Chapter 50:

Richmond had made no effort to see Lady Hartford since the evening of the King's private party. In fact this had been the first time he was alone since that night, so it came as no surprise when Lady Seymour took her first chance to see him. The usher announced her and looked at her with suspicion.

"Lady Hartford, your Grace." Henry was stood in front of his large fireplace looking into the flames. As he heard the young man's voice the Duke turned slowly to see the woman curtsied low her face turned to the floor. Only when the usher left the room and shut the door did she rise to face him.

"Good evening your Grace." The woman smiled and remained still waiting for his response. Fitzroy turned back to the fire.

"What do you want?" The woman moved closer to him.

"What I have always wanted your Grace... you." Fitzroy peered over his shoulder. "That night you took what you wanted but now you reject me." Richmond sighed and then turned back around to face his visitor. As he looked upon her face he thought of her and himself on that evening and smirked. "What?" Henry's lips twinge and move closer towards her.

"I do not remember you fighting me off my Lady." The pair steered deep into one another's eyes. Anne's hand struck the Duke's chin as hard as she could muster. The room was so quiet, all that could be heard was the crackles of the fire. Anne's face was changed by growing fear. Fitzroy grabbed both sides of her face and pushed her to the wall.

"Your hurting me." Tears filled her eyes and Richmond violently let go of her. Anne collapsed to the floor and began to sob. The Duke crouched in front of her and lifted her head. Lady Seymour pushed away his hand and tried to turn away from him but Henry would not let her. "Leave me alone."

"Do you really want me to my Lady? ... You tell me that now, I will never bother you again." She furrowed her brow and turned back to look at him.

"Uhh..." Not knowing what to say to him Lady Anne straightened her back and craned her neck. "Why would I want that?" Once again she pressed her lips to his and then passion he had let out once before over came him but now there was nothing to interrupt them.

"Your Grace!" The next morning seemed uneventful and Richmond had been aimlessly walking through court trying to find something to do. "Your Grace, your Grace." He watched the young woman bounce towards him like a swan.

"I heard you Elizabeth. What are you doing here?"

"Have you seen Mary? I was wondering where she was and came looking for her but there is no sign of her." The young beauty took her brothers arm and continued to walk with him. Henry always loved spending time with his young sister. She was always so sweet and made him forget about his problems and remind him who he truly was. At this moment in time he was feeling ashamed of how he had behaved.

"No... I have not seen Mary today."

"Oh that is a pity. Ah well I am sure she will turn up somewhere."

"I hope so." Elizabeth giggled but all Fitzroy could manage was a slight grin. "Elizabeth... would you call me a... bad man?" Elizabeth's smile turned into confused unease.

"No Henry... your the best of men."

"Why? What makes me so?"

"You are the most honourable man I know." The siblings stopped and Elizabeth did all she could to see her brothers eyes. "What is the matter Henry, why are speaking like this?" The Duke's voice was low and quite.

"Sometimes I do bad things... things I am ashamed of." Both stood looking at one another. "I have always said I would do what ever it takes to protect my family. But lately it has become more than that." Elizabeth stroked her brother hand and smiled at him.

"You are the most honourable man I know and there is nothing or no one who could change what I know." Twiddling his fingers and looking down at them. He smiled and looked at his sisters glowing face.

"Your Grace, my Lady Elizabeth how pleasant it is to see you both."

"Good morning my Lord Hartford, Lady Hartford." Richmond was shocked how comfortable Lady Seymour was begin with both he and her husband at the same time. She stood calmly looking at him. "We are looking for our sister Mary, have you seen her?"

"I am afraid not my Lady." Seymour had his usual grin on his face. "Your Grace my I speak with you?" Henry became fidgety and looked from side to side.

"Not right now my Lord. I am spending time with my sister." Fitzroy regained his sisters hand and walked away.

"Henry that was a little rude." His sisters voice was sweet. The Duke looked back and saw that Anne was still looking at him.

"I spend too much time with that man and I want to spend time with my Elizabeth." The girls face glowed once again.

"So what do you want to do?"

"Oh I do not know... Things are so boring here since the wedding."

"That is because the King has barely been seen since then and you know what that means ... no dancing." Richmond let out a chuckle.

"So that is what you want, to dance, I should have known." Fitzroy hopped on her toes and lifted his arms. Elizabeth giggled and gently pushed him.

"What are you doing?"

"You said you wanted to dance..." He returned to his pose and grinned.

"Not here."

"Why?"

"There is no music... and we are in a hallway." He laughed again.

"Music and room. I can do that, come on." They ran to the Duke's chambers, when they got in side he began pushing all his furniture to the edges of the room.

"Henry what are you doing?" Elizabeth was smiling uncontrollably.

"Boy!... Boy!" An usher ran into the room as quickly as possible.

"Go and get some of the musicians and bring them back here. NOW!" The boy ran from the room. "Oh and get my children!"soon enough the room had a large empty space and Jane and George had been brought to their fathers chambers.

"Where are the musicians!"

"Their here your Grace." The usher was holding the door open for them. One by one several men with instrument entered the room and sat in a corner.

"Play something happy." Holding Jane, Richmond watched Elizabeth and George begin to hop around the room. Elizabeth was graceful and George stumbled but continued in the merriment.

"Come on Henry, you did all this." Smiling he looked at Jane. The little girl was mesmerized by the movement and sound. Her giggles were like little bells floating in the air. Richmond began to sway back and for. It was some time before they noticed an intrusion.

"Forgive us your Grace." Fitzroy turned to the door to see an unexpected sight. Elizabeth ran to them.

"Mary, Edward we have been looking for you." Of course they had not been looking for their brother but Elizabeth was ever tactful. "Lady Anne I did not know you were at court." Stood in the doorway was his sister Mary with a most welcome sight. His beloved Anne of Cleves.

"I am here to meet the Queen but have found myself in another pleasant gathering." The smile that had come love beamed across her face. Stunned at his sudden realisation he was frozen to the spot. Elizabeth and George pulled their hands.

"Come on your missing all the fun." The group began to dance again but Henry remained frozen.

"Come Henry..." Anne gently took the bouncing girl from his arms. She then pulled at his hand. He stumbled his steps. That moment was completely perfect and yet Richmond could not escape his guilt.