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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Charles Brandon was the only thing that consumed the young princess' thoughts, morning, afternoon, night, just about every single minute she was awake. Well awake and asleep, he even consumed her dreams, some were sweet, and some were lustful, yet she kept tell all to herself. During the day she found herself daydreaming about him, thinking about the next moment she might see him, might be able to sneak away with him. Mary knew she was probably an idiot for her feelings for the new Duke of Suffolk. She knew her brother would never allow a match with him. She was destined to be a wife to a king, like her older sister Margret. And she did not really know what Charles' intentions with her were either. He admitted his love for her, but could love actually last in the world they live in?
Henry would be arriving any day, possibly any hour. Mary prayed that he did not have any news concerning her future, not yet any way. She wanted to enjoy her life as she could now, and if that meant sharing those secret moments with Charles, then so be it.
Mary let out a long sigh and took in her surroundings; she was in the sitting room of her chambers while her ladies sat around her working on their needle work. She wished for Henry's arrival, knowing that he would make things very exciting. "Rosaline"
Rosaline looked up from her work and smiled at Mary, "Yes my lady?"
"Would you like to take a walk with me? Sitting in this room is becoming very stuffy if I do say so" Mary sighed.
"Of course my lady" Rosaline stood up, and commanded Mary's ladies to stop their work and that they would be accompanying the princess on a walk.
Mary linked arms with Rosaline as they walked, her other ladies quiet following behind. "Henry will arrive soon. Thankfully"
"Very excited to see your brother?"
Mary shrugged slightly, "I am always excited to see my brother. He will of course make things here more thrilling.."
"Are your late night activities not entertaining enough my lady?" Rosaline spoke only loud enough for Mary to hear.
Mary's mouth dropped, "I do not know what you speak of Rosaline, care to enlighten me?"
"Oh nothing my lady, I just know sometimes you leave your room.. I do not know where you go" Rosaline sighed, "But as your best friend I thought you may tell me"
"Someday, I promise. Please keep things secret though. The other ladies do not know, please tell me"
Rosaline shook her head, "They do not, they sleep very heavily.." Rosaline leaned in, "Jane also makes these horrible sounds when she sleeps, I do feel sorry for whatever man chooses to marry her" They both began to chuckle.
"What do you fine ladies find so amusing?" Mary and Rosaline both looked up to see Charles Brandon standing only feet in front of them with a smirk on his features. He bowed down, "My lady"
"Good day Master Brandon, I did not know you were still with us" she lied, "I thought you might get your new estates in order"
"I will in due time my lady" He crossed his arms behind his back, "I have stayed to see the arrival of your brother, and will only leave when he requests it.. Or if you so to wish me leave"
Mary tried not to blush, "You are a kind of joy to have around Master Brandon, with your constant witty banter"
"Thank you my lady.." he smiled, "My I walk with you and your ladies?"
"of course sir…" Mary looked at Rosaline who nodded and took a step back to stand with the rest of the ladies.
Charles took Rosaline's place next to Mary and held out his arm for her to take. Soon they began to walk once again, "It is very beautiful out today my lady, I think it is a sign your brother will be here soon"
"Oh I do hope so Charles, I do hope so" Mary smiled as she felt Charles slip something into her hand; it was a note of some sort.
"Well this is when I must leave you, I shall see you at dinner.." he took her hand and pressed his lips gently took it before departing, both of them trying to conceal the smiles on their faces.
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Mary rushed back to her room complaining of a headache, and that she wished to lay down. When she was finally left alone she pulled the note out and opened it up, reading the words.
My dearest Mary,
I must see you tonight, if only for a few minutes, I must kiss your delectable lips.
Please write back, I need to know this is your wish as well.
Your humble servant,
Charles.
Mary smiled and closed the letter back up, she needed to write to him, but how would she get it to him. She then realized she must confide in Rosaline, she must tell her of her love for Charles. She climbed out of bed and walked toward her bed chamber door and opened it slightly, she was glad when she saw Rosaline sitting there.
"Rosaline, could you please come in here?" Mary said trying to sound stern.
"Of course my lady" Rosaline stood up and walked into the room. Mary made sure to shut the door and pull Rosaline to the corner, incase any of her other ladies choose to try and hear what she was saying.
"I need you to deliver a letter for me.. It is very important that it goes only to him"
"Him?" Rosaline's eyes widened, but then she soon nodded, "Who is it Mary, you must tell me? Even though I have a great idea"
Mary stayed quiet and walked over to the desk in the corner of the room, "Who do you think it is Rosaline.."
"The Duke of Suffolk, the way he looks at you Mary" Rosaline walked up behind her, "it is so full of love.. Do you love him as well?"
"I believe I do, I do Rosaline" she sighed and then turned her head quickly toward Rosaline, "you must make sure he gets this letter. Promise me?"
"I promise"
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Charles had retired to his chambers after departing from Mary and her ladies. He hoped that he would get a response back from Mary, but he knew that could be very hard. She would have to find someone she trusted to deliver the letter. He was brought out of his thoughts when a knock came at the door. When he answered it, he was both relieved and surprised to see Rosaline standing there.
"I have a message for you Lord Suffolk" She handed him a letter.
He took it from her and smiled, "Thank you Lady Rosaline.. Thank you very much"
"You are welcome. Just promise me not to hurt her" Rosaline turned on her heel and quickly made her way down the hall.
Charles closed the door and opened the letter quickly.
My dearest Charles,
I must see you tonight as well; meet me in the gardens when everyone else is asleep? I must be in your arms.
I have told Rosaline of my feelings for you, and have trusted her to deliver this letter to you.
Mary.
He smiled and held the letter to his chest. Not ever in his life had he ever felt this way, not even toward his deceased wife Anne. He truly loved Mary with every inch of his being, and he wished more than anything that he could make her his.
