“Nobody significant is around,” he drawled, smiling all the while as he watched his wife check if anybody was spying on them. She was concerned, but at the same time he could tell that she was enjoying herself. Nicholas didn’t care if anybody saw them wasting the good weather under a tree beside Thames. In the eyes of London, they were a married couple. Besides, they were not doing amorous activities in broad daylight, just lying around and being lazy for once.

[i]”Besides, aren’t the roles supposed to be switched? How ill-mannered,”[/i] Claire commented, but she did reach for the grapes which only made face look more self-satisfied. 

Nick feigned illness, allowing his eyes to go soft and his voice to be a bit raspy. He answered as Claire chewed on her grape, “I’m still sick, Claire. My head is throbbing and sharp pain stabs me from my side whenever I move.” Both of which were true, and also, he liked teasing her. His blue eyes dramatically closed as he sighed for additional effect. “But lying here, with my head on your lap, it makes me feel a little better. Now where’s my fruit?”

[i]“I hope you choke on it,”[/i] she retorted. He opened his mouth but kept his eyes closed, yet even then he could hear the smile that was hiding in her voice. Nick was surprisingly happy to hear that tone in her voice. After the sitting beside her unable to do anything about her distress that morning, he felt relieved that she was smiling and laughing again. At least for a few hours his demons and hers – the ones he didn’t know of – were far away, hiding in the darkness that was in their future.

But then, she kept on rousing their demons. [i]“I know it is treason, Nicholas. What Matthew is- was accused of. But why? Perhaps he did it not to be on the side of Russia, and not because he thought the queen was wrong to follow either. Perhaps he was just…trying to end it. Saves lives. I’m just saying how does anyone know he was doing wrong. Besides, perhaps it wasn’t his fault. What if Matthew committed treason because he was pressured into it? Felt there was no other choice?” [/i]

Nick fell silent for a few moments, the smile lingering on his features slowly faded and he opened his eyes and looked away from his wife. Thames was blue and peaceful. Not too many boats were sailing on its waters that afternoon, only one which had just left his line of vision.

One thing he learned that afternoon was that Claire was better informed than other women of her status with regards to politics. First, she knew the country which was England’s enemy. Surprising as it was, most ladies had no idea and didn’t care to learn about that piece of information. Second, she might have had an idea on the background of the mentioned war to be thinking that their queen might be wrong in her decision. Thinking her as a well-informed woman was far better than thinking that she might have it in her heart to sympathize with someone who thought that their queen was wrong. She was sympathizing with Matthew, wasn’t she? Was he really one of the men she slept with? Because, if she was not, then why couldn’t she let the topic go. And if that was true, then what she confessed the day before was all lie. Why would she lie to him?

Finally ending his silence, Nick sighed. He spoke without looking at her, “Treason is treason no matter what his reason may be. Because of him, a number of our countrymen are dying every day. Our military prowess is doubted by the world and most of all we look silly. All of these because our plans and tactics are being compromised, supply routes are cut by the enemy, and they anticipate our every move.”

What else did she believe to be a reason that could justify causing unnecessary casualties of British men – their countrymen? Nick turned to look at his wife, his guards were up and every trace of the man who took pleasure in teasing her was gone. “There is always a choice, Claire, but sometimes it is easier to believe that there is none. It’s just a shame that he died before the authorities learned anything useful from him. ”

And then he added. “Now, if you open your mouth again to speak of Matthew Hawthorne, I will kiss you on the lips right here where you are sitting, right now in broad daylight, with Thames and all the random passers by as witnesses.”