Tree in the garden.

I felt her lean in and then back up. "What's wrong..." I asked confused

The feel of her soft lips against my cheek felt wonderful. I smiled and returned her kiss by gently kissing her on the opposite cheek. "I really am enjoying your company lady Anne" I said and continued to hold her hand in mine.

I smiled, "Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?" I asked wanting to get to know her better.

I smiled happily "Great, meet me in my chambers in an hour." I said as I took her hand and kissed it.

I go outside for some fresh air and soon come upon a lovely blonde woman. I doff my hat and bow to her. "Good afternoon my lady. I hope i'm not disturbing your walk. May I know your name?" I smile at her appraising her rare beauty.

I went out to the garden, the sun already setting. I sat down beneath a large tree, first plucking a ripe apple. I polished it with my doublet and bit into it, enjoying the sweet taste. I hated to admit to anyone that I felt lonely.

Cesare had just returned from Italy and how long the journey was. The sea was choppy morning and night, which had prolonged the crossing by more than a day.
He was glad to have his feet on the group, albeit English soil. So, he lingered in the gardens for a while instead of going to his quarters. It was sunset. A burring, red sunset and if it were a little warmer - he could be in Italy again. He perched beneath a tree and shut his eyes.

Mary had been busy all day tending to her duties to the Lady Anne, now it was nearing late evening she had been dismissed and had returned to her chambers where she sat at her desk ready to catch up with her letter writing.

The warm red glow of the setting sun through the window seemed to beckon Mary to be outside, after such a day in court she could not resist especially as Mary loved nothing more than taking a walk through the many gardens of the palaces.

The air was still warm as Mary walked through the Games Garden, she felt herself relax as she strolled looking at the sun and it's glow, she did not see the stranger sitting under the tree till she nearly fell upon him

"Oh forgive me Sir" Mary exclaimed "I did not see you then

Cesare's eyes fluttered open. He at first thought it was his sister for all he saw was her hair and then he saw her face. Her face. Blanched by sunlight did not diminish her beauty but greaten it.
His arms reached up, there to steady here as a smile formed on his lips.

"Nothing to forgive,"he said simply.

Mary's face flushed red with embarrassment and by the smile that this handsome stranger gave her "Tis my fault kind Sir for I was looking at the sky and not at where my feet tread" Mary replied as she took the support of the man's strong arms to help her back to her feet "Thank you Sir, I have not seen you at court before" she smiled her heart all a flutter

"I come and go,"he replied and remained seated, his arms resting on his knees,"You don't seem like the lady who would linger in dark corners and they are my natural habitat."

"Would you care to sit...lady...?"

"Lady Mary Dawn and you are?" Mary stepped back from the tree and looked around the garden, there was a few courtiers present in the distance and a still bustling court was close by despite it being near nightfall "I do not linger in the dark Sir I simply enjoy the quietness of the gardens after a day in court"

Mary studied the man, he seemed at ease with himself and his surroundings and the offer to sit was very tempting...."I would care to sit"

He smiled,"Mary Dawn,"he repeated deeply. It suited her.

He shifted where he sat as she perched beside him. He could smell the sun on her, and admired the shine of her hair.

"So what do you do in court, Mary...may I call you Mary or would you prefer 'my lady',"he said charmingly.

"My lady will do.....until I know your name Sir" Mary smiled as she sat down next to him....he was even more handsome up close and she found it hard to pull her eyes away from his " I am a lady-in-waiting to Lady Anne Boleyn......what pray do you do?"

He smiled and replied jokingly,"Cesare Garcia - at your service."

He then shrugged,"This and that."

"Well Signor Garcia.....or may I call you Cesare? Mary grinned as she relaxed against the tree "Do you work for a Lord, Duke or a visiting Prince?"

"As I am a Duke, I work for myself and I would glad if your lips called me Cesare,"he replied and squinted in the sunlight which had reach a peak before it would sleep for the night.

"Your Grace" Mary stuttered and turned to face Cesare "why did you not say Sir" She hurries to her feet to curtsey and in her hast stumbles forward falling again onto the Duke

Cesare laughed in a kind way and stood up, catching her as he did. He lingered, hands on her side,"I am not the second coming Mary. I wish for you to call me Cesare and not your grace...besides you show more grace in one finger than I do. You are altogether more worthy of the title."

"Your Gra.....Cesare" Mary whispered as Cesare faced her his hands on her sides, she felt weak at the knees "Forgive me for I am not normally like this.....it must be the hour"

Mary felt warmed by his touch and laughted nervously in spite of herself "How do I, a mere lady-in-waiting show more grace than you my Lord I am not more worthy than you Sir I can assure you"