Thanks all for the reviews. There are always appreciated

k

Pembroke waited patiently for the arrival of the king. There was a usual drill in the castle during this time. Everyone must pretend they were of the new faith for the sake of members of Henry's court. As much as it was a bit frustrating to pretend. They did it because they would rather not have their master get into trouble.

Of everyone worrying about the Kings arrival, Katherine was a bit more nervous. She had been in love with this man the last time she saw him and now, now she was in love with his brother, her husband, the problem was James was not in love with her and as much as she wasted to show Henry that she was happy here and in love and not lonely like he would want her to be, Katherine knew it might not happen, James might most likely go back to his diplomatic ways, hiding the small intimate gestures they now shared.

Katherine sighed deeply as she waited. She had dressed in one of her best dresses. It was a deep blue and fitted. The material was light as it was a warm day. The neck was a 'V' cut, but it was not too revealing, the arms were long and tight, but opened up at the wrist. Her hair was put up half way and the rest was left to fall over her shoulders. She used jewelry, but not too much. She looked simple, but very elegant.

Lily was dressed in a light yellow gown, it was a dress Katherine had made for her herself and Lily was very happy showing it off.

James finally joined the two ladies as they waited for the king's party to arrive. James was dressed simply too. His doublet and breeches were blue as well and he wore a white shirt underneath. He smiled a bit at Katherine when he walked beside her

"I didn't know we were to matching colors today" He told her and she gave him a nervous smile. James knew immediately what she was thinking and he took her hand and gave it a little squeeze

"You will be fine. I promise" He told her and Katherine smiled again. He was so thoughtful

"I am not worried about Henry" She said, her voice trying to sound firm and James just chuckled

"Whatever you say, love" Katherine looked at him and blushed slightly when he referred to her as 'love'

She hoped he'll call her that again, she hoped that maybe he too had started to develop feelings for her, but she knew she was hoping for too much too soon.

In time. She reminded herself.

"Papa, I thought I was your love?" Lily asked looking at her father with a pouty face. James smiled and knelt down to her level

"You York women are my loves." He told her before looking at Katherine who blushed slightly. She knew he did not really mean she was his love, it was only an endearment. "Is that alright with you?" He asked Lily and she smiled

"Mama and I can be your loves, Papa." Lily said "you and mama are my loves and you and I are mama's loves, Right mama?" Lily looked up at Katherine and Katherine smiled before she bent down to give her a kiss on her cheek

"Right" She said

Just then they could hear the galloping of horses and soon the colors of the king could be seen. James still held on to Katherine's hand and his other hand was placed on Lily's shoulder.

When the king finally stopped in front of them, James let go of his family and walked forward as Henry got off his horse

"Your majesty, welcome back to Pembroke" James said bowing slightly to his brother.

"It is good to be back here. It has been years." Henry said looking around the castle. James beckoned Katherine and Lily over

"You remember your niece, Elizabeth" He said as Lily curtsied to her uncle

"Of course, the little princess Elizabeth, how are you child?" Henry asked her

"I'm very well, thank you, your Majesty" she replied respectfully. Lily had heard a lot about her uncle the king, but it was rarely she ever got to see him. The last time he was at Pembroke she was only four and she did not remember him at all.

"Say, why don't you bring her to court in September when the prince is born, I'm sure Elizabeth here would want to meet her cousin" Henry told James. He knew very well that James did not like bringing Elizabeth to court for various reasons, but he did not care. Anne's child was doing well so far and he wanted all to be present when his son was born.

"I will think about it, your grace" James said

"Nonsense, she should be present when the future king is born. It's an order" Henry began to laugh as James rolled his eyes. He looked down at his daughter and saw she was beaming at the thought of finally going to London, before he looked back at Henry

"As you wish, Henry" Henry knew he had already gotten on James's bad side when he was called by his Christian name. He decided to ignore it because from behind James stepped the woman he had been anxious to see. She did not look any different really except for the fact that she looked healthier. Her figure was stunning in the dress she wore, her face was a healthy pale, her eyes bright and blue, he lips full and pink. There was something about her that was not there a few months ago.

"I do not need to introduce my wife" James said as he put his arms around Katherine's waist. Henry noticed this and he felt his chest tighten. When he had asked James to marry Katherine he did not mean he wanted him to actually take her as a wife. He wanted her to be miserable for all the years she had lied to him, he did not want to see her looking…well, beautiful and in the arms of his brother, like he cared for her.

"No you do not" Henry said with a tight voice. His eyes were now fixed on Katherine and she curtsied again.

"You may raise Katherine" Henry said eyeing her from head to toe

"You look well" He said his eyes shifting to his brothers unreadable face and back to Katherine's.

Henry was not the only one surprised by James's gesture. When his arms went around her waist she was shocked at first, but she felt comfort in the gesture and it gave her the strength the needed.

"I feel well" Katherine said "and your queen?"

"Anne is well. Pregnancy suits her well"

James felt Katherine stiffen in his arms and he pulled her closer, giving her the strength he did not know he was giving her. Katherine smiled at Henry

"I am glad to hear it. We are all praying for the birth of a healthy prince" She said without a trace of malice in her voice. Henry did not know how to react so he said a simple

"Thank you"

"Perhaps, your majesty is ready to go in and freshen up. We have reserved the best chambers for you and a hot bath has already been put in place for your majesty. When you are done, a large feast would take place in your honor in the great hall" Katherine said and Henry looked from her to James and saw that he was looking at his wife smiling. Henry gritted his teeth and forced a smile at Katherine

"I am most grateful for your hospitality Katherine" Henry said and Katherine nodded her head before she release herself from James's hold, turned and lead the way inside the castle.

