atherine de Gallois poured the vintage claret from a bottle and into two crystal goblets. She put down the bottle, picked up the goblets and walked towards the balcony where her husband stood, enjoying the night sky. 'Here you are môn amour.' She passed Remy one of the crystal goblets and they raised a silent toast, clinking the goblets together, before kissing passionately on the lips.

Her husband, Remy de Gallois was a handsome man with bright blue eyes that were full of life. He broke the kiss after a long moment and stroked Katherine’s curly dark hair with his hand. He looked deeply into her large brown eyes. 'You look beautiful tonight Katherine.' Katherine smiled and gave a low curtsey, her long and elegant purple Renaissance robe resting on the floor as she did. 'Why thank you monsieur!' she replied demurely.

Remy took a sip from the goblet and put his arm around his wife’s shoulders as they gazed up at the stars above them. 'This is an excellent wine. My uncle’s vineyard?' he asked and Katherine nodded. Remy squeezed his wife around the waist, pulling her towards him. 'You always were his favourite,' he teased, 'no wonder I just had to marry you!'

Katherine nudged Remy playfully. 'He has a Visconti’s natural good taste!'

Remy breathed in deeply, a smile playing over his handsome face. 'It’s a wonderful spring night!'

Katherine nodded contentedly and took another sip of her wine. 'I’m tired,' she yawned, resting her head on his shoulder. 'I’m going to bed.'

'I’ll be along in a moment,' Remy replied, sipping from his wine again.

'Don’t be too long!' Katherine smiled wickedly up at Remy and then left the balcony and her husband to enter their chateau and the bedroom. Remy half turned to see her blow out the candles nearest their bed and then take off her robe and climb in. He drunk the last remaining drops of his wine and gazed up at the stars and moon again – what a lucky man he was!