Charles departed Westhrope Hall on a cold, humid day. A typical English storm is on the way. The castle at Hampton Court loomed large like a shadowy figure under the cover of darkness. It seems a lifetime ago, but he remembers how the castle was a haven, a refuge from reality, from the gloom of life that lost its shimmer. Protecting vice and virtue all the same.
In those days life in the castle became hard to tell the difference between virtue and vice. So easily mislead by greed and lust. To not give in, and retain true virtue, one needs to be like the castle itself, having walls of stone around the heart. Not giving in to the temptations it let enter.
And it was fun. It was glorious. There was life there in the castle. It was alive with music, dancing, riches, feasting, tournaments, and women— lots of women. In truth that was not so long ago, but as recent as the year before. Now he's changed, as has the castle itself. It's older and more decrepit.
Grand on the outside, but empty within— dank, and dark, and dingy. It's full of avarice and selfishness. The selfishness of power, fortune, life, gluttony of all kinds, as well as lusts. There's no virtue to be found and what little there is of it left with Queen Katherine. Now it's just walls, no longer the lively place to be—- the center of the world, his world. It has a way of bringing out the worst in people, the castle does, just like its owner.
The king's mind is obsessed. And when the king is obsessed with something it's best to stay away or stay out of the way. Obsession is a dangerous weakness. It makes you keep coming back and coming back and coming back expecting a different result, but in the end, you keep getting the same thing similar to insanity. It's a negative passion, the complete opposite of the passion he feels for his sweetheart. Love is about others, but obsession is about yourself.
Charles's own mind started changing and seeing the castle differently well before he married his new wife. It began when he married Henry's sister. He really started seeing his friend in a different light when he was banished from court. Banished from all his vices, left alone with only his wife Margaret. And the thing about that is, even though he was with her he was still alone. She made him feel isolated by her harsh remarks such as "If it weren't for you I'd still be the Queen of Portugal". That only played into his own insecurities of inferiority.
Drunk, foolish lust mixed with anger is not love. He knows love now and that wasn't it. His mind changed further when he saw the treatment of The Queen. The irony of that is he wasn't at all thinking about the princess— Mary. She wasn't on his mind. He hadn't thought about her in years, until he was tasked to wed her.
Now she's all he thinks about. She is his greatest care and priority. The truth of his wife is she was banished too. His sweet, gentle, lovable girl was made to be alone. And she wasn't just alone, she was lonely and silently suffering. Forgetting that Henry is his best friend, how can any father banish their child? A child who hasn't done anything but love you? He will never do that with any of their own children.
She was asleep inside, a waking sleep. A sleeping beauty. She has this fear of being forgotten because everyone leaves her. That's hard for him to take in and yet he understands because he too has felt the sting of banishment and loneliness. Even though she's never voiced this out loud, it's easy to discern. Which he's gifted in the skill of discernment. He's just never cared to use it before because vices took priority over the virtues of responsibility and reason. But his wife's biggest fear is not loneliness. No. It's feeling like no one cares.
When the carriage stopped and he descended immediately a chill passed over him. Fitting because this place is colder to him now. He'd rather be at home where it's warm and alive thanks to his sweetheart. He looked up at the castle.
And the castle, that shadowy figure cloaked in darkness, seemed to look at him. It holds his friend, her father captive inside along with all those power-hungry predators. Knowing what he does about the king's "great matter", makes his armor go up. Battles are won in the darkness and he needs to be prepared. Today is not a day to hide away. Today is the day to do battle for his wife where she cannot. He has to be her advocate, her voice where she has none.
He walked inside holding his council folder. His steps led the way to his apartments, where his trunk was brought. He sorely needs his wife and a drink. Since he can't have one, he poured the other. A fire had been lit for him and he sat in one of the chairs by it, quieting his mind and staring at his wedding ring.
His ring is his promise. A promise of love and faithfulness. He made that vow on his wedding day. It's funny how things that are easy aren't full of much promise. But promises made for hard things, like faithfulness, devotion, and truth require real courage. He needs that courage today, especially the courage to hold his tongue from all the things he wants to say but shouldn't.
Downing the last of his liquid courage, he set the glass down and picked up the folder again. He began heading in the direction of the parliament chambers. On the way, he passed many ladies of the court. Some waved, nodded, played coquettishly, but none of that impressed him. Where once it would have, now it doesn't. He only has eyes for his wife. He's tired of whoring himself out to women. It's time to put that lifestyle behind him.
