"Well, that certainly went better than I expected it to," Charles commented as he and Katherine watched Henry ride away on his horse.

"I always knew that Henry would invite you back to court soon, Charles," Katherine replied. "What amazes me is that I was invited back as well."

"It's all because of your willingness to finally admit that your marriage to him is null and void and that you recognize Anne as the new Queen."

"Well, after all, if I were still married to him, I obviously couldn't have married you," Katherine said with a smile. "And the past few weeks have been the happiest of my life. Far happier than any during the time I was married to Henry."

"Don't you miss the moodiness and temper tantrums at all?" Charles teased.

"Not one bit!" They both laughed.

"I can't wait to show my new wife off to everyone," Charles said.

A shadow passed across Katherine's face.

"I know what you're thinking," Charles said quickly. "I assure you, Katherine, you've nothing to worry about at all. Why should I want any of them when I have you? You're worth a thousand of them, and more."

Katherine smiled and blushed with pleasure. "It's not that," she assured him. "It's simply that I have come to love Suffolk Manor and I'm going to miss it."

"I love it too, Katherine." He smiled gently and took both her hands into his own. "Just because we're returning to court doesn't mean that we can't still spend time here as well."

Her face brightened. "Best of all, now I can see Mary as much as I want. I can't wait!"

He laughed and embraced her, and they kissed.

Thomas Wyatt stood under a tree in the garden. His face lit up and he smiled when he saw Elizabeth walking toward him looking jubilant.

"So are you back at court now?"

She nodded. "His Majesty has allowed both the Duke and the Duchess to return."

"Now we can be married!" He picked her up and twirled her around, then set her back down and kissed her lips.

The wedding of Thomas and Elizabeth was a quiet but joyous affair. It was attended by Charles, Katherine, Mary, and a few other family members and close friends.

"I'm so happy for you," Katherine told Elizabeth afterwards. "You have always been so faithful and loyal to me. I love you like a sister, and I hope that you and Thomas have a long, happy marriage."

That night Elizabeth waited for Thomas in her new chambers, her heart pounding with anticipation. She was very excited and just a little afraid. At last she and Thomas would know one another as husband and wife, and her joy knew no bounds.

The door opened and Thomas appeared. Elizabeth saw the desire in his eyes that mirrored her own.

"My darling!" he murmured as he came closer.

"Thomas, my love!" she replied. "At last I offer my maidenhead to you, as I promised."

Thomas quickly shed his clothing and joined her in bed, where he helped her to remove her gown. He kissed her passionately while his hands roamed all over her body, exploring. Her skin tingled at his touch. She gradually moved her hands down his body until they were touching his hardness, caressing it. He moaned and slid his hand between her legs, finding and stroking her most sensitive spot, getting her ready. When she thought she couldn't bear it any longer and moaned impatiently, she felt him right at her opening, then felt him enter her. There was a sharp pain, and a sensation of wetness, and then he was moving inside her, slowly and gently.

"Am I hurting you?" he asked.

"Oh no, no, that's all right," she whispered.

Soon it was over, and they lay cuddled together, whispering endearments to one another.

"Elizabeth." He spoke her name ever so tenderly. "I've waited so long...so long..."

"I know." She smiled in the darkness. "I've waited so long too."

"Say you'll always be mine..."

"Always, Thomas."

"Always and forever..." She could tell that he was almost asleep.

"Always and forever, my love." She rolled onto her side and closed her eyes, and he curved his body protectively around hers, his arm encircling her waist, his chin resting on top of her head. Soon they were both fast asleep.