Rose Garden

She led Anthony outside. The air was slightly cool in time for autumn and the stars were just breaking out of their dark blue hiding place. "I usually come here when I want to be alone," she admitted. "You're the first person I've brought here."
It felt as though there were a million butterflies in her stomach, she was excited and a little nervous to see him again. "I still cannot believe you came all this way," she said, glad the nighttime hid her blushing. "But I'm so glad you did." She took his hand in hers.

As we walked outside to the rose garden, the gentle musk of the flowers filled the air. "I would go anywhere for you Charlotte." I used her first name, as we were alone. I smiled when she said I was the only one she had brought here. "His majesty won't require my services for a few days. Even if he did...it would have to wait" I said as I looked down at our hands and how they fit perfectly together.

She followed his eyes to where their hands were joined, and she felt like she was glowing. She didn't want to ruin the moment with what she had to say."How is King Henry these days? By the time news gets to us it all becomes rather distorted."

"His majesty struggles with his divorce. He has many things to deal with." I said holding my tongue, making sure I didn't say much of Henry's private matters. I stood in front of her. With her hands still in mine, I gazed at her eyes that beamed so brightly in the moonlight. "Charlotte, your all I think about day and night. I'm....in...love with you."

Upon hearing these words a smile grew on her lips. "Truly?" she breathed. "Oh Anthony, all this time I have been in love with you as well!" Her heart raced as sheer delight flooded over her. But she knew then that she had to tell him her secret, hoping he'd still love her after. "And, there is something else.. let's sit down." She led him to a bench. Placing each of their hands on her stomach, she whispered, "I'm going to have our child..."

"Yes, yes my love. That's why I came to Bavaria, to win you back." I smiled brightly not even wanting to hear anything back. Well she told me of her affections for me, I exhaled and leaned to kiss her only I felt she had something more to tell me. I felt puzzled. As she pulled me to sit on the bench, I felt nervous. I saw her place her hands on her stomach and then tell me the she was carrying my child. I jumped up and placed my hands on my head. "Charlotte, my love, this is fate telling us we should be together." I pulled her up and kissed her holding tight. I never wanted to let her go.

Charlotte beamed with happiness to see he still wanted her. "You've come here to win me back, yet somehow you've never lost me." She smiled. "Do you truly think this is fate calling us? To be honest I am so frightened, but with you by my side I know I can handle anything." As he kissed her it seemed everything fell in to place. She let herself revel in the moment of being in love for the first time. Anthony's kiss was warm and passionate; his arms around her provided her with all the strength she would need.

I heard her words and smiled. "I'm truly pleased that I don't have to fight for you, because I would." I moved my hands to her belly. "My..our child grows inside you? I can hardly believe it." I said and lean down placing my ear to her stomach and wrapped my arms around her.

"I can hardly believe it myself," she whispered. She gently stroked his hair as he placed his ear to her small baby bump. "I haven't told anyone else, but I won't be able to hide it for very long. I can think of some who will be displeased with me," she didn't want to spoil the moment but she knew this was not a welcome thing to others.

I looked up at her and I didn't want our child to be born a bastard nor her be an embarrassment. I took her hand kissed it. "Charlotte, you are the love of my life. You and this child that you bare are it for me. Will you do the honor of becoming my wife?" I asked without another thought or even a ring to offer her.

She was taken aback, her eyes wide and brimming with tears. "Oh Anthony, I will,!" She had never envisioned this, but even if she had planned for it, the moment could not be more perfect. Laughing joyfully she brought him up to her and kissed him, putting her arms around his neck. "But I want you to know, this isn't a wrong you have to set right," she said seriously.

I wiped hers tears as I felt my eyes well up a bit as well. "I will make you happy, I promise." I then kissed her back placing my hands on her waist. "No my love, your the only one I want and wish to be with. You and our child." I said gazing into her eyes and gently caressing her cheek.

She smiled, "You've already made me happy, in such a short time. I hope I can return the favor even a little." When they kissed she had never felt more complete. "I am yours, Anthony my love, and I will bear you a beautiful and healthy child," she whispered,

Continuing to gaze into her eyes, I smiled. "Oh Charlotte, my love, you have made me so happy within the time we have known each other. Your all I think of." I held her tight, letting her head rest on my chest. "I know you will bear me a healthy child." I then thought of what Henry might say of this. I kissed her forehead and held her hands in mine. "My love, how would you feel about getting married tonight? I ask because if we wait i'm sure how his majesty would feel about it." I asked hoping she would agree.

Her heartbeat quickened in response. "Tonight? Of course, my love." She held his gaze a long moment. "I have no doubt that everyone will be happy for us."

"I know it's sudden, however, I must return to Whitehall soon and I want to take my wife with me." I said as kissed her hand. "I never want to leave you again my love."

She smiled joyfully as Anthony said he wanted to bring her to Whitehall with him. "I never want to be apart from you either my love!" She embraced him, feeling the warmth of his body against hers. "Let us be married this night," she said as her heart fluttered within her chest.

I smiled happily and brought both her hands to my lips and kissed them. "I love you with every part of my being" I said and lifted her up kissing her. "Let us go now to the chapel and find the priest before he retires for the evening." I said and took by the hand.

I wore a white beautiful dress with red flowers in the end of it and decided to take a walk in the garden, It was a sunny and refreshing day the flowers smelled so good so that I just closed my eyes and enjoyed it.

Richard decided to have a walk in the garden to breath some fresh air. He sat on a bench, alone without his servants around. He kept on thinking about Isabella, lady Inge and Sybille's mysterious words

Isabella spotted Richard sitting alone and watched him contently wondering if he had missed her or if another had occupied his mind she placed herself next to him.

"Penny for your thoughts"

Richard turned suddenly his head hearing a female voice at his side. When he saw Isabella, a smile came on his lips

Isabella! You're back. I thought...you didn't want to return in Bavaria anymore...

He exclaimed, unable to hide his surprise

Isabella run her fingers down and around his face.

"I was a fool to leave you my Richard! Unless you send me away by your orders I shall never leave and my lips shall remain upon yours only."

Their was no other man that occupied her heart only that of Richard.

Richard remained speechles for a while. He felt confused by her behavior and removed his eyes from her

Or maybe...you just have nothing to do in Portugal and then you came back to me. I'm sure that someone was waiting for you there...

He said coldly