After saying hellos and shaking hands to different members of the council, he took his seat and waited for the king. He was busy shuffling papers when the herald announced "All rise for His Majesty King Henry VIII". He, along with all the members of parliament, stood in respect. Henry hastened into the room, looking smug and superior, and took his place at the head.
Since the king had not yet spoken, Charles couldn't help but note how different he and his daughter are. When Henry enters a room his ego goes ahead of him and fills it up. When Mary enters it's with a quietness of spirit. If you weren't looking, you would hardly know she's there. He chalks that up to more life lessons from Ludlow. Which could be the title of her biography, Life Lessons From Ludlow: a tale of survival.
Her father would have it banished of course. It would cast him in an unflattering light. Which, come to think of it, the lighting is really unflattering on him today. The grew skies mingled with the torches make His Highness look old and pasty.
While he had zoned out, the king called for an account of the different regions of the kingdom. Without delay, the heads of the regions began standing and reading from their folders. They shared with His Majesty the wealth or lack thereof his estate. Pretty much every province either declined in finance or stayed the same, all but one.
When it got to the Duke of Suffolk he stood in his usual swaggering manner. His face gave nothing away, but inside he was as proud as one of King Francis's stupid peacocks. The king addressed him. "Duke of Suffolk what have you to account for?" Not expecting anything different from his friend, he began to flip the page in his record book.
Charles kept his eyes on the parchment lying on top of his folder, until the last second possible. Then they bore into Henry's with a gloat. "We had a surplus increase over fifty times at the end of the year Sire." He smirked for good measure.
The king dropped his quill, crossed his arms, and said "Explain."
With His Majesty's eyes and ears on him, as well as the rest of parliament, the Duke of Suffolk stood tall. "For the months of November and December, the Duchy of Suffolk took in fifteen thousand pounds alone." A murmur broke out among the men.
"Impossible," shouted his hated enemy the Duke of Norfolk. The hated Howard glared at Charles.
Still standing tall, with a cutting look, Charles told the man "Improbable but not impossible."
King Henry, amused, asked his friend "How did you get the people to give you that much money? Was it bribery?"
How does Charles explain this without earning repercussions for his wife? "Well, Majesty, when the people are happy they work harder. When the people are tended to, they work even harder still. But when the people are respected, they love you. My wife has shown me that." He noted that at the mention of the words "my wife" the king's face changed. Good or bad he knows not, yet.
Henry stood up and placed his hands on the table in a slight lean. "What does your wife have to do with this?"
Returning his gaze to his folder, the Duke of Suffolk spoke up. With admiration in his voice, he uttered "Everything." Then he looked up again, his eyes searched the faces of parliament and the king. He continued talking. "She fosters goodwill and charity among the people of the Duchy. She listens to them, acknowledges them, and they in turn work hard for us. Their work has not gone unnoticed by people in the surrounding areas either, who have come over to buy and trade from us. In fact, we have also had orders from other countries, like France. So with goodwill, charity, and attention, the Duchy of Suffolk is in the surplus."
He said his piece and sat down, folding the parchment with his fiscal account on it. He passed it to the king, who took it, looked at it, and beamed. With a nod of approval to his friend, His Majesty put the paper inside his own folder.
Then matters in parliament turned sour, at least in Charles's mind. With his jaw clenched, his mood became as black as Anne Boleyn's heart. The king announced the news of the upcoming coronation of The Whore.
Standing once more, King Henry declared "Members of parliament, I announce to you the coronation of the Marquess of Pembroke, my wife, at the beginning of February. It will be followed by days of feasting and tournaments to celebrate the joyous occasion."
The Duke of Somerset shouted out "Your wife? When did this happen and where does that leave Katherine and your daughter?"
Charles trained his eyes on the king and gripped the arm of his chair tightly. He cannot afford to say or do, the wrong thing.
Taking pains to avoid the Duke of Suffolk's eyes, Henry looked elsewhere. "The Marquess and I had a small secret ceremony, almost two weeks ago. As for The Dowager Princess of Wales, she has been moved to The Manor of the More while we were in France. The divorce took effect then too. My daughter, Mary, is illegitimate. The only real, legitimate, children I have will be those from the Marquess of Pembroke, my soon-to-be queen."
