I was going to post it later this week but..Even I couldn't wait.

Disclaimer: No I don't own it, alright? Let me live!

Chapter 5

Mary took the towel and began to dry her hair, one of the girls decided to 'accidentally' spill a bucket of water from the balcony. They laughed at her and walked away leaving Mary as she scramble. This sort of behavior has become a common occurrence with the other ladies. No one spoke to her in the house and when they did it was always in a rude way or they'd simply laugh at her. In the beginning her feelings were hurt however she learned to ignore them by spending time in her room reading her bible or walking along the grounds alone. Only Susan White spoke to her from time to time. She was the same age as Mary. Susan was a very timid and gentle girl who seemed to shy away from any tense situations. If they had met in any other circumstances they could be friends.

Lady Bryan was a bull dog when it came to running the household and obsessed with how clean and kept everything was. On top of that she was always after the girls over their childcare duties with Elizabeth insisting they read to her in Latin, play music and read the bible. The child is barely 5 months and Mary thought it was ridiculous. The governess made it obvious to Mary that she was not welcomed and made sure Mary was never around to care for the baby. Leaving her to the other ladies who do not seem to have a clue about what it is to care for a baby. One day Mary was caught carrying Elizabeth and Lady Bryan ended up slapping one of the girls.

There was something about Elizabeth that made her irresistible to Mary; she was not hard to love at all. In the beginning she was unsure how she would receive Elizabeth as her head told her to reject her but her heart was unable to hold a grudge against a child who is innocent. It was not the baby's fault her mother is a scheming wrench. Watching after Elizabeth made her feel guilty and miss Henry more. Her eyes welled up at the thought of her son and how he must be wondering when she will come back. She constantly thought about him and Charles every day, she always prayed for their health and well being. She hoped God would have mercy on her and let her go home to her family.

Mary stood up and went to her closet and saw the dress Charles brought her from France. Her heart began to ache, she also missed him more then she would admit. Over the past months she saw the kind side of Charles, the side who is not afraid to show his affections towards his family and take great care of them. Mary touched her lips remembering the kiss, his lips were surprisingly warm and how he grabbed her made Mary feel aroused. She blushed at the thought and shook her head. The ladies were still gossiping among themselves about how handsome the Duke was and initially Mary thought they were being silly but she also could not help feel a little proud that the man they gushed over was her husband.

A knock came at her door and Mary opened to find a blonde haired girl with brown eyes staring at her.

"Susan?"

"Lady Bryan says the Queen is expected to come within two hours and to dress appropriately." Susan said looking around nervously hoping no one saw her.

"I shall be ready, thank you." Mary was about to close the door but Susan prevented it closing.

"About today..." She looked down ashamed. "I am sorry, they should not have done that."

"Thank you ." Mary assured her "Better the bucket than the fountain."

Susan smiled apologetically and walked away.

Mary spent the next two days out of the Queen's sight. Whenever the Queen came Mary was instructed not to leave her room and make herself invisible. Which was not difficult for Mary, she was already avoiding everyone at Hatfield in general. It wasn't until today that she was called down just before the Queen finally departed for court.

She entered into the room and saw her standing in a golden dress with her dark hair pulled up with a headdress, she really was a beauty. She was not only beautiful but she also carried an air of intelligence and confidence, Mary felt slightly self conscious. But she remembered Charles told her to always appear formidable when facing her enemies.

"Lady Mary." Anne she said gently as she approached her. " I come to you in kindness."

She came to her in kindness? Mary wanted out laugh but said nothing.

"I will welcome you to court and reconcile you with your father." Anne said carefully studying Mary "If you will only accept me as Queen."

Mary looked at her and held her head high to face Anne who smiled at her.

"I will recognize no Queen but my mother." Mary looked into Anne's blue eyes defiantly. "But if the King's mistress will intercede with the King on my behalf then I will be grateful." She finished throwing her smug look.

Anne motioned her to leave to which Mary happily complied. She curtsies and without another word she for her room. As soon as she closed the door she leaned against the door breathing hard.

Charles put on his gloves and then tested his armor to make sure it was tight. He mounted his horse and waited until they signaled him to enter the open field. The stable boy handed him his shield and lance as. Wasn't he a little too old this? He sighed annoyed. It was Henry's desire for a tournament and he wanted Charles to participate. Charles just wanted to be left in his suite and drink. Wince Mary had gone to Hatfield Charles went into a state of mild depression. However, he had been sure to conceal his feelings from his son whom he has visited when ever he could escape court. He felt guilty and being home became more and more unbearable but he had promised Mary that he will not let his duties keep him from home long like he was when she was there.

