A Jewel in Henry's Crown

Chapter Eighteen: The Aftermath

Days after Rupert Wallace' execution, Charlotte still hadn't read the letter from the king. It had been sitting on her night table. She stared at it; lost in her own thoughts and didn't even see when Charles opened the door. He looked at her worriedly and slowly closed the door—not to disturb her. He took off his coat and placed it on a chair nearest to him before walking up to Charlotte. "Are you ill, milady?" Charles asked, softly. She didn't respond. It was as if Charlotte were in a trance. "Charlotte…"

He touched her cheek and kneeled before her. "I am fatherless." She whispered. Charlotte grasped onto his arms. "Promise me, Charles," she begged, "If I bear your children, you will not leave them—or me."

Instead of a spoken response, he pulled her into a kiss. "I promise never to leave you." He murmured against her lips. Charlotte pulled him down with her and began to untie his jacket and slid it off.

Charles rolled onto his back and allowed his fiancée to hover over him. Her dark wavy locks fell over her chest. "What ails you, my love?" he whispered.

"Nothing," she said, with a genuinely happy smile. "I am perfectly, incandescently happy."

Charles sat up and stroked her arm lovingly and drew her close. "There is not a moment when I don't want to make you happy." He whispered, tracing her lower lip with his thumb. After, she bit her bottom lip sheepishly.

.:: ::.

It had been not yet a week for Lady Wallace when Sir Francis Bryan had come and paid her a visit in her chambers. "Milady Wallace," he began, "it is an honour to meet my Lady at last."

Lady Wallace held out her hand and Sir Francis kissed it twice. "May I also offer my condolences for your loss?"

"You may, thank you," Lady Wallace replied, feeling her chest flutter. Sir Francis Bryan was a seducer. He loved cavorting with the courtiers.

"If you don't mind my asking, my Lady Wallace, why had the late Lord Wallace been executed?" Sir Francis inquired.

Lady Wallace sat down and offered for Sir Francis to sit adjacent to her. "He had been charged guilty of rape and murder. You may well know my daughter, Sir Francis; she had been carrying the king's bastard. Lord Wallace struck her—terrified her and she lost her child. I have not been able to confide in any persons since his death. This is a great pleasure to have a visitor, milord."

Sir Francis listened as she went on, "He was a crude, dishonourable husband; and, he forbade Charlotte to console in her own happiness. Until his death, did he only give his heart's consent and blessings for my daughter to marry the Duke of Suffolk?"

"I was, then, terribly misunderstood. Milady Wallace, you must know there were rumours about your late husband—that he had been incestuous with your daughter—but now I know these were lies."

"Charlotte would never perform incest like that Great Boleyn Whore." Lady Wallace hissed. "Unless if it were forced upon,"

"Do not believe the crudeness that stays in the midst of Whitehall, milady. I believe your daughter to be as innocent as any."

Lady Wallace smiled and asked for some wine. "Do you care for some wine, Sir Francis?"

"Yes, thank you,"

The two had sat there in a comfortable silence. Lady Wallace was content that Sir Francis had come to pay her this visit. She was obliged to see him more often than less. "Sir Francis," she exclaimed. He lowered his goblet. "Please, do come and join us for supper on the morrow. I would be most delighted to have you as a guest."

"Tut, tut, Lady Wallace; the pleasure is all but mine own." He said, a grin forming at the corner of his mouth. "I should be glad to accommodate."

"Wonderful," she said with a smile. She hoped this would be worth the time. Sir Francis kissed her hand one more time before leaving her chambers. What was this turning into, Lady Wallace wondered? She was supposedly in mourning—but with Sir Francis prancing about like that; she could not help but wonder more.

.:: ::.

AN: I was thinking for chapters later on; to have Lady Abigail Wallace fall for Sir Francis Bryan. I know it seems kinda weird because Lord Wallace was just executed—but please; let me know if the idea is fitting or not =) I need your opinions! And, thank you for all the previous reviews for chapter 17. Not to worry! Charles and Charlotte will be getting married soon! I PROMISE! =)

(I just don't want to rush things)