Chapter 2: Peace and Quiet

Having hastily explained the situation to the King, Charles watched as his friend paced angrily in his private chambers.

"I want Wensell stripped of all his lands and titles – I want him to be punished in a way that would hurt him the most. He is to be permanently banished from court and forbidden to have any contact with Lady Berresford. No one is to have anything to do with him if they wish to remain in favour" Henry finally announced.

"He is her only family Your Majesty – what is she to do? And would dealing with it in this manner not make it very public?"

"Indeed, I want everyone to be aware that I will not allow my dearest friends to be treated thus!" He paused to think "And My Lady will now be in your care, Charles – as your ward. Will you accept the responsibility?"

"Of course Henry, it will be an honour and a pleasure! I shall inform her straight away and send the guards to escort Wensell from the palace immediately." Charles bowed out.

"My Lady. Ava, "Charles began as he knelt in front of his new wards chair, grasping her hands in his own "I have spoken with the King and he has banished your Uncle from court, is removing his title and lands from him"

"So he is ruined" Ava stated, as much as she hated her uncle, he was her last remaining relative and she had no idea what she was to do without his protection "What is to become of me? Am I to leave court too?"

"No, no you are to remain here, His Majesty had made you my ward – so you are now in my care and protection" The Duke tilted her chin so that she looked at his face when he spoke "I promise now that I will never let anyone hurt you ever again." Tears welled in her eyes at his sentiment

"Then I am fortunate indeed"

The next morning the sun was shining brightly through the glassed windows as the early autumn leaves glowed orange, brown and bronze. Ava stood and curtseyed as the Duke of Suffolk entered her spacious sitting room. He took in the fierce bruise on her left cheek and the frown on her face that indicated there was a problem.

"My Lady, are you well?"

"Very well, Your Grace, but I need to ask your permission to leave court immediately, my bags are packed but I was then informed that I required your consent as you are now my guardian."

"May I ask why you are leaving so suddenly?"

"Isn't obvious? My maid and servants have heard the gossip that is rife here, it seems the world and his wife know of my troubles and what my uncle did. Many are saying that I cannot be innocent; I have no wish to be the centre of a scandal, My Lord. Please allow me to escape."

"Give them time and they will find something else to occupy their gossiping minds – probably before the morning is out." Charles tried to convince Ava that it was unnecessary to leave, but he could see from her face that it was futile "Where do you plan to go?"

"That I had not really considered fully. I have some friends in Oxford, but..."

"My Lady, you may travel to my estate in Suffolk, if you wish to leave immediately then I shall be unable to accompany you as I would wish to. The King requires me to meet with the Council, they are still deliberating his divorce. I had hoped to take you there myself and introduce you to the manor properly; so instead I will join you there as soon as the King allows it. Until then you must treat the house and grounds as your own. There is a condition" Charles explained

"Which is?"

"That your removal of court is not permanent. If I facilitate your leaving then you will return at some point in the not too distant future"

"Agreed Your Grace".

Two Weeks Later:

Ava strolled the rose garden in the November sunshine, sighing in contentment, she adored the hustle and bustle of court life, but she enjoyed the peace and quiet just as much. She heard hurried footsteps approaching on the gravel pathways beyond the walls. Charles appeared in the small gateway; a smile crossed her lips as she moved towards him. He bowed as they met and kissed both her hands warmly in greeting.

"My Lady, I am so very pleased to see you again. And looking so well! Tell me have you been bored here in the back of beyond?" He chuckled tucking her arm under his as he steered them towards the house.

"And I you, Your Grace. How could I be bored when there is so much to do and explore?"

"I am glad you think so my dear, we are to stay here for another few weeks and then travel to London to spend Christmastide at court at the King's request, how does that sound?" He questioned.

"It sounds wonderful, I have heard that the celebrations are magical. Tell me, is there any more talk of my Uncle?" Ava was anxious to discover what was occupying the court currently.

"None, people are too occupied with the Lady Anne and the rumours that are surrounding her person of late."

"And they would be?"

"That she and Thomas Wyatt were once lovers!" Charles stated, Ava gasped in surprise.

"Surely not. How has His Majesty reacted?"

"Not very well as you can imagine; but he is punishing anyone who dares to speak it or proclaim it to be the truth."

"Do you believe it to be true?"

"I think it may be; but I cannot speak my true mind without being banished from the court and Henry's favour."

