A Jewel in Henry's Crown

Chapter Thirty-One: Henry's Judgment Worsens

It had been a few nights since Henry's marriage to Anne of Cleves and he grew more displeased every day. He had been in his study with the Duke of Suffolk and Secretary Cromwell. He was beyond furious with the two of them.

"Your Majesty—"Thomas Cromwell began but was interrupted.

"I liked her before not well; but, now I like her much worse." Henry spat. He glared up at his secretary. "I want a divorce! And, you will get one for me. I don't care how you do it!"

Henry saw Charles heave a sigh and lower his gaze away from the King. The King turned back to his secretary. "Was she not engaged to the Duke of Lorraine?" Henry demanded.

"It was not, Your Majesty, a p-proper engagement." Cromwell spoke, quietly. "The Duke of Lorraine was too young to marry."

"It matters greatly that she was so-called 'engaged' to another. I cannot even bed her properly!" Henry exclaimed. "You had better get me a divorce now."

He got up and left his study. Charles followed, leaving Thomas Cromwell to wallow over what the King scornfully spoke to him.

.::*::.

When Charles returned to his wife, she was quiet and sighed as he walked up to her. "Charlotte," he said, going on his knees before her. "Are you ill?"

She shook her head and stared at her turquoise dress embroidered with gold and pearls. Chills went down her spine when Charles placed his hand on her cheek. Charlotte took hold of his hand and closed her eyes. "I love you," she murmured. She sat up from her chair and Charles rose from the ground and she buried her face into his shoulder. "Stay with me tonight."

"Alright," he murmured. Charlotte smiled and kissed him. "Are you feeling ill? Is there anything wrong otherwise?"

"No," she smiled. "I was waiting for you. Harry is with the Lady Mary and Prince Edward. My brother has been spending a lot of time with Lady Rochford. I think he means to propose to her soon."

Charles chuckled. "Is that so? Have you heard from Lady Wallace?"

"Yes, she wrote to me. I just received her letter. Things are well in Norfolk again and she is returning home. An odd thing occurred; I think she fancies Sir Francis Bryan."

Charles stared at Charlotte amused. "Do you think she will be one of his liaisons?"

"There is a possibility that she finds him extremely good company. My mother dotes on him." Charlotte rolled her eyes. "It is almost a sickening thought. I despise him."

"There is no need for you to worry, my love." Charles told. "He cannot harm you."

Charlotte decided to change the subject, "The Queen made me one of her ladies-in-waiting."

Charles raised a brow and smiled. "She must take a great liking to you then. Does she know about you and His Majesty?"

"I should think not. I wonder how she will react once she does find out—if ever." Charlotte contemplated. She brushed her fingers through her hair. "I have invited the Lady Mary for supper this evening. I hope that is applicable."

"Of course," Charles responded. He studied Charlotte again, soaking in all her features. Her lips were full and red. Her dark hair was up in a half bun with her lapis lazuli crown that the king had given her three years ago on her wedding day. Her turquoise dress glimmered in the sunlight as it reflected through the stained-glass windows. Around her neck, she wore a pearl necklace with a blue sapphire stone shaped like a teardrop. Charles had given that to her as a wedding anniversary gift. He smiled at his wife.

"What?" she asked, with a playful smirk. "I think someone is being lustful."

"I am admiring you, Charlotte. You are the siren who I fell in love with." He teased, while grabbing her waist. He pulled her into his lap as he sat on the chair she sat on a few moments ago. Charles twirled with a strand of her hair and kissed her chest and bosom.

"You fiend!" she cried, with a chuckle. "You are my temptation. I cannot resist you. I easily succumb to you, Charles."

Charles placed his hand on the back of her neck and pulled her to a kiss. He licked her bottom lip, wanting entry to her mouth. Playfully, Charlotte refused and smiled. "You deny me?" he mocked, beginning to undo the back of her gown. He slid off the top of her gown, only for her to be in her corset and the skirts of her dress. His hand found its way up her dress and between her thighs.

"What if someone were to walk in on us?" she cried, grabbing hold of his wrist. He smirked slightly and raised a brow.

"Then should we not retire to our bedchamber?" he inquired. Charles lifted her up and kissed her throat. The moment was intensifying just as a doorman banged loudly on the door.

"Your Grace, His Majesty has summoned you to his study at once." The doorman said. Charlotte jumped and sat up, covering up her corset.

"We'll finish when I return." He murmured in her ear. She blushed and nodded, and could not stop smiling.

.::*::.

In the King's study, he had Thomas Cromwell and Edward Seymour already present when Charles arrived.

"Your Majesty," he greeted, with a smile. Henry noticed that Charles could not stop smiling the entire time and chuckled.

"Did I interrupt anything with you and the Duchess?" he wondered, sending his friend a wink. Edward caught on and laughed along with Charles.

"It is nothing we may continue later in the evening in our bedchamber." Charles said. Henry laughed robustly at his friend's comment and nodded.

"You are truly an auspicious man, Charles. I grow invidious of you daily." He hoaxed. Charles chuckled. "Now, we must proceed to the problem at hand. Secretary Cromwell, were you able to file me a legal divorce for Anne of Cleves?"

Secretary Cromwell lowered his gaze and muttered something incoherent. This made Henry furious.

"SPEAK UP!" he roared. "AM I ABLE TO DIVORCE ANNE OF CLEVES?"

"Y-Yes, Y-Your Majesty," Thomas stuttered. Edward and Charles sent each other a smirk. Secretly, they had been planning a way to rid England of Thomas Cromwell, a way to execute him with the King's permission.

"Good," Henry sat down again slowly, flinching as his ulcer pained him again. "I want this marriage to end as soon as possible."