Everyone at court noticed he had become more reserved and not as sociable as he was. He only went to court deal with politics, avoided speaking to anyone other than his associates and left to his apartment. It was so bad that Anthony suggested he go find a woman to distract himself with but Charles no longer desired anyone and it had to with Mary.

"Charles!" The King called to him on the other side. "I shall try not hit your pretty face.I don't want the women at court to die over the grief."

"No, Majesty. We do not" Charles chuckled closing his helmet. "Although Anthony would make a fine replacement."

"I'm sure they would protest that fact." Henry said closing his helmet.

Charles positioned his lance straight and waited for the flag to drop. When it did Charles kicked his horse and they picked up speed. His adrenaline was flowing; he could hear his blood pump faster as he took aim at Henry's shoulder. Charles quickly glanced to the side and he saw her in dark navy dress, standing by a group of spectators on the other side of the field. Charles suddenly felt a sharp pain his side and felt himself fall hitting the ground hard.

The crowed went silent and all Charles saw was people running over to him. He saw Anthony, his men hover over him and Henry calling his name. Charles made a move to get up but fell back down feeling his whole burn with pain. He let out a groan as he tried to get up again. When they saw that he was up everyone cheered and clapped as he slowly limped off the field. He looked back to where Mary was and she was gone.

He grabbed Anthony who was trying to support him. "Did you see her? Is she here?"

"See who?" Anthony asked looking around confused. Did he also hit his head?

"Mary." Charles gritted out in pain. "My Mary."

"Mary?" Then suddenly it dawned on Anthony "Oh right. No I have not seen her, should she not be at Hatfield?"

Charles looked away to where she was standing. "Maybe I was seeing things."

Anthony sneered "You miss her that much?"

Charles gave him a hard look before sitting down slowly holding his side. It was difficult to breath deeply. "I'm getting too old for jousting." He muttered. "

"Nonsense you are only 30."

"31." Charles corrected hunching over catching his breath. "Today is my birthday"

Anthony smiled brightly and gave his friend a pat on his back. "Well then, we will celebrate perhaps look for a nice woman to nurse you tonight. I hear you made a very good impression on that Stafford girl. She has been asking for you for quite some time, haven't you noticed the looks she has been giving you all along."

"No and I am not interested." Charles took a sip of water.

"Why? Because of your little wife?" Knivert whispered cautiously.

"Yes."

"You married a nun and she is gone. A man has needs, she will understand. "

"Careful." Charles warned.

"Forgive me but when has that ever stopped you?"

Charles straightened up and ignored Anthony. "Where is the bloody surgeon?"

"Where is Charles? What have you done to him?" Anthony called out after him as Charles walked away. He smiled and shook his head.

Charles sat beside Thomas Boleyn and the Duke of Norfolk during the banquet. He tiredly looked at the dancing; he had already managed to avoid the advances of a few court ladies by complaining of pain from his fall. Although they had shamelessly offered to nurse him in his apartments Charles declined. Since he thought he saw Mary at the tournament it had put him in an awful mood. The Boleyns' still held a grudge against him for his lack of support for Anne as Queen of England, however they needed Charles because he was the King's best friend.

"I hear you saw my granddaughter not so long ago, your grace." Thomas began.

"Yes I have, your grace."

"How does she fair?"

"Quite well Lady Bryan is doing remarkably job bringing up the Princess." Charles responded in a monotone voice resisting the urge to leave.

"Did you also escort the bastard?"

Charles blinked at the word he used felt a wave of anger wash over him.

"Yes." He grounded out as he took a swig of his wine.

"Good, she should know her place. I hear she is just as stubborn and arrogant as her mother.

"So I hear." Charles was now half paying attention.

"The Queen" Norfolk interjected, "Visited the princess a few weeks ago and had a small encounter with the bastard."

Charles slightly turned his head to listen while trying not to present himself as over interested to give himself suspicion.

"Yes the Queen did mention to me. It was the reason she came to court in a mood calling her self- entitled brat like her mother." Thomas shook his head in disapproval. "She extended her kindness to her, that she will reconcile her with the King if she accepted Anne as the Queen. But the bastard rudely rejected her."

"Not surprised after all she is her mother's daughter. If she becomes a problem-" Norfolk stopped suddenly thinking to himself.

Charles gripped his glass tightly. What was Norfolk trying to get at? Was he trying to imply harm to Mary?

