Chapter 34
Here's Chapter 24 as promised. It may be a little long, but I know you all will enjoy it. Now, I will not be giving away any plotlines, but you all will see a mixture of history and fictional material. This chapter will be covering a few months most likely and like I said, 1554 will be a very eventful year. Also, a special shout out to my dear follower and semi partner for making a family tree for you all! PM me for the site. It will be updated as the story goes on.
January 16, 1554
Pembroke Castle
The Stables
Lady Catherine Grey was waiting in the stables. She had decided to go out for a ride on her favorite horse. She had completely fallen in love with Pembroke. She and her three daughters were perfectly happy and content. Now that her husband was dead, she was completely happy, but she did get lonely a night. She and Henry Grey had been married for twenty years before his execution and she was not used to not having a man by her side. Part of her was wanting to remarry, but she was nearly thirty-nine years old and didn't know what man would want an older widow with three daughters.
Suddenly, her Master of the Horse, walked in the stables, Adrian Stokes, walked in. He was a little younger thank Catherine and was a very attractive man.
Adrian smiled at Catherine.
"Good Afternoon, Lady Grey. How are you today?" he asked.
Catherine smiled.
"I am well, Mr. Stokes." she said.
Adrian Stokes had been under the Grey family's employment now for about ten years and he could honestly say that he respected Lady Grey. She was kind, loving and devoted, even when her cruel husband was alive. At thirty-five years old, he was unmarried, a commoner, but educated above average level, since Catherine Grey made it mandatory for her servants to have an education.
He smiled at her.
"Shall I help you on your, Madam?" he asked.
Catherine shook her head.
"No, thank you. However, please be here when I get back. I still have trouble dismounting from my horse." she said.
Adrian nodded his head.
"I'll be waiting right here, My Lady." he said, once again.
Catherine was captivated by his smile. He had had a workman's complexion, but she loved what she saw. After a few second of admiring her servant, she galloped of on her horse, thinking of how Mr. Stokes looked, sweating under the sun, without his shirt.
She stopped her horse, after a few minutes.
"Get control of yourself, Catherine. He is a mere servant." she said, before continuing her journey.
Ludlow Castle
Prince William's Bedchamber
William was reading a letter from little Mary, Queen of Scots. He had to admit that even though she was still a child, it was nice to have a little friend. He didn't have any romantic feelings for her, as she was still a very young child, but he figured if he got to know her character while she was young, it would help them to be at least when they married in five years time.
William sighed. He was now a man of twenty-two years and he had not felt the touch of a woman. He was waiting for a little girl to grow up and that wasn't fair to him.
Suddenly he heard a knock at his door.
He looked up.
"Come in." he said.
His cousin, Lord Mark Tudor, walked in.
"Dear Cousin, you have been sulking in this room for days now. What had gotten you so melancholy?" he asked.
William sighed.
"I am ready to get married, Mark. I have urges that only a woman can satisfy. You and most of my companions are already married and you even have children. My younger sister is already the mother of two children and is expecting a third. I am just growing old here." he said.
Mark rolled his eyes.
"Will, if you don't like it, just take a mistress. I'm not say whore around, but you can have a certain lady that can help with your urges and then once you are due to be married, you can dismiss her. That way you can still be faithful to the Queen of Scots." he said.
William had never thought of taking a mistress. He had seen his father stay constantly faithful to his mother and wanted to follow the same example. However, he wanted to have intercourse and he was always jealous whenever he heard someone in his small court making love.
William looked at his cousin.
"I will think about." he said.
Alcazar of Segovia
The Hallway
Catarina was walking in the hallways of the Alcazar of Segovia. She was nervous about her upcoming nuptials in just two days. She had barely talked to Juan and did her best to avoid him. She was very nervous to talk to him.
Suddenly, she heard a voice behind her.
"Catarina!" it said.
Catarina turned around and saw Juan walking toward her and she was instantly filled with fear.
