Steps

I wish, Anthony thought to himself, allowing his eyes to follow the gentle curve of her waist as she sat down, how her gown spilled around her-a smile formed on his lips.

He then replied and sat down on the step beside her, "Well you seem to be excelling in this man's company...except you have not told me your name, Mistress...?"

Anthony smiled and glanced to his arm, noticing she brushed against him as she perched beside him. He ran a hand through his hair and tilted his head, "A pleasure, Joan."

He then cleared his throat and glanced ahead, looking onto the vast expanse of land beyond them.

Anthony smiled indulgently and looked at her again, "On the contrary, Miss. You are, by the dew to your skin, some years younger than me. It is your comfort that is paramount-not mine."

Anthony chuckled, raising his chin allowing the golden petals to brush upon his stubbled chin and as he did, he drank in her appearance. He marked the pink hue to her lips, which curved as gently as the petals on the buttercup.

He then gently took the flower from her hand, his fingers brushing against hers, "If I may..."

He held it beneath her chin and smiled to himself as he noticed the honey glow on her skin.

He nodded in agreement, noticing a flush spread across her skin and trickle to her chest. He then quickly glanced up and cleared of his throat, looking into her eyes upon hearing her request. He glanced to his hands and chuckled, barely considering the proposal as tempting as it was.

"You and I alike then, I too have a bond in matrimony to one I have yet to meet. However, no matter how little affection I hold for my unknown betrothed...I do not very much like the idea of stranger's lips upon hers...instead of mine. Indeed, I consider mine unworthy of yours."

Anthony grinned and said rather deeply, "Naturally, I promise I would wade through the swathes in court to just bow my head to you."

He then tilted his head and said mischievously, "I think perhaps I misjudged you, Joan. I perceived a fragile waif-but here I perceive a cruel temptress.

He winked and added,"You must tell me more of you so I can learn the true nature of your heart."

Anthony smiled at her and glanced at her foot, it was light upon his. She seemed to glow when she spoke, her eyes were alive and bright - she spoke beyond her years, "You speak very wisely, Joan...your sentiments seem the same as mine, despite your youth..."

"My betrothed is not someone I love-nor do I believe I ever could. A son's duty is in conflict with a man's wishes. My father however claims I have been granted freedom in my youth but I think he wishes to shackle me to a woman now that I grow older."

"My parents are the same for my little sisters. They are so very often cooped up together but they find their own ways to still have fun. They are incredibly intelligent - better read than my brothers really."

Anthony then raised a brow and sighed, laughing a little, "I'fear my escapades are not fit to be heard by a stranger...let alone a girl. My bawdy talk may offend your gentility."

He then chuckled, "But alas if you married a fisherman he would return home reeking of fish and you would have to live in a smelly little hut by the sea. Did you ever consider a cloistered life...you say you dress more...modestly, than others."

Anthony sensed she had grown uncomfortable and he frowned a little. He thought she was withholding the full story but replied sympathetically, "Forgive me," he said deeply, "That was too personal a question. You are young, I am sure you shall learn to use men's weaknesses - for that is what they are - and I earnestly hope your husband shall guard you."

He added as a whisper, "I would."

"Not rude at all."

For some reason, as she told him this story he could feel an burning anger rise in his chest, "Did he succeed?" he asked worriedly.

"If I were your friend I would have killed him then and if I were your father, I would have done the same thing, "he then thought for a brief moment, "Was it this Peter boy you wished to marry?"

He glanced at her hand, a delicate hand, on his arm. Her touch was, as ever, gentle. He expected no less. He smiled softly, "Well... if I had known you then, I would have commissioned new dress for you - an even better one."

He grinned, "Then soon may you marry-for your sake. Tell me...do you know much of your husband, or his family?"

Anthony laughed heartily, "Normally 'cheekier' really...I'm on my best behaviour with you."

He thought for a while, "I could be your spy, if this be the case for I'm in the privy council too. As for mine, she is also named Joan...I have heard she is a relation of the Ashley family."[/color]