Margaret Wyatt's bedchamber

Margaret was brushing her long hair at the mirror. She was wearing her nightgown. When she heard a knock she went towards door and opened it "Sir Francis! How nice to see you. I...I'm so sorry to receive you like that. But I wasn't expecting you. I thought...you would have come tomorrow. But please, come in..." She said smiling, inviting him to come in. She blushed a bit for showing him her nightgown. But she smiled and looked sweetly at him

I smiled as I saw her in her nightgown, and did not avert my eyes from her perfect figure. "My lady I am sorry to disturb you, if you think it is too late for me to visit I will go, only if that's what you wish. I wanted to bring you these." I gave her the violets.

Margaret looked at the violets and took them in her hands. She smiled, amazed by their beauty "Oh...Thank you, my lord. They are lovely. Violets are my favourite flowers. How did you know that?" She asked happily. She took a vase and put them into water. Then she turned to him again "You're not disturbing me, sir Francis. I'm happy to see you. But please, have a sit.." She said, glancing at her nightgown. She smiled

I was glad to see her smile, and so I took seat on a comfortable chair. "I took a chance on you liking them.. but I am glad they are your favorite." I relaxed in the chair. "Were you getting ready for bed? I am sorry if I'm keeping you up. I'm a bit of a night owl myself."

Margaret breathed deeply violet's scent and sat on a chair next to him. She smiled and shook her head "Oh no...I was just reading something. This makes me relax before sleeping. Oh...can I offer you something to drink, my lord? Sorry but I have not wine. Just...water or fruit juice.." She said blushing a bit, looking around room

"I'll have some fruit juice, if you please." I stretched my legs out. "Yes I read often, and I like to keep my mind always learning new things, never letting knowledge slip through my fingers. Knowledge and learning are very precious to me."

Margaret stood up and reached the table. She poured him a glass of fruit juice and sat next to him again. She gave him the glass with a soft smile "Oh really? And...what kind of books do you prefer, my lord?" She asked, staring curiously at him

"Thank you my lady, I smiled then took a sip of the sweet fruit juice. "Most books I read are from other countries, I've recently read a history of France going back to the Merovingians, and classics like Plato and Aristotle. What about you, my lady?"

Margaret smiled, with a surprised expression on her face "Oh...Aristotle and Plato are very difficult authors, my lord. I had to read them, of course. But I find latin and greek not so...enjoyable. But I love greek tragedies. They are so full of...passions and deep feelings. Don't you find, sir Francis?" She asked with a joyful smile, staring at him

"Oh yes, I especially prefer 'Oedipus the King'." I smiled at her. "I didn't know you enjoyed Greek tragedies. Are you interested in poetry? I remember very well the day we met I was conversing some lines in my head, you actually helped inspire me that day." I smiled and put my hand on hers.

Margaret looked at his hand o her and smiled "Inspired by me, you say? I think you're too kind, my lord. Even my brother has never been inspired by me, I guess..." She said giggling, looking at him

I had to smile at her innocence. "Would you care to hear what I wrote, that you inspired?" I asked.

Margaret opened her blue eyes bigger and looked confused at him. She smiled "Have you...have you really wrote something inspired by me? Oh...Of course I care to hear that, my lord. It's such an honour for me..." She said almost whispering, waiting excitedly for him to start

I cleared my throat:
"The stars shine down from the firmament
and I give this sweetly broken lament:
that I have no such thing that's mine,
as the jewel of those stars with a kiss sweet as wine.
The maker of her soul hath teased my love,
he has kept such a lady so fine up above.


I stared at her a moment longer, then decided this was not right. "On second thought, I think it is getting rather late.. perhaps I should leave. I glanced away from her.

Margaret listened him carefully. Then she smiled and took a deep breath after he finished his poetry "I...I have no words. It's beautiful, sir Francis. But maybe I don't deserve such beautiful words.." She stood up and stopped next to the cheminy. She gulped and looked hesitantly at him "There is something you should know, my lord. I...I'm married. I married secretely the Duke of Genoa, two weeks ago. He...he asked me to marry him so quickly, and to follow him in Genoa. I even had no time to tell it to my brother and lady Alfonsina. I'm so sorry, sir Francis.." She said almost whispering, lowering her eyes

I looked up as she spoke, and nodded. "You don't need to explain yourself further my lady. I am not upset at what you've done only.. taken by surprise. I had genuine feelings for you, so I just need time to sort out those feelings. Honestly, I'm hurt. I shrugged.

"After all he's a bloody duke, he always had more of a chance with you than I did." I got to my feet and slowly walked to her, gently cupping her beautiful face in my hands and kissing her passionately. "Next time you see him you'll be thinking of me," I said rather cocky.

Margaret kissed him back, surprised by his reaction. She removed slowly her lips from him, breathing deeply "Please, my lord...I can't. I...I can't betray my husband. I belong to him, now.." She whispered, staring at his lips

"I know, you are far too good a person to betray your vows, as such I would never expect it from you" I whispered, still standing close to her. "I simply thought I'd give you something to remember me by." I said with a roguish smile.

Margaret leaned her back against the wall and looked at him "Something...like what, my lord?" She whispered, still breathing. She felt her hands trembling

"Just a kiss, a memento. So do you truly love this man, this duke? I don't think he can kiss you as well as I do, make you tremble with desire.." I stepped closer to her.

Margaret took a deep breath and bit her lips as he came closer. She nodded slowly "I love him, my lord. He makes me...happy. In bed also.." She said whispering, leaning gently her hand on his chest. She hoped to control his desire

I stopped as she put a gentle hand upon my chest. I raised my brow. "Very well, I only wanted to make sure." I backed away slowly, admitting defeat. "I think I have bothered you long enough my lady.. or should I say your grace." I bowed, and left the room.

Margaret watched him leaving silently, surprised, not expecting he would have give up so easily. She reached her bed and lied on it, still breathing. She kept on thinking about Cesare and Francis

A few days later I returned to Margaret's rooms, knowing I had acted like an outright cad. I knocked. "My lady it's Francis Bryan. I want to speak with you."

Margaret was sitting in front of her mirror. She was brushing her long, blonde curls, when suddenly heard a knock at her door. Recognizing sir Francis's voice, she took a breath "It's opened, my lord. Come in..." She answered, still watching at her image in the mirror