He smiled when caught up with her.
"If I didn't know any better, I would say that you were avoiding me. We are to be man and wife, shouldn't we get to know each other?" he asked.
Catarina met his light brown eyes. She could see no malice or evil thought hidden there.
"I suppose you are right. I don't mind getting to know you better. Maybe I will understand my position and duties a little more." she said.
Juan smiled.
"If there is anything you want to know, you need only ask." he said.
Catarina sighed.
"What do you expect from me, as your wife and Duchess?" she asked.
Juan took Catarina's hand.
"I hope you are kind, loving and sweet. Just like my mother." he said.
Catarina had to remember that Juan lost his mother when he was only nine years old. Naturally, he would look for traits of her on his new bride.
"Do you miss your mother?" she asked meekly.
Juan sighed.
"Everyday. It's been nearly fifteen years since she has been gone. I just hope I am a son she can be proud of. I am not exactly a saint." he said.
Catarina looked at him.
"Of course not. You would be dead if you were." she said.
Juan broke into a fit of laughter and even Catarina smiled, to which Juan quickly noticed.
"Finally. I have been dying to see that beautiful smile of yours. Catarina, you are truly beautiful and now I see that you are an ideal wife for me. I know you would never fail me." he said.
Catarina began to turn red in her cheeks. No man had ever complimented her, besides her father and brother. She finally realized that she was no longer a little girl. She was a woman. A woman, who was due to marry this man and bear his children for life. Despite not knowing him that well, she was starting to feel safe with him and deep in her heart, she hoped that he would grow to love her and feel safe with her.
January 17. 1554
Hampton Court
Queen Anne of England's Bedchamber
Anne was laying in her bed. She had just finished an examination with her physician. She had been suffering pains for a few months now and it was beginning to become more difficult to hide now. She also was becoming physically ill and would be confined to bed for days.
The physician looked at her.
"Your Majesty, you said you thought you knew what was wrong with you?" he asked.
Anne nodded.
"Yes. I am with child again. I was warned not to become pregnant again and now i am going to pay the consequences for my carnal lust of my husband." she said.
The physician shook his head.
"No, Your Majesty. You are not with child. In fact, it is impossible for you to bear anymore children." he said.
Anne nodded.
"Then what is wrong with me? I have never felt this poorly." she said.
The doctor sighed.
"I am not sure, Your Majesty. I do not know what afflicts you, but I can give you tonics to ease your pain." he said.
Anne nodded her head. She didn't like not knowing her condition, but at least she knew she could have some relief from the pain.
"I'll take them. Show my ladies how to prepare them, but i want utter discretion. No one can know I am ill. That includes the King. After what happened to Prince Edward last year and the curse that Henry Grey spat on the Royal family from the scaffold, he will be too worried. I will not have him troubled by a simple ague in me. Am I understood?" she said.
The Physician nodded his head. Although he did not agree with the Queen's decision. but he had no choice but to oblige by it.
Suddenly, King Harry walked in and looked at his wife and the Physician, in confusion.
"Anne, what's going on? Are you ill?" he asked.
Anne smiled and shook her head.
"No, sweetheart. When I ate dinner last night, it didn't agree with my belly. I am fine." she said.
Harry looked at Anne and although he was skeptical, he accepted her answer, but he made a self mental note to pay more attention to his wife's health.
Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland
Dowager Queen Margaret of Scotland's Bedchamber
Now fully recovered from her illness, Margaret was back to overlooking her granddaughter's education and journey to becoming a Queen. Mary was sitting in a chair, reading. Now that Mary was getting older, she was spending more time being privately tutored by Margaret. So far, she was a studious young girl.
Mary looked at her grandmother.
"Grandmother, may I ask a question?" she asked.
Margaret nodded her head.
"Of course." she said.
Mary stood up.
"Why doesn't my mother spend time with me?" she asked.
Margaret shook her head.
