A Jewel in Henry's Crown

Chapter Forty: Interrogation of the King's Women

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Fall, 1541

A heavy pounding on Charlotte's door woke her up. She got up and went to see her late night visitor. It was Charles but he looked at her with a face she had never seen before. Was it confusion or betrayal?

"What is it, Charles?" she asked.

"His Majesty wishes to see you immediately. He believes you have been involved with the newly discovered sexual liaisons of Queen Katherine…you were scheming with the Lady Jane Wallace and Her Majesty."

"You would not believe that would you, Charles?" Charlotte asked, feeling her stomach churn. Her face paled and she looked horrified. "Yes, I was briefly aware that Her Majesty was committing fornication…but I was not involved with the scheme."

"Charlotte," Charles said, softly. "You have to come with me. You must tell the king all you know…all the truth that you know. He is growing suspicious. I cannot have him execute my own wife and leave my children motherless."

Charlotte nodded and got on her blue silk robe and put it over her night chemise. Charles led her down to the king's study and opened the door for her. As she entered the room, she could feel the angry glare of His Majesty looking towards her.

"Your Grace," he hissed. "Is it true that you have been aiding Lady Jane Wallace with my wife's sexual partners?"

"No, Your Majesty, it is not true. I know nothing of who her partners are except for their names. I know that…" she paused, hating the fact she had to betray her own sister-in-law. "The former Lady Rochford has been secretly arranging meetings for Her Majesty and the said Thomas Culpepper for sexual pleasure."

Henry shot up fuming. His face was bright red and he knocked several papers and leather books off his table.

"You lie!" he spat.

"I have always been honest and your most humble and loyal subject, Your Majesty," Charlotte said, weakly. "I would never lie to Your Majesty or harm you in anyway."

"How long has Katherine been seeing Culpepper?"

"I know not, Your Majesty." Charlotte replied, averting her eyes away from the fuming and raging king.

Henry paused before reacting irrationally in his sudden state of pure and utter hatred.

"Guards," he demanded. "I want you to arrest Charlotte Brandon. Lock her in the Tower and continue interrogating her. Do not harm her under any circumstances unless if I say so."

Charlotte's eyes widened in horror as two of the doormen took her by the forearms and pulled her back.

"NO! PLEASE! YOUR MAJESTY!" she cried. "PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS! I AM INNOCENT OF THIS! I WOULD NEVER CONSPIRE AGAINST YOU!"

She struggled against the guards and wept as Charles burst through the door.

"Please, Your Majesty," he began. "Do not arrest my wife. She has told you everything she knows and I know she would never betray you."

Charlotte was screaming through the halls of Whitehall as the guards dragged her out of the palace.

"CHARLES! NO! LET ME GO! I AM INNOCENT!" she screamed. Tears fell uncontrollably from her eyes. The few people who where wandering around the foyers of Whitehall stared in shock as they watched the beloved duchess being taken to the tower. The Lady Mary had heard her screams and come running out from her chambers, tears nearly filling her eyes. She immediately went to her father.

As Mary came to Henry's study, she heard him arguing with Charles.

"YOUR WIFE IS GUILTY OF CHARGE UNTIL I SAY SO OTHERWISE! SHE HAS BEEN CAUGHT A VICTIM OF THIS FORNICATION AND IS UNDER ARREST!" Henry bellowed.

"Charlotte has always been good to you did everything you asked of her and when you looked at her—did you not see how terrified she was? Despite being my wife, she has been above all your most loyal servant! She cares for you and wishes no wrongs upon Your Majesty." Charles said.

"GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!"

Mary backed away as Charles burst through the door furiously, gritting his teeth in anger. Mary decided she would not visit her father at this time. He would probably put her under arrest for eavesdropping. She quickly slid away and went to her prayer, begging God to protect Charlotte from her father's wrath.

.::*::.

