The King, The Duke, and The Lady

A Story of Friendship, Love, and Lust

Chapter 2

Brianna had not planned to spend much time at court at first. While the King had asked her about the French Court and inferred how it might compare to his court, he hadn't asked specifically and she didn't volunteer her opinion. Her friendship with Henry was just getting reestablished and until he gave her leave, she would keep her own counsel. Personally, she found the English Tudor court over-bearing and stifling with intrigue and conspiracies. Although she steered clear of all of that, including the players who she knew participated, it even spilled down into the ladies in waiting and servants. One never knew who was spying on who or who could be trusted. Sometimes one person would serve multiple masters, increasing their pocketbook with gold and silver in exchange for personal and private information that served no end but to cause damage to someone. The French Court was just as political, but much more subtle and there was so much more than gossip and scheming to entertain one. Brianna learned early on to mind her own business, stay away from the politics, and avoid the jealousies and pettiness that occurred in a court that constantly curried favor from those considered powerful. This restraint, along with her own personal power and position, kept her safe, trusted, and in a position to be listened to when the need arose. This was true in the French court and was becoming equally true in the Tudor court.

Because she had not planned to stay long at court, The Duke of Suffolk and the King had both prevailed upon her to stay at least for a while. The King even offered her a household in London, and the Duke offered one of his houses as well if she would stay. She finally gave in, but only after an understanding was reached. She would have her own quarters and her own modest staff as befitted her position. She would not be a lady-in-waiting to the Queen, but instead was there as a guest of the King. When she wanted to leave the court for a day or a week, she would be allowed to go without permission and would stay in the Duke's London house. When she decided to retire from court and return to her own lands, she would ask permission to leave as everyone else did. She feared that when the time came, the King may deny her request, but it was hard to justify such a position in light of the fact that everyone else, including the Duke of Suffolk was required to ask permission.

For now, she spent the days reading and walking in the gardens with the Queen and her sister Mary. She liked them both and they shared their experiences at the French Court. Brianna found the Queen to be a very intelligent and witty woman, although her fear over not conceiving a son as quickly as she had promised the King was starting to affect her judgment and her pregnancy. The Queen initially was threatened by Brianna, her beauty and closeness to the King frightened her. Brianna ignored Anne's initial jealousy and listened to her fears and concerns and proved her compassion for the situation Anne found herself in so that it wasn't long that Anne began to trust Brianna and include her in her friendship. Mary spoke sweetly of her love for the King and their all too brief affair and their child delivered from it. Mary was clearly still in love with the King and the King obviously held a special place in his heart for her as well. She had, after all, borne him a son, even though Anne had convinced him to not recognize him. Brianna found that disconcerting, but realized that Anne could not have held his attentions for so long without consummating their relationship without some deception and scheming of her own. That didn't make it alright, but it was understandable.

Brianna also entertained herself at the feasts and the jousts. The Court of King Henry VIII was nothing if not competitive and virile. The constant wrestling, tennis, and jousting were evidence of enough testosterone to power the entire city of London if that was possible. The feasts were entertaining but soon became tiresome. She had any number of eager suitors, but none that held any interest for her, except for Charles Brandon.

His pursuit of her was carefully choreographed. She saw it for what it was, but was reluctant to put a name to any feelings he might have for her. She knew how she felt about him, how she had always felt about him, but she was never going to be just another conquest of his. And he knew it. Instead, they danced together often with his dark eyes intently watching her dark blue ones, their hands lightly touching throughout the dance as partners, and the more than occasional kiss on the palm, or the walk alone in the gardens. Charles was careful however, knowing that while no other suitor would be able to usurp him by rank or by friendship, the King was the exception.

There was already a careful and taut tension between the two friends regarding the Lady Brianna. They clearly competed for her attentions, but they had always competed for women's attentions. And Brianna, concerned about the two men's tight friendship had no desire to be the cause of anything but bringing them closer. She spent time with both of them generally, laughing, playing cards, taking their money, telling their fortunes, and even went hunting with them occasionally. The three of them were often seen walking in the gardens and it was unclear to the corrupt court if one man was pursuing the Lady and the other was simply a cover or if it was the other man doing the pursuing. A few with more kindness in their hearts saw it as three friends from childhood deepening their relationship, and to the betterment of the King and the Court. Many were threatened by both the Lady Brianna and the Duke of Suffolk and their close ties, their seemingly impenetrable ties to the King. None of the three were oblivious to any of the implications of their relationship and how it might be taken. And while they were cautious, all three of them guarded and protected each other whenever confronted by someone's jealousy or gossip.