"Your mother loves you. That I can tell you. Don't ever doubt her love for you." she said sternly.
Mary nodded her head and suddenly, Margaret's eldest surviving son, Prince Arthur, walked in.
Mary smiled at her favorite uncle.
"Uncle Arthur!" she exclaimed and ran into his arms.
Arthur hugged his niece and bowed to her.
"Your Majesty, I am humbly your servant. May I please speak to my Lady Mother alone?" he asked her.
Mary nodded and left the room.
Margaret stood up and walked over to her son and hugged him.
"My beloved son. What news do you bring?" she asked.
Arthur glared at his mother.
"Mother, that damned Frenchwoman is trying to make alliances behind our back. I have intercepted her letters and she is trying to arrange a betrothal between young Mary and a French Duke or even one of the sons of the French King." he said.
Margaret frowned.
"I've told that woman to stop this foolishness. Mary is marrying Prince William and that is final. She will not get her way. I want to see her immediately." she said.
Arthur walked out and several moments later, he appeared and came back with Marie de Guise walked in. Margaret glared at her late son's widow.
Marie de Guise cleared her throat.
"You wanted to see me, My Lady?" she asked.
Marie, I hear that you are being defiant and it is really starting to irk me. James left Mary in my care and under my regency. What happens with her future is up to me. She will not marry the Dauphin or any other Frenchmen" she said.
Marie began to look angry.
"I have never had a say in my own daughter's life. How can you take the role of a mother away from me? Your children all love and respect you. It's bad enough I had to leave my son in France, now I have to stand aside in my only daughter's life. You are a wicked woman, Margaret Tudor. An evil woman indeed." she said.
Arthur glared at his sister-in-law.
"Don't you dare insult my mother, you common French..." he began.
Margaret stood up.
"Arthur, please leave. I wish to speak to this woman alone." she said.
Arthur glared at Marie and walked out.
Marie glared at Margaret.
"You cannot keep controlling my child. France is better than England. Our army is powerful and we are more cultured and well respected. Mary will be Queen of France as well as Scotland. She will be the mother of an Empire!" she said.
Margaret scowled.
"Scotland and England will make up the Empire that my granddaughter will inherit. France will have no part of it. I have warned you, Marie de Guise. Do not think that just because I am old and starting to weaken that my fierce protection and will to do what my son asked me to do for his child will go away. I will not break my promise to my son. I do not personally care about what comforts you. She will marry Prince William of England and if you do not want to be of witness to it, you may retire to your country estate and stay there." she said.
Marie turned her nose up and left Margaret's Bedchamber, highly offended.
January 19, 1554
Cathedral of Segovia
Infanta Catarina of Portugal's Waiting Chamber
Catarina was being dressed for her wedding. She had finally made it to her wedding day. She was very nervous and she had no one to talk to. She knew that after her wedding celebrations, she was going to be expected to consummate her marriage and then she would be bound to Juan forever.
One of her Portuguese maids, Leonor de Braganza, walked up to her.
"My Lady, you must be happy. It is your wedding. You should be excited. Especially about tonight." she said.
Catarina sighed.
"I am deeply terrified about this day. I am going to belong to one man for the rest of my days." she said.
Leonor smiled.
"Look at your parents. They have a wonderful marriage. I am sure you will too." she said.
Catarina smiled at the thought of her parents. They were very happy in their marriage and never seemed to quarrel or be separated longer than they needed to.
Suddenly, there was a knock at Catarina's door. She looked up.
"Enter." she said.
The door opened and Elizabeth walked in. She was smiling at her niece.
"Catarina, I just had to see you before the ceremony. You look so beautiful and radiant. Is there something wrong? You look troubled." she said
Catarina sighed.
"Aunt Elizabeth, may I speak to you in private?" she said.
Elizabeth nodded and waved Catarina's Portuguese maids out of the room. After they had left, Catarina and Elizabeth sat down.
