A/N: Hi guys! Let's welcome all the new followers, you're all the best! I'm glad you enjoy this story. If you want to see something happen let me know and I'll see what I can do! I know last chapter wasn't the best, there were a few grammar mistakes and it was slow, but it needed to happen. Let's move on to the next chapter. I hope you enjoy it!
Solitude of Love
"Tell him yes. Even if you are dying of fear, even if you are sorry later, because whatever you do, you will be sorry the rest of your life if you say no." Gabriel García Márquez
Chapter 8
Charles Brandon knew his life was desired by many, he had been a childhood friend of the King of England and as the time passed, their shared interests only made them closer. Later in life, said friendship had earned him a Dukedom, but he wasn't the typical nobleman, he wasn't in Court to gain power, he wasn't really interested in the Court's machinations. It was a paradox that he, the man who didn't care for politics, was the King's best friend and enjoyed such a high place in Court. Of course, he was Henry's right hand because with him the former could enjoy other, more mundane, stuff. But that didn't mean that he was free of his duties as a nobleman, especially one in his position, he had to attend Privy Council meetings and offer his advice, especially on matters of war, for he had been trained in the military arts and he often lead the Royal Army when it was needed. Yet, he no longer felt that his thoughts were in synch with those of the rest. When he was young he was as eager for war as them, he was as eager to spend money and do what he pleased at the expenses of others. He had never been particularly cruel to anyone but that didn't mean that the others weren't, and he didn't agree with that, he couldn't understand the need to bring others down in order to raise themselves, maybe it was because in his case Henry himself had raised him and brought him down as he pleased, but still, Court was too cruel a place for his liking. He was especially concerned with Cromwell's power, and the Secretary knew it, he had offered Charles some of the lands left after the destruction of the monasteries, and he had convinced Henry that the people weren't angry about it, when he knew they were, but Henry still trusted him way too much, he still thought that Cromwell had been honest with him. Charles wanted nothing more than to wipe the smile that rested on Cromwell's face ever since Anne left Court.
During dinner, he and Anne talked about the rebellion and she confided in him her suspicions regarding the Seymour brothers, especially Thomas. He had to agree with her, he wasn't fond of either of them, but he thought that Edward, apart from being ambitious and cold, was the smartest of them all, which was why Charles didn't think he would go behind the King's back without being completely sure that there wouldn't be consequences. But Thomas was more reckless, they'd have to keep an aye out on him. But enough about everyone else, the good thing about this whole ordeal was that Anne was here, he had to admit that he would've loved if the circustamces were different, but he was happy nonetheless, every opportunity to see her was good. He wanted to laugh, never in a million years did he think that he would be feeling like that towards Anne Boleyn, but he was extremely glad that he did, he didnt want to imagine a life in which he didn't love her. That's why he was willing to fight anyone that dared stand in their way, he was finally happy, he had met the perfect person for him, and he'd rather die than let anyone take her from him.
He was in his chambers finishing breakfast when a groom appeared at his side telling him that the King had sent an invitation to go hunting with him and other members of the court later in the morning. Of course Charles couldn't deny him, so he sent the groom to deliver his acceptance to the invitation. He couldn't help but wonder if Anne was invited too, they all knew she loved riding as much as any other man, she was quite something when it came to it. What was Henry playing at?
Meanwhile, Jane and Henry were having breakfast together. Jane couldn't believe her ears the day prior when her brothers informed her that Anne Boleyn was back, and at the request of the King no less. She had told him that she was pregnant and he brought his former wife back to court? A part of her wanted to believe that he did it in order to rub it Anne's face, but he'd never do that to her. There was a time when she believed that he loved her more than he had loved Anne, after all, he divorced Anne for her, did he not? But after going to Hatfield she realized that he would never stop loving her, and now she knew that not even a child in her womb was enough to keep him interested in her. She had to give birth to a boy and she just had to believe that he wouldn't risk his heirs for his former wife. Edward and this babe were her only hope.
She was startled when she heard Henry's voice as he stood up, he had not said a word since he sat to eat, "Dear, change into you ridding attire, we're going hunting with some courtiers"
She wanted to remind him that she was pregnant, that it surely wasn't safe for her to ride in such condition. But she kept her mouth shut, she knew not to challenge him, the only time she tried to do that he told her not to meddle in his affairs, and reminded her of her predecessors' fates. Besides, she wanted to see if he had invited Anne too, she couldn't lose, not to her. So she smiled and said "Of course, my King" as sweetly as she could, she couldn't show him that she was afraid.