Henry began walking around the room. The robe he wore swished as he did so. He then informed them all "There are papers being prepared that will vest the order of succession, placing any future children I have with my new wife at the head. It is not a whim. It is real. The papers are almost ready. When they are the Act of Succession will come before you."
With those words, his wife's fate had been sealed. Her heart will be broken yet again, not by the king, but by her father. Despite the murmur going around the room, parliament then discussed the upcoming coronation. But Charles could not keep his mind there. His mind is where his heart is and she is at home in Suffolk.
As soon as the meeting adjourned, the Duke of Suffolk lingered. His purpose was to speak with the king. While his friend made his rounds among the parliament members, Charles made small talk with the Earl of Berkshire. As soon as Henry finished chatting with the Duke of Norfolk, Charles had his chance. His Majesty actually shared a look with him, which meant to follow.
The king led his friend to his sitting room. It was there he took off his robe and poured a large cup of ale. "I am certain you have questions, but first I want to know what my daughter is doing in your Duchy, that makes it so wealthy now?"
Taking in a deep breath, Charles said a silent prayer for courage. He let it out slowly, then addressed his friend. "Sire, your daughter has grown up splendidly and is an intelligent lady full of grace and kindness. She honors me with her wisdom and support by fostering the admiration of our Duchy residents. Her thoughtfulness and consideration of them have led them to be more productive." He smiled to himself at the thought of his wife.
Henry can see his closet friend has changed. He, himself, seems more grown-up, more mature, more settled. Never has he seen Charles look like that when talking about a woman, and the woman he talks of is not just any woman. She's his daughter. Which only means one thing. "You love her. You love my daughter." He took a sip of ale, actually, he took several sips to clear his mind.
Then he spoke again with a hard voice. "I did not give her to you for love. I gave her to you for keeping her in line. If I had known you were going to fall in love I would have given her to someone else entirely." His face set in annoyance.
Trying to remain calm, and not let his temper show, he looked at his wedding ring. The reminder of his promise gave him strength. "Sire I would like to address you as my friend and not as the king." He saw Henry nod. "If you did not expect love then you shouldn't have given her to me. I love your daughter. It's true. I did not go into the marriage looking for love, but I found it with her. And it's true and it's strong. It makes me care for her in ways I have never cared for another. It's because of that love that makes me say this."
He paused and measured his words carefully. "Let it be known that I respect the king. I am loyal to the king. But as my wife's father, whom I am addressing—- her father, not the king—- I am hurting for her. This Act of Succession will only serve to shatter her wounded heart even further. Her heart broke the day she was sent to Ludlow. I just want you to know all of this. If I didn't tell you I wouldn't be doing my part as her husband."
But Henry wasn't thinking about his only daughter, he was busy thinking about his obsession. "And what about me? Huh? What about my future? I have to secure my line with an heir!" He slammed his hand down on the table. "I cannot do that with a girl! Mary may be illegitimate now, but she will have her title Lady Mary, Her Grace, and the Duchess of Suffolk. Which is another reason I married her to you. She is safe with you and I cannot think about her right now."
He paused mid-rant and gazed at his friend deep in thought. "And how you know what love is? You married my own sister calling it love. You are to leave the court and not come back until four days time of the coronation."
Charles grew very angry, with his hands balled into fists at his side. The king's words I cannot think about her right now made him, for the first time in his life, really dislike his friend. "You might not be able to think about Mary, but she is ALL I think about. I think about her safety, her feelings, her well-being, and her happiness. And now I have to go home and tell my wife that she's a bastard. That you have really done it. Not only do I get to tell her she's a bastard, but I also get to tell her she is at the bottom in line for the crown to unborn children. Her existence may not matter to you, my friend, but it does to me." He chose not to address the part about his sister. That's a conversation for another day.
With that, he turned on his heel to gather his things and exit the room. All the while his heart hurt, along with his head. He glared at his stupid parliament folder as he picked it up. Before he could exit entirely, Henry shouted to him "Have Mary come to the coronation. It will be good for her to be seen."
