When the Duke and Duchess went to bed Wednesday night, he told Mary about her sister's treatment. "When I arrived at Hatfield, the little girl could be heard crying. At first look, Hatfield had been looted. I was profoundly worried for Elizabeth. Everything important had been taken and I'm guessing in order to finance Lady Anne's imprisonment and ultimate execution. Elizabeth's maids had been dismissed as well. But the thing that bothered me the most, besides the looting, was Lady Bryan."
Mary remembers the woman. She had briefly been part of her own household. The woman wore a dour-looking face and has a stern voice. The Duchess could only wonder as to what her husband has to say about her. It surely can't be anything good. Which it was not.
"When I entered the house and heard Elizabeth crying, I went to find her. In a room, in a crib, Elizabeth wailed while Lady Bryan stared down. The woman was threatening to hit her if she didn't obey. It was then I burst into the room and picked the girl up. I told Lady Bryan I was taking her permanently and showed the letter from the King." He explained all of this to his wife while feeling the ire against the old woman rise in him again.
With an unladylike snort, the Duchess told him "I bet she just hated that, didn't she? Did Elizabeth take to you holding her well?"
He smiled at the memory of his half-sister-in-law in his arms. She's a tiny thing and holding her served to make the feeling of wanting his own little girl that much stronger. "Elizabeth was fine with my holding of her. In fact, she quieted almost instantly. As for her governess, the lady was chuffed at the King's letter. Before I left with Bess, I gave the woman a real dressing down. I told her that if I hear of her having threatened, or having hit, the child before this I will be sure to bring it to the King himself. I can imagine she wasn't too happy about that."
Mary became incensed at hearing this. "She threatened a crying child? Evil old woman!" Her hand reached for a book on the side table.
Chuckling at his wife, he asked "Are you reading the baby some of your rubbish poetry?"
She elbowed him. "No. I'm reading a new story about a Duke, of this place called Windscape. He tries to—"
In the middle of her statement, her own Duke snatched the book from her hands. "Why read about a Duke when you have one right beside you? One who loves you very much."
With a hint of mischief, she asked "Oh really Sir? You love me very much do you? How much do you love me?"
He rolled over and pulled her to him. "This much. Let me show you." Which he did by starting with a kiss.
Pulling back she broke the kiss and told him "Feel free to use your kisses as a method to shut me up anytime." When he gave her a loving smile, she grabbed the front of his shirt and tugged him down for another one. Their kisses burn bright within them, along with their love
During the rest of the week, Mary and Charles watched how Elizabeth acclimated to their home. The little girl took to it better than expected. Perhaps it's because their home is more stable and loving than what she is used to. In fact, she hasn't even cried once but then there are a ton of people willing to hold her, talk to her, and nurture her.
Perhaps it's because she has playmates in William and Owen, although they still look at her with wonderment. And technically Owen doesn't want to play with anyone other than his brother. This is so unlike William who's allowed her to push and play with his rolling elephants. Maybe it's both of these things or none of them at all. Either way, she has adapted to her new environment quicker than hoped for.
By Sunday night, Charles was loathing to go back to London, especially for the trial. He had enough of trials and death with Sir Thomas. Mary had both boys and Bess on their bed. While the little ones played, well the boys played but Bess laid down with the bunny, the two adults packed. In the middle of helping him pack, Her Ladyship proclaimed "I want to go with you. No. I need to go with you. I need to be there for you when you're able to retire at night. You were so stressed out with the other trial. I don't want you upset and frustrated alone."
He wanted to contradict her and tell her no not under any circumstance would she set foot in London at this time. However he's a selfish man and wants her care and support, so instead, he said "Only if you agree to have all of your guards with you anytime you're not with me. And you cannot go galavanting off willy nilly. Dot must go too, to keep you company. But truly you must promise to not do anything foolish."
Throwing her arms around him in excitement, she let him know "The children will not be going with us. I don't want them subject to scrutiny, especially Bess. They'll stay here with Lady Agnes and Lady Edith, under their protection as well as Jeffery's." He agreed with that and then she began packing for herself as well. After which she went to tell Dot and both Lady Agnes and Enid the updated plans. They all three readily consented to them.
In the morning, it was really hard to say goodbye to the children, especially the twins. She has been parted from them no longer than an hour. Although, during the episode, she was unwittingly parted from the boys. So really a couple of weeks is nothing, but yet it's something. She may have to return home sooner than expected, the longer she thinks about it.
Charles could see her unease and how she held each boy tighter. Finally, he turned to Lady Agnes, "Would you go ready both the children's trunk and your own? You and the three children will be going with us." He looked at his wife, who looked at him with love and appreciation. "But they cannot be without protection either. Also, it would not be wise to parade Elizabeth around the palace. We need to be tactful about that." Mary agreed with surmises.
