A Chess Match Begins

The past few days had only seemed to grow hotter, Olivia thought as she fanned herself with the small ornate fan. She sat with the large window of her chamber flung open. There was only a small breeze blowing over the gardens. She hoped every priest in the kingdom was praying for rain. She began to fan herself harder when there was a knock on her door. She looked up, not expecting anyone.

"Enter," She said simply.

Olivia had only been at court for a little over three weeks. She had not made many allies or acquaintances. During that time, she kept to herself, only letting herself been seen at important function. She had numerous audiences with the King and Edward Seymour. The King had quickly decided that she become one of the Queen's new ladies. Luckily, Catherine saved her from that fate. She had pleaded with Henry and told him that she had more ladies than she knew what to do with. Olivia had had a hard time covering her happiness for that. She had little use for Catherine. The girl was so silly that she barely knew what a chamber pot was. The door opened as Olivia was thinking about her fortune. It took her visitor clearing his throat before she turned.

Charles Brandon stood in her doorway. He was dressed in dark brown tunic, a black vest with black leggings and brown boots. His knife hung from his belt, and his hand rested on it. The sleeves of his tunic was warmer than it look. He usually wore a coat or a cloak. Today, he didn't. His vest was even open, and his tunic untied. She could see his dark chest hair. She looked up at him, finding his long, curly hair pushed back from his face where she could see his blue eyes. His shaggy beard was neatly trimmed. She wondered what he would like without that beard. She was sure he was very handsome.

"Your Grace," she said, curtseying.

Charles nodded to her and motioned for her to stand. He made no motion to move inside the door frame until she motioned him inside. Olivia still seemed to make him nervous. He had watched the past three weeks, wondering about who she was. She never really talked to anyone and seemed to have the same opinion about the Queen that everyone else did. She motioned for him to sit, which he did a little reluctantly. This was to be a quick and formal visit.

"I cannot stay long," Charles said quickly.

Olivia looked at him. "Is there something wrong Your Grace?"

Charles shook his head. "No, malady. I have come here to talk to about becoming part of Lady Mary's ladies."

Olivia looked up at him. She tried to think about what he had just asked her. She knew that to stay in the court, she was going to have to get a job. She would rather be part of Mary's ladies than Catherine's. She turned back to Charles. He seemed to be waiting for her answer patiently. She also could tell that he was studying her just as she had done him many nights at dinner. Olivia smiled as she stood moving to her decanter.

"No thank you, malady," Charles said quickly. "I cannot stay for a drink."

She turned to him. "Please call me Olivia, your grace."

Charles smiled a little. "You may call me Charles."

Olivia turned to him. "You may send word to the Lady Mary that I would be honored to be one of her ladies. I have very little practice though."

Charles smiled. "I doubt that will upset Mary much."

Olivia felt the room become a lot more comfortable when she saw Charles smile. She could tell that he had not used that simple expression in a long time. Maybe he had a little to smile about now. She knew of his role in the Pilgrimage of Grace. He must have deep regrets for some of things that he had done. She felt for him. Wars and skirmishes were not uncommon where she was from, and she knew what it could do to a soldier.

"Good," Olivia and poured herself some wine. "Are you sure you will not have a drink?"

Charles got to his feet and gave her a low bow. "I'm afraid I cannot. I have to make arrangements. The lady Mary will be here in a few days and there are other women here that I need to get ready."

Olivia gave him a low bow as he stood. He smiled at her again as he walked out. He stopped at the door and looked at her.

"It would be cooler in here if you left the door open," Charles said and disappeared.

Olivia stood there a moment not sure what to think. Charles was more than just handsome. He was mysterious too. She couldn't help but think about the short conversation they just had. His eyes were so intense the whole time he had been in there. It was as if he was studying an opponent. Perhaps the Duke of Suffolk was a chess player. She knew he could already play cards, but so could she. She might ask him later if he would ever speak to her again. He seemed so afraid of her.

Olivia walked back over to the window and looked out. The gardens were quiet except for the ducks that seemed to stray from the pond. She took a drink when she noticed movements in the corner. It was Henry. He was out there walking, alone. Olivia watched him closely. She could easily find his weak points. A few years ago, she would have feared crossing him, but now, it was almost too simple. She watched him a few more minutes when Charles walked out to the King. Her attention was suddenly diverted to Charles. He must have been telling Henry that she had accepted her new position, and he was pleased.