Charles stormed outside and ordered to be brought to the Tower to see his wife. He was led up by a young boy and found Charlotte in the same room that Anne Boleyn had been held under arrest. He pulled her into his arms and she wept hysterically.

"Please do not abandon me here!" she sobbed into his shoulder and her knees buckled under her. Charles caught her before she fell and held her securely in his arms. "I do not want to be executed!"

"Charlotte," he said, sternly, "look at me!"

She did and he wiped away her tears before kissing her fervently.

.::*::.

Two months earlier

Jane Wallace was walking through the secret passage way with Joan Bulmer, leading Thomas Culpepper to the queen's bedchamber. Unbeknownst to them, Charlotte had followed them. She had to know what was going on between the four. Joan had whispered something to Thomas and smiled before closing a mahogany door after he went in. As quickly as they came, Jane and Joan disappeared down the opposite end of the passage way. Charlotte looked around her to make herself a secure way towards the doors. As she came up to them, inside a continuous young girl's giggle could be heard and moans of ecstasy from a couple. Charlotte held back a gasp and her eyes widened. She knew both those voices…Katherine Howard was sleeping with Thomas Culpepper. Gently, she pressed her ear against the door and could hear a chair creaking and more moans from both couples. As she listened, her stomach flipped and she felt her knees weaken from underneath her. She could hear Katherine's breath quickening and the creaking of the chair growing louder. After the next few passionate moments, there was a sudden stop and a sharp gasp filled the air inside the room. It was Katherine and she giggled again. Charlotte slid out of her shoes and went down the passage way that she came from, afraid to make any noise to disturb the infatuated young lovers. Once she was clear from their ear shot, she ran to her chambers in shock. How could Katherine be so foolish as to betray the king? Charles' voice had startled her and she chuckled in surprise.

"Where have you been?" he asked, standing up from his table. He smiled and came to her and kissed her.

"I was with my sister-in-law," she lied.

"You know, my love, it has been a while since you and I have slept together since Rupert and Eleanor were conceived." Charles hinted, with a smirk. He traced her neckline and bosom.

"What are you suggesting, Your Grace?" she asked, giving him the same mischievous look. He placed his hand on her shoulder and turned her around slowly and began to kiss her neck. Charlotte tilted her head back into his shoulder smiling. She could feel his fingers untying the back of her dress' laces. Moments later, she had forgotten all about Katherine Howard and her love escapades with Thomas Culpepper and enjoyed her own with Charles.

Charlotte slid out from her emerald green dress and jumped into Charles' arms. He groaned slightly but caught hold of her by the waist and carried her to their bedchamber. Charlotte noticed he was all too eager and with his back, he shut the door.

"Who is watching our children?" Charlotte asked softly.

"The wet nurses," he murmured. "Do not worry over anything now my love."

She smiled and they went to the bed.

.::*::.

The next afternoon, Charlotte had been practicing her stitching when Jane came to her. She was eccentric and completely blissful.

"Charlotte! You are not too occupied at the moment?" she inquired. Charlotte looked up and shook her head. "I have something to tell you but you must promise me you are not to say anything to Thomas until I do."

"What is it, Jane?" she asked, worriedly. What if the king had found out of Katherine? No, why would Jane be happy of that?

"I am with child!" she cried, nearly in tears. "I have not bled in two months!"

Charlotte smiled in relief and got up to embrace her sister-in-law.

"That is the most wonderful news!" she exclaimed, laughing. "When is your time?"

"In February," Jane smiled. "I do hope it is a boy. It would make Thomas beyond happy!"

"He would not mind having daughters, dearest. Have you thought of any names?"

"Edmund Thomas has been crossing my mind continuously."

"What if it is a girl?"

"She is to be named after her wonderful aunt. Charlotte Jane Wallace," Jane answered. Charlotte embraced Jane again and kissed her cheek.

"Those are both beautiful names! When are you to tell Thomas?" Charlotte wondered.

Jane sighed and went to sit down.