The jousts were always traumatic for Brianna even though most, if not all, of the Court found them entertaining. The King of course, regardless of whoever might be sharing his bed at the time, always requested his Queen's favor before he jousted. He had done this with Katherine and continued it with Anne. But Brianna was pleased that the Duke of Suffolk always requested her favor at the joust. Several men were tempted, but Brandon was an imposing figure and might be the best of the tournament players so no one ever dared challenge him to win the favor of his obviously favorite woman.

The Queen gave birth to a girl named Elizabeth. She was the spitting image of her father, and while Henry was pleased to have another healthy child, he was sorely disappointed that it was not a boy. And his already cooling passion for Anne became completely cold after her childbirth. Anne became more and more desperate to become pregnant with another child, but she was no longer welcomed into Henry's bed as she once was. His disinterest drove Anne to distraction and to taking drastic measures to curry his favors at night. Henry became more and more withdrawn and philandered with several of Anne's ladies-in-waiting. Brianna felt pulled in so many directions she could hardly stand it any longer. While Anne had never been a close confidante because of Brianna's obvious relationship with Henry, Anne begged for her intervention, her help, whatever she could do to bring Henry back to her. And Henry would simply not speak of Anne to anyone, even her or Brandon. Brianna could see that Anne's downfall was imminent unless she miraculously bore the King a son, which given the little interest the King took in her seemed unlikely. Anne had too many enemies and there was too much animosity towards her for a positive outcome. And Henry, much to Brianna's dismay if not her surprise, had already seemingly moved on to other women and had no compunction about flaunting his latest mistresses to the Court.

Brianna felt that it was past time for her to take her leave of Court. She didn't want to leave the King, and she especially did not want to leave Charles, but her discomfort was becoming almost an illness and she begged the King to let her go. The King could see the signs of illness already falling on Brianna. She had lost weight and she didn't look her usual vibrant self. While he had been selfishly burying his sorrows between another's legs, his friend, one of his two best friends, had been suffering under the weight of his marriage's collapse. His guilt and Brandon's own petition on Brianna's behalf spurred him to let her leave and to return at her leisure.

Brandon took the opportunity to escort the Lady Brianna to her home in the countryside. They rode on horseback the entire way, stopping for leisurely breaks along the way to rest the horses and walk alone beside rivers or rest themselves under a grove of trees. Leaving London had been a blessing for both of them. Once out into the sprawling countryside Brianna and Charles would race each other on their horses, laughing and enjoying the clean air and sunshine. By the time they reached her sprawling country home, Charles could already see color coming back into Brianna's face and her usual vitality resurfacing. Brianna kept a very small household of servants with her at Court. She had no desire to bring attention to herself by having a full-contingent of staff for just her. And her home was much the same way. She was independent enough that she kept a small staff there as well, with both staffs joined together only when she was returning for an extended period. Charles had brought only a few men with him to escort her and they would stay a few days before he returned back to London.

During the many months Brianna had been at court, Brandon had never declared himself officially a suitor of Brianna, although everyone assumed that he was. They had not had much time alone together and almost all of their time together was spent in the company of the King. Not exactly an ideal courting situation. Brandon was pleased, and a little surprised, that the King had granted him permission to escort Brianna home. The King was clearly distracted and perhaps that was the reason, or the King was acquiescing to Brandon's attachment to Brianna. Whatever the case, Brandon was now here, at her home, without supervision except for the servants. Brianna's father had long since ceased to provide attendants for his daughter's protection or her reputation. She was a good child who had grown into a good woman and while she surrounded herself with trustworthy and dedicated servants, he felt there was no need to force any other protectors onto her. Her judgment had always proved sound and he had no reason to believe that would change under the company of Charles Brandon.

The Duke and the Lady reluctantly parted to their own quarters at her home to settle in and clean up. Both bathed and rested before dinner, washing the road dust and sweat from their bodies and dressing in more casual country attire. This was one of the things both of them enjoyed about the country. There was no need to prove to anyone their rank or status. The dresses for Brianna became much more comfortable and were usually some finer Egyptian cotton, and the clothing for Charles became comfortable soft leather pants and boots with open-necked cotton shirts with billowing sleeves. And dressed in such garments, the two met for a quiet dinner with just them. After serving the food, Brianna dismissed the servants, leaving Charles and her completely alone for the first time since they were children.