A hard look came over the duke's face as he left the parliament chamber. If anyone were to talk to him now, especially his enemies, he might get thrown in The Tower for murder. A few of the Lords nodded to him and some looked like they wanted to talk. But they didn't. Surely his face warned them off. When he made it back to his apartments, he called for the carriage. There's no need to pack the trunk since he'd return shortly. And honestly, he could care less. He wants to return home and see his wife.
Without so much as a goodbye to anyone, Charles Brandon left the palace. The whole ride home felt like the longest ride ever. It's good though because it gave him time to think through what he would tell his wife. Most especially the part about "Oh and to top it off your father wants to use you as a prop at the coronation." He has no idea how to start this conversation, but what he does know is it will shatter his wife's heart. His eyes gazed out the window deep in thought.
While Charles had been busy in matters of the kingdom, Mary was busy planning out the craft fair. She gathered Lady Agnes, Dot, and Joan to help with the planning. Those three ladies are good for offering different perspectives from stations in life. "I realize the craft fair is almost two months away. However, if I don't get ahead of it, then it will get ahead of me. So first we need a name. Any ideas?"
Possible names were thrown out like Cute Crafts Festival, Smart Arts and Crafts Fair, or Happy Craft Fair. Not liking any of them, Mary went with her first thought of Suffolk's Simply Clever Craft Festival. After the name was decided, then the ideas for the festival itself began.
"I think it should be a family affair," Dot stated. She can see the merit of having families be involved. The main reason being "Who would watch their children while they are here?"
In her rush to share her idea, Mary had not even thought about the children. "Oh! You're right Dot. So what do we do with the children who show up? Any ideas for that?"
Joan thought about this. She knows several women who would love to come. But if they couldn't bring their children then they would have to stay at home. And that would be a shame considering they are quite talented in their crafts. "Well My Lady, I think games, food, and demonstrations would help."
The quill danced across the parchment. "Joan that's a wonderful idea. Now we need to make a list of games, foods, music, and what demonstrations would be appropriate for both children and adults." Mary became enthusiastic about planning and dreaming up ideas. They decided to take it one category at a time, starting with games.
There was a lively debate over which games to have. They ended up with archery, arm wrestling, an area set up for table games (alquerques, hazard, backgammon, knucklebone), horseshoes, skittles, a miniature version of colf, hammer throwing, an area set up for card games, hide-and-seek, tag, and somehow they were going to create a human version of chess.
They decided to curtail the talk of food and demonstrations for the next day. From there Mary approved the menu for the next week— which also included narrowing down items for Cook to bake, visited the wine cellar to check the stores, and made a list of what needs to be purchased in town.
During the late afternoon, while she was making the purchase list, Cranston alerted her to the carriage. He told her His Grace had been spotted. This is odd because she had assumed Charles would stay overnight at the castle or stay for a week even. Regardless, she is happy to have him home.
So much so that she put her fur cape on, over her teal floral dress with the magenta ribbon detailing, and stood outside to meet him. Her heart couldn't help it but she may have weakened just a little at the sight of him. Dot was right, Charles is the most handsome man in the kingdom.
When he saw his wife standing there, waiting for him, he wanted to stop the carriage and run to her. The strong impulse to pick her up and carry her away into their chambers ran strong in him. He still might do that, after the horrible conversation they have to have. A sigh escaped his mouth at the thought of it.
The minute the carriage stopped, he didn't even wait for Cranston and the footman to help him out. He did so himself and took his wife's arm. Inside he began taking off his fur, his jewelry, his gloves, and his doublet. He gave those to the manor's Master of the Wardrobe.
Then he turned his attention solely onto his wife. Taking her arm again, he led her into the study. He sat first on the small couch and pulled her into his lap. She threw her slender arms around his neck and they kissed. A series of several pecks followed by a longer one. It was sweet and affectionate.
"I did not expect you home so soon. Did everything go well?" Mary asked. She can't help but wonder. She kissed his cheek.
Sliding one hand over her back, in soft motions, and the other on her arm, in the same manner, he inhaled her scent. It's calming and he needs that right now. Starting with the good news first, Charles told her "The king was impressed by the number of funds Suffolk has on hand. He, like other parliament members, couldn't believe our Duchy took in so much."
Mary is not surprised. None of those pompous windbags can see past their noses, especially where her husband is concerned. They most likely still think he's irresponsible and immature. "I'm glad he was impressed and I'm glad he was proud of you," she commented. Her lips kissed his cheek again.