When Anne arrived at the stables Charles and George were already there talking amongst themselves, she couldn't help the smile that graced her lips when she looked at Charles, he looked so handsome standing there, she longed to hug him, but she knew that they had to be careful, she didn't want the court finding out that the rumors were actually true, it wasn't a secret to anyone that they were friends, but no one had been able to confirm that there were romantic feelings between them, and she intended to keep it like that, what they did wasn't anyone else's business. As she was going towards them she heard Henry's voice behind her "Anne, I'm glad you decided to join us"
She kept herself from rolling her eyes as soon as she heard him, she wanted so much to talk to Charles and George without Henry there. She turned around as he put his hand forward for her to give hers to him, as he kissed it, she said "You know I can't say no to a hunt, Your Majesty" pointedly ignoring Edward and Thomas Seymour, who had arrived with Henry. She wasn't going to pay any respects to them and Henry didn't seem to mind either.
He smiled gently at her and said "Please Anne, you know you can call me Henry. I'd be honored if you decided to ride with me, but I know you won't be able to say no to your Troy" he then turned and signaled to a stableman, who brought her old horse to them.
Anne was shocked, her eyes widened and she brought her hand to her mouth, she couldn't believe Henry didn't get rid of her precious horse, of her Troy. When they divorced she couldn't take it to Pembroke because, according to Cromwell, it belonged to the Crown. Of course she knew that if Henry wanted he could've given it to her, but he was punishing her, so she though that he had killed the horse or let it die. She knew that Henry was doing this to please her and win her back, and she was mad at him for that, but she couldn't be mad at her horse, she loved Troy, he had always been her companion, she went over to him and started petting him, and to her greatest joy, he remembered her, he leaned his head into her touch. She turned back to Henry and said "Thank you", if she had to be nice to him to get her horse back, so be it.
But before he had a chance to respond, Jane arrived with her ladies and said "Your Majesty, I'm sorry for making you wait." She was aware that none of them were going to bow to her. Anne would've demanded that they kneel, but she didn't have the guts to demand such respect, even if she was the Queen.
"Its fine dear, just don't let it happen again. Shall we?" Said Henry as he guided her to his horse and helped her sit. He wasn't about to neglect her, he wanted to make Anne jealous, remind her of what she was missing.
What Henry didn't take into account was that as soon as he went to help Jane, and her brothers went to their horses, Charles went over to Anne. He couldn't help but smile when he got close to her, she was also smiling because she was glad that he had grabbed the opportunity to approach her, he said "Hey, let me help you" as he grabbed her by the waist and helped her mount her horse, then he fastened the security belts of her seat, letting his hand linger on her leg for a couple of seconds. Anne was tempted to kiss him right then and there, the tension was killing her, but she settled for putting her hand on top of his and giving it a squeeze as she shot him a reassuring smile. He let her go and went to his horse, only then noticing that Henry, Jane, the Seymour brothers and George had been watching them all along.
Of course everyone felt something different when they witnessed the exchange between the two, but they all knew that things were about to get much more complicated.
The hunt went on for about a 3 hours, the environment was tense and somewhat awkward, no one understood why Henry wanted them all together in the same place, perhaps it was to show the Seymours, Charles, and George the place Anne had once again in his life and what exactly it meant to each of them. Of course, the fact that Jane was riding with Henry didn't allow him to really hunt, so he let the other men do it, he knew that if he got distracted, Charles, somehow, was going to end up next to Anne, and he wanted to see how they would act on the feast after being deprived of being next to the other for the whole day. He wanted to see if they would dare act like they did in private in front of the whole court, and in front of him.
They rode back to the palace, the men went to a Privy Council meeting and Jane went to her chambers, but Anne stayed for a moment at the stables. The hunt had drained her emotionally, she spent the whole time worrying about anything Henry might say, she was aware of his eyes on her the whole time, she didn't know how to feel regarding all the attention he was giving her, for a moment she had felt like she did when he was courting her and she was a mere lady in waiting, but she didn't want history to repeat itself, she didn't want him to be entranced with her again, she didn't know how to react, she knew that he would always have a hold on her, she had loved him and he was the father of her precious child, yet she promised herself to never let anyone control her happiness as he had, she promised herself that she would never go back to him, but she never thought that that was a possibility, she didn't think it was a possibility now, but what if it was? What if came crawling back to her? She feared that she wasn't a strong as she thought she was, and as strong as she wanted to be. He said that she had charmed him, but he never understood the power that he had over her. And to top it all of she had Charles now, and she loved him with everything that she had, the difference was that she didn't let her happiness depend on him, she couldn't let that happen, not again, but it scared her to lose him, it scared her because she knew that she didn't need him, but Lord, how she wanted him. And Henry was threatening it all, he really wouldn't let her be happy, he made her doubt herself and he made her face a crossroad in front of the whole Court, where she had to watch everything she did and everything she said, because everyone wanted to pry into her life, that's why she stayed at the stables a little longer, she needed to breathe and gather herself before entering the palace again and before going to the feast.