It was awkward at first, neither quite knowing what to talk about. They were intimate in so many ways, and yet in such an intimate setting they both found themselves uncomfortable. Their table talk stopped and started several times before they settled into a more easy conversation.

"Charles, how do you see an end to Henry's mess with Anne? Surely he cannot declare this marriage annulled as well?"

"I think he might try. He was lovers with her sister Mary and she bore him a child. He may try that tact again, although he wasn't successful before when he used it with Katherine. Unless she can seduce him back into her bed, she will not have a son and one way or another she will be cast away."

"I hate that it falls to the women to bear the sons, as if the man has no responsibility in it what so ever. What would be so bad about having a woman Queen to rule the land? I haven't seen the men doing such a great job at it. Wars and the bartering of the daughters for power…it's disgusting."

Charles laughed at her virulence. "I suppose we haven't done such a great job. Perhaps Mary or Elizabeth will do a better job of ruling England than the past centuries of men. If Mary gains power, she will want to convert the country back to Catholicism and the last decade will be lost."

"Charles," Brianna's voice softened into almost a whisper, the question as well as the answer could be seen as heresy, "do you consider yourself Catholic or part of the Church of England?" When his eyes darkened, she offered him an out, "You don't have to answer Charles. I was just curious. I only saw the reformation from across the channel, and wasn't in the midst of it. And of course, I've seen the heretics burnt at the stake, although it is still unclear to me what makes them heretics."

"You are more of a religious scholar than I, Bri. It is easy for you to debate the various subtexts and minute differences in theology between all the various religions. As for me, I'm a pragmatist. The King has taught me that. I listen to the two of you debate and you both still sound Catholic to me, but I understand there are slight differences to be made. You have never declared yourself on one position or another, although you still wear a crucifix on occasion. I suppose Henry would find it hard to argue with wearing one. But I am the King's man, through and through, and if he wants the country to be under the Church of England and him as the Supreme Head of the Church, then so be it. It isn't my place to argue with him."

"But you are his friend Charles, perhaps his closest friend. Isn't it your responsibility to tell him the truth when no one else will?"

"And when I think he will listen and it is important enough, I do. In this matter, he was so completely blinded by lust he could not listen to anything else. Those seven years between being bewitched by Anne to their ultimate marriage was a frightening time. I could have used your help certainly. There were so many scandals and schemes going on it was hard to tell where anyone stood. Wolsey was beheaded and then Henry went so far as to kill Thomas More, who he truly loved. It was terrible to watch the King go through the agony and the ecstasy that was Anne Boleyn. Even now he suffers for it. I am glad to be away from court, if only for a few days."

Brianna rose from the table and walked to Charles' side, pouring him some more wine. He looked up from his glass to her, his eyes intent with things not said. Brianna decided it was time to change the conversation and the setting. "Charles, why don't we take our wine and walk in the garden. It has been lit with candles and the moon is full tonight."

Charles stood immediately, almost knocking the table in his earnestness to adhere to her request. Brianna laughed slightly and took her wine glass and led him through the doors into the garden. The night blooming jasmine filled the air along with roses and the fragrances of herbs and trees. There was a slight breeze that lifted her long hair around her face and she delicately brushed it away. Charles quietly looked at her and boldly took her small hand in his large one, covering it completely. She gently smiled up at him, pleased at the contact.

"How long do you think you will be away from Court, Bri?" Charles asked softly not wanting to disturb the silence around them.

Brianna looked at him seriously, her eyes dark in the moonlight. "I don't know. Long enough to be able to stand to go back if the choice is left to me. Or until I am summoned by the King. Or until I miss you enough." She added in almost a whisper.

Charles looked at her quickly, his eyes boring into hers. "Until you miss me enough? You will miss me?"

"Charles, your attempt at humility is noted, but doesn't suit you. You know I will miss you."

"Why?"

Brianna laughed out loud as his question. "Now you are being coy, Charles. You are entirely too much of a ladies' man to not know why I will miss you. And it isn't just your good looks, although I will miss that too."

"Ah, it is my body then," Charles started to tease.

"I have never seen or been close enough to feel your body Charles, so it can only be missed in my imagination."

"And if we were to change that while I am here?"

Brianna grew quiet and thoughtful. "Charles, I have saved my maidenhead for my return to England. I have in some cases fought off Frenchmen and Spaniards who would have taken it from me. I will not give it up lightly, even to you."

Charles had stopped walking and turned to face her in the darkness lit only by moonlight and candles. "You are a virgin," he stated. "I didn't think there were any left in England, and certainly not in France."