"I do not think that you are overly keen on the Lady Anne, my Lord" Ava began scrutinising his face.

"Then you are very intuitive My Lady; between you and me, I dislike her and her family and all of their scheming very much."

"There is something about her that I cannot take to either. And her father is always disagreeable" Ave agreed.

"Now there is an understatement!" the pair laughed as they entered the manor house.

Charles had risen before Ava and ridden to the town to see his man of affairs who was stationed there. Deciding it was going to stay dry for the rest of the morning Ava headed out to tour the estates grounds on her favourite horse May. After riding peacefully for some time, Ava rounded a corner to find a horrific scene of pain and fear. A tree had fallen in the winds the previous evening, landing on one of the estate workers trapping him beneath its large trunk. He was calling out weakly; trembling with cold and fear, as Ava and her servant jumped from their mounts and ran to his assistance.

"Mason take my horse and ride as quickly as you can back to the house and fetch help. We need to move this tree soon and get this poor devil help. Go man – hurry" She ordered calmly, hiding the panic that was creeping in. No sooner had Mason disappeared into the distance than the heavens opened and rain poured down heavily. Ava took the injured man's head in her lap, attempting to make him comfortable and shelter his pale face from the rain. It took an hour for Mason to return with a number of men from the house, she could have wept for joy as she heard Charles' voice bellowing out orders. The rain was becoming even heavier, as Charles assessed the man's situation.

"We would have been here sooner but Mason couldn't find exactly where you were. We'll soon have him out." Charles assured her, squeezing her shoulder as he stood to join the effort to move the tree. It was heavier than anticipated, the assembled men were struggling.

"Mason you join the others to lift the trunk and I will drag him out when it is lifted" Ava told the servant waiting next to her "Honestly I shall be able to – you are needed without your help it will not be lifted at all!" Ava insisted, as the man gave her a sceptical frown; before doing as he was bid. Moments later the weight of the tree was lifted and there was just enough room to manoeuvre the frail body of the man out. Ava used all her strength and will power to physically drag the man from his dangerous position quickly as the burden could not be held for long; she groaned as she pulled her charge to safety. The incapacitated man was lifted and carried away by some of the other men so that he could be tended to by the local doctor (on the Duke's orders).

"I shall follow them, you go back to the house – you've done well!" Charles suggested. Desperate to make sure that he was ok, Ava walked her horse through the driving rain to the village, and waited for Charles to reappear with news. After what felt like an age he emerged and strode straight to where his ward stood with their horses. "You should have gone back; you are soaked to the bone and must be frozen." He reprimanded handing her up into the saddle.

"How does he fare?"

"He is badly injured, but thanks to your help he stands a chance. Now come let us get out of this infernal rain" Charles urged his horse into motion and led the way back.

Charles Brandon lifted the young Ava Wensell down from her horse, frowning as he found she was indeed extremely cold and that her clothes were sodden.

"You are not hungry this evening?" Charles questioned as he watched Ava push some of the food around her plate eating very little.

"No I'm afraid not Your Grace."

"It's Charles whilst we are in private please. Shall we move to the other room and have a drink?" Charles suggested leading the way, finding that he wanted to prolong the time he was spending with Ava on her own. "Here drink this" He handed her a cup of warm wine as she stood warming herself in front of the roaring fire. "And there was you thinking that it was very quiet and peaceful around here eh?"

"Indeed" Ava laughed, placing her half drunk wine on the mantelpiece above the fire "I do hope that the poor man will be ok!"

"Time will tell" Charles looked at his drink; he did not wish to tell her that he was unlikely to survive the night due to the severity of his injuries. Ava closed her eyes as a peculiar feeling washed over her, she felt like a block of ice and was trying to suppress a shiver; yet at the same time she could feel beads of sweat forming on her forehead, and was experiencing the distinct feeling of being over heated. She could hear Charles talking but could not make out the words he was saying, it was as if she was underwater. Placing a hand on the fire place she attempted to gain control of herself, but found it impossible, she was also aware that she was fighting a losing battle to remain upright.

"Your Grace, please forgive me – I feel most peculiar!" Ava managed to half whisper, as if on cue her legs buckled and she knew she was heading for the rug laid out of the stone floor. A strong arm closed around her tiny waist saving her from the impact; before swinging her body into his arms and carrying her from the room.