The Grand Duke plowed his anger and energy into keeping busy. He smiled and acted as he should with his mask of falsity on. Like the master chessman he is, Charles shook hands with the Devil's father and uncle. He listened to boring statesmen and gave an audience to those who required his presence. Remaining focused on eventual outcomes, he made moves out of moves where there shouldn't be any.
He hates this court, hates what it has turned into. It's chaotic, cutthroat, and much too carnal for either his concern or family. Three things he could care less about now. The court takes the shape of those at the head of it, the King and the Queen. So it's no surprise those invited to dine and sup and break bread with the two royals are also chaotic, cutthroat, and carnal.
In fact, one night after dinner, where dancing and revelry had begun, the Earl of Surrey (Henry Howard) mentioned "You seem morose tonight amid all the happy festivity. Many a lady has made eyes at you in hopes of a dance. Your wife is not here. She wouldn't have to know. Besides many married men do so." He raised an eyebrow in question as if trying to goad the Duke into the works of carnality.
Having taken a sip of ale, Charles washed it down in irritation. Why is it so hard for people to believe he only wants his wife? They've been married for two years now and have established themselves as content and satisfied— more than satisfied. "I am morose. It's because I miss my wife. It's incredible how one day someone enters your life and you cannot for the life of you remember how you ever lived without them. I have no need for any woman outside my own lady love." He took another sip of ale as the Earl bid him a good evening.
As his eyes scanned around the room he noticed just how truly debouched the court is. He just never took the time to glimpse it before, but now he does. Several married men were dancing with attractive unmarried ladies. Others could be seen huddled in dark corners with women on their laps, kissing. He knew more things were happening behind closed doors, as he had been one of those men. Those days are over as are those feelings of drowning himself in wine and women. Why would he choose that lifestyle when the best feeling in the world is loving someone who loves you just as much?
Seeing all of this self-indulging lust, made him regard his darling duchess all the more. These women here and his wife could not be more different. She was worried about wearing sleeveless dresses telling him she would not be improper and show a lot of skin. It makes him smile at her sweetness and desire to maintain superior character. It only makes him respect her more too.
The irony is not lost on the fact that these women, though they might not be sleeveless, bare more flesh in ways that his Mary would ever dream of. But this is the difference between a trollop and a woman of good character. No matter how many jewels drape around the neck, the wrist, and the hair a slag is always a slag. The real ornaments of a woman are her beautiful heart and virtue, her kindness and character. These are contributions to beauty.
He tarried a little longer at this revel and then retired to his rooms. The following day he met with the King. His assumption that His Majesty wanted to talk about the Queen was correct. The discussion began while the two broke their fast.
Just taken a bite of eggs, Charles chewed while Henry spoke. "I fear the worst has come. I've been hearing rumors of the Queen's flirtatious behavior. What do you know of this?"
If he wanted he could lie. He could tell the King anything for his hatred of The Whore runs deep. Knowing she, and her ilk, were behind the plot on his life and the continual harassment of his wife he should do so. But then he remembers telling his sweetheart not to lie to him about going to the doctor. So in a moment of truth, he told his friend what he knows.
"I have been away from court since May. I cannot speak on current hearsay. However, there are one, nay two, things that I can speak of. The first is, she has long been suspected of promiscuity with Thomas Wyatt. The other is that she, and her maids, were whoring themselves out in the French court." What he did not say was in the same manner as the ladies in your court do.
The King looked thoughtful. Charles noticed the way he held his cutlery as if plotting in anger. "I have heard those tales as well. I did not think them true, but now I'm convinced they must be. Word has been going around how she is flirting with Mark Smeaton. She is truly the worst of women. Her devil's tongue has whispered tasty morsels to me of which all have been found wanting." He put the cutlery down in a rough, harsh manner and reclined back in his chair.
With arms crossed, he continued to speak against his Queen. "Then there's her scheming with the royal family of Portugal. Constant plotting to rid my daughter, my ex-wife, and my good friend." In a moment of brevity, he added "My son-in-law" which made both men's noses turn up. It still feels strange that they are father-in-law and son-in-law.