Elizabeth touched Catarina's hand.
"What troubles you?" she asked.
Catarina looked at her aunt. Even though Elizabeth was only a few years older than her, this was as close to her mother as she was going to get, because the rumors she heard about her other aunt, Isabella, made her not really trust her.
"Oh Aunt Elizabeth, I am frightened. I know Juan has been kind to me, but I am scared that I am going to fall in love with him and he is going to hurt me. I know that he has been with other women and may even have another child with a married woman. I know that I am not promised a happy marriage, but I just hope that my husband would respect me, even if he did have mistresses. I just want to be respected, since love is not guaranteed in these type of marriages." she said.
Elizabeth smiled sadly at her niece.
"Catarina, I know exactly how you feel. It wasn't that long ago I left my homeland and had to marry someone I didn't know and I had many fears. However, your mother eased my fears and now I've been married for four years and Luis and I love each other very much. To love your husband is not a problem or sin against our Lord. Remember, I am here for you." she said.
Catarina smiled and nodded.
"Thank you, aunt Elizabeth. I am ready to become the Duchess of Franco." she said, confidently.
Elizabeth kissed her hand and left the room.
As soon as her aunt left, Catarina looked in the mirror and pulled her veil down to cover her face. She was ready to get married.
The Cathedral of Segovia
The Sanctuary
Juan stood at the altar, awaiting his bride to walk down. He was finally getting married and he knew he was lucky to have a beautiful wife. He was nearly twenty-four years old and he was finally about to be married. He was excited to begin his life as a man and he couldn't deny that he really wanted to consummate his marriage.
Suddenly, a trumpet sounded and the doors opened and Catarina began to make her way down the aisle. She chose to wear an ivory gown and had a veil that matched her dress.
Juan smiled at her, even though he couldn't see her face.
"My God, she is like an angel. She moves so gracefully. Maybe I was wrong to think that she was going to be a spoiled, frivolous Infanta. She is beauty through and through. More beautiful than Aphrodite herself. God, thank you for giving me a beautiful wife. I just hope she is equally as intelligent." Juan thought to himself.
Catarina continued to make her way down the aisle and saw Juan looking at her. She sighed as she thought to herself:
"I am the daughter of King Carlos of Portugal. I do not quiver in fear. God will bless this marriage and I will find happiness and great things will come of our lives."
After what seemed like an eternity, Catarina reached the altar stood in front of the Archbishop of Toledo, as he read the marriage rites.
Finally, the Archbishop turned to Juan.
"Infante Juan de Hapsburg, Duke of Franco, do you take this woman as your wife and do you promise to love and honor her above all worldly possessions?" he asked.
Juan looked at Catarina and smiled to himself, before turning back to the Archbishop.
"I do." he said.
The Archbishop looked at Catarina.
"Infanta Catarina de Aviz of Portugal, do you take this man as your husband and do you promise to love and honor him above all worldly possessions?" he asked her.
Catarina looked at Juan and saw his smile. She took a deep breath/
"I do." she said.
The Archbishop took their hand and placed them on top each other.
"By the power vested in me, by Almighty God and his Holiness, Pope Julius III, I know pronounce you man and wife." he said.
Juan and Catarina turned towards each other and Juan lifted her white veil and came face to face with each other for the first time. Juan leaned in and Catarina met him halfway, as they sealed their marriage with a kiss and they fell so deep and passionately into their kiss, they did not hear the thundering applause around them.
Alczazar of Segovia
Infanta Catarina of Portugal, Duchess of Franco's Bedchamber
Catarina was sitting up in her bed, just wearing her night gown. She had retired to her marriage bed, after attending the banquet that was held in honor of her marriage to Juan. She had to admit that everyone was very kind and she did have a great time. She and Juan shared several dances and she danced with her cousin, Sancha Guerra and even with her aunt Elizabeth. Now, she was waiting to make her marriage official. This is what she feared. This very night, she could conceive her first child.
