Margaret Wyatt's bedchamber

I peeked my head in then seeing it was all right to come in I stepped into the room, the scent of fresh flowers filled the air. "My lady, allow me to apologize.."

Margaret turned to him and stood up. She shook slowly her head "There is no need, my lord. You...showed your feelings sincerely, at least. Oh...would you sit?" She asked with embarassed voice, trying to smile

I smiled and took a seat upon the sofa. "Thank you.. I suppose I have not been in my right frame of mind these days. I will openly admit, I was jealous when you told me you got married." I said frankly.

Margaret sat next to him on the sofa. She sighed deeply "It has been...a big changement for me too. Cesare married me so quickly...I'm still confused. But I don't regret it all. And...I'm sorry if I hurted you.." She added with soft voice, looking at his face

I shook my head. "It was selfish of me, but I've never known any better I suppose. I'm not used to losing a woman to another man."

Margaret looked at him with a confused smile "For losing a woman...you need to have her first. And you never had me, my lord.." She said with weak, embarassed voice

I was surprised at her bold words and felt resentment rise up within me. "You know perfectly well what I meant, my lady. Don't pretend you weren't falling for me as well."

Margaret opened her mouth, surprised by his reaction. She shook slowly her head "I...I'm pretending nothing, my lord. I'm sorry you feel offended. But...I never meant to hurt you. Sorry.. but I feel rather nervous too. My husband his fighting a war in Italy, to defend Genoa from invasion. I fear for his life and I feel lonely. Can I...can I count on your friendship, sir Francis?" She asked with soft voice, leaning her hand on his

Margaret was looking at Francis when suddenly she saw the door opened. Once she saw Cesare walking into room, she looked surprised at him and stood up immediately, leaving Francis's hand. She didn't know the war was ended "Cesare! I...I didn't know you were back. I'm so happy to see you're alright.." She ran towards him and hugged him tightely, noticing he was looking souspiciously at Francis

Margaret sighed as he pulled her away and bit her lips. She looked at Cesare's angry face "Cesare...please. It's not what you're thinking about. Francis...sir Francis, is just a friend of mine.." She tried to explain, touching softly his arm

Margaret looked at both of them in silence. She never thought that Cesare could be jealous. She had to admit that she was pleased by his reaction. She smiled secretely and waited for Francis's reaction

Smiling, I couldn't stifle a chuckle as this man called me the man whore of the court. I could see jealousy in his eyes and knew he would have tried to do me harm if I'd been caught doing anything other than sitting with his wife and just talking. I stood from my seat and nodded to the couple. "I will take my leave now, my lord, my lady." I stopped before Margaret. "You can always count on my friendship, if you want it." I kissed her hand and gave a curt nod to Cesare and left.

Margaret smiled gently as Francis kissed her hand. She watched him leaving and turned towards Cesare "I missed you, Cesare.." She took his hand and leaned it against her cheek "I missed those hands. How could I even watch another man besides you?" She sighed and kissed softly his hand

Margaret's smiled disappeared suddenly after his reaction. She watched him detaching from her with surprised eyes. She sighed "Cesare...I...I did nothing bad with him. We were just talking. I was even talking about you.." She paused and came closer with slow steps "How was war? Have you succeded to defeat the Queen of Milan?" She asked, even noticing his disappointement

Margaret felt a pain in her stomach after his words. She gulped and tried to look calm "So...you went to Hever. Of course...you told me. I...I'm sure you'll be a good father for him. Even if not living with him. I...I heard many men do that.." She came two steps closer and touched his arm, trying to catch his eyes "Don't care about people judgement, Cesare. I know you're a good man.." She whispered stroking softly his arm

Margaret watched him pouring some wine and smiled softly "Do you know...what people says about me, Cesare? They call me The Lady in waiting who married her Master. To get a title. But you know it's not true.." She sighed and approached him again "There is something I'd like to tell you, Cesare.." She added with trembling voice, without removing her eyes from him

Margaret kissed him back with closed eyes and leaned gently her hand on his cheek. She could feel his wilde beard under her skin "Let them talk, my love. After all...you were really my Master.." She blushed and lowered her eyes "I...I was not sure, at the beginning. But...I missed my period. So I saw a physician and...I'm with child, Cesare! Our child.." She added with joyful voice, raising her eyes to him and wrapping tightly her arms around his neck