He finished his talking by sharing this nugget. "She influenced me to execute Sir Thomas More. She pushed me to do it, as well as the killings of other pious men of God." In a fit of anger, he stood and took his goblet off the table. It went flying across the room. His face is full of wrath and hostility. "I burned down half the country for her! And what has it gotten me? More trouble than it was worth. No son, only miscarriages and another girl."
Charles took umbrage at the another girl comment. He takes exception to anyone who disparages his wife. It rubs him the wrong way. Knowing how His Majesty is in a mood he suggested "Let's go on a hunt. Just the two of us. It's not yet the Princess's born day."
With narrowed, calculating eyes Henry walked over to his desk. Using a key he unlocked it and rifled through papers until his hands stilled at one and then another. Taking them up, he advanced to the Duke's chair where he laid the papers down. His hand waved over it encouraging him to read. Charles eyed the parchment and the King. When he picked the first one up his eyes grew as big as the moon. Upon reading the second his mouth gaped open and his hand ran through his chestnut hair.
"What do you think?" His Majesty asked. He waited for his trusted friend's response.
To stunned to speak, the Duke inquired "About what?" Though sounding stupid, it bought him a few seconds more to collect his thoughts.
A huff of annoyance left Henry's mouth. "About the documents. Really Charles has married life made you a fool?"
It was then a great big humongous smirk appeared on his son-in-law's face. "If I'm a fool then I'm a fool in love." Henry rolled his eyes. Charles chuckled and decided to address the first document. It's the easier of the two. "So you had Mary legalized back into the line of succession. According to this, she takes precedent over Elizabeth, but after any future sons, you may have. That is going to anger a lot of people, most especially the Queen's family." His eyes met his friend's.
The King, ever the shrewd one, stated "I do not care who it upsets. Lady Anne's family can hang themselves for all I care. I have not told anyone about the changes to the line of succession. The only ones who know are Cromwell, me, and now you." He sat back down at the table.
This does not shock Charles in the least but considering the nature of the second document... That one is well and truly an astonishing eye-opener. Upon its revelation, it will leave people shaken and shell-shocked for decades. He has no idea how to even begin the conversation on the contents of it. "Who knows about the existence of this other document?" he questioned.
Pouring himself a large glass of wine, Henry remarked "The same people as the first. What are your thoughts on it? I can tell you are surprised."
Surprised is too small a word for it. Amazed, astounded, stupefied, flabbergasted, dumbstruck are more like it. Despite this though, he still cannot say he's one hundred percent surprised. Just when you think you might know what His Majesty may do, he does the opposite and leaves the court speechless. So Charles wanted to make sure his friend's aim is square. "I am quite stunned. Are you sure this is the road you want to travel?"
Henry set his proud jaw with an immovable expression. "Of course I am. It has to be done. It must be done. For the good of the kingdom and my family and my name."
Taking his eyes off the document, Charles ran a hand through his hair again. "Alright. And when are you going to announce it?"
The King may come off as all smiles and personality, but he's as crafty as a fox. In a move that is very fox-like, with the cunning eyes and sly smile to go with it, Henry proclaimed "The day after Elizabeth's birthday celebration of course." He sipped on his wine completely unphased.
Well, at least Charles knows he has two days' time to secure his household, mainly being his wife and children. But it occurred to him a person has to be really vicious and ruthless to pull off what His Majesty is going to enact the day after a child's born day. The funny thing is love or the lack of it, often drives people to ruthless behavior in ways pure hatred cannot. It's cloaked in unfulfilled desires.
When breakfast ended Charles promised to meet back up with Henry later in the day. His friend wants to play cards. In the meantime, the Grand Duke headed to his chambers and wrote a letter. He needs it personally delivered to both William and Jeffery. There's only one person, or rather an animal, that he trusts this with.
