The Balcony

Clement smiled drinking from his goblet

'And do you think me a proper man Dorothy! I may look rough around the edges but that I am not'

"Yes. I assume you have been taught how to act towards a lady." she leans against the rails "No matter what class or rank, a man should know how to act towards others." she then smiles "As long you know how to have fun, you'll be alright."

Clement smiled she was a real lady he wondered what else he could find out about him

'Yes all people should have manners towards each other especially men but some seem to have placed them in their doublets'

"Indeed they do." she smiles in agreement "So, how did you earn your place here in court?"

Clement started to play with a stone with his foot

'I fought in a battle and the king gave me the title of a knight when I am not at court I retire back to my own lands which my Farther left me'

Clement raised his eye's to her

'Do you like living here at court just curious'

"Very interesting." she say with a smile "Of course, I sometimes like to have adventures in fact it's big. she giggles a little "Do you also like being here?"

Clement looked at her intrigued as to what adventures she might like.

'Do tell me lady Dorothy what adventures does your heart seek for'

"Well, in this time of year, I sometimes like to stroll outside if it's calm enough" she huffs with her breath as she watches it turn into fog "Or walk around the castle."

Clement smiled holding out his arm.

'Well it nearly is new year we could go for a walk around the palace grounds or stand here and watch them set of those pretty gunpowder things they set of in the sky'

She smiles as he extenders his arm to her "I think a stroll would be nice." she says as she takes his arm

Clement smiled and gently tucked her arm underneath his arm.

'Where to my lady is their anywhere particular you like to visit the most'

She thinks for a moment "I suppose a walk in the forest would be nice." she smiles as they leave the castle arm in arm

Faith walked onto the balcony to get some air. She thought about her brother and his wife and how alone she felt. She looked out from the balcony at England. It was beautiful at this time.

Thomas heard the sound of clicking heels and turned around to reveal a beautiful lady, she looked very much distressed. "Good day my lady, I hope my standing here isn't disturbing you." He joke trying to get a smile out of her.

She turned to the man.

"You are fine my Lord."

She said with a small curtsey to him.

He stood there and admired her auburn locks and thin stand. "May I ask why look so gloom?" he asked and stood a bit closer to her.

"I just thinking about my family. I'm Faith LeBeau Duchess of Cambridgeshire. "


She said by now the court knew who her brother was.

He took her hand and slightly kissed it "It's a pleasure to meet you lady Faith. I'm Thomas Seymour" He said as her name brought up Brandon, she was the bastard sister of him...He smiled coyly and knew he was in the right right place at the right time.

She blushes to his kiss.

"It is nice to met you my lord."

She said as she blushed a bit.

"I'd like to welcome you to court on behalf of my family" Thomas said still holding her hand "It's always an honor to meet any part of the Brandon family."

"Thank you Sir."

She said softly.

Henry strolled out onto the balcony in the evening. He leaned over the edge, cloak around his neck and thought of home.

Mary had left the Great Hall for some air but she was still so lost in this huge place. She laughed as she stood looking from side to side not sure which was the easiest way to the balcony. Then finally she decided and peeked her head out to see she had found it. The sky was dark but well lit from the moon above as she walked out staring up at the night sky. Lost in the beauty of that view she didn't realize she was not alone until she almost bumped into the stranger. Then she stopped suddenly, "Oh my, I am sorry. I did not see you there. Are you enjoying the night as I am?"

She could not see him well so she crept a bit forward till she could see his face in the moon's light. She smiled brightly, "Please forgive my rudeness. I am Mary, Mary Howard."

Henry turned around unaffected and smiled,"Not rude at all, I'm Henry."
He glanced to the sky and then back to Mary,"The night is dark and beautiful."