A Jewel in Henry's Crown
Chapter Fourteen: A Letter to the King
Disclaimer: I don't own the Tudors. I only own Charlotte, her family and the mistresses Lord Wallace has.
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After Charlotte's miscarriage, Charles immediately wrote a letter to His Majesty. He was so shaken at what he had just seen. Lord Wallace had abused his daughter, and because of it; she lost her child. It was a good thing he had been there.
His Majesty the King,
As I am your closest and trusted friend, I must inform you of grave news. Things at Whitehall are not well. Lord Wallace claims his daughter and his wife have angered him to the point of madness. He struck Charlotte twice and has slept with bountiful of women whilst his stay, milord. It is also upon his guilt and it is written in his blood and sin, he had caused Charlotte to lose her child through miscarriage. I write to you with matter of urgency to place Lord Wallace under imprisonment for abuse and rape. One of the maids had declared it against him when I interrogated them.
I hope Your Majesties are without further ado enjoying yourselves in Windsor, despite this mishap we have had in Whitehall. With Your Majesties' permission, I shall strip Lord Wallace of his title and lock him in the Tower.
Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk
Charles sealed his letter and gave it to a horseman so he could give it to His Majesty. He sighed and sank back into his chair and stared into the flames. He could not see his fiancé until she recovered. He summoned for his manservant to bring wine. "Bring me some wine." He ordered. The boy hesitated. "NOW DAMN IT!"
The servant boy ran quickly after Charles yelled at him. Lady Wallace stepped into his study. "Your Grace, I wanted to speak with you about Charlotte's situation." She said, calmly. Charles straightened up and nodded. "What happened with Lord Wallace and my daughter?"
Charles cleared his throat and poured himself a glass of wine when the boy returned. "He struck her twice with his hand, declaring her a whore for bedding with me which she has not done." He lied about the last bit. "Would you care for some wine?"
"No, thank you, Your Grace," Lady Wallace answered, as he drank. "Please, Your Grace, look after my daughter. She is a jewel to me and I would suffer if she was lost. She is my only daughter."
Charles nodded empathetically. "I understand, Lady Wallace. I shall watch over her and protect her with my life."
Lady Wallace sighed with relief. "Thank you, Your Grace."
She stood up to leave but Charles stood up. "Lady Wallace," he began. "I love your daughter. I proposed to her this afternoon before the miscarriage. I hoped to receive your content and blessing as well as His Majesties'."
Lady Wallace smiled. "And I bless you with all my happiness and love a mother can give to her children."
Charles came to her and kissed her hands. "Thank you," he said. Lady Wallace turned in quietly to her chambers.
::*::
Three days later, the horseman carrying the letter from Charles arrived at Windsor Palace. It was delivered to Henry quickly as a matter of urgency. Henry read through the letter, his blood boiling and anger rising. After reading it, he tore the letter and shoved things from his table. He let out howls of fury and screams of anger. "Ride back to Whitehall, and tell the Duke of Suffolk to have that fucking bastard executed!" Henry snarled at the messenger boy. "Lord Wallace is no longer a friend of my court or me! I WANT HIM DEAD!"
The messenger boy ran out of the room in panic to his horse. In less than two days, the messenger boy returned to Whitehall, calling for Charles Brandon. "Your Grace!" the boy yelled. Charles stepped out of his study. "The…H-His Majesty has asked m-me to tell you to put L-Lord Wallace…under execution." The boy panted.
"Thank you, boy, you may go now." Charles said. He quickly went to tell the news to Lady Wallace.
When she heard this, she was calm and not surprised that His Majesty would order such a request. "Then it must be done." She said, softly. "Do not speak of this to Charlotte until after his execution and her full recovery."
"Yes, milady,"
Charles bowed and went to Lord Wallace with three of the King's Guards. He had stepped into Lord Wallace's chambers to find him cavorting with a harlot. The woman was undressed completely and the lord was in his trousers. "By order of the King, you are now under arrest for rape and abuse. Ultimately, this price must be paid with death. And, your titles have been stripped from you." Charles said, with no facial expression.
"THIS IS MADNESS! I AM THE KING'S ADVISOR! YOU CANNOT DO THIS TO ME!" Wallace yelled as the soldiers dragged him from his bedchamber.
"The king can do what pleases him." Charles exclaimed. He turned to the woman. "If you speak of this to anyone,"
She nodded, covered herself and ran out of the room in panic. The former lord could be heard yelling as he was dragged to the Tower, waiting for his death. After removal of Charlotte's father, Charles decided to go and visit her.
AN again: Okay, so when I was writing this, I was listening to The Tudors season 3. The song that inspired it was "Season 3 Recap"
Hope ya'll enjoyed! =)