Window in the Great Hall

"Ah yes Thomas Wyatt, I have heard some of his poems and he is most talented" Mary's smile is much more relaxed as she and Margaret shake hands "tis been a pleasure Margaret and I pray that we soon meet again

Margaret showed her a surprised smile. She wondered why she had so hurry in leaving so soon "Oh..of course. I was just wondering if you were new to court. You know..I am going to leave for honeymoon with my husband. So I fear we can't meet so soon.." She replied. She didn't know why, but she felt there was something weird in this girl. And she always trusted in her sensations

"Indeed I am new to court my Lady and forgive me if I seemed rude its just Lady Margery has kindly offered to introduce me to the Lady Anne at the Easter Ball and I do not wish to go empty handed" Mary looked down in embarrassment "We are on our way to the rose garden so I could pick some flowers for Lady Anne and I am most anxious to meet everyone"

Mary looked into Margaret's eyes that seemed to be able to read her inner most thoughts "May I say congratulations on your wedding and I hope I will see you in court upon your return" she smiled in the hope of redeeming her previous haste

Margaret smiled. This girl was very able in using words "Thank you, my lady. Oh..I have no intention to keep you here far from your duties. Even if..judging by your hurry, I would say you were anxious to run to your lover.." She giggled, but she turned serious quickly "Oh please..forgive me. I love joking, even with people just met. It's so evident that you are a virtuous girl, so different from other ladies in this court..who spend all day running after men. English court is becoming more similar to french court every day.." She rolled her eyes after a deep sigh

Mary's face flushed a bright pink and she gave a shy smile "As yet I have not been as fortunate as your good self to find my true love" she replied tipping her head to one side " what is it like in French courts......I hear talk of the ladies being very forthcoming with their affections"

Margaret shrugged "Yes, they have no morals at all. But since you are new, my lady..better warning you about men in this court. Oh..most of them are gentlemen, like my husband. He is..the kindness itself. But others.." She lowered her voice stepping closer "Others..are just womanizers. Especially noblemen. My ex husband was one of them. Oh..sorry: he is one of them. He cheated on me all the time..and men like him never change. So..be careful.." She added with mysterious voice

"I thank you for your warning and advice my Lady and I shall be careful" Mary lowered her voice and stepped closer to Margaret "Maybe you could tell me where I may find one of these rare kind gentlemen once you return from honeymoon" she giggled

Margaret giggled after her. She paused for a moment before replying "Uhm..I don't know. Since I am a faithful wife, I don't even care about other men. But I can tell you where you can find..womanizers: just stay away from italian men. Englishmen are dangerous too for a vituous lady, but italians are even worse. You know, I was Duchess of Genoa, once.." She sighed and she looked at her with an amused smile on her face

"Thank you and I will heed you wise words" Mary smiled "At present I would rather settle at court and then when the time is right search for a suitor"

Margaret smiled "Oh I am sure you will find the right man, my lady. I thought having found the true love when I married Cesare..but obviously I was wrong. Thank God, Anthony came in my life in the right moment and now I am very happy.." She just realized that she mentioned Cesare and Anthony like she knew them. But of course she knew none of them. That's why she talked freely "Oh..forgive me. I always talk too much. I won't keep you here further, cause I have to reach my Mistress as well. Good luck with Lady Anne. Hope we can meet again, Mary.." She said smiling warmly

"I hope we do too and do not worry anything you tell me will not be spoken of to any other person" Mary smiled and bid her a fond farewell as she and Lady Margery walked towards the gardens

Margaret looked at her while she was leaving. She looked kind and sweet, even innocent. But she felt that she was not. She was at court enough time to recognize a whore. And this Mary Dawn was surely a whore who liked acting like innocent. She decided to keep an eye on her "Yes..yes. I'll watch on you, Mary. I'll watch on you, dirty whore.." She whispered to herself when no one could hear her. She took a breath and she walked in the opposite direction

After sleeping most of the day away, Louis finally rose in the early afternoon. Having completed most of his work, he decided to read the recently published, posthumous by Machiavelli.

He perched on a window sill and enjoyed the luxury of having liberty of time.

Mary walked down the hallway heading to go for a ride passing the great hall. She stopped when she saw someone alone in the room by the window. She had never seen him in court. She walked into the great hall and up to the man. "Greetings Sir I have never seen you in court before."She said with a low curtsies to him.

Louis glanced up from his book and saw a lady approach, dressed in a gown of the most lovely of styles. He quickly glanced down and concentrated on the sentence, as his lips turned upwards into a wry smile. Un court sans les femmes est un jardin sans flours.

He heard her grow nearer until she directly addressed him, quelle confiance-une véritable flour...

"Good-day," he replied warmly and folded over the corner of his page, "Your observation is correct. I am an ambassador for His Grace, King Francis of France-I am not a member of this court."

"Then I welcome you to the kings court I am Mary Sheldon cousin to Anne Boleyn and lady in waiting to her also." She said softly.

He smiled and closed his book, "A most kind welcome, thank you, Mary. I am Louis...Castillon."

"I was going to go for a ride. Would you like to joining me sir?"

She asked him softly.

He grinned brightly, "Oui, je aime-i mean, yes, I would love to."

"Do you need to change your clothes?"

She said to him.

He shook his head and stood up, "I do not, but I assume you may like to change your attire?"

"This is my riding attire."

She said with a giggle.

He laughed warmly, and adjusted his heavy cloak, "Forgive me, mademoiselle. I am not well schooled in women's dress. You would outshine many at a court dance in that gown. However now I speak to rash!"

A small part of her hair fell in her face.

"Thank you for saying so."

She said softly.

He chuckled and noticed the lock of hair deliciously drip over her eye, "Shall we head?"