A Jewel in Henry's Crown
Chapter II
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Charlotte walked jadedly to her bedchamber, the sounds of musical instruments fading and becoming muffled through the stone walls and wooden floors of the corridors. Eventually no music was heard at all. Once she was near her chambers, two of her handmaidens followed her and helped her dress for bed. They untied the golden laces in the front and back of her gown, removing the top layer of fabric and the next until she was in her corset. Charlotte released several breaths of relief after the drawstrings of the corset had been loosened and removed. Her ladies' maids slipped her nightgown over her head and tied the bow in front. There had been two knocks on the door before Lady Wallace had stepped in and dismissed the maids. The young girls curtsied courteously towards Lady Wallace before leaving their mistress and the lady in privacy.
"My dear, your father was not very pleased how you behaved this evening. You should never have spoken out of turn and so resentfully towards him." Lady Wallace said, gently. Charlotte sighed and sat down in front of her mirror and loosened up her long dark hair. She let it fall to her waist and then began brushing it.
"I do not wish to be a whore, Mother. That is how the eyes of the world will see me after I have gone to bed with the king. No matter how pleasurable he is deemed to be," Charlotte muttered.
"We do not make the choices, my darling. They are made for us by our fathers, husbands, princes and kings. You must do well to remember that."
There was a moment of silence as Lady Wallace began to brush out Charlotte's hair. She filled with a silken string that would be tied to the end of her braid for the night.
"Mama, what do you think of His Grace, the Duke of Suffolk?"
"He was very agreeable and pleasant company. Why do you ask?"
"Curiosity," said Charlotte. "Is it shameful to admit that I find him attractive?"
Lady Wallace stared at her daughter through the mirror and stopped brushing. She could see the small smile playing at the corners of Charlotte's pretty mouth.
"As long as you keep it in your own thoughts," Lady Wallace responded, finally. "We do not wish to spread rumours…it will catch on like wildfire. He is a very handsome man and any woman would be fortunate to have him for a husband. He is the king's closest friend and ally. Be cautious, Charlotte, especially when you go to court. As they say, keep your friends close at hand but your enemies nearer."
"Will I be able to learn the ways of the court soon enough?"
"Yes, think of it as a chess game. All pieces are set but you simply have to make the smart move. And outmaneuver your opponent."
"I suppose so," Charlotte sighed as her mother finished braiding her hair and tied it back. "Good night, Mother,"
"Good night, my love," Lady Wallace said, placing a kiss on the side of her forehead. "Do not sit up too late."
"I shan't,"
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Palace of Beaulieu — Essex
The Duke of Suffolk had dismounted his horse as he arrived through the gates of Beaulieu late that night. He made his way towards the foyer and down several corridors towards His Majesties' apartments. Charles noticed that anything that had formerly had the insignia of the Boleyns had been stripped and demolished. Everything in Beaulieu would be renovated to His Majesties' preferences. An usher of the king had greeted the duke with a bow before leading him in to the lounge room. Charles wasn't surprised that His Majesty had stayed up late, waiting for news of his soon to-be mistress. Charles stepped in and bowed.
"Well?" Henry inquired. "How is she?"
"She is stunning," Charles confessed. "But, Your Majesty, she is only fifteen years old."
"Have you a portrait of her or has she not been painted?"
"Her father has provided me with a small portrait in a locket and wishes that you keep it." Charles handed Henry the wrapped parcel. Henry unwrapped the cloth and opened the little locket. In truth, she was beautiful. Her hair was almost as dark as mahogany, and her eyes green and vibrant. There was a coronet on her head in the painting and a long pearl necklace around her thin neck. Charles could see the change in Henry as he stared at the painting.
"How was her manner? Tell me of her, Charles."
"She was elegant, a graceful dancer and a very spirited girl. Charlotte is nothing like her father at all. But, Your Majesty, I must warn you of him. He may be giving his daughter to you for his own advantages. I would recommend keeping a close eye on him while they are in court. He is a very determined man."
Henry laughed and nodded.