James held Lily's hand and they followed as Henry proceeded behind them

"James" Henry called and James stopped to look at his brother

"What is going on between you and Katherine?" Henry asked. There was a hint of impatience in his voice and James frowned at his brother

"Whatever is going on between my wife and I, is not any of your business, your Majesty" James said before he turned and called for his personal man servant

"Phillip here would show you to your chambers." James said before walking away with Lily.

"Uncle King Henry looks angry papa" Lily told her father

"He's just a spoilt little brat is all" James mumbled, when he heard Lily gasp he stopped abruptly and turned to face her

"That must never be repeated from your mouth, if I hear it, I would be forced to cut off your tongue" He said a small smile playing on his lips as Lily nodded

"No one would know he's a brat, but you, me and mama" She whispered and James could not help it but laugh.

K

The rest of the day had gone well. Katherine had been sure to keep away from Henry's way and she found comfort in the way James seemed to become a bit possessive. She smiled thinking deep inside; maybe he had feelings for her. Unbeknown to her though, James was possessive because Henry's stares annoyed him. He did not think for the reasons of his actions, he did not conclude that the things he was feeling for Katherine was more than just respect and friendship. He was more focused about the fact that Henry always, if not take back, but always wanted something to do with whatever it was he did not have anymore. He had broken her heart and humiliated her, now his eyes followed her every move, it was infuriating.

The next morning, things seemed to have settled between the brothers. When Katherine was not there to distract Henry and Henry was not staring and asking questions about Katherine, the two were compatible. They had gone out on a morning hunt by the time Katherine came down for breakfast and so she and Lily spent their time in Katherine's chambers stitching and mending shirts. Lily was getting very good with her needle work and Katherine was proud of the intelligent daughter she had. She had been so focused on learning that outside play never crossed her mind. Katherine was sure though that once she had perfected her needle work it would be back to chasing her around the gardens again.

"Have I mentioned that I am very proud of you" Katherine asked Lily and the little girl smiled and nodded her head

"Just this morning mama" Lily said and Katherine smiled and kissed her forehead

"Well, I will say it again, Elizabeth Tudor, I am very proud of you" Lily smiled brightly and just as she was about to speak the doors to Katherine's chambers flew open

"Your Highness, there has been an accident" one of her ladies said just as one of her husband's gentlemen ran in

"What happened" Katherine asked. Her voice was void of panic for the sake of Lily, but her eyes showed the fear she really felt though

"His highness, the duke, he fell from his horse" The young man said bowing his head. Katherine took a deep breath. She looked at mistress Brume and the young woman knew what to do without being told.

"Lilyflower, would you please follow mistress Brume to your chambers. I shall come and check on you pretty soon" She told her step daughter

"What about papa, is he okay?" Katherine brushed a loose curl away from the little girls face

"I'm sure he would be okay" She said giving her a hug before mistress Brume took the reluctant girl away.

Immediately they were gone, Katherine picked up her skirts and hurried to her husband's chamber. They were just placing him on the bed as she walked in. Henry was there ordering for all the doctors in the area to be called. Katherine ignored him as she quickly moved to the side of the bed and looked over James.

He was unconscious, his face was pale and is head was covered in blood. If it were not for his slow breathing, Katherine would have thought he was dead. Before she could do anything, the castle physician had arrived and Katherine stepped away from James as his wounds were cleaned. She looked at the bed, not acknowledging that she was standing close to Henry, who also looked worried for his brother. The two continued in silence until the doctors were finished and had left the room saying all James needed to do was wake up. Once they were gone. Katherine went to the side of the bed and took over the job of putting a wet cloth on James pale forehead.

It took her a few minutes to remember Henry was still in the room until he shad coughed.

She looked at him and could not read his expression. She did not want to wonder what Henry was thinking; she just wanted to make sure James was okay.

"What happened?" She asked quietly. It was quiet as Henry moved to the other side of the room before he responded

"He saved me" He said and Katherine looked at him. His expression was still unreadable "My horse was freighted by a snake, but as it was about to panic, James came up to me and caught me. I had just landed on my feet when his horse saw the snake and went mad. He lost his balance and fell. He hit his head on a rock" Katherine looked at her husband again. Taking his hand in hers, she kissed it softly

"What are your feelings towards him?" Henry asked. There was something about the way he said feelings that made Katherine eye him for a few minutes before she responded

"I care for him; I respect him, for he is my husband. As his wife I obey him and love him"

Katherine said softly.

"Love him" Henry said scoffing "Am I to assume that he feels the same about you?" He asked

Katherine took a deep breath. She knew the time was coming for Henry to get the chance to taunt her. She just did not know it would be when her husband was laying still in bed, injured and recovering.

"I cannot control what James feels for me. However, as his wife I am doing my duty-"

"Duty?" He snorted a small laugh this time "I'm sorry Katherine, but you will not be able to fulfill the one most important duty of a wife" His voice was malicious and Katherine felt her heart sting. Her grip on James hand tightened as she tried her best to control her emotions of anger, hate and grief.

"I would inform you that I do not see myself as a barren woman anymore, your majesty, for Elizabeth is as much my daughter as she is James's" She said, her eyes never leaving her husband's face.

"And so what happens when she grows and looks exactly like her mother. What say you then, knowing your so called grandchildren are not really yours?" Katherine felt her face burn as she quickly looked at him and yelled

"Have I not done your bidding by stepping down as queen and leaving room your mistress? What else do you want from me" She was looking at Henry. Her hateful eyes matching his cold ones. She was tired of him and she hated being taunted, but she would not give into his satisfaction and cry.

"You will know how to respect your Queen, Katherine, do not tempt me." Henry said in a low growl. He looked at his brother once more before leaving the room. Katherine looked at her husband again. Her hand still in his, she could not hold it in anymore. She lay down at his side on the large bed and began to sob.

K

Reviews are always nice.