Several trunks later, everyone was ready to depart. Owen wanted to stay in the company of Dot. She plays childish games with him and he loves it, but William did not. He stayed in his father's arms while Bess stayed with Mary. Little by little her sister's personality has started coming out. It's feisty, tempered with sweetness.
Bess also began talking too. Her cute voice can be heard copying the boys. Yesterday afternoon, Mary had a conversation with her Duke about something that's been running around her mind. It concerned her that "What if she starts calling us Mama and Dada?"
The Duke chuckled and let her know "Then she will call us Mama and Dada. When she gets older we will tell her the truth. That she's your sister and I'm her brother-in-law. If she still wants to call us Mama and Daddy then she can, but for now, it's fine." His words soothed her mind and it was all that needed to be said on the subject.
On the way to London, both children slept and the two adults talked. They spoke of the upcoming trial but mostly they spoke about the upcoming new baby. He laced their fingers together. "Thank you for coming with me. I really didn't want to go alone. Plus I'll miss you as I always do. Just please don't go anywhere alone either in the city or the palace."
She nodded knowing he was worried, content to hold his hand. At some point the children woke briefly, only to change who was holding them. William really wanted his Mama and reached for her. He snuggled in her arms before falling asleep again. Bess was already out in Charles's.
In the afternoon sun, the carriage pulled to a stop at Whitehall Palace. The Grand Duke and Duchess disembarked along with the children and their retinue. People, of course, stopped and stared for they expected the Duke but not his wife. And their eyes wandered to the children. The twins they know of, but who's the little girl?
Naturally whispering and murmuring ensued about the chance it's a bastard he fathered. Which surely he's fathered some, being the type of man he was? That rumor spread like wildfire. If only the idiots knew who the little girl really is, then different rumors could be spread. Ones like: Why is Charles Brandon the one to take Elizabeth on as a ward and not the disgraced Queen's family?
But Charles didn't care, he held his wife's hand tighter and prouder than ever. Upon reaching their quarters, the children were settled first with Lady Ashdown and her assistant Gwyn. Then the Duke wrote a letter to inform the King of their arrival. Finally, dinner was called for, to eat in their chambers, while the maids and servants unpacked the trunks.
After dinner, Charles and Mary relaxed in each other's presence. Knowing that tomorrow starts the trial of the Queen, they wanted to take this time to simply be together. The pair sat by the fire on a sofa. He had asked for it to be moved there before the servants left. While she knitted, he nursed his thoughts with a glass of wine.
An irritated huff of breath left her mouth. A string of muttering began. "What's wrong?" he questioned.
Casting her knitting needles aside, she told him "I missed a stitch. Now I have to unstitch this whole section. Stupid, stupid me." She sat about undoing the stitches on the baby blanket.
It did not go unnoticed that she was knitting a blanket in "Pink? Are you so sure we're having a girl this time? Every time I hope so, you're always quick to remind me that it could very well be another boy."
Looking up at him from the blanket, she explained matter-of-factly "Lady Flora seems to think so and so does Mrs. Nevitt. Fact one, I have horrible morning sickness. I did not have that with the twins. Only very late in my pregnancy with them did I have it and it was barely noticeable."
Then she launched into "Fact two, I have a severe craving for sweets. Now it's true I ate sweets with the twins, but I mainly wanted celery sticks, ham and cheese muffins, and pumpkin bread. With this one, I want all the sweets: pies, puddings, custards, cakes, bread with jelly, and chocolate anything."
Before Charles could say another word, she explained "Fact three, my hair is disgusting. It's dull and lifeless. Which is why I've been wearing it up more. Mrs. Nevitt says the hair goes limp when carrying a girl. Mine is currently behaving that way. So with all of these things combined, I have to be having a girl. Plus she also says I need to be mindful of my mood swings. She told me that the more frequent they come, and the more irrational they are, then it's definitely a little girl. I haven't had those yet."
Oh great. He has horrible mood swings to look forward to. "But what if we're having a boy? There's no way to be absolute about this."
She could feel the irritation rise up within her. Casting the half-knitted blanket aside, she eyed him. "Charles, I literally just spoke three facts to you. Were you not listening?"
He was listening alright. It's just that "Mary, those are old wives' tales. Please tell me you aren't believing in them?" There are two reasons he said that. One being there's no truth in those tales. Well, maybe a little truth but the for the most part there isn't any. The other reason is he knows it will rile her up and he likes seeing her perfect feathers ruffled. It's funny.
Turning her body to face him head-on, she gave him a hot expression. Not the kind of hot that leaves her feeling hot and bothered. No. The kind that makes her seriously perturbed and discomposed. "Charles Brandon! Are you mocking Mrs. Nevitt's skill and the advice of Lady Flora?" Her finger pointed at him.
