Swing in the Garden

I just went on a short trip, a little errand for the king. I said absently as I stroked a lock of her dark brown hair between my fingers. I have been wondering if you've told your brother about us yet. I hated to sneak around when I was so full of love for this woman.

Eleanor shook her head.

"The king is always busy. No, I haven't told Charles about us yet, but I have been thinking about it. Perhaps we should do it together and see what happens? Charles would take it all better if you were there and not hiding."

I laughed aloud remembering hiding beneath her bed when Charles called unexpectedly. Yes, we shall not replay that scenario. It would be better for us to tell him in person. I don't like hiding us. I gave her a soft and passionate kiss.

She sighs when he kisses her softly, happy to have his lips upon her own again.

"Neither do I, my love. That is why I would like to set up a meeting with Charles between us soon. I don't know how he will react to us wanting to wed, but he will have to deal with it."

Eleanor sighs.

"Ok. I will meet with him soon and tell him about us. Maybe you could be hiding in the next room and come in when he least expects it."

I shook my head. I don't want to hide anymore. I'll meet Charles with you, face to face. It's the right thing to do.

She smiles and looks around a little bit.

"That is excellent news, my love! I will have you brought to us unless you wish to be there the entire time as we talk with Charles."

I think it's best if I remain there the entire time. Despite what I've done in the past, I want your brother to have a good opinion of me, I want there to be no doubts. I kissed her head, nuzzling her cocoa-colored locks.

I nodded. Send word to me when we are to meet. I shall be there as soon as possible.

Kathleen was taking a walk in the beautiful garden when she was a similar face.She moved forward to see the woman better. "Lady Anne Parr,is that you?"asked Kathleen approaching the swing.

"Oh,lady Clark,how lovely is to see you after so much time...I came here to feel the peacefulness of this magical place.These last days my family have been sending me letters,recommending me to marry soon.But I am almost sure its actually my brother's idea to make me find a wooer in the court.William wants just to obtain some profits from me.How are you m'lady?"Anne said.

"Oh,I am well,my lady.Unfortunately,I haven`t recieved yet any letters from my family.I am worried how are they.I have been writing to them since I came in court.There must be a problem.I must talk to someone who can help me to connect them" said Kathleen worried.

As I made my way back from the city after treating patients, the sun was just beginning to rise. I had taken a detour through the gardens and noticed a solitary swing, swaying in the breeze.

My mind was still racing even though my body was physically aching and tired. I decided to remain outside for a while and see the sun finally come up. I kicked myself from the ground and begin to swing higher and higher.

Careful my lady! Any higher and you'll fly away! I said, laughing as I watched the pretty woman on the swing. You look as though you're enjoying yourself.

I glanced up startled and promptly jumped from the swing as I was still high in the air. As I landed I smiled and brushed my hair from my face. I could feel my cheeks flush a little and I smoothed down my dress as I greeted the man. I probably looked like death - I hadn't slept in ages,"I was - thank you, sir."

I'm sorry if I interrupted your enjoyment, my lady. What is a pretty lady like yourself doing with no male companion? I looked at her in confused amazement. She was wondrously pretty, with thick golden locks that cascaded to her shoulders.

I laughed,"Does a woman need a man to enjoy herself?"

In my experience, it helps. I smirked as I genty took her hand and kissed it. Francis Bryan at your service my lady. Might I have the pleasure of your name now that I have the pleasure of your beauty?"

I smiled at his reply - I agreed. I wasn't used to such formal greetings or the feeling of a stranger's lips but I cannot say I disliked it, ,"Gwen D'Amboise,"I replied with a smile,"At your service. So what is a gentleman like yourself doing up so early?"

Gwen D'Amboise I repeated. Her name sounded like a luscious fruit. I could not help staring at her pouty lips, her eyes wide and blue as the sea. It has always been my way to stay up late and rise early. That way I don't miss out too much on life. Sleep is for the dead, so I say.So you are French, I suppose? Vous êtes la plus belle chose à venir à travers la mer.

I laughed a little,"The best moments are always when the sun rises and sets. I shouldn't wish to miss them. Vous me flattez trop beaucoup"

I then nodded as I remark upon his confident gaze and hint of a smile,"Not entirely French. I lived there until I was five, but my heritage is further north."

With the court life becoming so busy and hectic I went for a little walk to clear my head happy to have found a swing to sit and think about these past few days. I still had to tell Anne about my engagement and I had yet to of found Mary here at all I thought of her as I started to swing wondering about her adventures at this court and how different they would be to mine and Jenny's.