Son of Hope

Chapter Twenty Seven - A little overbearing but for a reason

After the meeting with the council, I knew that Catherine had gone out for a walk in the gardens, after speaking with a few members, I followed her. She chatted and smiled in earnest with Lina.

"Catherine." she turned to me "I'll go with you to your rooms." I took her hand and wrapped it up in my arm. Then escorted her back inside and back to her chambers.

"The court was giddy by our power." She commented "They were quite roused by it. And I by you" she pushed me towards her bed.

"Catherine.

"Come, let me have you. I have wanted you all day." she kisses me and i kiss back almost forgetting what i was going to say to her. But i broke off.

"Catherine, you must take to your confinement." I sigh pulling away.

"No it is too soon." i shook my head

"Our children must have the best chance to be strong. They don't need the strains and rackets let alone the drama of the court." she walks away from me

"Did Wolsey tells you this? Or Harry?"

"No, Wolsey knows his place. Harry is not even here to be of council. Both know not to instruct me as I would warn you to not do the same." I stood making my way over to her

"Edward, i carry the future King and his sister. I want what's best for them, in that we are united."

"Fantastic, then it's settled."

"Please, please. Grant me to All saints day at least. So I may attend mass and pray to God that he bears our children softly into our arms and keeps them there." I kiss her cheek

"Of course, till then. Then you will rest and we will have our children and all will be well."

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All saints day arrived and Catherine entered her confinement willingly after attending Mass, that evening we held a feast with the newly arrived Charles who was soon to wed my sister after the birth of my children and Catherine being churched so she could attend. Mary and my sister in law Eleanor sat on either side of me as the others took their places.

"Lady Hastings perhaps you'd like to make a toast to the newly promised couple, given that you are Lady Aunt to the happy groom." She looked a little surprised by my request.

"If your grace wishes." i gestured for her to continue. she stood up holding her glass. "To my nephew Henry Stafford and his betrothed Ursula Pole. I wish you many children and all the joys of love." I raised my glass in agreement.

"The wedding might is brutal Ursula." Lady Hastings commented

"Go easy on her boy." Stafford added to his son

"But you will only ever be a virgin once and will be glad when it is passed."

"He won't" I rolled my eyes at Charlies comment

"I only mean to say...there will be blood." she whispered the last part and I stopped

"Not every maid is thus afflicted." I brushed the comment off

"Oh, yes, they are. The first time, yes. Lady Anne sought to correct me. that made me think. i thought....

"As mother to the bride." Lady Pole stood "I would like to wish Henry and Ursula good health, good fortunes and a nursery full of babies." I hummed in agreement but remained silent.

That night after the feast I knocked then entered Catherines chambers she was knelt praying before the make shift alter in her rooms.

"I came to say goodnight." she smiled and tried to stand up with difficulty, I moved to help her and cradled her stomach once she was upright. But then stepped back.

"Is there any news of Meg?" She questioned

"None that i have heard. No." she looked away and I took that as a sign to leave, which I went to do.

"Edward." I stopped turned back "I worship everything you do and are and even when we cannot...be together."

"Of course we cannot you are with children."

"I know that you have appetites that i cannot fulfil, for now. So if you take another woman to your bed then I will understand. But I would sooner that you told me."

"Another woman?" I question not believing what I was hearing.

"If you shared it with me, then... it would be something that is ours, together...of our love. then people wouldn't pity me." I rubbed my face as she comes back over to me. I step back.

"I....I don't know whether to be insulted or deeply hurt." I reply "For I swear i remember telling you of what I saw happening with Harry should you have married him. Did I do wrong in assuming you understood the scope of what I said or at least implied?"

"No, Edward." she stepped forward and I stepped back

"I promised to you before we wed and after that there would be no one but you. I made that promise in the name of my mother. To suggest or even think for a moment that i would do either of you such of disservice has me questioning whether you really know me at all. A King has appetites of that we can agree. But such appetites I would have quelled by my wife that a women who doesn't know which way to turn her head because her husband doesn't keep it focused in him.

I have not, nor will I ever lie with a woman who isn't my wife. Especially not when her body does such work to carry the children I so long for and desire. now I will leave you to rest and bid you goodnight." I bow to her and leave her chambers