Time with the Dowager Queen had come to an end. The carriage returning her to The More had arrived to whisk her away. Before she left, she had a nice conversation with her son-in-law. They had sat in his study with the door closed. He let her know "I am still a supporter of yours. What has been done to you is reprehensible. What was done to Mary is the same."
Proud eyes dug into his. "Thank you, Charles. You always were a good friend to me and even more to Henry. But don't let anyone hear you say that out loud. It will not serve you well and could put you in a precarious position." She patted the space beside her on the sofa, indicating she would like him to come to sit. Once he had, though with respect and a little bit of reservation, she asked "As a mother, I have been wondering what are your feelings towards my daughter? My own eyes can deduce it of course, but I would like to hear from you."
Sitting there a little stupefied and nervous, Charles felt his palms begin to sweat. Deep inside he wants his mother-in-law's approval. "What I feel for Mary is more than I thought possible for any woman. She changes everything she touches for the better. I know because I am changed. She is everything I wanted combining with things I never knew I needed. She is beautiful, witty, intelligent, kind, and in a world full of make-believe she is everything that is real."
With tears in her eyes, Katherine leaned forward and placed a motherly kiss on his forehead. "When she was a babe I knew she was different. She hardly ever cried. When Mary was a little girl she had such life and energy. She left sunshine wherever she went. When she grew into a young woman she changed. Court life transformed her into a quieter less trusting girl. It started to break her spirits." She sniffled.
Taking her handkerchief, she dabbed at her eyes. "When the mess between Henry and I arose, and Mary was shipped off to Ludlow, I had huge doubts. Sending her away at a young, and especially at pivotal moments in a young lady's life, could damage her. I could see the writing on the wall for my time as Queen. I prayed Henry wouldn't damage our daughter any further. So as the years passed, and Mary had not been married off, I did not know what to think. Why was he waiting? There are perfectly good princes out there. But I knew he was using her as a pawn and I was incensed."
Charles knew this, he just never knew this side of things. He sat all ears listening to his mother-in-law speak. All the while trying to control his anger that kept rising. He wants to jump on his horse, ride to the palace, and pop His Majesty in the mouth.
Continuing her tale, Katherine twisted the handkerchief in her hands. "When Mary turned eighteen, I knew he wouldn't wed her to a prince. He had waited too long for that. So I prayed as fervently as I could for a good and just man, someone who might come to love her more than even I do. Someone who wouldn't break her, but build her up and support her. When I was told it was you, I was shocked."
She paused and patted his arm before she carried on. "You have to realize that I had known you previously. I knew you had an appetite for women, outside of the marriage bed even. And then there was the fact you were wed to the King's sister. But then Eustace brought word to me about the— how did he put it— the adoration of two deer in heat." They both laughed.
Her face seems much younger with laughter. Like the old Queen of Hearts, she was known as during happier times in England. "I kept hearing how you had changed and how my daughter appears cheerful and content. I knew the right choice had been made. Now I've seen it with my own eyes and heard it from your lips. Plus the evidence of your love is those two precious little boys. You love her and I know she loves you. You may not have been my first choice for her husband, but you are by far the best choice. I am well pleased."
Rising he bowed to her, humbled by her words. He felt her place a kiss on the top of his head in blessing. He rose with tears. With a shaky voice, he told her nothing but the truth. "Mary overcame everything that was meant to break her. No one can surpass her in my heart. I love her more than she will ever know."
Wiping more tears, from her own eyes, the Dowager Queen stated "That's good. She needs your strength and love in her life. Love looks good on her and on you. I can return to The More a satisfied woman, knowing my daughter is taken care of and is in capable hands."
The cries of her grandsons snapped her out of her thoughts. Mary and Charles brought them out to see her off. It's clear they had been abruptly awakened. She held her arms out to the fussy babes. William went for her straightaway while Owen clung to his mother's neck. She began humming a Spanish lullaby. It seemed to calm the little one in her arms and, even though she was not holding him, Owen became less fussy as well.