"Well, you and Henry have done your damndest to make sure of that don't you think?" Brianna laughingly responded.

"I thought…" Charles paused.

"You thought that like Anne, I had taken the flirtation and 'womanly arts' path at the Court of France. I am beautiful, a natural flirt, intelligent and witty. I figure what I don't know or haven't read about what goes on in the bedroom, someone will gladly share with me."

"You have read about sex, Bri? That is certainly not a very lady like thing to do."

"Just as conquering every woman that crosses your path is not a very gentlemanly thing to do." Brianna replied sharply.

"I wasn't a gentleman by birth, Bri. I am a made man. I wasn't born to the aristocracy. And Henry hardly sets a good example of how royalty should behave."

"These are your excuses for your behavior, Charles?"

"I have no excuses for my behavior. I am not proud of my reputation, at least not anymore. Not since you came back into my life."

Brianna stopped her next comment thinking about he had just said. "Not since I came back into your life…have you not been with anyone else since I returned to Court?" Her voice held surprise and wonder.

"I have not. And it has been a long stretch." Charles said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"I'll bet. And when you return to Court my Lord? I'm sure your absence from the ladies has been missed." She matched his sarcasm with her own.

Charles took Brianna by the arm, hard but not hard enough to bruise. "Do not tease me Bri. I voluntarily gave up women because you are the only one I want. I took things painfully slow with us, which I have never done before, because I wanted to be careful of you and of both our relationships with Henry. It is a challenging balance, this little triangle we have created. My absence may or may not have been missed, but it will not matter. The next woman I make love to will be you, Bri."

"And the next woman you fuck?" Charles stepped back at her coarse language, surprised that such a word was even known to her, much less said by her.

When he regained his senses, he retorted, "Will be you as well, milady. And believe me, you will know the difference between being made love to and being fucked. I will show you and you will enjoy them both."

Brianna smirked at his rising temper, "Ok, then. I'll look forward to that experience, but it won't be tonight or even tomorrow night."

Charles pushed her back against a wall in the garden and pinned her there beneath his lips. He wasn't gentle, but then after their current exchange, she didn't expect gentle. He shoved his tongue into her mouth while she responded in kind. Their lips pressed hard against each other and she could feel his slight beard scraping against her fair skin. She bit his lip, not hard enough to draw blood, but enough to raise a deep throated moan from his throat. His hands wandered her body, feeling her breasts pressed against him and pulling her to him at her tiny waist. She could feel his pleasure and had to admit she was intimidated by his size. Her hands buried themselves in his hair pulling him closer into her mouth. He broke their kiss to shower her face and neck with open mouthed kisses, leaving a trail of slight marks on her perfect skin. He nipped and licked and tugged at her skin like he wanted to eat her while standing there. As he slid his hand inside her blouse she moaned against his shoulder and then reluctantly pushed him away, breathing hard and running her hands roughly through her hair in frustration. He pushed himself away from the wall, unwilling to let her go but not willing to force her either. His breath was coming in ragged gasps as if he had run a marathon or participated in a joust.

Charles put a hand on the wall on either side of Brianna's head, her hair tangled lightly in his fingers. He leaned over and smelled her hair, wanting to capture the lavender scent. His voice, deep with passion and lust whispered into her ear, "If not then, when?"

Brianna shivered at the desire in his voice. "When you are sure that you love me Charles. You must love me enough to be faithful always, pledge your fidelity to me only, for better or for worse. Then you will have me however you want me, whenever you want me as your lover, your friend, your partner, and your wife."

He leaned put his forehead on hers, their breath still coming quicker than normal and mingling between them. "I'm pretty sure I have never been in love before. How will I know?"

"You will know. I have known since we were children. I have loved you and Henry since then. I have saved my maidenhead for you, but only as your wife."

"And what of the King?" Brandon asked carefully, a challenge in his voice.

"I have no desire to be either the King's Queen or his mistress, Charles. It does leave some room for discussion though, but perhaps for another time."

"How would you know that I wouldn't have married by now? Would you have come to me as my mistress? And what do you mean leaves some room for discussion? That sounds intriguing and something I quite possibly won't like."

Brianna smiled at him, her inherent sexuality showing through her eyes and her smile. Her body pressed against him once again as she whispered her reply in a husky sex-filled voice, "I didn't. I would not have. And I think you should leave an open mind."

Charles shivered at her brevity and the obvious sexual being she was when she slid out from her usual persona. Yes, he would like very much for her to be his. He thought he might already be hers.

TBC

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