? You need a wife, and Annie and Tommy need a mother..." She said sweetly, looking carefully at his face's expression

Margaret looked curiously at him and smiled "Do you mean...that you have mistresses, Thomas? I'm surprised. You never talked me about that, brother. And...how many women do you have?" She asked astonished, knowing that he always told her to protect her virtue. And now he was acting like men he ordered her to stay away from...

Thomas, embarrassed, hesitate about what to answer, then decide to tell the true seen he yet told about the main thing.

Well, I am very discreet about my private, I don't much like to talk about it ... in fact, since my teenage, aside while my marriage, I always had many mistresses.

He sigh, reflecting.

I couldn't even tell precisely ... I have many girls just for a few days or even only for a moment, or night ... and for the others, it's change constantly as I break with one and encounter a new one all the time, but I can tell that currently, I have got three mistresses and four flirts, and there is also two others ladies whom I see only sometimes to times, but with whom I am since a long time.

Margaret was listening him with shocked eyes. She knew her brother was not chaste. But she didn't imagined he had so many mistresses. She tried to smile "Ah...I see. That's why sometimes I can't find you around court. I thought...I thought you were closed in your room, working at something new. But, instead of being at your desk...you were in your bed!" She took a deep breath, before adding "I know it's not my business, Thomas. But you think that you act like that just because you're a man, right? What if I did the same thing?" She asked, feeling a bit angry

Margaret took a deep breath. She nodded slowly and put an hand on his shoulder "I know that you feel alone, Thomas. But this is not the right way to fight lonely. Think about your children. It's not a good exemple for them. Sometimes I feel alone too. But I never threw myself in someone's arms for that..." She said with calm voice, looking at his eyes

Margaret sighed and looked teasingly at him. She smiled "You need something more, brother. I heard that there will be Autumn Party at court, tomorrow. Would you mind to join it with your little sister? Who knows...maybe you'll meet your future wife there..." She added, winking sweetly at him

Margaret laughed "Ohh...don't say so, Thomas. You are one of the most handsome men in the court...aren't you? Now, if you excuse me...I'd like to go to sleep. I'm rather tired, and I need to keep my energies for dancing with you tomorrow..." She giggled and rubbed softly his arm

Once Thomas left, Margaret finished to brush her hair. Then she crossed and said silently her prayers. She crossed again, reached her bed and lied on it. It was a bit cold, and she covered herself with a warm blanket and hugged her pillow. After few minutes, she fell asleep deeply

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{note attached}

My lady Margaret, take this prayer book as an early Christmas gift from one who truly cares that you keep your spiritual devotions.

Sincerely, Sir Francis.

Margaret came back into her room after the Party. She noticed a book on the table and came closer. It was a prayer book. Surprised, she took it in her hands and read the note. She smiled after reading it, taking a deep breath. She kissed the book and pressed it against her heart

As expected, I showed at Margarets door with a small bunch of violets behind my back. I awaited Margaret to open the door.