"Very well, Your Grace," he exclaimed. "Thank you, Charles…for visiting Lady Wallace. Oh and Charles, when they arrive here in a fortnight, I wish for Beaulieu to have their insignias and everything to their liking. In honour of my new mistress,"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Charles said, with another bow.
"You may go."
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Early Morning 12 May 1536 — Birtsmorton Court
"Charlotte, darling, you need to rise. We have begun storing almost everything away. His Majesty is returning to London as the Queen has been imprisoned. She has been found guilty of incest and treason. His Majesty has yet to decide her fate. But he has sent an envoy asking us to arrive at Hampton Court within a fortnight." Lady Wallace said, as the housemaids opened up the curtains to Charlotte's chambers. She sat up in a daze before pushing the thick blankets off her. Water was poured into a wash basin for Charlotte to clean her face and wash away any other grime. Her handmaidens wiped her face and brushed her dark hair out and stripped away her nightgown, leaving Charlotte cold temporarily.
"Must we ready ourselves now, Mama? Can it not wait a day or two?"
"No, my darling, I am afraid not. His Majesties' envoy said the king was quite persistent that we arrived soon. Now prepare yourself. Do not dress too lavishly for the journey will be long and tiring."
"Yes, Mama,"
Lady Wallace gave a curt nod to the ladies' maids before leaving the chambers. Charlotte sighed as the maids went to her boudoir and retrieved her trunk and several of her dresses. The first one was far too elegant, embroidered with gold stitching along the flare of the arm and on the waist, long flowing sleeves and it had blue velvet over layer. The next one had been a simple dark blue gown as well. It was more of a winter dress; Charlotte concluded and told her maids to pack it into another trunk. The third dress was a simple dress, though she decided it would be best for the long journey to Hampton Court. Though, she would put on her one of her finer gowns before making her debut appearance to the king. The white blouse was pulled over her head and then the skirt of the dress drawn and the string pulled tightly around her waist. The bodice and overdress was last to be put on. It was a light olive green shade and would be effortless to remove. Her ladies' maid tied the string in the front and said nothing to Charlotte. Her hair was plaited back and tied into a bun with a little, emerald coronet atop her head.
Once she was properly dressed, she left her bedchamber and made her way down the corridor to her father's study. He was flipping through parchment papers and handing them to his usher and the manservant beside him. Charlotte curtsied politely to her father and he looked up.
"What do you want?" he asked. "Can you not see that I am quite engaged?"
"Father, I wish to apologise for my child-like manner last night. It was hardly appropriate of me." Charlotte responded, holding her breath after.
"Very well, you are forgiven. But, if I see you show misconduct like that again, I will not be so pleasant about it. Are you all ready for departure soon?"
"I believe so, my lord. My handmaidens have just finished packing my trunks. Mama should be nearly arranged as well."
"Good, good, we shall leave Birtsmorton Manor very soon…once I have finished signing these papers, that is."
"Is there anything else you need done, Father?" Charlotte inquired, as kindly as she could manage.
"No," he said, in a tiredly manner. "That is all, Miss Wallace."
Charlotte nodded and curtsied before leaving her father's study, shutting the door behind her. She found her mother in the grand hall, inspecting the work that was done to clear everything away.
"Oh my dear, you look like a common tavern wench in that garb." Lady Wallace exclaimed, jestingly.
"Mama, I hardly have anything—,"
"I merely jest, Charlotte. You look lovely, my dear. Now, did you apologise to your father?"
"Yes, and he asked if everything was almost prepared."
"I have had the menservants go out and prepare the carriages. The maids have finished the upstairs and now they are finishing here, as you can see."
"I still have no desire to be His Majesties' mistress." Charlotte announced.
"But you will obey your father nonetheless. Would you deny the king what he wants? I only hope that you do not. And you will obey His Majesty,"
"I know I must but is it not a sin to fornicate without lawful marriage?"
"His Majesty is the law, Charlotte, and the head of the Church of England. And you will do best to do as he says."
"But—,"
"No more quarreling, my dear." Lady Wallace interrupted. Charlotte nodded and smiled as her mother kissed her on the cheek. "Now go,"
"Yes, Mama,"
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Author's Note: So there it is! A rewrite of chapter two! : ) Review!