A Jewel in Henry's Crown

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Charlotte Meets Anne of Cleves

It was autumn again in the world and Henry had married Anne of Cleves. He was beyond furious with his new wife. His rage even made Charlotte terrified. Unknown to her, Anne of Cleves had asked Charles to meet Charlotte in person and had already planned to make Charlotte and Jane Boleyn her ladies-in-waiting. Charles went immediately to his wife after meeting the new Queen.

Charlotte was entertaining her son, Harry with puppets when he walked into their chambers. He smiled. "Charlotte," he said. She looked up and got off the floor. "Her Majesty has asked me to bring you to her. She would like to meet you personally."

Charlotte's mouth opened but she could say nothing. "The Queen wishes to see me?" she inquired. Charles nodded. "Where is she staying?"

"She is in her chambers. I will take you. Ask the Lady Rochford to watch over our son for a little while."

Charlotte looked to Jane who was sitting in a nearby chair reading. Jane closed her book and smiled as she went to sit with Harry. "Go, Your Grace, we shall be splendid, won't we, Harry?"

"Yes, Miss Jane," he said, smiling. Charlotte, Charles and Jane all chuckled.

Down the hall, they could hear the King in his chambers yelling angrily at his servants and then something shatter. "Does he not like Anne?"

"No," Charles laughed, quietly. "He said on his first meeting with Anne that she looked like a horse. And so, she has received the name 'Flanders Mare' by the Privy Council."

Charlotte giggled and rolled her eyes. "Of course," she muttered. At last, they had come to the queen's chambers. Charlotte kissed Charles before walking in.

There before her, stood a tall, dark-haired woman. She was very gracious and had that strange German clothing. Charlotte stood in awe as she saw Anne of Cleves turn around. Immediately, she dropped to her knees, bowing before the Queen.

"Your Majesty, it is an honour and a privilege to meet your acquaintance." Charlotte began. Anne smiled and walked up to the duchess, holding out her hand as she helped Charlotte up.

"It eez my pleasure, Your Grace, to finally meet you." She said, in her thick German accent. "'Is Majesty 'as told me much of you and 'ow kind you are to all. I vould like to make you von of my ladies-in-vaiting, if you vould like."

"It would be an honour serving you, Your Majesty." Charlotte agreed. "I must thank you most generously."

"'Is Majesty often talks highly of you, and told me of your father's death. I am so sorry, Your Grace."

"Please, Majesty, it happened a few years ago and I have long forgotten my grieving for his passing. I still pray to God to allow his soul to be saved from sin."

Anne smiled again. "Zat is…um, alright then?"

Charlotte nodded. "Does Your Majesty play cards?"

"Not very vell, your husband, ze Duke of Suffolk taught me little." Anne confessed. "He vas very kind to me back home."

"I am pleased to hear that, Your Majesty."

"I vould also like to ask if you vould join myself and the king for supper tonight. You and His Grace are most velcome."

"Thank you, Majesty," Charlotte curtsied. "Is there anything I may help you with?"

"No, I vould now just like to rest, Your Grace." She nodded and Charlotte left the room, feeling a bit of laughter come up. Surprisingly, Charlotte found it quite easy to understand Anne, despite her heavy accent when she spoke. She did not understand why His Majesty thought Anne so distasteful. Anne of Cleves was a charming woman. Charlotte decided to take a walk through Whitehall Palace. There were preparations for some more celebrations the King had planned. She found Jane and Anne's other ladies-in-waiting in the foyer before the Great Hall. "Charlotte," she greeted. The other ladies curtsied.

"Your Grace," they said, before tending to other works.

"How did you find Her Majesty?" Jane asked, smiling a bit. Charlotte chuckled. "What is so amusing?"

"Her Majesty was very kind to me and asked me to be a lady-in-waiting." Charlotte replied. "I pity her that she had to be rushed into marriage like this. If His Majesty would take care to get to know her better, he might love her."

"He was in utter rage; I do not believe he will ever love Anne of Cleves." Jane whispered.

Charlotte sighed and made her way back up the hallways. She did not know what to do. Without realizing, the King had brushed past her, his face contorted and red with anger. He stopped when he saw her and slowly turned around. His expression changed immediately to a pleading look.

"Your Grace," he bowed. She curtsied.

"Your Majesty," she said, with a kind smile. "Is everything well?"

"No," he answered, truthfully. He looked like he was about to speak but stopped then and shook his head, thinking how pathetic it would be of him to ask her to be alone with him again. Just as she was to turn and walk away, he called out to her. "Charlotte," he exclaimed. He felt a quick and sudden pain in his ulcer, like a needle was poking around at it. His face cringed and Charlotte immediately went to help the King to his study.

"Do you need a—"

"No, no," he managed. "I wish you to stay for a little while."

She nodded and sat down next to him. He held her hand again and smiled at her. "You grow more and more beautiful every day, Charlotte. I will never forget the first moment I saw you walking through Whitehall."

Charlotte felt tears in her eyes. "You have been too good to me, Your Majesty." She choked. Henry wiped a stray tear from her cheek and traced her jaw line. "I do not deserve it."

"You know that is not the truth." He argued. Charlotte smiled. Slowly and carefully, Henry rose from his seat and Charlotte followed. "I have wanted to ask this of you for a long time. May I kiss you, Charlotte?"

She held her breath and her eyes widened at the thought. Without thinking, she nodded. Henry was a little unsure of himself as well as he walked closer to her and leaned down slowly. Charlotte felt her stomach churn as their lips met. It had been so long since they had slept together. Instantly, the memories of the pain flooded back to her. Henry placed his hand on her cheek and kissed her softly, and was surprised that she didn't pull away—as well as responding to the kiss.

Charles and the Earl of Hertford were walking to the King's study while this was happening and had little knowledge that the king was with the Duchess. The two walked in to the study and Charles immediately stopped in his tracks. "Oh my God," Edward Seymour said, softly. Henry had kissed Charlotte Brandon? Henry pulled away when he had heard Edward speak up. He looked to Charles who was beyond furious. Even Charlotte refused to look at her own husband.

"Leave, Your Grace," Henry murmured to Charlotte. She nodded, curtsied and quickly hurried out the room, brushing past her furious husband. "Charles, you are to stay. My Lord Hertford, leave,"

Edward bowed and left the room, closing the door behind him. Charles refused to speak to the King for a long time. Henry stood still, waiting for his long-time friend to explode in anger.

"Charles, I asked to kiss your wife. She accepted." Henry said. If Henry would not have been King of England, Charles would have murdered him already. Charles bowed and stormed out of the room. He came to their chambers where he found Charlotte sobbing. Her face was pale and hands were trembling.

"I'm so sorry, Charles," she sobbed. He couldn't say a thing to her. Before she could collapse to the ground, he caught her and held her in his arms. Charles could only listen to her sobs as she cried into his chest. He wrapped his arms securely around her and kissed the side of her forehead. He did not know what else he could do. Charles knew he could not be angry at his wife. "I love you, Charles,"

.::*::.

Author's Note: Thank you for your ideas, black'n'burgundy, JEN-SVU, and Duchess of Lantern Waste. I might end up with Charlotte having another baby when Katherine Howard is Queen and I hope I got somewhat of an idea of Anne's German accent when she spoke. =) I hope everyone enjoys this chapter, even though I didn't really enjoy writing the scene where Henry and Charlotte kiss. =( Soon, of course when Henry meets Katherine H, Sir Francis Bryan will be back with Lady Wallace. ;) Heads up!

Until next time…

TheTudorRoseQueen