A Jewel in Henry's Crown

Chapter Thirty-Five: A Dangerous Notion

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Summer, 1540—Windsor Palace

After her quarrel with Charles, Charlotte felt completely, utterly alone for the first time in years. She thought that if she were to confide in someone with her true feelings, they might turn against her and report her immediately to the king. She could not let that happen. The only comfort she felt she had was her three-year-old son, Harry. He did not understand Charlotte's pain…but, Harry was there to remind her that despite her quarrels with Charles, they still had a family and loved one another. Charlotte was not going to allow herself to cry over a silly thing such as this. No, she had to stay strong. Charlotte could not let her emotions run wild. Not now at least.

As the hours of the day went by, she remained in her chambers, feeling weary and malcontent. When she tried to eat, she would end up vomiting. Her stomach could no longer handle what she ate most days. Her two maids prepared a fire for her as they changed her into her night gown. Charlotte was growing extremely weak and delicate. More frequently, she had been getting chills and suddenly she was burning.

"Your Grace," a maid said, "you are not well! You have a sickness. Your temperature is high!"

Charlotte placed her hand on her stomach; she bent over in pain. She let out a scream of agony before collapsing on the ground.

"Your Grace!" the two women exclaimed, grabbing her shoulders and arms. Charlotte was lying motionless on the floor of her bedchamber. Charlotte felt a cold sweat break on her forehead. The child inside her was kicking profoundly hard. "Your Grace,"

"Charles…get…Charles! One of you go now!" she choked. The maid standing closes to the door ran out quickly while the other took hold of Charlotte's hand and gently helped her to her bed. The child in Charlotte's womb felt extremely heavy—like it was going to tear her open. The maid put a cool rag on her forehead, stroking it continuously.

Minutes later, Charles burst in through the doors with the maid and came to Charlotte's side. He placed his hand on her cheek gently and felt her forehead.

"She has contracted a fever. Go and fetch a doctor immediately!" Charles demanded. The two maids went off again, leaving the duke and duchess alone. "Charlotte,"

She was nearly unconscious but slowly took hold of his hand. He sighed in relief and kissed her hands.

"Your hands are cold." Charles murmured as he kissed them. "How did this happen?"

"I…I k-k-know not," replied Charlotte. She coughed violently and looked up at Charles. "I was p-perfectly well…t-t-then suddenly…I f-fell ill."

"This still does not excuse your behaviour towards the new queen." Charles reminded. Gradually, Charlotte sat up glaring at Charles.

"That has…n-nothing to do…with this!" she exclaimed. "I am ill. It can possibly affect our child! You are thinking…about h-how I behave towards this new q-q-queen?"

She coughed more violently now. Charles sighed and looked at the floor. He had not realized that he was turning into an old, bitter man now. He did not enjoy any moment of it. Charlotte waited for an answer.

"I am so sorry I have not been a good husband to you this past year. I do not wish to make you cry or feel at fault with anything. You have done nothing wrong," he confessed. "I have been a bit of an ass towards you."

Charlotte had tears pricking in her eyes but she swallowed the knot in her throat. Charles pulled her into a warm embrace and held her.

"I love you, Charles, you do not know how much."

"And I love you, my beautiful rose." Charles said, before kissing her fervently. After a few heated kisses, he rested his forehead against hers and sighed. "If we ever have more quarrels, we must talk things through. We cannot always walk away from our problems."

"I know," she sighed. "Please, do not judge me for disliking the new queen. It is like when you despised the Boleyns. I feel the same towards Katherine Howard."

"Very well, but, be mindful of your actions in front of the King while she is with him." Charles agreed. "In here, we may wish to express our feelings to one another. But, Charlotte, the reason why I was furious was because you behaved so nonchalantly in front of His Majesty."

"I am sorry for what I did. In all honesty, I did not think that His Majesty would take it into notice because I was his favourite—as are you, my husband," she explained, tiredly. Her voice grew raspy after much talk.

She coughed again a few times before dropping back into the pillows. Charles stroked her forehead with his hand.

"I wish for you to rest now, my darling. You are not well. Be mindful of our little child growing inside you."

"I think this is mostly nausea that has caused this. I think my term is soon coming to a finish and we will have another child. Hopefully another son,"

"But, if it is a girl…she will look just like you and be beautiful." Charles said. Charlotte chuckled and stared out the window.

"Will you o-open the windows for m-me?" she asked. "I w-w-would like to feel the breeze,"

Charles then poured her a goblet of cool water and helped her drink it. After she had finished that, she drifted off into a sleep. Charles stayed with her the rest of the evening; in hopes of comforting her.

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The next morning, the weather was dismal. Rain was heavy against the stained glass windows of Windsor Palace. There was nothing exciting happening. The queen was in her new apartments with her ladies-in-waiting. Katherine was examining her ladies; noticing that Charlotte Brandon was not there. She turned to the Lady Rochford.

"Lady Rochford, where is Her Grace?" she demanded.

"She was taken to the sick bed last night…they were early signs of contractions I believe. Her Grace is not well but will join your ladies-in-waiting as soon as she is." Jane responded. Katherine smiled and nodded.

"Very well," she muttered. "I have enough ladies for now. Tell Her Grace that I send my well wishes and hopes that she is well soon."

Katherine did not enjoy saying such things, but in order to make Henry happy—she had to befriend Charlotte Brandon of all people. Katherine thought her to be a harlot for sleeping with the king at fifteen…but, no one truly knew Katherine's little dark secrets. Only she and her close friend, Joan Bulmer knew…and it would remain that way.

"Lady Rochford, why must I befriend Her Grace? She is so…how may I put this…supercilious."

"Charlotte Brandon? Supercilious?" Jane chuckled and sat down next to Katherine. "Your Majesty, she is quite the opposite. Her father lost his head because he had committed fornication multiple times against his wife. He abused Charlotte—and ultimately caused her to miscarry her first child."

"Does she expect me to show pity on her?" Katherine asked, conceitedly. "I think not. I am queen. I have no need for showing any remorse of any kind or friendliness towards that…that indecent witch. She despises me and I know it!"

"You would not please the king if you did such a thing. Charlotte is one of the king's long time favourites. She and His Majesty are kind to one another."

"Perhaps a little too generous on His Majesties' behalf," Katherine whispered, darkly. "I shall see what I may do to be a little friendlier."

"Then His Majesty will be very pleased to see that."

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AN: There you have it! Let the showdown begin! LOL =) Katherine Howard will be a little more bitchy in my novel than in the show…but, don't complain. Thank you so much for your reviews. I won't be able to really update until Christmas break. Exams next week. ICKK! Well, until then….

Katherine Howard vs. Charlotte Brandon will be coming soon. ;) ;) And of course, Mary and Katherine