Disclaimer: I do not own the Tudors or any of its characters. Also I do not own Mary, mine is loosely based on that actual Mary Tudor, Henry's little sister who did in fact marry Charles Brandon. On the show they combined his two sisters.
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Catherine was with child, Mary could not have been happier for her brother. He had sent her a letter not to long telling her that the doctors had informed them, that Catherine was indeed with child. He was very hopeful that this one was a boy, so they would be taking many precautions to make sure Catherine's health was well so they could deliver a healthy son. He would be visiting Richmond soon instead of just moving the whole court there. Even though it was earlier in the pregnancy he knew it could be most well off to keep her from traveling in such an early stage.
Mary was ecstatic, not just for her brother, but for her friendship with Charles. She had found him to be a great companion with Henry being so far away. She had desperately tried to push the fact out of her mind that she found him attractive. She knew it was wrong, especially since she would eventually be married off to a man of her brother's choosing.
She was so lost in her thoughts she had not caught on to her ladies' gossip until the middle, "Well I heard the newly appointed Duke of Suffolk fanciest a lady at court, and will not look at another"
"Is that so?" Jane asked with a huff, "I don't see why he is not interested in me, I am as beautiful as any lady at any of the courts.. Especially the deceased Duke of Buckingham's daughter"
"What do you me?" another lady asked.
"You hadn't heard? Apparently Master Brandon had slept with the Duke's daughter before he died, and the Duke caught them. He almost killed Brandon"
Mary felt as if her heart had stopped, she clutched the letter to her chest, "ladies! I will not stand for such idle gossip!" she stood up and walked over to them, "It is not right to spread such lies about people at court!"
"But it is not a lie my lady," Jane told her.
"I.. I am going for a walk" she headed toward the door then stopped abruptly as her ladies stood to follow her, "No one follow me! If anyone asks where I am, I am napping!" she left the room and shut the door behind her with a slam.
"Lady Mary" Charles smiled as she fast approached him.
She grabbed onto his arm and pulled him to the side, thankfully no one else was around, "Is it true Charles?"
He cocked his head to the side and looked at her confusingly, "Is what true?"
"Did you once sleep with Anna Buckingham?" she hoped he would stay no, that it was a lie, but the way he stalled she knew it was true. "You did, didn't you?"
He placed his hands on her arms, "Mary it was a while ago, I was just… I was a fool.."
"Was it more than once?" He didn't answer her, "Oh my god" she removed herself from his grasp and turned to walk away.
"What is the problem Mary?"
She stopped and looked back at him, "I am a fool! That is what the problem is Charles"
He walked over to her and placed his hand on her cheek, "I cannot change who I am"
"I know that.. I just.. I cannot talk to you right now!" she went to walk away from him, but he grabbed firmly onto her arm.
"I am sorry if I have upset you Mary," Charles pulled her toward him, "I am sorry that you had to find out"
"There is no reason for me to be upset," Mary said coldly, "It is a well known fact that you enjoy your women Master Brandon"
He sighed, "I do not want you to think that of me"
"and what shall I think sir? How many woman have you been intimate with?" Mary asked sternly, trying to hide the fact she was breaking inside.
"I.." he sighed and hung his head as he let go of her arm, "I do not recall"
Charles, answer me this.. Truthfully.. Were you faithful to your wife?"
"Mary.."
"You disgust me!" she went to walk by him but he grabbed her arm once again. Mary looked at him, "Let go of me!"
"Mary! Listen! Things were different then!"
"What was so different!?"
"I was not in love!" he yelled.
"And that makes it right? That makes it right to be unfaithful of your wife.." she shook her head with a laugh, "Well now she is dead, what has stopped you from continuing since Lady Buckingham? Many of my ladies would be extremely eager to be your next"
"They are not you!"
Mary eyes widened, "what?"
"I am in love with you Mary.. I have tried to fight it, but I think I have always been in love with you," he admitted with such sadness in his voice.
"I do not understand.."
"Understand this!" he pulled her to him, his lips claiming hers. Mary stood there frozen for a moment, till she felt her body sink into the kiss.
But as quickly as it started, it stopped. Mary pushed Charles off of her and glared at him, "how dare you! I hate you Charles Brandon! Never speak to me again" she turned and ran around the corner. She leaned up against the wall and released the tears she was so desperately trying to hold back.