After the lullaby, she kissed sweet William's head and handed him to his father. He also took Owen from his wife. Mary and her mother embraced. Katherine kissed both her daughter's cheeks. "Remember what I said about love. And don't linger too long in telling Charles about what was written in the letter. I love you too and don't forget that." They embraced once more and the Dowager Queen stepped into the carriage. It pulled away and then she was gone. It was as if she had never been here, except she had.
Lady Dot and Lady Enid came out to take the twins from their father. The Duke took his wife into his arms and began trying to soothe her sadness. She whispered "Take me away and dry my eyes. I don't care where as long as it's with you." With his strength, he lifted her and carried her away into the sanctum of their bedroom. Where they lay cuddled into one another, he stroked her hair and she played with his fingers.
So it went, they fell back into a peaceful rhythm of life: working, playing, and loving. Before they could blink, it seemed the time had come to make the trip to London. Mary oversaw all the packings of the trunks and the gathering of items for the twins. Once her husband and children were squared away, it was time to organize her own things.
This proved to be problematic. She could not decide what dresses to bring this time around. Charles could care less what she wears. His point is "You look good in everything that graces your body. But it doesn't really matter because at some point the dress will be off and you'll be coupled with me." Which is true. That always seems to happen.
Even Dot was no use. Her head is in the clouds. All she can think about is "Tony is so blah, blah, blah". That's all Mary hears. She hears the name Tony and suddenly her brain shuts off. In light of the trip to London, he is all her friend wants to talk about. Meanwhile, Mary wants to say, "Dot have you forgotten about the letter? Have you forgotten that we have to present the twins to my father? Plus they are boys. And His Majesty is in want of a boy? Have you forgotten that my Evil Stepmonster hates me and is pregnant again herself? Have you forgotten there are snakes all around us?"
She wants to say these things but she doesn't. Instead, she smiles sweetly while listening to her friend drone on and on about Anthony Knivert. Nevertheless, there are dresses to pack and her mind is nowhere near made up. So she called for her husband again. When he entered he sat in an armchair and gave her an already bored expression.
The Duchess began pacing back and forth in front of his chair, with her hands mimicking her expressions. "Now stop. I really need your opinion. I can't make my mind up on what dresses to take. Dot is no help. She keeps talking about unimportant things. So you're all I've got here," she told him.
Raising his manly eyebrows, he let her know "You owe me for this. I could have been answering correspondence."
Waving him off with her hand, she put her sassy face on. "Yes, I know. I owe you many things. Just add this to the list. Besides you hate answering correspondence more than you dislike holding Owen when he's gassy." Then she went to her wardrobe and began bringing out dresses. She held up a green pleated dress and a blue one. "Which do you like more?"
He ran a hand through his hair. "The blue one." Scrunching her nose up she asked why. "Because it's pretty. I don't know. It caught my eye."
Tossing the blue one aside, she stated "It's old and it's missing a few beads. So the green one is going." Then she put on the bed two dresses that are similar but different, both in elaborate garden prints. Also added to the pile is this silky chiffon number that is a dip-dyed yellow to pale pink. Charles gave it a thumbs up, as well as a burnt orange and lilac tulle number.
It took well over an hour but her trunks are finally packed with dresses of all sorts of colors, patterns, and fabrics. At the end of it, Charles asked "Why did you need me here again? Once you got started you did fine without me."
In a smooth move, she installed herself on his lap. Twining her slender arms about his neck, she spoke in a velvety way. "Because if you weren't here, then I wouldn't be able to do this." He smiled as she captured his lips, and even more when she began kissing a certain spot on his neck. His hands began to wander. Just as they were about to get carried away, a knock on the bedroom door sounded.
With a groan of displeasure, Charles rested his forehead on Mary's. She ran her hands through his hair, to smooth it down. "This had better be good," he pouted. One of their servants delivered him a message from Jeffery. Upon reading it, he sighed and tightened his grip on her. Looking into her deep blue eyes, he asserted "We are going to finish this later." And she knew he meant it because he wore his serious face.