His response to that is "Far be it for me to ridicule the words of both Mrs. Nevitt and Lady Flora. If I did I would be in troubled waters."
"Hmm... You mock what you don't know. But I truly think we're having a girl. And now let's talk about something else." She took up the blanket again and went back to removing the area of wrong stitches.
If she wants to talk about something then he will comply. "Alright, then let's discuss how you need to start looking for a new lady in wait. It's almost October and Dot is getting married in December. Most women have several ladies, but I know you feel more comfortable with one. The fact remains you will need someone to help you."
This is just another touchy subject. He saw her grow uncomfortable by the expression on her face. "Charles, are you purposely trying to bother me? You know I don't want to think about Dot's profound absence until absolutely necessary. I cannot replace her. Dot is my best female friend." A few tears started spilling from her eyes.
He pulled her close and rubbed her back, knowing this is indeed a difficult issue. She continued to speak. "How do you replace someone who's been by your side from thick and thin? She's like a sister to me. And once she marries Tony she'll be far on the other side of the kingdom. I can't bear that, but I do plan on speaking to Lady Flora about this. With her wit and shrewdness, she can help me choose the best person."
This topic was laid to rest with those words. They resumed their activities before bed. When they went to bed it was restful, until the morning. Mary's wretching in the bucket was symbolic of how he felt. This whole trial of The Whore is nothing more than for show. She's already been tried and found guilty in the eyes of the King. Everyone close to him knows she'll be executed.
Once his wife was better, or as well as she could be having taken the herbal medicine, she helped him dress. He wore his black brocade velvet doublet etched with gold thread and black pants. To give him color, she handed him a gold livery collar set with rubies. His fur cape and the hat with the feather in it were given to him as well. "How do I look?" he asked.
She smiled a bright smile. "Like the grandest Grand Duke in the kingdom. My Duke." A peck was placed on his cheek.
Before he left, he reminded her "Be safe. Don't go anywhere without William and the rest of your guards. I don't need to worry any more than I already do about you." After securing her promise, he kissed her and left the room, for what is sure to be a taxing day.
And it was. As he suspected the trial is only for show. Thomas Wyatt was released. There was "testimony" from the mad cow, Madge Shelton, suggesting affairs. Truly who would believe this woman? The woman who is the mistress of the King? The woman who pushed his wife down the stairs? He could throttle her with his bare hands for that alone. But the Duke sat there quiet and stewing.
Man after man was brought in giving testimony of affairs. They of course had been tortured into submission. But the final act of the day was the condemning of George Boleyn. Mark Smeaton was brought to the stand confessing to the adultery and incest charges. However, the real power of testimony came from the man's wife, Jane Rochford.
Having been hurt by George's numerous infidelities, and there were many of them, Jane used this trial to get her revenge. Cromwell asked of her "Do you believe your husband committed incest with the Queen?"
The Lady sat in the chair twisting a handkerchief in her hands, with crocodile tears streaming down her face. Jane spoke up by saying "It's a travesty of disturbing, disgusting proportions Sir. It's a shame to my family, but I do believe he committed incest with the Queen, his sister." She boohooed and wiped her eyes with the handkerchief.
There were gasps from all around the court at her words. The shock factor worked and Cromwell adjourned the session until the morning. Charles could not be more thankful. If he had to stomach any more of this farce he might wretch in the bucket himself.
But for all of the shocked faces, murmurs, and whispers spreading around the court and city— all of that still did not beat what happened the next day. The next day saw Thomas Boleyn take the stand. Cold, cutthroat, and calculating. The mark of true ruthlessness extends its cruelty from those it does not love to those it does love.
Having taken the oath and now on the witness stand, Thomas Boleyn showed the true depths of his wicked soul. In a diabolical, heinous move he stated "Sir Cromwell and members of the court. I sit here with a heavy heart. You see, I love my family and my children but these accusations though disgusting make me wonder. I have done some digging around of my own with servants in my household and also past memories. I always thought my son and youngest daughter were too close for their own good. In truth, it seems the charges lodged against them are accurate."
If the gasps were loud the previous day for Lady Jane Rochford, then these would break the glass windows. But Boleyn's words were not finished. For his second ghastly act, he told the court "I am left with no choice but to denounce both of my children. They are in fact no longer mine own, but now beholden to the objectiveness of the court."
And that did it. That for sure sealed the fate of George and Ann Boleyn. As for Charles, he was full of abhorrence and repugnance for the man, and all Boleyn's quite frankly. After court adjourned, he made haste to leave and rush to the comfort of his wife's arms. Which he could not do because the King had his guards escort him to his personal quarters.
