It had been a few weeks since my talk with Henry. He seemed to become happier and even his behavior stumped the Queen. He never visited her bed or Jane Seymour's but he was happy none the less. He hunted more and to the surprise of the doctor the wound on his leg started to heal again slowly but surely. Henry accepted my wishes and was only a friend to me nothing more. But as I found myself talking more and more with him it became harder not to feel anything for him. In public we were just strangers.
"Lady Andrea get over here the Queen wants her hair done. The King is coming to dine with her tonight," Nan said rushing in to get me. She grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the sitting room of Anne's chambers.
"I'm coming Nan," I said hurrying after her trying to not fall and trip. My dress was a little longer than the others but I never complained. I kept a tight hold on my skirts. When we entered Anne's bedchamber she looked at me crossly.
"Honestly Andrea your incompetence is really starting to anger me," Anne said.
"Your majesty I am sorry I did not hear your voice call me," I said. It was the truth I didn't hear her. I walked over to her.
"Leave us Nan," Anne said.
"Yes your majesty," Nan said giving Anne a curtsey and leaving us.
"Now brush my hair I must look my best for the King," Anne said pointing to the silver and gold brush on the vanity. I grabbed it and began softly brushing her hair. I looked outside and saw Henry riding on Grace, his mare that he was talking to in the barn. I smiled and remembered when I rode Brego. Henry said that I would be fine. Thank god I was.
"Andrea you observe the court right," Anne asked.
"Yes your majesty," I said.
"The King looks at you, have you noticed," Anne said.
"Your majesty why would the King look at me when he has you for a wife," I said.
"I am beautiful am I not," Anne asked.
"You are your majesty. A beauty that should be the wife of a god. Zeus himself would be envious of the King," I said. Anne laughed.
"You know how to cheer me up Andrea," Anne said.
"I am only your lady in waiting, but if you want the court fool we can summon him," I said. Anne laughed again before looking back in the mirror. She seemed worried about something.
"I can not give the King a son. I am failing just as Queen Katherine," Anne said.
"Your majesty you are still young, there may be more time," I said.
"But he does not come to my bed anymore," Anne cried out. I looked towards the door and none of the other ladies came in.
"Your majesty I do not know what to tell you. I have never been in this position I do not know what to tell you," I said to her.
"George says I should seduce him like I did back when I first met him, but I fear that will not work," Anne said.
"Your majesty I am not the right person to ask," I said.
"Your majesty the King is here," Nan said coming in.
"I am finished," I said hurrying out the door. Henry smiled at me briefly before I left the room. I did not pause but kept going until I was in my room. It was small but I did not mind. I laid down on my bed and began to sleep. According to Nan, who told me the next morning that, the meal between the King and Queen was cold as ice. We walked in the garden. Anne seemed intent on keeping me away from her. I do not know what I did. I stayed behind all of her ladies. I decided to break off from the group and just walk around.
"Lady Andrea, I have someone I would like you to meet," a voice said. I turned to see Henry walking towards me with a man by his side. I walked towards them and curtseyed.
"Your majesty," I said.
"Lady Andrea this is my good friend Charles Brandon," Henry said.
"Oh yes the ladies speak very high of his notorious reputation," I said. Henry laughed and his friend smiled.
"I am happy to say that those days are over and my wife is now at home with my child," Charles said.
"Oh an expecting father," I said.
"Expecting yes, calm no," Charles said.
"Well I'm sure that if Henry speaks so highly of you, you will be a great father," I said.
"Thank You, Henry speaks of you highly as well," Charles said.
"Need I remind Henry that I am no one special," I said.
"You are special no need to deny it," Henry said.
"There is no winning with you but excuse me my lords for I must return to the Queen's rooms. Good day," I said walking away.
Charles watched the lady that Henry had been raving about for weeks walk away. She seemed familiar somehow. Her eyes seemed so innocent and wise and reminded him of his little sister. She was kidnapped when he was younger; he only got to hold her for two minutes.
"Charles is she not something," Henry asked.
"She is," Charles said.
"What is it Charles," Henry asked.
"Nothing just memories of my sister are returning to me that is all," Charles said.
"Charles, she will never leave you but if Andrea's necklace is right Miracles Happen," Henry said taking out the necklace and showing it to Charles. Charles just took it in his hands and stared. It was a necklace he had not seen in a long time.
"Mother look what I got," an eleven year old Charles Brandon shouted as he ran through his family's home towards his mother's chambers.
"Son be quiet your mother is resting," His father said as Charles stopped right in front of his mother's door.
"Has the baby been born yet," Charles asked gripping the gift he got for her in his palm.
"Yes, your mother was right it is a girl," Mr. Brandon stated.
"I have a little sister," Charles said.
"Yes, one as she grows older you are to protect," Mr. Brandon said.
"Yes father may I give her a present," Charles asked.
Yes but be quiet,"Mr. Brandon replied as he opened the door. Charles walked into the door slowly. He found his mother asleep on the bed and a crib by the window. He walked over and saw a pink bundle. The bundle opened its eyes and Charles found himself looking into the eyes of his baby sister. Charles knew the moment he looked into those light brown eyes that he would be wrapped around her finger.
"Young Mr. Brandon her name's Andrea," the nursemaid said coming into the room.
"Andrea I have a gift for you," Charles said holding up a cross with the engraving on the back Miracles Happen.
"Since she is awake Master Brandon you may hold her," the nurse said taking the baby out of the cradle. She handed the baby to Charles who held her as gently as an eleven year old boy could. He put the necklace in her tiny hand and watched as she gripped it as best she could. He just smiled at the little baby.
He never liked to remember what happened that night. His father told him to protect her and he failed.
"Charles are you all right," Henry asked.
"Fine just need to go write Katherine," Charles said as he bowed and left Henry standing there. Charles gripped the necklace and walked quickly back to his chambers. He ignored Pennington and went straight to the writing desk in the room. He grabbed his quill and ink with some paper and began writing.
My Dearest Katherine,
I have finally found her. My sister Andrea is here at court and I wish to bring her to our home. She is my sister and will not be a lady in waiting to that whore Anne Boleyn. That whore has my sister wearing her old gowns. I know that you are with child and might not want the responsibility but I ask you as your true and loyal husband to please help my sister with gowns and such things because I know that you know where the seamstress is. I can not express how happy I am. I hope to arrive within a week of your reply.
Your husband,
Charles Brandon
Duke of Suffolk
It did not take Katherine long to reply to the letter. She was overjoyed for his happiness and would be glad to help get his sister out of the service of that whore. Now He just needs to speak with her.