They both went through the remainder of their day anticipating the night and the morning. This particular night is the right time for a fun, sexy escapade. But the morning is when they depart for the palace. When the couple awoke, there was a delicious glow about them. Along with their glow of love is an uneasy sort of tension, knowing they must travel into the belly of the beast.
Once they got up and bathed, they dressed, ate breakfast, then prepared to leave their home in Cardiff. As soon as Mary had fed and changed the boys, the Grand Duke and Duchess loaded up into the carriages with their retinue. William was quiet for most of the trip, content to be held by his father. Owen was quiet until he turned fussy for the last leg of the trip.
Mary rocked him in a gentle motion and sang lullabies to him. Having noticed a lot of drool lately, she had asked Mrs. Nevitt about this. The nurse had told her he was most likely cutting a tooth and that he would be cranky more often. She wondered at this because "He's only four months old Mrs. Nevitt." Again the nurse told her a lot of babies cut teeth that young.
So while she sang and rocked him, she dipped her finger in honey and rubbed his gums. The honey makes it sweet, and Owen loves sweets (almost as much as his mother), but the gum rubbing is what soothes him. Usually, the babe will calm down, as he did today. The minute the irritable boy drifted off to sleep, Her Highness beamed a smile because "I didn't even have to read from the book of poetry."
"Thank the Lord for small mercies. Right William?" Charles asked. For his part, William responded with a "Ba, ba, ba".
Choosing to ignore that statement, Mary's heart picked up speed the nearer they came to London. They were on the outskirts now. Considering the carriage and their party had to go the long way, instead of a straight shot through Gloucester, the Grand Duke and Duchess have made good time.
As always a cold chill ran down her back. Charles must have noticed for he placed a kiss on her temple and nuzzled her cheek. Even the twins began to stir and get restless. It's almost like they knew the palace is a dreadful place to be.
Arriving at the court, so as to not draw a lot of attention Mary cloaked herself in an ornate black and white cape. She hid Owen underneath. Charles likewise didn't want to draw attention to the fact they have sons, at least yet. So he put a swaddling cloth over William, which is not uncommon. He's seen a lot of parents do the same with their babies so they don't catch a cold.
Walking through the palace, the Duke and Duchess incurred a lot of curious looks. No doubt interested in what His Highness is hiding under the lamb printed cloth. Upon reaching their apartments, they brought out their boys and kissed their faces. The twins did not care to be hidden, both were squirmy and ready to see the world again.
Now all that remains is the presentation of the babies and dinner that evening. While Mary tended to the twins, Charles wrote a missive to His Majesty letting him know they had arrived. The page boy carried it off. He poured a glass of wine and sipped slowly. Once the babes were fed and resting for an afternoon nap, barricaded by pillows, Mary joined her husband by sitting in his lap. She rested her head on his shoulder.
The page boy returned with a response, which he handed to His Highness. The Duke opened the folded piece of paper and read. "Does he want to see you?" she asked.
Laying the parchment on the side table, Charles told her "No. Not until tonight at the feast." They stayed cuddled as they are, by the fire, with Mary reading from a new book of romantic poetry. Ironically it had been a Christmas gift from her husband. As much as he puts up a fuss over it, he enjoys her readings of poetry to him.
In the late afternoon, the Duke and Duchess started getting ready for dinner. They shared a bath, where they got a little carried away. However, being young and in love tends to do that. Then Her Highness told Bruce, Charles's manservant, to "Dress him in the black velvet doublet with the regal livery collar in gold."
It will match her sheer, floral, black gown with the strapless black, satin slip underneath. She kept her own jewelry simple, as the boys like to tug on things. Around her waist, though, is a black leather belt with crystals melted into it. Joan put her hair up and a diamond headband sat in it.
Both Dot and Joan helped her wrangle the twins into their own outfits. Opting to dress them the same, the boys wore blue babygrows. The outfits have pearlized buttons that fasten the bottoms to the top. A delicate white chest panel is embroidered with a blue thread of toys. The babygrows have long sleeves and the twin's feet are covered. All in all, safe formal baby attire.