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Charles had no idea what had just happen, but he knew it was his fault. Sleeping with Buckingham's daughter was not a highlight of his life. He had to admit at the time it seemed exciting, and wasn't half bad. But he did not want it to come back and haunt him, and most of all hurt Mary. He did not know why he felt so strongly toward her, for the longest time he just considered her an annoyance, like a little sister. But now that had changed, now he wanted to show her that he was a better person. He knew it was wrong for him to kiss her, especially out in the open like that. Luckily no one had been around. Now she hated him, and told him to never speak to her again. Charles could not do that, he had to talk to her, to prove to her.
"Lord Suffolk" a gentle voice spoke.
Charles turned from where he had been standing in a daze and looked upon a girl. He knew she was one of Mary's ladies, not quite sure of her name, "Madam"
"I was wondering if you saw my lady come by here? She ran off in in a hurry, and we have not seen her since" Jane walked closer to him, "she asked us to tell whoever asked that she was napping, but I am afraid I can not do so"
"You should do as your lady says" Charles said trying to move past her, but Jane placed her hand upon his chest.
"Perhaps I do not like to do as I am told.." she leaned close to his face, "unless it is you telling me what to do" she pressed a kiss to his lips.
Charles grabbed Jane by her wrist and yanked her back, "Perhaps it is necessary for me to tell your lady of your behavior" he let go of her wrist, "now go!"
Jane took a step back and glared at him, "What does Lady Buckingham have that I do not?"
He felt himself tense, "Who told you about that?"
"I heard of it months ago sir"
He took a step toward her, "Did you tell your Lady of the matter of me and Lady Buckingham?"
"Perhaps," she smirked at him, "why do you ask?"
"Madam may I remind who you are speaking to. Answer my question!"
"Yes" Jane admitted, "I told her, some of the ladies and I were discussing you and she heard"
Charles felt terrible, "You should not speak of gossip, it can get you into trouble" he turned and walked away from her.
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Henry was thrilled, the doctors had confirmed that the Queen was indeed with child. He had decided against moving the court to Richmond after much delay. Henry would still go there in a week or so to check up on his sister, and Charles, as well as take care of some business he needed to attend to. He was against letting the Queen remove herself from bed rest, he would not jeporodize this child.
"my husband, you did not have to change your mind about moving the court to Richmond Palace" Catherine smiled at her husband as he sat by her beside, "I am perfectly fine of traveling"
"Catherine you are in a delicate stage, so early within. We do not know what could happen, and I do not what to risk it" he smiled softly at her, "Besides, I only need to really be there for a few weeks, no need to have you go there if we will be coming back shortly after"
Catherine smiled and nodded, "I do wish to see your sister Mary. I miss her presence greatly"
"As do I, as do I" Henry smiled, of course he missed his little sister. "I shall try to convince her to come back with me"
"oh Henry, do not do that. She enjoys being at Richmond so much"
"Catherine, Mary would love to see you, especially now with the child.." Henry let go of her hand and stood up, "And speaking of child, you must get your rest, the baby needs it"
"oh course husband," She nodded, "Will you visit me later?"
He nodded, "I shall try after dinner" he leaned over and kissed her forehead, "sleep well my queen" He straightened back up and headed to the door, sending Bessie Blount a dazzling smile. Once he walked out of her chambers completely he looked at one of his men, "I would like to see Lady Blount in my chambers tonight, thank you"
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Mary walked briskly back to her chambers, ignoring anyone that spoke to her. She had heard the words between Charles and her Lady, Jane. She had never liked that girl, for many reasons. Now she went around asking people where she went after she told them what to say! And then throwing herself at Charles. It was like the girl knew she was the one Charles wanted. Charles wanted her, Charles loved her. Mary knew she also had feelings for him, but the worst mistake she could ever make it admit them. Henry would surely have their heads? Wouldn't he? She was not completely sure. She knew she would have to marry whom he choose, but would he care if she had affection for another man why she waited? Just harmless flirting and.. What was she thinking!? She had lost her mind.
She entered her chambers and slammed the door behind her startling her ladies. She scanned the room, "Where is Lady Jane!?"
"She took a walk my lady" Rosaline told me as she stood up and curtsied.