Suddenly, the doors opened and Catarina's cousin, Sancha, walked in.
Catarina smiled at her cousin.
"Sancha, you have been married for several months now. Does it...hurt?" she asked.
Sancha held her hand.
"It does, dear cousin, but it will start to feel good after awhile. When it starts to hurt, just breath, that's what I did." she said.
Before Catarina could say anything the doors opened and Juan walked in, wearing his nightshirt. He smiled at Catarina and all of her ladies left the room and the door was closed behind them.
Catarina began to turn red.
"My Lord." she said.
Juan walked over to a table, where there was a pitcher of wine.
"Catarina, please come here. Have some wine with me." he said.
Catarina pulled her blanket aside and slowly walked over to Juan, who had already pored her some wine.
He offered her the glass and she took it from him.
"Thank you, my Lord." she said.
Juan laughed.
"I thought I asked you to call me Juan." he said, as he took a sip of his wine.
Catarina sighed.
"I am sorry. I keep forgetting." she said, as she took a sip of her own wine.
Juan downed his entire goblet and sat it down and took Catarina by her shoulders.
"I know you fear our marriage and what will take place tonight. However, I will admit that I have craved this moment for a very long time. I will do my very best to be a good husband to you, because from what I see now, you deserve that." he said.
Before Catarina could say anything, he pulled her into a gentle kiss. She had never been kissed like this. It was soft, but she could feel desire overcoming her and she didn't want to fight it. She wrapped her arms around him and deepened the kiss and during their kiss, Juan gently pulled her nightgown down slightly, exposing her melon-sized breast. Before she could say anything, Juan began to suckle her chest and she let out a moan of pleasure.
Juan looked up at her.
"Should we take this to our bed?" he asked.
Catarina nodded her head and Juan picked her up and laid her gently on their bed and continued to kiss her. Catarina could feel Juan harden against her thigh and it no longer scared her.
Juan stopped and pulled off his night shirt and was fully exposed to Catarina. She grabbed his hard member and earned a moan from Juan and they proceeded to keep kissing, as Catarina stroked him. After a few minutes, he stopped her. He gently pulled off her nightgown and threw it on the floor. Seeing his new wife. fully nude was too much for him to bear and he climbed fully on top of her. Catarina took a deep breath and opened her legs, giving her consent to her husband.
Juan took himself and thrusted into Catarina and began to move let out a loud moan and began to scratch Juan's back, which began to get wet with his sweat after a few minutes. Soon, her pain was replaced by pleasure and she opened her legs wider, giving Juan more acess to pound himself into her.
She grabbed him close.
"Harder." she moaned.
Juan shook his head.
"You are still too tight." he said.
Getting frustrated, Catarina began to ride him, while he was on top of her. Juan began to moan, in extreme pleasure, since he was very sensitive. Finally, Juan began to go harder, to Catarina's delight. She loved every thrust and scratching his back.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, both of them climaxed together.
Juan picked himself up and looked at his young wife, who was panting out of exhaustion. After withdrawing himself, he collapsed next to her.
Catarina sat up and looked between her legs. The proof that she wasn't a virgin anymore was on the sheets and on her inner thighs.
She looked at Juan.
"I am sorry. I don't know what came over me." she said.
Juan came up and kissed her passionately.
"There's no need to apologize. I loved every moment of it. Let me hand your maids these sheets and I'll tell them to pour you warm water for a bath." he said.
After removing the sheets and receiving her bath water, Catarina was shocked that instead of having her maids bathe her, Juan chose to do it himself. She couldn't deny it any longer. She found herself falling for him. That night, Infanta Catarina of Portugal, Duchess of Franco, slept on her husband's bare chest and didn't wake up once.
A/N I know most of this chapter was on Juan and Catarina's wedding, but now that it's over, more things will end up taking place. I hope you all like this Chapter and Please Read and Review! Chapter 35 is currently being worked on.