A few hours later she was finished getting ready when Madge informed her that George was there to see her. She put on her earrings and went to the outer chamber where George was waiting for her. When he saw her he noticed the distress on her face, he had seen it many times to know that she was anxious and scared, he went over to her and said "Annie..."
But when she saw the pity in his eyes she hardened her eyes and a mask of confidence took over her anxious state. She knew she could trust George, she didn't do it for him, she did it because she needed to present herself as confident as possible, even in front of him, if she looked confident, she felt confident. If she revealed her fears to him she would go to the feast feeling more nervous and scared. She smiled at him and said "Let's go" motioning for Nan and Madge to follow them. Yet, nothing could've prepared her for the moment in which she set foot in the Great Hall, this whole palace was like a trip to the past, she wanted to scream at all the memories that filled her, for so long she had forgot about her life here, and now it was all coming back to her in little pieces, Henry's chambers, her chambers, Troy, the hunt, the Great Hall. She was forced to face the reality of everything that had happened to her, of course she thought about it while she was in Pembroke, and she made peace with it, but physically being here again was another thing. She relived the happiest times of her life, and she relived the times when she was most afraid, she had to face the whole Court again, everyone that tried to destroy her was here and she was extremely afraid that they would try to do it again, especially if they perceived that she posed a threat to them. That's why she had to be aware of everything, she couldn't let anything pass her by, and she had to act carefully around everyone, she wasn't going to give anyone a reason or a chance to bring her down, not again. As the groom announced her, she put on her mask, smirked, and walked towards Henry through the sea of courtiers bowing at her.
Once she reached Henry, she bowed at him, he raised her and grabbed her hands. They stared at each other for a moment, and he signaled Mark to star playing music. He had wanted to introduce her to the Court, but his words failed him, she looked absolutely beautiful, but he could see that she was no longer the girl that captured his heart all those years ago, she was a woman, and she was no longer his. He led her to the center of the hall and they started dancing, no one could take their eyes off of them, those who had witnessed their love story as it unfolded, and those who had come to Court after the King's Great Matter, realized that this two couldn't stay away from each other for long, their lives were meant to touch at some point, some would dare say that they were soulmates, the truth was that even if they supported Anne or not, they all agreed that she and Henry were an enigmatic pair, yet they also realized that, whereas Henry was as obsessed with Anne as ever, she didn't look to be seeking the position she once held in his life, and they all found that very interesting.
Soon after their first dance other couples started filling the hall, and as the third song came to an end she said to Henry "Excuse me, I'm not as young as I once was, I think I need to catch my breath" They both knew she was lying, she danced perfectly, without missing a step. Yet, she had to stop, she couldn't keep dancing with him, she was starting to get lost in his embrace and she was starting to forget her surroundings, but as much as she had enjoyed getting lost in him in the past, it didn't felt right anymore. As she danced more and more with him, she thought more and more about Charles, she couldn't get him out of her mind, the thought of being so close to him, yet so far, was killing her.
Henry wanted to see what she would do, so he let her go, but not without saying to her "Only if you promise me another dance before the night ends"
Anne smiled and said "Of course" She turned and caught Mark's eye, who winked at her, they hadn't seen each other since the divorce, but they exchanged letters sometimes and he was very good friends with Charles and George, she made a mental note to talk to him the following days. Then, she searched for Charles, and was extremely glad when she noticed that he was talking to George, she was aware that everyone was watching her every move tonight, and that they already talked about her relationship with Charles, but she wasn't going to deny herself the opportunity to be with him, not after spending the whole day without him, to everyone they were just friends, they couldn't prove the contrary.