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Getting away tonight was much easier for Mary, especially now that she had confided with Rosaline. She had exchanged clothes with the girl, and loosened her hair, helping to shield her face. Mary was relieved to find Charles was already waiting for him, he was dressed in a cap and concealed his face, but she knew it was him. They instantly embraced each other, lips taking over, hands roaming.
"oh my love, I cannot stand to be away from you" he sighed, "When we were walking earlier, it took me everything in my being to not pull you to me and kiss you like this" he pulled her close his lips devouring hers.
After a moment they pulled away from the kiss, both of them trying to catch their breaths. "Oh Charles, I feel the same… you consume my every thought, my every dream. It is like you are my food, I cannot live without you"
"Your brother will surely have my head if he knew the thoughts I had about you my sweet Mary" he gently brushed his knuckles over her exposed cleavage, which caused Mary to take in a sharp breath. He pushed the cap down from her head, taking a handful of her hair in his hand and bringing it to his nose. "You smell amazing.."
He pushed himself away from her, "What is wrong Charles?"
"I am afraid I will not be able to control myself. I truly love you Mary and it scares me. I have never felt this way for anyone before"
Mary approached him slowly; she brought the cap down from his head taking his face into her hands. She slowly began to leave soft kisses along his jaw line, "I dream of being with you"
"Mary…" he whispered softly as she continued her assault on his face.
"Shh.. Let us not speak"
Charles brought his arms around her waist pulling her tightly to him as his lips found her once more.
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Henry had arrived earlier than expected, well if you think arriving in the middle of the night is early. He knew that most of the palace would be asleep, but that would not stop him from visiting Mary. He however wanted to be very discreet about his arrival till the morning, not wanting to arouse the palace.
He had decided to set out through the gardens, it being very unlikely for anyone to be out there at this time of night. But he was wrong. There he spotted his closet friend Charles Brandon, who seemed to be fleeing from something.
Henry decided to play a game with him. He slowly walked closer causing Charles to notice the figure in the shadows, he called out, "Who goes there?" Henry did not speak, "I ask again! Who goes there! Show yourself now!" Henry just chuckled, "Henry?"
"Yes Charles! It is I" he stepped out of the shadows and chuckled, "Did I frighten you?"
Charles chuckled slightly, "Only slightly my lord. We were not expecting you until the morning"
"I snuck in early. I do not know if I should be afraid at how easy it was for me to do so. But the real question is, what are you doing in the gardens so late and rather secretive I might add" Henry smirked and walked closer to Charles, placing his hand upon his shoulder. "Perhaps you were meeting a lady?"
Charles tried very hard not to meet the king's gaze, "Alas my lord you have caught me"
"Well since I have caught you, perhaps you would like to join me to a surprise visit to my sister's chambers?"
"Would she most likely be asleep my lord, and without any of her ladies?"
"There is a very good chance, but it then shall be easier to speak to her… now let us go and on the way you can tell me all about this mystery lady"
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The last thing Mary wanted to do was leave Charles' arms, but she knew she must. Thankfully Rosaline was the only one still in her chambers. She knew during the night some ladies would come check everything was okay, well at least the ones that wanted to be her favorite, they all seemed to envy Rosaline and hers closeness.
"Where have you been!?" Rosaline jumped to her feet, she was dressed in one of Mary's nightgowns just incase, "We must switch clothes back immediately!"
"Of course Rosaline," Mary just nodded and they quickly changed into their rightful clothes.
"Did anyone see you my lady?" Rosaline asked as she ushered Mary into her bedchamber and into bed.
"No, at least to my knowledge. Did any one come here?"
Rosaline shook her head, "No.." before she could say anything else she heard a knock at the doors, "You pretend to sleep, I shall go check on it" She turned out of the room shutting the door behind her and went over to the other doors, "Who is there? My lady is asleep?"
"My lady please open the door…"
Rosaline instantly knew the voice and opened the door to see the king and Duke of Suffolk standing there, "Your majesty, Lord Suffolk"
"Lady Rosaline" Charles said not meeting her gaze.
"My lady is asleep my lord"
"I do not care Lady, I will surprise her" Henry said with a laugh, "now move aside" Rosaline obeyed and Henry entered the room and went over and threw her bedchamber doors open, "Where is my favorite sister!?"
Mary tried to play that she was just waking up, "Henry?" she sat up and looked ahead. "HENRY!" she jumped out of bed and ran over to him throwing her arms around him, "I have missed you brother"
Henry chuckled and hugged her back, "As I you sister. Come we must talk.." he pulled away from the hug and pulled her into the sitting room.
Mary gasped when she saw Charles there, "My lord Suffolk…"
"My lord!" Rosaline called out in horror, "My lady is not dressed to be speaking to you or the lord Suffolk.."
"It is her brother Rosaline" Henry laughed, "And Charles is like family as well, I do not think he cares very much… do you Charles?"
"If the lady wishes not to change then I respect her wishes" Charles eyes stayed glued on Mary, he could not help but wish to see under her nightgown.
Mary tried to conceal her blush when she felt Charles' heated gaze upon her, "Brother.." she turned and focused on Henry, "How is Catherine?"
"She is well," Henry did not want to talk about his wife, especially when the beautiful Rosaline was in the room. He turned his body so his gaze was perfectly upon Rosaline.
Mary rolled her eyes and turned to see Charles' gaze was still upon her, how she wished to reach out her hand and touch him, but she knew she could not. She knew that she must try as hard as she could to hide her feelings for Charles in front of Henry, and that would be a difficult task.
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A/N: Ahh sorry for not updating sooner! I was kind of stuck, but hopefully this chapter was already. Please read & review!!