"I wish for you and His Grace to join us for supper this evening in our apartments and then I will announce it."

"We would be honoured to join." Charlotte wandered around the room and looked out of the windows and smiled. "I wish to conceive again, Jane. I want Charles to lie with me again."

"I am sure he will soon. How are Rupert and Eleanor? Are they well?"

"Yes," Charlotte nodded. "My sons both look so like Charles and Eleanor has his eyes as well. His Majesty anointed her Countess of Cumberland. Harry has already inherited his father's title as second Duke of Suffolk."

"What of Rupert?" Jane inquired.

"He is now Earl of Lincoln."

Jane chuckled.

"You are fortunate to have sons."

"I am grateful, yes. I am more blessed to have a daughter so I may teach her to be a good woman for when she is of age and to dance, flirt, marry a good man like her father."

"I am sure of it that Eleanor will make the right choices."

.::*::.

Charlotte was pacing in her prison cell, her chest heaving in anxiety. Her hands trembled and she had tears running down her cheeks. She was cold and her undergarment was stained with mud and water marks. She was still, by the grace of God, Duchess of Suffolk. The king had her under interrogation because she knew something of Katherine's fornication. Shivers went down her spine. There was no sunlight to warm her or the safety of her husband's arms. The more she thought of Charles and her children, more tears fell. The Archbishop of Canterbury had come through the prison door and sat down beside her.

"Your Grace," he said, softly, "I must ask you more questions of Katherine Howard's relationships. You will not be harmed. Please, answer truthfully."

Charlotte waited until her tears stopped and nodded.

"The only r-reason why I knew of Katherine a-and Culpepper was because of my sister-in-law…" she paused and took a staggered breath. "Jane, formerly Boleyn, Wallace had entrusted me an oath to not reveal what the queen was doing with Master Culpepper. I have never met the man. Jane told me that Katherine would meet him in secret chambers and make love to him. Jane Wallace arranged the meetings but Katherine wished for them to be made." More tears came flooding down Charlotte's face. Cranmer put a hand on her shoulder and had his scriber write down all she said.

"Perhaps it would be easier if Charles were here?" he wondered. Charlotte nodded and he demanded that the Duke of Suffolk be brought there. She was quiet until Charles came. He pulled her up into his arms and held her. Charles felt sick to his stomach, seeing his wife like this. If Henry was not the king, he would have murdered him…lashed his back and decapitated Henry's head.

"You must tell them everything you know, Charlotte. I shall stand with you." Charles whispered. She nodded and let go of him and went to sit back down again.

"Please, Your Grace, proceed," Cranmer said, with another nod.

"One evening, I followed Her Majesty and my sister-in-law as they went to meet Culpepper. Once I knew Jane was gone, I listened at the door for Katherine Howard and Culpepper. She had fornicated against the king and I left afterwards. I saw nothing. But, I knew it was the queen. I recognized her voice."

Cranmer nodded and stood up.

"Your Grace's accusations will be brought up in the trials of Katherine Howard. Until she is found guilty, I can do nothing for Your Grace. You must stay here unless His Majesty announces otherwise."

He bowed to Charlotte and Charles before leaving the prison. Charlotte remained quiet, waiting for Charles to accuse her of a lie.

"Why did you not tell me this sooner?" he asked, sitting down next to her.

"I was frightened, Charles. Please, forgive me. I was frightened for my sister-in-law. I did not wish her…"

"She is in prison for treason. I pray to God that His Majesty will not charge you for treason, Charlotte."

"Stay with me for a little while," she begged. "I miss you. Thinking of you and our children…it pains me to know that I am not with you."

Charles felt a knot tighten in his throat and he took her into his arms.

"You will not be executed, my love. I promise."

She sighed and rested her head upon his shoulder and closed her eyes, smiling.

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AN: What will happen next? Wait and see! Will the King announce Charlotte guilty of treason? Please review! Love you all! =)