"Well in any case." He began again. "It seems she is not having the greatest time at Hatfield. No one speaks to her and as you know well Thomas, girls can be quite cruel to each other."

Thomas nodded knowingly thinking about his two daughters. "I may have heard some thing to the effect. "

"I doubt she came today with the Princess's entourage."

Charles snapped his head and threw him a question look. " Here?"

"Yes, as I've been told, she should arrive any moment now." Thomas peered out the door and then broke into a smile. "There she comes."

Charles stood up and bowed as Lady Bryan carried a baby with shockingly red hair towards her parents. He peered up slightly watching each Lady – in- waiting pass him looking for Mary but realized she was not amongst them.

The King took the child from her and showed her to the Court. "Welcome home my sweet Elizabeth." He said as everyone erupted into applause. Finally everyone resumed feasting and offered well wishes and gifts to the King and Queen. After an hour, Charles excused himself unable to shake the feeling of dejection and so he retired to his suite.

He opened the door to his chambers and saw a black cloaked figure sitting in his chair reading Mary's bible on his table by a candle. Charles cautiously approached the figure and realized it was a woman. He was going to kill Anthony.

"If Sir Knivert sent you, I must respectfully ask you to leave." He said.

The woman jumped up from her seat and faced him, her face was still covered.

" I am not interested." Charles dismissed her coldly and he opened his door.

The woman unveiled her cloak and Charles froze when he saw her face.

"Even your wife?" Mary asked cocking a slender brow.

He quickly slammed the door shut. "Mary."

Mary didn't say anything and slowly nodded as she walked towards him. Charles quickly closed the distance between them and embraced her tightly even if it hurt him.

Charles ran his fingers through her silky dark hair. "I've missed you." He breathed in her scent closing his eyes.

Mary rested her head against his chest, enjoying the feel of the contact and wrapped her arms around him. "And I've missed you."

He held her shoulders and looked down at her. "How?"

" Lady Bryan said I was to leave separately with Chapuys."

" Why hadn't he said anything to me?"

"The King said to come to court as he did not want me in Hatfield alone while renovations are being done to the estate. It will take two weeks; I must be invisible and ordered me to stay only in your apartment."

"When did you get here?

" I arrived around noon."

"Noon? Then you were at the tournament." Charles stated.

Mary grimaced at the memory of watching Charles fall of his horse so violently. "I wanted to see how you were but I was afraid to be seen." She looked down feeling guilty.

"Never mind that. I am perfectly well."

"You don't seem well." She said disbelieving him and she touched his side and nearly causing Charles to double over.

He hissed in pain Mary who shook her head in disapproval.

"I'm just bruised; I will be fine by tomorrow. I've had worse."

"You should sit." She countered and pointed over to the chair behind him.

Charles straightened up and took her hand as slowly sat down to avoid agitating his ribs.

Mary stared at his hand holding hers. He never held her hand like this before but it felt nice.

"Come sit with me." He told her.

Mary moved to get a chair but he stopped her suddenly.

"I don't bite." He said before pulling her into his lap. Charles knew that he was acting too comfortable with her and that perhaps she wouldn't like it but he decided he will push and let her put the boundaries between them.

Mary blushed as she awkwardly sat on his lap feeling unsure how what to do as wrapped his arms around her small waste. She patted his arms in response causing Charles to chuckle lightly at her inexperience but regretted it again as his side hurt.

Mary was embarrassed by the sudden intimacy of sitting on his lap but she couldn't help but like it. She then grew self conscious and wondered if she was too heavy or if she was hurting him.

"Am I hurting y- "But Mary was cut off by Charles unexpected tightened his grip.

"No." Charles sighed leaning against her back; he felt he was in one of his dreams again. "Stay here."

Mary shifted slightly to look at him. "How is our son? Is he healthy? How are his lessons?"

Charles stiffened. "He is well, he's so bright his tutors are very pleased with his progress."

"I miss him terribly." She said suddenly feeling overwhelmed with longing.

Charles stayed silent for moment feeling her sadness.

" He misses you too."

Mary trembled and then she felt her eyes sting with tears, thinking about Henry. She blinked a few tears away and let out a shaky breath.

Charles reached to stroke her hair gently and then drew her into his chest.

Suddenly Mary couldn't control the rainfall of tears that came next.

