A Jewel in Henry's Crown

Chapter Twenty-Eight: The King's Surprise

.::*::.

Jane Boleyn was awake into the early morning hours, still swooning about Thomas Wallace. He was quite a wonderful company. To be honest, she had already developed feelings for the Lord Norfolk. She walked down the hall to Charlotte's chambers and was startled when Thomas jumped behind her. He chuckled at her fright and slipped his arm around her waist, drawing her close.

"My Lady Rochford," he greeted. "I see you are still awake?"

"Yes, milord," she giggled. "There is no reason to sleep now that dawn is approaching is there?"

"Well, I suppose not. Come stay with me in my chambers and we may talk some more." He insisted. Jane raised an amused brow and followed him to his darkened chambers. "I hear that you and Charlotte are very close."

"Yes, I have always been very fond of your sister. She has been such a good friend to everyone here. The late queen also loved Charlotte dearly. Everyone in Whitehall seems to enjoy her presence. She has an aura of intelligence and humbleness." Jane explained. Thomas agreed, with a chuckle.

"Fit to be queen," Thomas muttered. Jane rolled her eyes and sighed. "That is what my father wanted. I remember him telling me that once she was old enough, she would come courting the King and give him sons. One day, Charlotte would be Queen of England. But, his dream failed."

"Now, she is Duchess of Suffolk and has given Charles Brandon a handsome young son." Jane concluded. "It is still of high rank."

"Of course," said Thomas, "better to have a noble rank of any line even if you do not become King or Queen ordained by God."

Jane smiled. "So you think being Lord Norfolk is—"

"It is suitable enough for me. I am here with my sister. And, I have made beautiful new friends." He sent a charming smile to Jane. She felt heat creep up to her cheeks as she blushed. "I enjoy your company, Lady Rochford. It makes things less lonely."

"I feel the same about you, milord Norfolk." Jane agreed. To her surprise, he stole a quick kiss.

"Please, there is no need for formalities. Thomas will do, my lady," he murmured.

"Then I am Jane."

Thomas gave her another gentle kiss and she pulled away blushing.

"I should retire to see Charlotte." She muttered, smiling. Thomas nodded and watched her every move as Jane exited the chambers.

.::*::.

Charlotte was sitting in the opposite chambers with the Lady Mary, talking of Harry Brandon. She had taken the Lady Mary to gratitude. Mary Tudor had been a good friend.

"Do you know when His Grace is to return?" Mary inquired.

"He should arrive next week in Windsor." Charlotte answered. The two women smiled. "If you don't mind my asking, have you had any recent suitors, Lady Mary?"

"No," Mary returned, though her heart was yearning for someone to love her. She looked away feeling tears prick in her eyes. "I am too old to marry."

Charlotte shook her head and gently took hold of Mary's hand.

"No, you are not. You are still young and beautiful, Lady Mary. There is always someone for everyone. You are one of the loveliest women who I have known."

Mary smiled weakly and wiped a stray tear away. "I must confess that I found myself jealous of you, Your Grace, because you had married only at sixteen and already had a son. But, I realize that you are a good friend to me. You are much like Jane Seymour, humble and kind…whom everyone loves and adores."

"Thank you, Lady Mary," Charlotte replied. Lady Mary rose just as Jane Boleyn stepped into Charlotte's chambers.

"My lady," Jane greeted. Mary acknowledged Jane and said good-bye to Charlotte. Once alone, Jane walked up to Charlotte, blushing and giggling. "You will never guess who has asked to see me and kissed me twice in one day already!"

Charlotte gave an amused smirk and raised a brow. "And who might that certain person be?" she wondered.

"Your brother," replied Jane, as she turned redder than before, "You have no idea how charming and flamboyant he is."

"Flamboyant? Are you sure you are talking of the same Thomas Wallace?" Charlotte asked, laughing. Jane nodded and the two women squealed in delight. "I do hope he asks for your hand and we may then truly be sisters!"

"As do I," Jane agreed. "But, Charlotte, even though I am not married to your brother—I still see you as my sister."

Charlotte chuckled and fell onto her bed, twirling with a strand of her dark curly hair. "Come, Jane," she exclaimed, "Let us rest for a while before the other daily exertions."

Jane and Charlotte crawled underneath the covers and rolled on their sides so they could talk to one another.

"Does my brother kiss well, then?" Charlotte asked. Jane blushed even more.

"He made my chest flutter. Oh to not be a widow anymore," Jane sighed. "I wish to marry! If he does not ask to marry me, I will have to ask him."

Charlotte and Jane giggled even more. "Even a stupider person would have to agree to that, Jane." Charlotte exclaimed. "You are a wonderful friend and I am sure that if you seek out his desires and he seeks out yours you will definitely win his heart and become his lady. Think on it…Lady Jane Wallace of Norfolk."

