Rose Garden

He bowed his head, "Perhaps we shall meet again. Goodbye, Mistress Sheldon."

Anthony then turned back and walked towards the palace.

I decided to take a walk thought the rose garden after I had finished my duties, The smell of the rose's and the warm sun on my face made me smile, I walked over to a beautiful red rose bush and sat down and took of my shoes to feel the grass between my toes.

Francis was taking a walk through the gardens to clear his weary mind. Taking a deep breath, he walked through the grassy fields and he inhaled the sweet aroma of the roses. Looking around he saw a woman and he smiled, she looked familiar but he couldn't be sure so he approached slowly "My lady." he said simply with a smile.

I heard a sound and looked up and standing in front of me was a very handsome man, I think I remember seeing him at the french court when I was there.
" My lord " I said as I got up from the grass. " Have we met before? " I smiled with my flirtatious smile. " would you like to sit and keep me company? ".

Francis walked forward more and he took a deep breath "I believe we have." he admitted to the woman "I am Sir Francis Bryan, cousin to Anne Boleyn." he nodded his head at her words "I would be honoured to accompany such a beautiful woman."

" Thank you Sir Francis Bryan, I am new to court and I would like to make some new friends it would be nice to get to know you please sit and talk a while, tell me about your day"
I could not help but stare at this handsome man in front of me, I did not know him yet but something inside me wanted too.

Francis looked at her and he smiled before nodding "My day has gone soothingly well, and how about yours?" he asked her and his eyes traced over her feminine features.

" Today is my first day, I have unpacked and met up with an old friend of mine Anne Stanhope do you know of her? she is soon to be married"
"How long have you been at this court?" I saw how he was looking at me and smiled, I pushed my feet though the grass and looked up into his eyes, he is very handsome and I could not take my eyes off him.

He took a deep breath and nodded "I believe I have heard of her." he admitted to her and he shrugged and looked at her "Not that long, I travel a lot."

" It is very quiet here, what do you like to do when you are not working?" I picked a rose from the rose bush and one of the thorns pricked my finger " ouch " I tired to find my handkerchief to stop the blood.

He thought for a moment "I like to do what all mean do, sit back and drink ale." he said with a laugh and he looked at the blood that spilled from her finger and he took his own handkerchief and dabbed it on the small prickle.

She Laughed " do you play cards? I play quite well " When he dabbed my finger I felt a warm flush on my cheeks I hoped he did not notice.

Francis nodded at her and he smiled "Yes, I do indeed." he admitted to her and he took a deep breath "ah, just like my wife, she plays too."

I stepped back and smiled, I should have known he was married. " Is your wife at court?".

He shook his head at her "No she is in Lisbon, visiting people." he said to her and he smiled "Are you married?"

" I am betrothed to Sir Robert Tavistock, my father arranged it for me, I have not met him as yet. " I handed back his handkerchief. " Does your wife not worry about leaving you alone?"

Francis laughed at her and she raised an eyebrow "Why would she worry about me?" he asked her and he winked "I am a big boy, I can handle myself."

" I am sure you can look after yourself" I said with a smile. " I got up and put on my shoes it was starting to get dark and a bit colder. " Your wife must trust you around so many beautiful ladies?".

"Beautiful women like yourself?" he asked with a raised eyebrow and he grinned "No, she doesn't." he admitted to her but he shrugged "But what she doesn't know wont hurt her, isn't that right?"

" Yes like myself " I said with smile " Your wife must be very brave to leave you alone". I shivered as I started to feel a bit more colder, I had forgotten to bring my cape with me.

He shrugged a little "I don't know, perhaps she is." he said and he took off his cape and put it around her shoulders "Perhaps we should venture back to mine, or your chambers for some warm wine?"

" Thank you " she said, The cape was already warm from his heat the warmth from the cape made her feel warmer. " We can go back to mine if you prefer?".

He nodded then shrugged "I don't mind, whatever one is closer..."

She smiled " maybe your's is closer? ".

He smiled and he nodded "Then I shall lead the way." he said and he offered his arm to her before leading the way to his bedchambers.