Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk watched from the window as his sister Andrea held baby Richard as she walked in the garden on his estate. It had been almost a month since Andrea had come back and while he was glad she was back he wanted her to return to Henry to knock some sense into him. King Henry VIII was starting to throw himself into seclusion while his mistress Ursula Missledon had been banished from court. Charles hated seeing his sister and his friend apart but he could see why Andrea did not want to be near Henry. He had deceived her when she trusted him with everything. He heard footsteps enter the room and turned to see his elder brother William enter the room.
"Hello little brother," William said walking up to stand right next to him.
"Did you succeed in getting any of the ladies to agree to try to convince Andrea to return to court or at least make herself known," Charles asked. William shook his head.
"No but Sir Francis sent us a letter saying the Boleyns have gone back into hiding," William replied looking down at their sister. She looked happy yet a little sad.
"It hurts me to see her like this," William said.
"I know sometimes I still see her as the baby in the cradle," Charles replied.
"But now she is a queen with three children and a husband who has betrayed her in a number of ways and yet she still manages to wake everyday and continue her life," William said.
"Henry promised to take care of her and yet she is here at my home with a child that survived captivity with the Boelyns who could have done anything to her and she will not talk. Did she talk to any of the others," Charles asked.
"Jane and the others say no but I doubt they would tell us if she did," William replied.
"Henry wants us all to return to court," Charles said.
"When," William asked.
"As soon as we can gather our things. We are to be at Greenwich Palace no later than tomorrow evening," Charles said.
"What about Andrea and baby Richard," William asked.
"Do not worry I wrote that you and Jane wished to remain here to plan your wedding and that Catherine and Princess Mary would be returning with me," Charles said.
"It seems being a practiced liar does you well sometimes," William said. Charles gave a small chuckle.
"This time it is not just any woman it is our baby sister," Charles said.
"I know and I do not want to see her hurt again," William replied.
"Let us hope that Sir Francis Bryan does not visit anytime soon because Richard has lungs just like Henry when he's mad," Charles said. The brothers joined in laughter as they looked down below at their sister and her child as she was joined by Princess Mary, Jane and Catherine.
"God help us," William said.
When the goodbyes were said the next morning baby Richard was trying to keep his my attention on himself by crying and refusing to let go of the fabric of my dress. Princess Mary and I were crying as she was saying goodbye. She was my stepdaughter and I loved her so much and to see her go somewhere without me was making me feel heartbroken. I felt as if she was my own daughter and I was losing her. When we finally pulled away she gave her brother a kiss on the head as she gave me one last hug before entering the carriage. Charles and Catherine followed soon after leaving William, Jane, Richard and myself.
"Come on inside it is winter and we do not want Richard to get ill," William said ushering us inside. I nodded and followed them inside.
"He needs a nap I am going to retire to my room," I said carrying Richard in my arms and up the stairs. When I entered my room I put Richard in his crib and watched as he fell slowly asleep. When I was sure he was asleep. I looked down at my wedding ring. It stopped reminding me of how happy I was and now all it symbolized was lies and deceit. I fingered it questioning whether I should take it off or keep it. I slowly slid if off of my ring finger and felt my tears falling. I put it on the bedside table and took off the necklace that Henry had given me the night he asked me to be his wife. They sat there on the bedside table as if mocking me for my foolishness in believing Henry so quickly. But then I remembered my sons Henry and Edward and I took a quick look at Richard and realized that I was still a mother. Even though I was not happy with their father I would still be their mother. I knew it was near Christmas and thought about what gifts I would send my children. I looked out the window while occasionally looking at Richard and dreaming of what Christmas would be like this year.
The arrival of his daughter Mary and the Duke and Duchess of Suffolk did little to brighten the mood of King Henry. He was miserable to say the least. Pretty women danced around him and all he could think about was whether Andrea was alive or dead. He wished he did not leave things as they were before he left her in his rooms. He wanted her to not feel sullied by everything in his life and he knew that lying to her was wrong but he was King and he did as he felt was right. He looked around at his court and wondered what was taking Charles Brandon so long. Mary was here and currently making polite conversation with Anthony Knivert. The two would share a laugh and it made Henry think on the happy times he had with Andrea. The thought also pained him. It had been three months and nothing was discovered. He heard a new dance start up and briefly saw Charles and his wife enter and head directly towards Mary who glanced at him before turning back to Charles and his wife.
"Your majesty I have some news about your wife," Sir Francis Bryan said in a whisper. Henry rose out of his seat quickly. He led Sir Francis into the same room where he had discussed with Charles his wedding to Andrea and Andrea's coronation. Henry closed the door turned to Sir Francis.
"Well what news," Henry asked praying to god it was news that she was alive and safe and she could return to him at Greenwich Palace.
"William and Charles Brandon had suspicions that there was a hidden room in one of the three Boleyn estates. So when I went to Richmond Palace where the plans for all of the great homes for members of the court I came across a design of Hever Castle. There was a hidden room next to the cellar," Sir Francis said.
"So the queen is alive, where is she," Henry asked.
"When I arrived there was no answer when I entered. I went to where the hidden room was located and behind the door I found Jane Rochford huddled in a corner with a bruise on her head. After almost an hour of questions about the queen she told me that the queen had escaped a few days before I had arrived. So when I left the estate after arresting Jane Rochford I noticed wheel tracks leaving the estate. I followed them and they disappeared into a forest but when I delivered Jane Rochford to the tower I went back to Richmond and found a map of the area surrounding that forest and found something," Sir Francis said.
"What did you find," Henry asked desperately wanting to find his wife and cherish and adore her and never let her out of his sight again.
"The Duke of Suffolk's country manor is not far it is my belief that if the Queen escaped and survived and would be looking for somewhere to escape to it would be to her brother's home," Sir Francis replied. Henry felt joy at hearing that his wife might be at the Brandon estate and wanted to go immediately to see if she was there.
"Thank you Sir Francis now I will go see if she is there myself and for now you are to resume looking for the Boleyns," Henry said.
"Yes your majesty," Sir Francis said before leaving the room. Henry looked at the cross above the fireplace and thanked god. Andrea was truly a miracle and to hear that she was safe was the best thing that Henry could have prayed for. King Henry left the room and entered the dining hall. He saw Anthony Knivert dancing with Mary and Charles and his wife standing off to the side. They seemed worried what could they be worried about. King Henry walked over to them and have them a smile the first he had given in months.
"Charles, Duchess welcome back to court," King Henry said giving Charles a handshake and his wife a kiss on the hand.
"Good to be back," Charles replied.
"I see your majesty is starting to prepare court for the Christmas festivities," Catherine, Duchess of Suffolk said.
"Yes and I hope to have my sweetheart back at court with us for Christmas," King Henry said before saying his goodbyes as he walked over to talk with his daughter Mary. Catherine and Charles looked at each other knowing that Andrea was dead set against returning and that King Henry would have a large challenge on his hands.
