Disclaimer: I neither own Reign, nor profit from this story.

Ch 4 - Taking a Chance

Jumping clear out of her chair, book falling to the ground, and wax flying through the air, Catherine drew the candle in front of her as if it was a sword.

"Who are you, and how did you get in here?"

He watched her back as away far as she could without getting trapped into a corner but continued on, his voice shaking slightly.

"I…I, I I, I…you ummm, your uncle…"

"Yes, my uncle is not far and if I scream he will…"

Putting up his hands Henry tried a different tactic.

"He is the one who gave me this key." Holding up the key by its ring, he allowed it to dangle in front of him.

Closing her eyes Catherine squeezed them shut for a second before opening them again, this time full of sorrow.

"So he's decided I'm too much trouble now and is what, selling my virtue off for his own gain?"

"No, no no, not at all. I we…"

Wincing as he said it, Henry decided that the truth would be his best bet in coaxing this along. Time was already wasting away, and he had no doubts that he uncle would make good on his threat if he did not succeed.

In as clear a voice as he could manage he spoke with as much reverence as he could muster.

"I have bought you from him to be my wife."

Blinking several times without moving, the wheels turning in her head she moved nearer to the bed, which was the only thing blocking her from the door.

"You are lying, my uncle would never do such a thing, he has been parading me around…"

"…like a prized stallions, yes I had noticed," Henry finished for her, which brought a blush of anger to her cheeks.

"No, he is looking for a suitable match, one that will provide me with a house and home. A man who will…"

"And yet I was able to win you off of him as if you were an expensive vase."

Biting her lip she took in his words, and from her unspoken response she knew that he was right.

"But I do not see you as a prize."

At her glare Henry continued, hoping this would sound better by the end than it had at the beginning.

"I have watched as you accompanied him around town. You smile as you should, walk just behind him as is expected, and he barely pays you any mind. He is crass and enjoys the vile things in life a little too often. He treats you badly as if you are worth nothing, but you are."

Stepping a little closer he continued. "I have seen your watchful eyes, your knowing smile, the grace in your step. I can see what you might be, and made my bet on a woman I think I could love and make a life with, and who one day might even love me back."

Striding nearer even more slowly but continually as he spoke he hoped to seal her trust, "I do not want a prize, and I do not want a servant, I want you."

Still eyeing him warily Catherine was not fully convinced but also had not moved any further away.

Kneeling down in front of her he made his final plea. "Caterina, will you do me this honor and be my wife, now and for the rest of our lives."

Eyebrow raising that he knew the name she was called by at home, she considered his offer.

"But we are supposed to be leaving tomorrow and my uncle is not a patient man, have you found a priest to marry us tonight?"

Wincing at her words Henry bit his lip this time, dreading the rest of what he had to say.

"I have but that is not your uncle's stipulation, and we do not have much time."

He gently gathered her hands in his as he gathered his own courage.

"His stipulation is that I bed you very shortly or you will be leaving with him no matter anyone's thoughts on the matter."

Eyes wide Catherine visibly shriveled at his statement.

But I have found a priest and he is willing to wed us here and now."

"Because my uncle will not allow me away from him without that guarantee, he cares for the prize of my virtue and the price that it will bring him far too much."

"Yes," Henry confirmed, "and following that we will still have to consummate the marriage before he will release you." Wincing as he finished, "He wants proof."

At her silence, he continued.

"I am to bed you tonight, or I will be removed and you will be on your way with him tomorrow."

Tears beginning to gather in her eyes, Catherine turned away, unable to face him any longer.

A promise, no a proposition, from a man with neither fame not fortune whom she barely knew. A man that was still very much a boy.

They could head voices coming down the hallway, drunken voices if she was hearing the tenor correctly.

"Shall we see if he has convinced her? If his tongue is as scrawny and unless as the twigs he calls arms?"

Swiftly turning to shut and lock the door, Henry turned back to her, his back against the only thing blocking them from the intruders.

"I know that you have no reason to trust me, but I assure you that I care far more about your well being than your uncle out there, and unfortunately you have precious little time to make your choice."

Gesturing forward with his hand and taking a half step in her direction he further implored her, "I will leave now if you ask, but I hope you will take this step of faith."

Sitting down on the bed, she turned her head downward, running her fingers over the textured patterns of the covering. After what seemed like several agonizing moment she looked back up at him with eyes so full of tears that any moment now he was sure they would begin falling.

"What is your name?"

He could have kicked himself at the realization that he had not even introduced himself in his haste.

"Henry, my name is Henry and I am apprenticed to the blacksmith."

"Henry," she said, allowing his name to settle on her tongue as she considered his words.

Her voice was quiet, so much so that he could barley hear her.

"If I do this, I only ask that you grant me one request"

Shoulders giving way for the tension he hadn't realized had been coiling up his spine.

"Anything in my power, and it will be yours."

"Tonight when we…when you…" curling her hand into the covering she pleaded, "please be gentle with me."

Hating how small her voice had become, a likely clue as to her true feelings on the matter he replied. "Of course," Henry replied, jumping again as he felt and heard their pounding on the door.

"Time is short boy, don't doubt that I will take her away and sell her to the richest man that will have her."

Backing away from the bed he unlocked the door before reaching to place the key back on her bed.

"I hope that I have given you enough to trust me. I believe that I will be a better man than any match your uncle finds you. You deserve to be loved and cared for, you deserve that and more."

Opening the door to exit and closing it swiftly behind him he left her to her thoughts.

-/-/-/-/-

She could hear him through the closed door ushering the men back down the hallway to give her some space. She knew she had little choice, and that he was right.

She had also known from the outset of their trip that the time for childhood dreams was past. She was soon to be someone's wife and there was little she could do about it. She was not certain she was ready, but he seemed as good a bet as any. At least it didn't seem like he intended to force himself on her, at least not beyond what their current circumstances would require.

After taking several deep breaths she tried to refresh herself as best as she could. The small mirror she had to use did little to help her in the dim light.

When she decided she was as ready as she would ever be she stepped up to the door and closed her eyes for just a moment before exiting the room herself.

At lease she was being given the gift of a choice, if only a small one.