"Truth be told I gave you credit. I let His Majesty know you had a hand in it." He saw her face tighten up. It will only get more so when he tells the other part.
Shaking her head, Mary stated, "You didn't have to do that."
He kissed her temple. "I didn't but I wanted to." To gather his courage, he rested his forehead on the side of her head.
Judging by his face, his grip, and his actions, she knew something had happened. Not wanting to rush him, she sat there holding him. Her hand stroked his arms and played with the hair at the nape of his neck.
Pulling his head back, he began the chat. "You know I love you, right? I need you to know that more than anything. I love you."
She leaned in and gave him another peck on the lips. "I know you do. I love you too." Her hand brushed over his cheek.
His eyes beheld her appearance, unrelaxed and apprehensive. "I wish I had an easier way to say this, but I don't. Today your father formally announced he has divorced your mother and married The Whore in a private ceremony. He let it be known your mother is now the Dowager Princess of Wales and that you—-"
"Are nothing," she finished in a hushed, small voice. She stared at her hands.
Shaking his head, Charles disagreed. He wants to tell her what she is to him, but he needs to continue telling her the other two parts. "In the coming months, there will be a law put before parliament. The Act of Succession will put any future children with The Whore in front of you as heir to the throne. She will be crowned queen and he expects your attendance."
Taking in his wife's troubled countenance and feeling her tremble, only furthered his anger at the king. "Mary, you are—-"
"Nothing. I'm nothing to him. I'm nothing but a nuisance to my father. He hates me." She escaped the hold of her husband and got up. "Some days, when I was at Ludlow, I wished I had never been born. Because then he wouldn't have to deal with me at all and I wouldn't be left wondering what's wrong with me. I am fluent in many languages, but silence is the one I speak the most. I don't think I was born for happiness, because every bit I get he takes away." Then the weight of everything collapsed around her and she fell to her knees in anguish.
And that broke Charles. It literally broke him. With immediate need, he rushed to his love, picked her up, and carried her up the stairs to their suite. Upon laying her on the bed, she asked him "Can you leave me alone for a little while? Please?"
He didn't want to, at all, so he told her "No. You've been alone too much in your life as it is. You're not alone anymore. You have me and I want to help you. You, My Darling, are not a burden. You have a burden too heavy for you to carry. But I'm strong enough to take it and bear its weight. So please let me share this with you." He all but begged her to let him inside that secret place of the heart.
So utterly tired of carrying around this heaviness, she choked out a sob. Her shaking hand reached for his. And he did the one thing she's always wanted during these times of heartbreaking sadness, he hugged her. He pulled her close and loved her hurt away.
When she became calm and the sobs stopped, he kissed her forehead. Then he told her "Your father may think your illegitimate but to me, you're My Darling, my sweetheart, my love. You may not have the title of princess anymore, but you are the Duchess of Suffolk— Her Grace, Mary Brandon. You are the queen of my home and my heart."
By now he had tears too. "And I am thankful you came into my life. I never let love get so close to me before. Then you came to me with your shy smiles and your love and beauty. You knocked me to the ground, but you also caught me before I hit it. When I look at you, yes I see your beauty. Yes, I see your beautiful soul. But I see everything I've ever wanted right in front of me."
He kissed her hands. "I'm glad your father hid you away in that lonely fortress. If he hadn't then some other man would have you instead of me. The truth is you are my home. And you are MY pearl, my greatest treasure."
And that's when she knew he was her home too— his arms, his love, him. Her soft, pitiful voice affirmed, "You will always be enough for me." He dove into the depths of her eyes and put to the sword her fear of being alone. When it came to him, she is vulnerable. Because he continuously rams through her fortifications, kissing her soul and caressing her heart.
She let go of her burden and shared herself with him. He took it and ran with it. Hard truths have a way of making you realize things you were blind to before. She realized that maybe she has to un-learn everything that was taught to her before, in order to become who she was meant to be in the first place. To embrace the life she has now. Not the life she wants or the life she thought she wanted, but life right now.
And for that, she can thank her father. Without the hurt he brought to her she would never have fallen in love with Charles. Her heart would forever be missing him and that would truly be the saddest situation ever. As he loved her in the quiet and the dark of their room, with his fierce kisses, she rested in it.