Upon opening the window, he whistled a few notes of a tune. Then called out "Maggie come." Only Mary's magpie would do for this. Whenever he visits the palace alone, without his duchess, Mary makes Maggie follow him. The bird swooped into the room and landed on the arm of a chair.
"Awk! Lemon called," the bird said.
Rolling his eyes at the name, Charles told the creature "I am not sour you sneaky bird."
Maggie replied "Sour Duke." With a half-smile, the sour Duke ran his finger over the magpie's soft, feathery back.
Taking the folded parchment into his hand, he spoke instructions to her. "Maggie you are to deliver this to Sir William back at home. Then I want you to tell Apple—" He whispered the last bit close to the bird's eyes, where her ears are located. In fact, he kept his eyes on hers the whole time he whispered it. The bird blinked and flew away.
With that taken care of, he could breathe a bit easier. No sooner had he sat down than Sir Anthony visited his room. The two sat and talked about Suffolk, Tony's upcoming wedding, and happier times. All afternoon the men chatted, which is rare. But both would rather talk to each other and ignore the temptations of court.
In fact, as their conversation winded down, Tony asked "What made you fall in love with Mary? What was it that did it for you? And how did you know she was it, the one?"
A curious look and a raised eyebrow appeared on Charles's face. "Are you having doubts about Dot?"
His friend shook his head. "No. I have zero doubts about Dot, but I just want to know your take."
Taking a sip of his ale, the Duke thought about how to answer. He thought about all the things that send his pulse racing leaving him a gooey puddle of love. He thought about her. "Ours is an unconventional love. She is born into royalty and I am not. I am far below her station. I married up and she married down. The same was true of my first wife, her lady aunt. The difference between them is striking though."
All of this must be said if his friend wants to know how he knows his love for Mary is true love. "I lusted for her and we fought nonstop. She resented me for being non-royal and because my home was not entertaining enough. The court life is what she craved, whereas my home is quiet. She resented me for a lot of things and as you know I was miserable. I sought to stay at court and in the arms of wine and women."
It's true he did and the expression on Tony's face knows it too. He took a small sip of the ale again and thought of how to bring Mary into this. "Clearly Mary tamed you because you have no need for court or women, and not as much wine as you did back then either," Tony acknowledged.
Charles raised his cup in salute and uttered "True." Then he admitted a lot of things. "I love calling her My Darling or My Sweetheart because she is. Mary is everything to me. She has a way of making me feel special and bringing out my best. When I first got to Ludlow she was so closed off. Her emotions were all bottled up, but she was beautiful. She is easily the most attractive woman I had laid eyes on, but it was her eyes that drew me in. That and there was a sweetness about her. It's like my heart could tell before I actually knew she was The One."
He rose and went to get a trinket box. When he sat back down, he opened it and took a precious item out. His fingers ran over it- over the stitching, and his eyes filled with pride. Once he gave it to Tony, who gave him a disturbed look, he continued talking. "That is the ugliest embroidery you will ever see, but it is priceless to me. On our carriage ride to Suffolk, after our wedding, we began the first of many conversations. She let me into her life enough that she allowed me to see that grouse in your hand. At home, we would make time to get to know each other and little by little her walls came down. I saw the real Mary and I loved her."
Tony handed him back the piece of cloth. With reverence, Charles placed it back in the box. "Who we love, who we settle for, and who we know we're meant to be with are all different things. My wife is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love. She gave me the only thing she could, her heart. And I gave her my home and my name and all of my love. She is smart, funny, playful, kind, compassionate, virtuous, trustworthy, gorgeous, and passionate. She is the ice to my fire and I'm the fire to her ice. We complement each other in many different ways, and together we complete each other too. My heart beats faster with the touch of her hand and my love grows stronger when she touches my soul."
Those words, that eloquent waxing on his wife, made Tony see his friend in a different light. He knew right then no other woman but Mary Brandon would be warming Charles's bed and tending to his needs. The two finished their drink and went to dine with the King.
