Royal Love

Chapter 23

   "No. No. It can't be....I'm not." I was speaking but the words didn't seem to fit in my mouth. I closed eyes and took a breath. "How far am I?"

    "I can't tell you. You know that." the nurse seemed worried.

   "Yes you can. I know you can."

   I heard the nurse sigh. "Only a couple of weeks."

   I felt a single tear slide down my cheek. "Thank you for not telling."

   The nurse patted my hand. "No problem dear. I have been in the face of your father's rage. He is very unpredictable. If you don't mind me asking....Who is the father?"

   "The Prince of France." I opened my eyes. This couldn't be happening. It was like one of my nightmares. I was with child. Henry's child and he had left.

   "I think I remember seeing him around. He seems like a nice man."

   "He is. The only problem is that I may never see him again."

   "Why is that dear?" I saw her forehead wrinkle up in worry.

   "He had to return to France. His mother fell ill. He left a few weeks ago."

   Understanding crossed her face. "I see. And that was when..." She didn't finish, but then again she didn't need to.

   I buried my face in my hands. "Yes."

   The nurse stood up and paced in front of me. "Well dear. You are going to be in trouble when your father finds out."

   My head shot up. "How about we don't tell him?"

   The nurse turned to face me. "He will find out eventually."

   "What am I going to do? I am not ready for a child, and certainly one I have to raise on my own."

   "Send word to the Prince."

   "What is he going to do. For all I know he used me and wants nothing to do with me or the child."

   The nurse seemed like she was thinking. "For now send word. Wait for his reply. Oh and dear, it may be best if we didn't tell anyone of your true reason for the visit."

   I smiled. "That won't be a problem." I stood up.

   "Very well. Oh that's right." She went over to the night stand and picked up a bottle. "Here you are dear. Take this in the morning when you wake up and at night before you fall asleep."

   I took the bottle from her and sniffed the top. I pulled away at the foul smell. "What is it?"

   She chuckled. "Just some herbs. It should help with any pain."

   I frowned but thanked her any way. I left the room and navigated my way to the dinning hall. If the nurse had been right and I had only slept for a few hours, then it should almost be time for breakfast. The room I was in was far in the east wing. The dinning hall was in the center of the castle. I was the first to arrive and took my seat as I waited for the others.

   Sadly my father was the first to enter. He seemed surprised to see me sitting there. "Good morning Sarah."

  "Good morning," I answered back.

   "I'm surprised to see you here. Lady Welsh said you may not be up for a while."

   "I woke up not to long ago and Lady Welsh gave me some herbs as I was leaving."

   "Very well." He sat down and we waited for everyone else.

   When Lady Weller saw me she ran over and gave me a hug. "I'm so happy you are feeling better dearie."

   I smiled. "Me too."

   My sisters followed Lady Weller and arrived a few moments later. They were all happy to see me. Once we were all settled we had the food brought out and ate like we normally would with conversations here and there.

   When we were all almost finished I stood up. "Please excuse me."

   I started walking for the door but Alice's voice stopped me. "Are you going to be joining us later in the ballroom? I would love to see you dance again. I have almost mastered the waltz."

   I turned around and smiled at her. "Yes I would love to join you. I just have to run to my chambers." I turned and swiftly left the room to head to my chambers. Once there I grabbed a quill pen and a sheet of paper. I quickly wrote a letter. It read:

   Henry,

   I am not sure how to tell you this. I only found out a little while ago myself. Here goes nothing. I'm with child. It is your child Henry. I have told no one else other than the nurse. She has promised not to tell. I hope you will accept me and your unborn child. I am not sure what to do without you. I'm scared.

                                                                                                                                 Love,                    

                                                                                                                               Sarah

I called for my ladies and as they helped my into a new dress I slipped Ann the letter. When I was ready to go I headed to the ballroom. My sisters were all gathered. They seemed to be talking amongst themselves. I saw Lady Weller talking to the musicians. I approached my sisters and when they spotted me they stopped talking.

   "Sarah will you dance?" Elizabeth was the one who asked and I was almost surprised. Alice was the one who liked to ask me to dance.

   I was about to say yes when a thought crossed my mind. What if dancing caused me to much pain? "The nurse said I should take it easy. That means no dancing." It wasn't to far from what the nurse would have said.

   She looked disappointed. "Oh."

   "I would love to watch you dance though," I told her.

   She smiled and headed to the middle of the room. The rest of the my day was spent by watching my sisters dance.

   That night though I was racked with worry. What would Henry think? Would my nightmares come true? I would have to wait for a letter, and hope for the best.