The next morning Mary opened her eyes and winced as the sunlight hit her face. She quickly turned to the other side where it was shady. Mary was face to face with a sleeping Charles. It was a strange situation because this time they did not have Henry snoring soundly between them. Before she wouldn't dare try to share the same bed with him unless Henry was present. But in her time away from their life in the manor caused her to think of him more and when she saw him at last a rush of excitement washed over her.

She studied his long dark curly lashes, the bridge of his straight nose, his cheeks and his lips, Mary blushed when she remembered their kiss. Charles was indeed a beautiful man and Mary sometimes wondered if he was real. Especially at times like this when he is fast asleep with a peaceful face of content as if he had a good dream.

Suddenly felt his hold around her body tighten bringing her closer to him, Mary shifted and still watched him. She contemplated the urge to touch him and before she can convince herself from doing so she lightly touched his forehead with her finger.

"That feels wonderful." He murmured sleepily causing Mary to snap her hand back in surprise.

Mary was embarrassed that he caught her. "I thought you were asleep still."

"I am glad I awoke in time otherwise I would have missed it." Charles smiled lazily at her though inside he was thrilled at her sudden show of curiosity towards him. Mary was slowly warming up to him.

Mary gazed at him for a moment lost in thought. "Why?" she finally said.

"Why?" He repeated and then thought about it for a moment. "Because I want to feel like your husband for once." Charles admitted to her. "Someone you care about."

"I do care about you."Mary said in surprise and then grew alarmed. "I realize I haven't been home or around to take better care of you but-"

"That's not what I meant." He interrupted.

Mary sat up from the bed and Charles followed her. She thought about his words for a moment and realized they have been married for about six months and their relationship hasn't quite flourished into anything other than a friendship and even their friendship needed work.

Charles stared at her wondering that what was going through her mind

"It is very hard for me to be vulnerable with you or with anyone really." She looked away feeling very insecure.

"I understand." Charles looked at her softly and reached out to stroke face. Her icy gaze widened at the contact and he took that opportunity to come closer towards her.

Mary instinctively pulled back slightly. Her reaction caused him to smile sadly and look away sheepishly.

"I'm sorry." She told him embarrassed.

"It is fine."

"You have been very good to me."

"Please. You don't need to say it."

"What I mean to say is." She continued. " I know I have not been very open with you. You have always been honest with your feelings."

"I do not want to pressure you or feel obliged to do anything."

"I don't" Mary assured him. "I-I believe we can be closer. Only I don't know how."

Charles blinked and moved back away from her slightly. Sometimes he forgets how pure and young Mary is because she looks and acts so mature for her age.

"We shall be slow." He said cautiously.

"We have been slow. Haven't you grown impatient yet?"

Charles cocked his head. Mary wasn't wrong he has become restless about taking their relationship for quite some time. But he recognizes that because he's older and very experienced with women it does contribute to his restlessness. He has become so accustomed of getting what he wanted quickly especially when it came to women. However, with Mary being so young and pure he has become hesitant in how to approach her.

"Do not worry about me ." He assured her gently. " All I want is for you to be at ease with me. Besides we have made some developments.".

Mary stayed silent letting his words sink.

He took her hand. "If I had done this 4 months ago you would have ran away but now..." He entwined his fingers with her slender ones.

Mary mind went to the kiss and cringed when she remembered it.

"But marriage is not just the physical part. We have to learn to trust, support and respect one another first."

He into her steely eyes. "It will come if you let it. Just be open."

Mary lay down on her side again with a pensive expression on her face. Charles gazed back for a moment and lay back down on his side facing her.

"Be open?" She questioned quietly as her gaze catching onto his deep blue eyes.

"Yes" Charles said without missing a beat.

Mary looked away considering his words further. What they meant, what she wanted. So many things ran through her mind. So many emotions of excitement thrill and yet fear that she would be abandoned by Charles also, knowing at one point or another they will ultimately disappoint and hurt each other. Did she really want to try?

She reached for his cheek and traced his handsome face. Charles didn't dare move from his position and stared at her darkly as she continued lean over on top of him.

"Is this enough? For now?"

Charles pushed back her lose hair with his fingers and then kissed her forehead.

"It is more than enough."

Mary rested herself on top of him as he gently stroked her hair. She felt the weight in her chest lift and for a moment she really believed in Charles words. But in the back of mind she was couldn't help but wonder when this would all disappear.

See what I did there?Stuff is going down! Slowly but surely so bare with me. If I gave you a full blown romance...I wouldn't even know what to write. I'm not that good at fluff without being cheesy:/ Sorry!

Let me know how you like it...or don't like it :(