In the His Majesty's private quarters a feast had been laid out. The interesting addition to their card game is Edward Seymour. It's very unusual considering the man has never been a part of their card games in the past. Charles has to wonder if Seymour even knows how to play cards. He seems too stuffy and buttoned up to do so.
Over the next several hours Charles and Tony beat His Majesty and Seymour at the game. It was not a difficult feat as the King's mind is elsewhere and the Earl of Hertford, to be blunt, sucks at cards. But the atmosphere was amiable until Edward inquired about Mary. "How fares your wife, Suffolk?"
It wasn't so much the question about her that bothers him so much as it is the way he said it. Almost as if he hopes she's miserable so he could make her unmiserable. He explained she is sick but healed from all previous injuries. He may have thrown in the words exceedingly satisfied and happier than ever.
As the game began to finish, Henry had another card up his sleeve. He shared something that even Charles did not know. "The last time Charles and I played cards together he won his wife's hand in marriage. But little does he know I knew he would win the game." His eyes stayed on his son-in-law. "For one thing this game tonight proves what a skilled player he is. For another, I chose him for the role of husband. When he got up to pour another drink, I switched a card on the top deck after peaking at his hand. He ended up with—"
"A full house," the Duke exclaimed. He cannot believe what he is hearing. The King threw the game so he would marry his daughter. Unbelievable.
As Charles sat there, again stupefied by His Majesty, Henry shocked him another time. The King's words pricked his heart in humbleness. "There is no other man good enough for my Mary. I knew it then and I know it now." He saluted his longtime friend with his glass.
The next couple of days seemed to fly by. Perhaps it was anxiety, or perhaps it was anticipation for events after Elizabeth's birthday, that set the time spinning. Either way, Henry released Charles to go home to Wales, so he would not have to be present during the jaw-dropping announcement. The King did this for "Added security. My daughter and your sons need to be surrounded with extra protection. I want you with her during this, as well as more members of my own guard."
While Charles rode faster than he ever had in his life to get to his wife, the King gave a speech. All of the court had come out to celebrate the final day of the Princess's birth. Everyone was decked out in their finery, none more so than the Queen. She sat upon her twisted throne of thorns like the evil monster she truly is- outward innocence, inward ugliness. All evil Queens are creatures of bitter desires and moral character that were never saved.
In regal fashion, King Henry stood up from the throne and commanded the attention of the room. "My Court. Lords and Ladies. It has been a joyous week of celebration and revelry among us all. We honor the birth of my daughter Elizabeth. One sees things clearly in the eyes of their children and especially their grandchildren. It is why I have decided to reinstall my daughter Mary in the line of succession."
Murmurs broke out across the room along with shocked faces. If only he saw the murderous looks from the Queen behind him. Holding up a hand he hushed the room. "Now I know some of you are wondering why that is. Why would I add my oldest daughter back in line when I already have another daughter? The truth is simple. It is this— In this room, there are liars, traitors, and thieves." Upon those words, the court grew deathly still. No one dared argue because they all fall into one of those categories, but no one knew whom he is speaking of.
The King moved from off the dais to speak more on the subject. "There is the worst sort of people in this very room. People who have conspired against the throne and against the family of the King. I ask you should this be allowed to stand?" Everyone thought not and shouted no. Whoever these people are they should be arrested. "I thought so. The crime should not go unpunished. But are there more crimes? Oh yes. Not only do we have conspiracy and treason, but there is also sorcery afoot as well as adultery and incest."
Whispering broke out again. "This is why the culprits will be arrested and given a fair trial, a just trial with a just sentence." With a wave of his hand and the spoken words of "Guards arrest them." The die has been cast.
Back home in Cardiff, Charles Brandon was embracing his wife, His Darling, His Sweetheart. The two professed endearing words of love. In London, the guards were embracing a screaming, shouting, wailing Queen. While Charles carried his wife up the stairs, to the sanctity of their bedroom, the guards were carrying the Queen to The Tower.