Before we start, thanks again for taking your time to read and review this story. And I'm sorry: I know that having a small womb is a weak excuse, but I need Kitty to be infertile. Maybe I'll take DoctorMadwoman's advice and go along with the Tudor superstition that she used to put a pebble in her womb in order to not conceive a child (everyone knows she wasn't exactly a saint before being married to Henry), damaging her womb beyond fixing. But for now let's go back to our lovebirds, Anne and Thomas.
On with the chapter!
Chapter IV
Thomas let out a deep sigh when he finally saw the outlines of his manor shining in the darkness. Home, sweet home he thought, after having entered the house, walking slowly in order to not wake up his wife and his child. His child. He had been a widow for thirteen years, ever since God had taken his Elizabeth away from him. Those had been dark years. She was the only one who could cheer him up, who could make him smile even after a long and tiring day of work. When she died, it seemed like all the world had turned into various shades of grey. All colors, all the merriment faded away. He had lived alone since then, not even taking mistresses in order to satisfy his male needs, and had turned into a cold, heart-stoned man, until Anne appeared in his life.
Anne. His sweet, caring, lovely Anne. How could a King turn away a woman like her? She would have been a great Queen, something like the Protestant version of Katherine of Aragon. She was smart, kind and dignified. She wasn't very educated, but had a sharp mind, always pragmatic. Her sweetness was like a halo: most of their subjects found themselves surrounded by it, and even now, when she was far from Court, when her rightful place has been usurped by that stupid child, Katherine Howard (Anne Boleyn must have been rolling in her grave if she saw her light-headed cousin taking her place in the throne, he thought with a smirk) many courtiers used to approach Cromwell, sending their best wishes to Lady Anne. The news of her pregnancy had run fast, and everyone congratulated her and wished a safe deliverance. No matter how undesirable the King had claimed her to be, the people of England were still very fond of the German duchess who once was their Queen.
How could they not be? Thomas asked himself, standing at the doorway of his chambers. Anne was so deeply absorbed by her reading that she didn't notice him. Her dark blonde hair was falling like a golden waterfall on her shoulders, her lips slightly parted. She looked like an angel. As if she had finally noticed his gaze, she lifted her eyes from the book and smiled.
- Thomas – she called, putting her book aside and extending her hands to him. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
- Why are you doing awake at this ungodly hour? – he said, while undressing himself. – You should be sleeping, it's good for the baby.
- You know very well I can't sleep until you get home, Thomas – she said kindly. – Nor can our son – she said, caressing her still flat belly. If it wasn't for her intuition, who had led her to call for a midwife, no one could tell yet she was pregnant.
- How do you know it's a boy? – Cromwell said playfully, while covering himself with the sheets and snuggling against her, her dark blonde hair tickling his chest.
She seemed surprised.
- I thought you wanted a boy. Every man in this country seems to want a baby boy.
Thomas laughed.
- Anne, do I look like the King? I don't need a boy. I don't need a male heir to succeed me on the throne. If our child is a daughter, I will be equally delighted, as long as she is healthy.
She laughed along, seeming quite relieved.
- You don't look like the King. You're too thin – she whispered, making him laugh even harder.
- Watch your tongue, Lady Anne, or I will have you arrested for treason – he mocked.
- Well, I'm sure I would find a way of convince you of my innocence, Master Cromwell – she said, caressing his bare chest and "accidentally" grazing his nipples. His muscles tensed instantly and his heart pumped faster. – How is the King?
- Grumpy – he whispered back, rolling his eyes. – His leg is bothering him and giving him great pain.
- Poor him. Did you tell him that I am with child?
- I did. He sends his best wishes and even allowed Princess Mary to visit whenever she wishes. – Her eyes became wider.
- Are you serious?
- Yes. You can write her first thing in the morning. I'm sure she will be very pleased.
Anne smiled and kissed him on the lips. Her taste was sweet like spring honey.
- Thank you, Thomas.
- You're welcome, Anne. I will do anything to please you.
- I'd never expect to be so happy – she confessed, looking on his blue eyes.
- Me neither – he said, rolling on top of her and pulling her night gown off. Her pale body was totally exposed to him now.
- I thought you were tired, Master Cromwell. You seem like you had a rough day – she said in her funny (and damn sexy, according to Thomas' opinion) German accent. However, there was a playful twinkle in her eyes.
- I'm never too tired for you, Anne – he said passionately, kissing her lips and wrapping her legs on his waist. – I'm never too tired for you.