Chapter Four

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A WEEK LATER...

"Katherine?"

As the sun rose from the west, shadow figures shifted around me as I regained consciousness just around Midday. I could smell fresh roses around me, their scent pulled me closer until my eyes finally opened.

"Katherine."

"Mmm..."

"You have a guest here at court," Charlotte whispered.

Rubbing my eyes, she throws my covers off of me before dragging me to the bath just behind the door near the window.

"Lady Charlotte, where is my daughter?" I heard my father ask, as his boots echoed in the room.

"She's bathing, Your Grace."

Grabbing the towel, Charlotte starts to scrub my chest and back as another lady washed my hair as quickly as possible.

"Who is here, Charlotte?" I whispered.

"Cardinal Wosley." She blurted out, seeing my eyes widening from his name.

"For what?"

Hurrying, Charlotte and Rose, helped me out of the bath and into a pair of robes as they prepared my dress and dried my hair.

"This might be appropriate, right?" She said.

It was a black tulle dress with lilac flowers scattered around like vines, twisting at the ends of my wrists and skirt.

"What brings him here?" I asked.

"He wants to get to know your father, he says that the King will soon ask him to make his stay permanent."

"What?"

Pinning pieces of my hair back behind my ears, Rose places the headpiece tightly on my head.

"I think you're ready. Hurry, he seems to be an impatient man."

Standing up, I hurried out the door, running around the corners and down the stairs just as Sir Arthur turned around to stop me.

"Breathe, my lady..." He whispered, before opening the door for me.

"Apologies."

Calming myself down, he slowly opened the door revealing Lawrence and Richard speaking to my father as Cardinal Wosley stood by.

"Ah...here she is. Cardinal Wosley, may I introduce to you my daughter, Katherine Hamilton." Father said, holding his hand out for me.

"Lady Katherine, may I say how exquisite you are. A mirrored image of your mother." He whispered, kissing my hand.

"Thank you, Cardinal Wosley."

"Now, that we are all here. What brings you by?" Father asked.

"I think it best we all sit down for my announcement."

Looking at each other, my brothers and I stride into the dining room just on the other side of the hall. Taking our seats, Cardinal Wosley, hesitated to speak hence the placing of his hands on his lap.

"If I may, the King is requesting your service to the crown fully. As Lord High Steward, you would become the King's right-hand man, and would have to follow your duties to overseas political matters."

"Overseas?" Lawrence blurted out.

"Yes, the King has made it clear that your father is a knowledgeable man and capable of persuading our allies."

"How long would these overseas trips take?" Father asked.

"Well, that would depend. Now that the Spanish have discovered America, your needs might be needed elsewhere."

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