It seems I walk in the gardens daily to forget who I am and the responsibility that comes with it. My wife is no help at all a true harpy nagging over everything,not even the beauties around court satisfy me any more. I simply what someone who I can love and they will love in return not as Henry VIII king of England but simply Henry Tudor. My favorite spot is a small grove of white roses my father planted himself for my mother when they first married and when I came upon the grove I saw the only women in almost two months that made me truly feel anything. She sat among the roses reading in a blue gown completing her pale completion her blonde hair pulled back by a simple pearl sewn bag snood. Her beauty was breathtaking all by itself yet the aura of innocence around her made her seem so angelic. I approached her slowly not to scare the maiden who already had captured my heart.
"Milady may I been so bold as to ask your name." Her head shot up shocked by my presence she rose from the bed of roses and sunk into a deep curtsy.
"My name is Constance Carigan your majesty."
"May I ask why your are in the roses garden."
"Her majesty released me for the day so I thought I would read outside since it looked the beautiful toda- I am sorry if I have displeased your majesty."
"No but may I know what you are reading LadyConstance."
"I am reading a book of poems by Thomas Wyatt your majesty."
"And what do your think of it."
"It is very good I recommend you read it yourself your majesty."
"How about you just show me what your favorite poem is." I approached her slowly she turned to a page and read aloud.
"She is as pure and innocence as a white roses and as fierce and passionate as a red rose she is my tudor rose and she shall always remain my tudor rose ." I couldn't bring myself to say anything afterwards yet still not wanting to leave her presence I changed the subject.
"Who is your family at court Lady Constance I have not seen you or your family in my court."
"My father and brother are at court your majesty."
"We'll Lady Constance the day grows late will I see you perhaps tomorrow."
"Yes your majesty I am to go to Mass with her majesty tomorrow."
"Till then Lady Constance."
I grabbed her hand a kissed it my lips lingering on her sweet delicate hand that smelled of lavender. I raced to my chambers ignoring the bowing courtiers as I entered my Privy Chambers I told the page-boy to send for Charles my need to tell someone what had just transpired between me and the Lady Danielle. The page boy announced Charles seeing my look of joy he sat and prepared to find out the source of my new found happiness.
"May I perhaps know this new found source of joy you have your majesty."
"It is a lady Charles, beautiful lady."
"Does this beautiful lady have a name?"
"Constance Carigan."
"I know her father very well he is a good man."
"And what do you know about the lady herself."
"From all that my wife has said of her she is a truly Christian women with strong values."
"Thank you Charles you may go and we will go on a hunt tomorrow after Mass."
"Your welcome Henry."
When I finally feel asleep I dreamt of my Constance lying in our bed on the headboard my H intertwined with her C as we created a heir for all of England to love and adore beneath the satin bedcovers.