The Grand Duke entered the room, kissed his wife's cheek, and remarked "You look stunning." She inspected him and returned the kiss. He can tell she's nervous because she's fiddling with her belt. Taking her hand, he massaged it. "Everything will be fine. I'm right beside you." When she nodded, they each took a baby. This time Mary carried William and Charles held Owen.
William being shyer, yet still curious, laid his head on his mother's shoulder. His eyes kept taking everything in. Owen, however, began babbling and looking everywhere around the bedroom. With the twins secure in their arms, the Duke and Duchess left their rooms. Dot and the guards fell in behind them.
Upon reaching the dinner hall, the couple was announced into the room. "His and Her Royal Highness's the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Suffolk and Wales." A hush fell over the room, although it did not last long, as gasps ensued at the sight of the Brandon's carrying twins. Proudly the couple strode right up the dais of the throne, where they bowed and curtsied respectively.
The silkiness of the Duke's voice rang out loud and clear. "Your Majesty's may I present to you our children." Mary came to stand closer to him. She held out the babe she carried. "William Charles Brandon and Owen Henry Brandon." He did the same with Owen, as they both awaited the King's response. Neither cared about the Queen's reaction. Though she did display disgust, but that could be just her normal face. For she always looks like she's smelled something foul.
The King gave no reaction at first, but then he stepped down from the dais. With a slow gait, he came to stand in front of the striking family. His eyes beheld the two babes, switching back and forth between them. Everyone awaited his response. Finally, he drawled out, "Two boys?"
"Yes, Sire," Charles acknowledged. He has no idea if this is good or bad. Usually, he can tell right away by Henry's eyes and reactions, but this time the King is steeled shut.
Turning his attention to the Duke, His Majesty wondered out loud "You are father to two sons, from my daughter." His Highness nodded and fixed the King with a look of challenge that said you cast Mary aside too soon. Feeling overwhelmed, Henry restated differently "I have two grandsons." Again Charles nodded.
The Queen spoke loud and strong leaving no question as to how she felt. "Two boys from a bastard daughter, which makes them your bastard grandchildren. I, on the other hand, am with child again. We will have a son ourselves." She stroked a hand over her swollen belly.
Tightening his grip on Owen, Charles tried to remain calm. If he could run this woman through with a sword he would. He's tired of hearing her demean his wife in front of the whole court. His free hand rested on his wife's hip for reassurance.
As has become a habit, the King put the Queen in her place. Looking at her with harsh eyes, he addressed not only his wife but also the court. "I'm tired of hearing that vulgar word thrown around when it comes to the Grand Duchess. Madam, you have given me nothing but a girl. There's no way of knowing the babe you carry won't be a girl either. Restrain yourself from affairs that don't concern you." And with those words he let it be known the Grand Duke's family are off-limits to her.
His hands reached out to the less fussy babe his daughter is carrying. "I would like to hold him if I may," he specified. With trepidation and shaky hands, Mary passed her child over. The King took William with ease and held him in front of his eyes. Both grandfather and grandson entered a staring contest with each other, the same familial blood running through both their veins.
Figuring this man could be trusted, William smiled at him. Henry smiled back, placed a kiss on his grandson's head, and brought the boy to rest on his shoulder. From which William relaxed his head and stared wide-eyed at other sights in the room. Then he reached out for the other babe, which Charles handed him. The King did the same with Owen by placing a kiss of favor on his head.
Then he announced to the court "Today I have in my arms, my grandsons. Let it be known I am greatly pleased. And anyone wishing to do them harm has to come through me." He held the two boys and began introducing them around the court, not caring about the feelings of his wife or her family.
It was then both Charles and Mary began to conjecture as to the state of the King and Queen's marriage. But one thing is still the same, the hatred shooting out of Her Majesty's eyes. The venom is not only directed at her husband but also at the twins. Normal people have no idea how truly dark the darkness really is.