He smiled when he saw her making her way over to him and George, he had been seething with jealousy watching her dance with Henry, she looked beautiful, she looked regal and elegant, he couldn't deny that she belonged here, at Court. He still couldn't believe that he had the chance to get to know her, and love her, he was forever grateful to God for making her a part of his life. When she was next to them, he said grinned at her and said "Hey, having fun?"
She rolled her eyes playfully at him and smacked his arm, the smile never leaving her face as she said "I'm having the time of my life" as sarcastic as ever.
George laughed and said "Well, I, for once, am enjoying the attention we're getting again. Especially from the ladies" as he shot them a suggestive look and glance towards a group of ladies in waiting watching them.
Anne laughed and smacked his arm too "God, you're insufferable. Go, go, go! I don't want you near me"
George curtsied and said "If that's what my Lady desires, I'll gladly leave" then he turned and made his way towards the group of ladies. He didn't want to leave Anne, but he couldn't stay by her side and make the courtiers think that she needed protecting.
Anne and Charles sat and enjoyed the wine and the food, they tried not to pay attention to the fact that almost everyone was glancing at them from time to time. The courtiers thought that Henry and Anne were going to be the entertainment of the evening, but it turned out that Charles and Anne were far more interesting, not only because it was rumored that they were more than friends, but because it was such an incredible thing, those two had hated each other for so long, and now they were friends. It went to show just how much things had changed since the last time Anne Boleyn graced the Court with her presence.
But Anne was also paying attention to her surroundings, she couldn't help but glance at Jane and Henry, they really did make an odd couple, at times, they didn't even look like the royal couple. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but there was something strange about them, they didn't seem happy, Henry looked anxious, but mean at the same time, and Jane looked either very shy, or very scared. Anne really didn't know what it was that made them look so strange to her, until she realized something crucial, that she didn't pay attention to when they were at Hatfield, Henry and Jane didn't look in love. That was it. They weren't in love and it showed. God, how it showed.
With that tidbit of information se kept subtly studying everyone in the room. She noticed that Thomas Seymour and Cromwell were awfully close, always talking. She noticed that Edward Seymour seemed worried, even he couldn't hide that through his mask of coldness. She noticed Chapuys watching her and she realized, for the first time, that the Lady Mary had decided to skip the banquet, of course she had, Anne wondered what Mary thought of all of this, once, she had thought of Charles as an ally, but since she found out that he was friends with Anne she ceased her friendship with him, surely she couldn't be happy with her father's decision, Anne reminded herself to keep Mary in mind, too.
Charles interrupted her train of thought saying "Anne, stop thinking. You can worry tomorrow"
Anne sent him a smile in response that clearly said 'guilty', he was right, she was thinking too much.
"You know, if you don't want to dance with me, there are plenty of ladies willing to take your place"
Anne mockingly gasped and said "Oh, is that so, Your Grace? Why didn't you say it before? We're depriving so many girls of the chance of being subject to your charms!"
Charles shrugged his shoulders and said "Well, what can I say? After all, I'm the most desired bachelor of the whole Court" with a smug expression oh his face.
"I'm sure they desire you for your riches. Because you, My Lord, are not getting any younger" replied Anne as she stifled her laugh.
He rolled his eyes at her antics and said "I despise you"
Anne laughed loudly and answered "We both know that's a lie" she stood up and followed up with "Are you dancing with me or do I have to go look for a partner?"
Charles smiled, stood up too, and led her to where the other couples were. They only danced together once before, the day when she met Henry, but they were pleasantly surprised when they realized that dancing together was as natural as breathing. Suddenly, they felt as if they entered a dream-like state, where everyone else vanished and only they remained. They didn't think about the steps, they didn't think about anyone or anything other than the other, they looked into each other's eyes, and danced. It was in that moment that they realized that they didn't want to spend one minute without the other ever again. In their relationships with Henry and Margaret, they both had felt like each was a piece of a puzzle that only their lovers at the time could complete, but now they felt whole, they no longer felt like a piece in need of another piece, they didn't need anyone to complete them, giving them the liberty of enjoying the other as their true, authentic, self. It really was the most freeing feeling either of them had ever experienced. And they were forever grateful to the other for that.
As the dance came to an end and the world around them started to take shape again, Charles grabbed Anne's waist and whispered in her ear "Marry me"
A/N: Oh God. My loves, what do you think is going to happen? I'm really excited about the next chapters, shit's going down. Also, many things happened in this chapter, pay attention to the details, they'll play a huge role later on.
Let me know what you think and I'll see you soon!