On the way, he saw Jayne Seymour and her ladies leaving the King's chambers. He's seen more of the Seymour's in the palace lately than he ever has, which makes him suspect one thing. Lady Jayne is the King's new paramour. And if his suspicions are correct, the next Queen. This too was confirmed at the entrance to His Majesty's apartments.
"Charles! There you are! Did you see my new betrothed leave? Isn't she a beauty, Lady Jayne? She will give me heirs. I just know it. Here have a drink." Henry offered him a large goblet of ale.
Tired and bedraggled, Charles sat down in a chair and took the glass. He's resigned to the fact that he'll be here for some time yet.
"You look tired my friend. Is the trial over yet? No matter. I have an important assignment for you to carry out early tomorrow morning. You are to tell Thomas Boleyn that he is being removed from the Privy Council..." The King went on and on listing out all of the things Boleyn is being stripped of. Finally, he gave Charles a letter attesting to this.
As he sipped his drink, struggling to keep patient, the King continued talking. "I want to have dinner with you and Mary soon. I want to see my grandsons too. We need to talk about some things as a family."
Charles nodded his consent and listened to his friend prattle on and on. Sometime before dinner he was released to go to his family. As he walked in the direction of his own quarters, it occurred to him that never once did His Majesty inquire about the well-being of his youngest daughter. It's clear she's being given the treatment his Mary once got.
Entering his family apartment it was full of laughter and joy. Quite the difference from the rest of the palace. Situated on a rug, in front of the fireplace, the children played— William, Owen, and Bess. The boys were playing with their wooden elephants and Bess was building with blocks. When they noticed him, standing there watching them, the boys began shouting "Dada! Dada!"
Because Elizabeth had been mimicking their words, she also spoke out "Dada". Which she began doing the other day. He reminded Mary it was OK. They decided to stick to their plan of telling her the truth when she's older. He walked over to them and kissed each one on the head.
When he stood again, a pair of arms wrapped themselves around his middle. He reclined into the embrace. His wife took care of him that evening with a massage on his shoulders and many hugs and kisses. When he told her about the task her father gave him, she scoffed.
However, when he let her know about the King's new woman, her soon-to-be new stepmother, she narrowed her eyes. "It all makes perfect sense. The reason the Seymour's have been shlepping around the palace. His second wife isn't even in the grave yet and he's already chosen another. It's shameful."
He agrees with her words. The two of them had a good family evening and then it was up before the sun to deliver a message to Thomas Boleyn. Upon entry to the man's cell, Charles took note of Boleyn's unkempt appearance. "I bring word from the King."
With a touch of fear in his voice, Boleyn asked "Am I to be tried?"
"No. You will live another day and survive this nightmare. But you aren't getting off scot-free either." The Grand Duke took the letter out of his folder and began reading. "First you are to be removed from the Privy Council. Second, you are stripped of being Lord of the Privy Seal. Third, you are banished from court for life on pain of death."
Then the cold-hearted man said something that set His Highness off. "So, am I to keep my earldom then?"
Being a true husband and father has changed Charles. His family is everything to him, more than any title or anything money could buy. Money cannot buy love and cannot buy pure joy. This man's words pushed Charles Brandon over the edge. In a swift rough move, the Duke had Boleyn pinned against the wall.
Staring into the man's dark eyes and black soul, he questioned "Are ready to watch your son die? What about your daughter? Are willing to watch her suffer? Will you watch her die and bleed? Tell me, Boleyn was it worth it all to keep your earldom? You disgust me." He let him go and walked out of the room of the forever disgraced man.
While the Grand Duke rode back to the palace, infuriated, Thomas Boleyn was released. He traveled back to Hever, not staying for his son's execution that afternoon. It was then Charles stood with Tony and Edward Seymour, that they heard George Boleyn give part of the following speech.
He started with "Christian men, I am born under the law, and judged under the law, and die under the law, and the law hath condemned me. Masters all, I am not come hither for to preach, but for to die, for I have deserved to die if I had twenty lives, more shamefully than can be devised, for I am a wretched sinner and I have sinned shamefully."
The condemned man had more to say, he urged the crowd to learn from his missteps and mistakes. To be honest it was an emotional moment. Then Charles saw the man bravely kneel at the block. With one clean strike of the executioner's ax, he was beheaded. The life of a young, talented man was taken. The Grand Duke can feel remorse for that, but not the things he did or the way he did them.
The final deaths of the day belonged to the men Henry Norris, Weston, Brereton, and Mark Smeaton. The scaffold was a bloody mess. Innocent men who were never the Queen's lovers were put to death. The minute it was all over, Charles rode to the palace, rushed to his rooms, and emptied his stomach in the chamber pot.