A Jewel in Henry's Crown

Chapter Thirty-Six: Katherine confronts Charlotte

AN: PLEEEEASE DON'T KILL ME FOR NOT UPDATING AFTER MY EXAMS! =) I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I give you all my (belated) Happy Christmas. This is my present to you all. I hope you enjoy this chapter no matter how long or short it may be. I will, soon, post pictures of what Charles and Charlotte's son looks like on my page under my "Tudors" stuff.

Now, enjoy.

.::*::.

It was a few days after Charlotte's sickness. Charles urged her to remain in bed until the physicians said otherwise. She was just regaining back her strength and her child was quite healthy. Charlotte had a feeling it would be a daughter this time. In her chambers, she had Jane Boleyn open her windows completely, blinds and shutters so she could see the sun again and feel the cool breeze coming off the Thames. Jane sat beside her and offered to brush and braid her hair.

"Jane," said Charlotte, "have there been any plans on a wedding for you and my brother?"

Jane paused for a moment and looked at the brush in her hand. The young, new queen had been keeping the Lady Rochford often late into the night because of a certain gentleman who was one of His Majesties' servants. If Charlotte knew Jane was involved with a scandal, she would immediately tell Charles of it and it would go to the King. So, she lied for her own safety.

"Um, no, there has not been. The new queen has been up late taking new measurement for new French-style dresses for her ladies-in-waiting. She expects you to be there, Charlotte."

"Of course she does," Charlotte spat. "She despises me so why should I—"

"You were not much younger than Her Majesty when you came to court." Jane reminded, with a smile.

"I did not become queen. I am a duchess. I prefer much to keep my place here and avoid Her Majesty as best as my heart desires."

"The King expects you to befriend her!" Jane said, abruptly. "Do you wish to lose your favouritism with him?"

"How dare you, Lady Rochford?" Charlotte snapped. "What do you know of His Majesties' favouritism?"

Just as Jane was about to give a quick response, one of the queen's ladies-in-waiting came through and announced her arrival. Slowly, Charlotte rose from her bed and put on her blue robe over her nightgown. Jane stood next to her friend, knowing that the queen would be harsh to the duchess. Despite Charlotte's anger, she still loved Jane as a sister—both the women knew that. Jane placed a hand on Charlotte's shoulder; causing her to look at Jane.

"Be careful what you say, please. Katherine is waiting for you to slip out so she may tell the king of what you say about her." Jane whispered. Charlotte nodded and gritted her teeth as Katherine stormed in.

"Your Majesty," Jane and Charlotte said, curtsying.

"Your Grace, why is it that you failed to show the respect that I deserve? I am your queen."

Charlotte remained silent, waiting for her little rant to continue.

"Leave us, Lady Rochford," Katherine snapped. Jane left reluctantly. "You would not wish me to tell His Majesty of your insolence, would you? Charlotte, you may very well lose your place here at court if you dare utter one wrong thing to me. I can make your pathetic life even more miserable than it has been these past few years—as I have heard from court."

Charlotte bit back her tears, but still said nothing. Katherine smirked; she knew she was winning at this little match. Charlotte knew that the Boleyns and Howards had always been cold and hard-hearted. But this new queen was just a vile little bitch and if Charlotte could, she would murder her on the spot for insulting her. But, no; Katherine had to be queen. Charlotte would not displease the King no matter how awful his wives may be.

"What, Your Majesty, do you know of me and my mishaps in His Majesties' court?" Charlotte asked, quietly.

"Your father was a fornicator. And, you are no better. Imagine if your husband knew you slept with Sir Francis Bryan or perhaps another handsome man in court?"

"I would never do that to my husband." Charlotte answered, trying to control her anger. "I love Charles with all my heart. My heart belongs to no one else."

Katherine laughed.

"You have such imaginative fantasies, Your Grace. I really do not know what to believe!" cried Katherine.

"Please, I must ask Your Majesty to leave." Charlotte begged feeling tears form and threatening to fall. "I am not in a well enough state—"

"You truly are pathetic, Charlotte Brandon. I do not know why I waste my time with a harlot. Good day to you, Your Grace."

After Katherine left, Charlotte broke down sobbing. She leaned up against the wall and slid down and clutched her swollen womb as she continued to cry. Charlotte dared not tell His Majesty what Katherine had just said. He would never believe her. She felt completely hopeless. She could no longer stay in court. She would go back to Norfolk with her son and live there with Lady Wallace. After her tears had gone, Charlotte rose to her feet and asked her maids to pack her things and Harry's—her son. Charlotte could no longer bear the turmoil that the queen has caused. As the maids were packing, Charles had come to see how his wife was getting along. He noticed the packing and stopped. Charlotte was peering over to Thames, holding herself. Charles heard her sniffling; as though she had been crying.

"Charlotte, what are you doing out of bed?" he asked. Charlotte could not look at him. "My darling, what ails you?"

"Please, I—"she began but allowed more tears to fall. Charles came up to her and wrapped his arms around her. Fresh sobs came from her as she held him.

"What happened?" he asked again. She would not answer, fearing that Charles had completely sided with the king and that bitch of a queen.

"I need to leave court for a while. I wish to go stay with my mother. After all, she has not seen her grandson often." Charlotte lied, once she managed to speak. Charles wiped away her tears and kissed her fervently. She pulled away with a small, weak smile. "I miss my mother."

"Do what must be done, my love; I shall be waiting here for you. How long shall you stay in Norfolk?"

"I have not yet decided. Perhaps, I will have my second child there. I will write you everyday if I can."

"You must rest in a more peaceful place for a little while. It is healthy to do so. London is not always the best place. I shall have my guards come with you so you may be protected."

"I could have not asked for a more perfect husband than you, Charles." Charlotte murmured against his lips. He smiled and caressed her skin. "No matter what happens or what people say, I love you with all my heart and would not give you up for the world."

He pulled her into another kiss. Charles picked her off her feet and spun her around. His hunger for her grew increasingly but he had to release her.

"I could not ask for a more wonderful and beautiful wife and son." Charles replied, running his fingers through her hair. "I must return to the Privy Council. I had asked His Majesty if I may come see how you were coming along. Shall I tell him where you are leaving to?"

"Only if he asks," Charlotte said. "If he notices my absence, then you may announce it. Otherwise, no,"

"Very well, my love, give my greetings and wishes to my mother-in-law."

Charlotte smiled and nodded before Charles left. That afternoon, much to Her Majesties' and Charlotte's pleasure, the Duchess of Suffolk had left for Norfolk for a brief holiday to visit her mother. The duchess would possibly choose to stay there for the summer. She would just have to wait and decided.