I just nodded, "Rosaline I think I will actually lay down," I turned and headed toward the doors to my bedroom, before I walked in I looked at Rosaline signaling I needed to speak. After a few moments she came into my room and shut the door behind her, "Oh Rosaline! I do not know what to do"
"What is wrong?" She came and sat on the edge of my bed, "You seemed so upset when you left. Was it because of what Jane and the others were saying about Charles?" she then smiled softly, "You two have spent much time together lately.."
"We are just friends Rosaline. He reminds me much of my brother, they are best friends you know" Mary sighed, she so wanted to tell Rosaline how she felt, but she could not. "I do not like my ladies to gossip, even worst, gossip about someone who is friends with me, and very close to the King.."
Rosaline nodded, "I understand"
"Also, when Jane returns I would very much like to speak to her"
Rosaline stood up and curtsied to Mary, "oh course my lady.. Is there anything else you would like to talk to me about?"
Mary narrowed her eyes, was Rosaline trying to get something out of her? "No that is all Rosaline"
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After a few days, neither of them could forgot the brief kiss. After it first happened, Mary had been so wrapped up in his confession she had not thought about it. But now, it was the only thing on her mind. She had to confess that his felt perfect upon hers. It had been her first kiss, and she knew that it was very rare for people to actually be able to kiss someone of their choosing. Even though the situation was not very romantic or anything like that, she still could not stop replaying it over and over in her. Mary was still avoiding Charles as much as possible, the only time she really let herself be around him was dinner.
Charles had wished he went about things better. He had wanted to kiss her for a while now, but not that way. Not because she was upsetting about hearing his relations with someone. He knew she was trying to avoid him to the best of her ability, and he wanted to respect her choice. Yet at the same time, he wanted to know how she felt toward him.
Mary had choose to spend the day outside with her ladies, reading, working on needle work, and of course playing with Edward. Edward loved to play, and she had not played with him for days, especially with him reminding her of Charles. She was taking a walk, her arms linked with Rosaline's as the rest of her ladies walked a few feet behind. "Rosaline is today not such a beautiful day?"
Rosaline nodded with a smile, "what has you in such a good mood today my lady?"
Mary just shrugged, "I have just decided not to think about things that have upset me. So today I will enjoy myself.. My brother will be coming soon, he is only visiting though. Not wanting to move the court because of Katherine.."
"Well all I have to say is that I am glad you are in a better mood" Rosaline smiled then glanced over her shoulder toward Mary's ladies, "I cannot say the same for Jane, what did you ever say to the her the other day?"
"Oh I just told her I would tell the King if she caused anymore problems and have her sent to a nunnery" Mary laughed. Edward ran ahead barking at something, "Edward what are you barking at?"
"Lady Mary, Lady Rosaline" Charles Brandon bowed as he bent down and rubbed Edward's head, "A lovely day for a stroll is it not?"
"It is Master Brandon" Mary spoke coldly.
"Perhaps you would join me for a walk Lady Mary? If that is okay with your ladies?" Charles asked looking toward Rosaline.
"Of course, we should like to rest our feet.." Rosaline turned and looked at Mary, "Shall I take Edward?"
"No he is fine Rosaline, I shall not be long" Mary took Charles' extended arm and they walked away from Rosaline and the rest of Mary's later. "So you succeeded Master Brandon"
"I have succeeded in what princess?" he said with a smirk.
"In getting me to actually speak to you,"
"Mary.." he pulled her behind a hedge, "Do you still hate me?"
"Charles," she sighed, "Let us not do this. Let us continue to be good friends"
"I cannot do that, I cannot deny what I feel Mary"
"But you must, I must. Henry would surely have our heads!" Mary cried out but soon covered her mouth with her hands. "Please, I must return to my ladies"
"No" Charles pulled Mary toward him and captured her lips with his, wrapping his arms protectively around his waist. Mary tried to push him away but it was no use, she wanted more than anything to feel his kiss again. Her hands came around his neck as the kiss deepened, and she felt as if she could fly. Both knew the conequences of what could happen if they were seen, but neither cared at the time, they were caught in the moment.
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A/N: Here's chapter 3, I hope you like. I kept changing things around, sometimes I wanted to wait for the next chapter. Thanks for the reviews, I hope you keep reading! i promise to update as soon as i can, things have been real hectic.