It has been four months since I left Whitehall and all I think about is Henry. Catherine, Charles's wife is a close friend. She and I do everything together. Sometimes we'll ride or sometimes we'll read by the river. But no matter what we did my mind had still wandered to Henry who was miles away in Hampton Court Palace if his last letter to Charles was correct. It made me sad to think that Charles had always received his letters but I never received a single one.
"Andrea will you come to dine with Charles and I tonight," Catherine asked. I looked up from my book and shook my head.
"I am not in the mood but maybe tomorrow night," I told her. Catherine put down her embroidery and stared at me.
"Andrea is there something troubling you," Catherine asked. I looked up form my book once more.
"Nothing that should trouble you sister," I said to her. She seemed unfazed.
"Andrea please tell me," Catherine asked taking my hand.
"Catherine you must not worry for in due time I hope it will disappear," I told her. We sat in silence for a few moments before the door opened. We both looked up to see Charles.
"Charles, good day to you," I said.
"And to you two lovely ladies. I have received word that the King requests us at court and Andrea there is a letter waiting for you from the King," Charles said reaching into his pocket and pulling out a letter. I looked at it warily.
"Charles it is not proper for me to read the letter," I told him.
"I know which is why when he wrote the letter his daughter Mary was right there with him," Charles said. I took the letter and opened it.
My dearest Andrea,
I know that I do not deserve your love after all the decisions of my life. I only wish that I could turn back time and start over a new man. But we both know that it is impossible. I also wish I had stopped you the day you left me in the arena. I would have swept you up in my arms and held you for as long as time would allow. I wear your favors on my wrist always hidden by my sleeve to keep your honor. I won the tournament and you were in my thoughts always. You still are. Every waking moment all I can think of is you. You are always there when I sleep but in the morning you are gone. Sometimes I think myself mad for believing that you would come back to me. I do not deserve you. You are the purest being I have ever known. I only wish that you would come back to court. There is no happiness here for me any more. I have not lain with any woman. I am becoming a better man from my love for you. I do these things in hopes to prove myself to love you. I have restored my daughter Mary to the succession as it should be and Katherine of Aragon has now been buried in Westminster, as befitting a Queen. I only hope that my actions have warmed your heart towards me. I love you, Andrea Brandon and you are my light in this dark world. I know that this may seem not true or indecent but it is what I feel and think. I have enclosed the Tudor Rose jewel that once belonged to my mother. I hope all of my actions have proven my love for you, if they have not I wish to prove them to you. Please come to court so I can court you formally. I have been in contact with your brother to ask him for this purpose so I do not dishonor you nor will I betray you.
Your loving man,
Henry Tudor
I looked up at Charles who smiled and nodded. I closed the letter and put my lips to it. I reached inside the envelope and saw the Tudor Rose jewel on a gold chain. I held it to my heart with the letter. The walls I had built over my heart came tumbling down. He loved me. I was truly loved by one man.
"Charles where is the King," I asked him.
"At Hampton Palace he plans to leave for Greenwich is a month," Charles said.
"How fast can we get there," I asked him.
"The carriage has already been prepared for our return to court," Charles said.
"Why do I have a feeling you assumed I would want to visit him immediately," I asked him. I looked at Catherine who was watching with a smile on her face.
"I remembered the look you had when we left," Charles said. I ran into his arms and hugged him hard.
"Thank you," I said to him.
"Now we must hurry if we are to make it before the evening meal," Charles said. Catherine and I just laughed as we made our way to the carriage. I was fidgeting the entire ride there. I held the jewel and the letter in my hands. When we arrived at the Palace we had just been told that the evening meal had already begun but that the King was in his personal chambers. Charles ordered for our things to be brought to our chambers before leading me to Henry's personal room. When we got there his groom was standing outside. Charles gave me a hug before disappearing. I turned towards the groom.
"May I see him please," I asked him. The groom nodded and opened the door. I walked inside and saw Henry sitting in a chair by the fire turned away from me.
"Who's there," Henry asked. I walked closer, trembling the entire way.
"I asked who's there," Henry demanded turning around. His eyes widened when he saw me.
"It's me," I said in a quiet voice. He pushed his chair as he got up and wrapped me in his arms; small tears were escaping his eyes.
"I thought I had lost you," Henry said as he buried his face in my neck. I felt my tears escaping.
"You will never lose me," I said as he pulled away looking into my eyes. His fingers traced lines all over my face.
"Please tell me this is not a dream," Henry asked. I shook my head and handed him the Tudor Rose jewel.
"No I am real. But I can not rightfully wear this jewel for I am not a Tudor," I told him.
"You will be if you'll have me I am so sorry for what I said," Henry said.
"Are you sure about this Henry I can not promise you anything for fear of disappointing you," I told him referring to the issue of a male heir.
"I know but let us not think of that it has caused much trouble in the past with those promises. I am just so happy to have you in my arms," Henry said.
"I know I am happy to finally feel loved by a man," I said to him. He looked at me with eyes of pure happiness before he leaned down to kiss me. All those kisses in the movies could not have even measured up to this one. It was hesitant at first but it slowly became filled with passion. When I felt myself in need of breath I pulled away and Henry rested his forehead on mine.
"Now I know I am not dreaming," Henry said. I laughed a small laugh and smiled up at him.
"I love you Henry," I told him.
"And I love you, Andrea Brandon. I am not asking you this as a king but as a man in love. Will you Andrea Brandon marry me and be my Queen," Henry asked. I smiled and I kissed him.
"I would want to spend my life with no one else, my Henry," I told him. He smiled and kissed me as if he was afraid I would disappear. He ordered for my brother and Catherine to come to his rooms and we dined together. We laughed and Henry and Charles laughed at how they would soon brothers by law. Henry held my hand in his the entire time. But my mind wandered to what I knew would have happened if Henry had chosen Jane Seymour. I just hoped I would not end the same way.
