I DO NOT OWN THE TUDORS. I LOVED TAMZIN MERCHANT AS CATHERINE HOWARD. SHE PLAYED THE ROLE SO WELL.

As the Barker brothers were led into the queen's receiving room, they were floored by the sheer luxury that the royals lived in. Anthony and Ethan had come from a lower middle class background, so this was pure fantasy to them.

"This is mein parlor," Anne of Cleves said as she turned to an attendant. "Please fetch refreshments for our guests."

"Yes, your highness," the attendant said as he scurried off to the kitchen. The brothers then saw several women gather around the Queen.

"These are mein ladies in waiting," she said as she introduced them all by name. "Lady Anne Bassett, Lady Dorothy Bray, Lady Catherine Carey, Lady Mary Norris, Lady Ursula Stourton and mein newest addition: Lady Catherine Howard."

"Your Graces," they all said one after the other, Ethan and Anthony greeted the ladies with the respect they were owed, but Anthony's eyes were fixated upon Catherine Howard. Her blonde hair was long and curled. Her face had a few freckles, but not too many. Her eyes were a mixture of green and blue and her figure was mostly hidden by her dress, he could see that slender and fair. Anthony had never seen a more lovely woman in his life. To be honest, the elder Barker was kind of a player. He had bedded more than his fair share of chicks. However, Anthony Barker decided right then and there that he had never seen a more beautiful woman in his life.

"Tell me about this Illinois, your grace," Anne said as she and Ethan sat down. "I vould very much like to know about your country."

"Well, we are a small nation like England, but despite our small size, we are incredibly powerful and strong," Ethan explained, calling upon all this experience with community theatre to guide him. "We have so many prairies throughout the realm and in Chicago, my namesake city, we have so many amazing sights, we have great parades, the most amazing food is served and we have a structure that touches the sky. We call it the Sears Tower!"

"This Sears Tower, it actually touches ze sky?" the Queen asked in disbelief.

"Oh yes your highness. It is over one hundred feet tall, a symbol of Illinoisan strength and prosperity," Ethan swore as the refreshments finally arrived. As Anne of Cleves and her ladies dined while listening to the Duke of Chicago spin his yarn, the Duke of Springfield paid attention to one lady in particular. Luckily, his interest was returned.

"Hello your Grace," Catherine Howard said as she walked over to him.

"Milady," Anthony replied with a customary head bow.

"So, how are you finding England so far?"

"With a map." This earned an outburst of laughter from Catherine as Anthony also chuckled. It wasn't one of his best jokes, but he figured that it was still pretty good by 1500's standards.

"Do you always jest, your Grace?" she inquired.

"I wouldn't say always, more like frequently," Anthony corrected.

"Would you think it improper of me to say that you look very handsome?" Catherine asked as she twirled a piece of her hair around her finger.

"Well that depends," The Duke said.

"On what?" The Lady asked.

"Would you think it improper of me to say that you have more beauty than 10 Illinoisan women combined?" Anthony asked in return as Lady Howard's cheeks turned bright red.

"I suppose not," she replied as she gave the elder Barker a wide smile.

"So, how long have you been in service to the Queen?"

"Only about a fortnight, my relatives sent me here. They thought that I would be...a good fit for the royal household."

"Well, I would say that they were spot on in that regard," Anthony replied. "You really...brighten up this place."

"Your Grace is too kind," Lady Catherine remarked as she let out another giggle. Anthony was so engaged with Catherine Howard that he didn't notice his brother coming up to him.

"Excuse me milady, do you mind if I have a word with my brother?" Ethan asked.

"Of course your Grace," Catherine replied as she curtsied and went over to the Queen.

"What's up bro?" Anthony whispered.

"I know what you want to do Anthony, just don't fucking do it."

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb with me, I saw the way you were looking at Catherine. You need to stay away from her!" Ethan whispered furiously.

"Come on dude, we were just talking," Anthony said as he tried to defend himself.

"You're the one who studied English history, you know that she's gonna marry Henry at some point and if you two get involved, it will literally be our heads!" Ethan explained as he turned to make sure that no one was watching them.

"Just because we flirted a little doesn't mean that anything's going to happen between us."

"So, you do admit that you were flirting?"

"No, I did not."

"You literally just did, maybe Henry and Anne will fall for your bullshit, but you got to wake up pretty damn early in the morning to put one past me Anthony. Your tricks won't work on me, I'm wise to all of them!"

"Look bro, just don't worry about it, everything is going to be OK," Anthony assured his brother.

"It has damn well better be because I am not going to lose my head for you," Ethan promised as he went to rejoin Anne of Cleves and her ladies in waiting. Anthony in the other hand kept watching Katherine Howard. He had just promised his brother Ethan that he wouldn't pursue her, but he knew that he couldn't keep that promise. Anthony just had to make sure that he did not lose his head like thomas Culpepper did.

WILL ANTHONY LEAVE CATHERINE ALONE? REVIEWS NEEDED AND APPRECIATED. LET'S GET SOME REVIEWS!