Jane rolled her eyes and moved onto her back, staring up at the ceiling. "Mm, that does have a nice ring to it. Much nicer than Jane Boleyn…the Boleyns were simple cruel and scheming. Did you know that George had an affair with a man? He bedded a male courtier!"

Charlotte dropped her jaw in astonishment. "Are you certain of this?" she cried.

"Yes," Jane exclaimed. "I do not specifically remember who the gentleman was…but, it must have been Smeaton…that court musician who doted on Anne Boleyn."

"Good Lord," Charlotte breathed. "I had never known of George's affairs…only Anne's."

"' T is a good thing you did not know her. She was wicked…the people of England called even her sister the Great Whore."

"That is terrible," Charlotte sighed. "I am so grateful that I never had to witness those accounts or suffer as they did."

"You are blessed with a wonderful husband and son. The King still thinks very highly of you. I believe he will always be fond of you, Charlotte."

Charlotte smiled. "Thank you, Jane," she whispered. "Let us rest, for the day will be long and more merriment later on for the arrival of Anne of Cleves."

.::*::.

It was now the arrival of Anne of Cleves. A fortnight had gone by rather quickly for Charlotte had been kept busy now that her brother was at court and he and Jane had grown attached. They would often see each other and Charlotte was envious of Jane. She had begun to miss Charles beyond words and was yearning to see him again.

The King had summoned Charlotte personally to his study one afternoon. "Your Grace," he greeted, with a bow and smile.

"Your Majesty," she curtsied. "Is everything well?"

He nodded. "I feel like a new man. I have to marry Anne of Cleves. I feel young again…awaiting this new wife of mine."

Charlotte smiled. "I am happy for Your Majesty." She agreed. Henry chuckled and held out his hand. She took it and he kissed her hand.

"There is someone who would like to see you, Your Grace." He said, softly. "Come, close your eyes and I will guide you."

She obeyed and felt the King lead her elsewhere. She had no idea what was going to happen. She feared a little for who she was about to meet.

"Your Grace," he announced. "You may open your eyes."

Charlotte slowly allowed her eyes to open and standing in the opposite end of the room was Charles. She felt her heart jump to her throat as she jumped into his arms, kissing him desperately. Henry chuckled and stepped out of the room. Charles was just as stunned to see Charlotte and kissed her back, hungrily. She belonged to no one but him.

"Oh my God," she nearly wept with joy. "You do not know how long I have missed you!"

She allowed her tears to fall freely and Charles kissed his wife. "And I have missed you, Charlotte," he murmured against her lips. "I have thought of you and Harry every night while I was away and I would not give you up for anything lesser in this world."

Charles wiped away her tears and she kissed him again; remembering how good it felt to be in his arms again. After their reunion, Charles and Charlotte walked to their chambers and saw Thomas with his nephew.

"Papa!" Harry exclaimed, jumping up into his father's arms. Charlotte chuckled as Harry did so and admired Charles as he embraced his son and kissed his forehead. "You're home! Are you going to stay now?"

Charles chuckled. "Yes, I am going to stay now. I am going to stay here with you and your mother."

Harry smiled and jumped down from his father's arms and Charles saw Thomas.

"You are Thomas Wallace then, I presume?" Charles asked. Thomas nodded and bowed.

"Your Grace," he greeted. "I have been in court for a few nights only and already find this place very agreeable."

"Lord Norfolk, since we are family, there is no need for entitlement. Here, I am Charles."

Thomas chuckled. "Well, then I must allow you to call me Thomas, Brother."

Charlotte smiled as the two most wonderful men in her life got along well. They shook hands in agreement and soon it was supper.

"How is the Lady Anne of Cleves?" Charlotte inquired, while preparing for dinner in their chambers.

"She was kind, rather timid but I believe the King will like her. I was not allowed to see her face." Charles answered, with a humourless laugh at the end. Charlotte came out from behind her screen, trying to adjust her laces. Charles realized he was holding his breath when he saw her.

"Would you help me?" she asked. He nodded and came up behind her to finish tying her lace up. There was a silence between them and Charles gently kissed her neck and collarbone; allowing Charlotte to tilt her head to the side. She closed her eyes smiling briefly. She shivered as his hands slid around her waist and smoothly up her bodice to her bosom and neckline of her dress. "I've missed this," she murmured. Charles turned her around and kissed her.

She smiled. Charlotte truly was blessed, as Jane had told her. At last, Charles was safe at home.

Author's Note:

Okay, it isn't done yet! There's still some chapters to go when I introduce Anne of Cleves, hopefully in chapter twenty-nine and then Katherine Howard…please, keep on reviewing =) Also, it would be great if I could get some ideas!

Thanks for reading!