Olivia watched as Charles and Henry disappeared around the corner. She thought about having another drink and penning some letters but thought better of it. It was time to explore and get familiar with the palace.

She moved down the stairs, looking around. The palace was quite beautiful. The French palace that she had spent so much time in was gaudy and harsh in its beauty. This palace was simple and pleasing. She had not gone far when the swish of a dress caught her attention. She turned to see Jane Parker rushing toward her. Olivia closed her eyes. She didn't want to deal with the busiest body in the whole of the court, and she had managed to learn that in two days.

"Lady DeWinter," Jane said suddenly and almost harshly.

Olivia turned, putting on her best smile. It was one that she had mastered a long time ago in France. Jane looked at her. She seemed to notice that Olivia had plastered the smile on. She stopped short and looked the interloper up and down. Olivia could sense her opponent was assessing her. Jane may be a loud mouth, wife of a traitorous leech, but she was a worthy adversary. Olivia knew to watch her words and action.

"May I help you, Lady Jane?" Olivia asked.

"The Queen would like to see you."

Olivia nodded. Jane took her arm and started walking. Olivia watched her surroundings so that she could remember how to get around. Jane stopped in front of a big solon. She looked around the room. There were books, looms, tables, and even a small bed. There were women sitting all over the room. They were dressed in bland mauve dresses with nice headpieces. Each of them were doing something different and in the middle sat queen Catherine. She was the only bright color in the room except of Olivia. Catherine's dress was one of the new modern dresses. It was light green with little pink flowers on the bodice. Her sleeves were three quarter long and topped off with lace. Her long hair was thrown down her back, and she had on elaborate crown with pearls and diamonds. She stood up, putting her hand on her hips.

Olivia gave her a low bow and trained her eyes to look at the floor. She was not going be caught disrespecting the Queen, though she had little respect for her. She felt Jane Parker pat her on the back when Catherine was ready for her to rise. Olivia stood tall and looked at the queen.

"How may I be of service my lady?" Olivia asked, trying not to have a tone.

"I just wanted to tell you that my husband will have no need of you," Catherine made sure her haughty tone showed through her faked sweet smile.

Olivia feigned innocence. She knew exactly what Catherine meant. However, little did Catherine know that was not why she was here. Olivia looked at Catherine and gave her a low bow again. This time it was the Queen that helped her back up.

"I mean it," Catherine snapped. "I can satisfy the king all night long if I have to."

Olivia nodded. She could feel all the women watching her. She could sense that a few of them were on Catherine's side, but the others seemed to be waiting for what Olivia was going to do. Jane Parker had moved over closer to Catherine. It didn't intimidate her. She simply nodded to Catherine again.

"I am to be an attendant for the Lady Mary," Olivia explained. "I doubt it will do much to catch the King's eye."

Catherine growled a little at hearing the Lady Mary's name. She was already jealous of Henry's first daughter. Jealous was perhaps the wrong word. Threatened was the better word. Olivia nodded again. Catherine finally flicked her wrist and motioned for the door. Olivia didn't need to be told twice. She made another bow and left the room.

Olivia stopped when she reached the hall. It was in complete disarray. She saw attendants running in all directions with worried and scared expressions. She grabbed one of them suddenly.

"What's going on?" She asked.

The attendant shrugged. "I was told to fetch the Duke of Suffolk. Have you seen him?"

Olivia had not seen him for a while. The last time she had seen him, he had been in the garden. He had probably moved on from that a long time ago. She looked at the attendant. He was new to the Court and young. He was probably scared to death at the moment. She felt terrible as she shook her head. He let out a worried sighed and slipped from her grasp. She turned to find another when she saw Mr. Culpepper going to the queen's room. That meant two things. The King had an important message for her, or something had happened to the King.

Olivia didn't wait to find out which. She returned to her room. It had become warm and stuffy from where she had left for her walk. She immediately opened the window and sat down at small table. There was chess board sitting there with finely carved pieces. She reached over and tipped over the black queen. She pushed the white to the front of the board and then moved a pawn out next to it.

"The game has begun," Olivia whispered. "It is a shame I barely have an opponent."