House of Brandon: Mary I and Charles Brandon

Part 2

Returning to Court was a hard thing for Mary. She had no idea how she would be treated. Charles and her lady, Maria De Salinas, warned her that the court she would be arriving to would not be that her youth but rather a more solemn and dangerous place. Upon her arrival, Mary had an meeting with King. Charles would be there with her.

"Your majesty," Mary said.

"Mary, you may rise."  Henry said sitting up straighter.

Mary looked at her father and rose. She was graceful, if only a boy, henry would have been thrilled. She was already queen like in her movements. 

"I am arranging your marriage." Mary already had a feeling. She guessed that she would marry someone who believed in the cause.

"Tomorrow, at  the chapel, before the sunrise, you are to be married to Charles, Duke of Suffolk. From that point, You shall be called Your Grace, Mary, Duchess of Suffolk. You will remain in court until a week. Then you and Charles shall go Grimsthorpe Castle."

Mary stood in a stunned silence, her former uncle  is the one chosen. The one who married Mary, dowager queen of France. Well, at least, I shall have children. Weather or not from my womb, I do not care, Mary thought. 

"I accept." 

Shortly before sunrise, Charles Brandon, Anthony Knivert, Mary Tudor, and Maria De Salinas were the only people  in the chapel. Nobody knew that they would marry. The priest was given a lot of money in order to keep the secret.  Mary was wearing a pale pink gown and Charles was dressed in gold. Both understood the marriage for what it was. 

After the marriage, Charles escorted the new duchess to his rooms. Close to the king and the boleyns, which Mary remarked upon.  They went into their separate rooms and fell asleep. Mary awoke to a knock on the door and went to open it.  The man, a pale face young man a year or two younger than Mary, stuttered and asked if "Lord Charles Brandon was awake. The king wishes to see him." Charles, who stood outside of view, said "I am coming." to the boy. 

"Mary, we shall eat together for dinner. Just the two of us. We will get to eachother-" he looks in her eyes "-that is it. Do you agree." 

"Yes, my--"

"No, Charles. You are my wife." 

"Yes, Charles." 

He leaves. Mary decides to go for a walk. She wasn't expected to serve anyone and there was nothing to do. Mary realized in a sick way, she was ornamental and Anne wanted to destroy her confidence. Mary went to the library first and then to the gardens.

Mary found a secluded place to read. In the corner, she was away from court and she could think. But nothing last forever, the boleyns had found her. Anne and George  were walking and talking. Mary saw them long before they saw her. She looks for a place to hide. There was a wall of bushes that would hide her face but not the bottom of her dress. She got up, checked to make sure she had her book, then softly lightly walked behind the wall of bushes and proceeded to stand behind it. She stood.

"Lady Mary is here." a deep voice said lowly.

"I know." said a woman's voice, frantic and high pitched. She was nervous and anxious.

"Why?" he asked, his voice indicating that he picked up on the nerves.

Mary leaned into to see if Anne knew. Mary suspected that the Boleyn's were behind the wall of bushes. 

"Probably to discuss marriage." the lady Anne said. Ah, Mary got her answer. She does not know that Mary was already married to charles ."I suggested you." 

"I am betrothed." George remained her. 

"That can be broken." 

Mary stood listening to them debate whether or not Mary would be married to George. She heard them round the corner. Mary looked around quickly and realized that there was only one way and that they were coming. Mary did not want to deal with them so she kept running. She felt arms wrap around her. She looked up and it was Charles.

"what...?" 

"Shh. Anne and George are talking." 

Charles nodded. Mary was listening to courtly gossip, she will survive. Charles held Mary in a protective and loving.

"Father believes that you will be a good match to the lady Mary." Charles gave a shocked look and Mary mouthed 'they think I am unmarried and are plotting to arrange a marriage with George. My father did not tell them.' Charles nodded but was shocked. This women had control over every aspect of the kings life from outside appearance had no clue.

Another footstep, running, approached which caused charles to take a look over.  Mary looked up at him and he mouthed 'it's Thomas Boleyn.' she nodded. 

"Our plans are foiled"  Thomas stopped, his black outfit with gold chains across his chest. 

"What?" the other two inquired. 

"The lady Mary is now the Duchess of Suffolk." 

"WHAT?" Anne bellowed. 

"Calm your voice." 

"They married with the permission of the king before sunrise today with only two witnesses, Maria De Salinas and Anthony Knivert. The King just announced it to the Privy Counsel." Mary looked shocked. Charles smirked within twenty minutes they both had looked shocked at eachother.

Suddenly there was silence. Three feet had walked away. But the peace of the palace was not to last long. Mary and Charles had decided to remain outside for the time meaning.  Inside the palace, Anne was angry. The Boleyns stood in their chambers. Their voices were muffled but anger in their words.

During dinner, Charles had arranged for food in their private chambers. Only a single maid was there to serve food. It was somewhat awkward as the couple barley knew each other and the couple had a disparity in age and status.

"Shall we ask questions?" Charles suggested.

"I'll start. What year were you born?" 

"1484, a year before your mother. What is your favorite subject?"

"French and Spainish. Do you know why you were chosen?"

"Because I am loyal to his majesty. Do you want to be a mother?" 

"of course. What are your childrens name?" 

"Henry, Frances, and Eleanor. What did Maria De Salinas tell you about your wifely duties?" 

"Nothing. Are you alright if we wait." 

"Yes, you are only 16. The countries is shifting away from cathoicism, would you ever agree to?" 

"No. I am sorry but no. What about you?" 

"I am a catholic, but I see that I will probably hide it for the sake of my family. Do you believe that you will be queen?"

"Maybe. Would you want to be king?"

"No, I am from a non-noble background. I will advise but not be king." 

Meanwhile, The king was wearing white shirt and sitting at his desk. He was reading a paper. He was also thinking. He was so young when he had married Catherine of Aragon.  They were in love with eachother but after years of disappointment, they were no longer as young or as in love as they once were. But was Anne the right person for him?