Lost Words

September 1541 I am Katherine, sometimes Kitty. Henry’s fifth wife. And I am in a mess. The monster is over twice my age; I married for vanity, power and wealth. He was enchanted with me, a giddy girl; my family thought he’d do me good – or them. I can’t abide his stinking breath. Young men loved to pleasure me. New kisses were intoxicating – or perhaps something in my wine? I even woke to find a stranger in my stained and rumpled bed, his gorgeous shirt and breeches spread for all to see. My husband knows. I fear it may end badly.