The Kings Cousin

Chance Meeting

Charles Brandon walked down the hall of the palace heading toward where his long time friend King Henry was. He rarely paid much attention to the men that walked through the halls but the women he took notice of. He looked up as Queen Catherine came down the hall, everyone including him bowed to her and looked up as her ladies walked by, the raven haired beauty caught his attention, he raised his eyes to meet hers, their turquoise color made him take notice. She gave him a sweet smile and continued following the Queen. He wanted to know who she was, he headed out, there was a jousting tournament and he was to participate, maybe he would see her again. He already had his eyes set on Duke of Buckingham's daughter. But maybe he could find out about this one as well. Charles rode his horse over to where the king and queen sat.
"Your majesties." He said to them, he looked just behind the queen stood one of the two women he wanted to in his way conquer. He turned his attention the first one that had his attention.
He was off to the side with others when he spoke of the raven haired beauty behind the queen.
"Who is she?"
"Who?"
"The one with the raven hair and beautiful eyes."
"The new lady in waiting for the queen."
"Yes her, who is she?"
"No idea, she arrived the other day."
"Charles already wanting a woman?"
"Why not?"
"You will never change. You want to know who she is, ask the king."
"I shall."
Charles turned his attention back to the two women that now had his attention, one he would woo this night and another he wanted to.
"Lady Bryne."
"Yes your majesty?" She said bowing and coming up to the queen.
"You have been summoned to speak to the king."
"Truly?"
"Yes, now go. Do not keep him waiting."
"Yes your majesty." She said bowing. She turned and left the room. She waited before entering a room where the king was.
"Your majesty, Lady Bryne is here."
"Thank you leave us."
"Your majesty." She said bowing.
"Destiny, it is good to see you."
"It is good to see you as well."
"Are you enjoying the palace?"
"So far yes. I was never told why I was brought here."
"For your safety."
"Is there something happening at home?" She asked as he pointed for her to take a seat.
"Destiny you are a member of my family, there is always something happening."
"Was there a threat. Barely anyone knows we are related. My father is a soldier in your army said it kept his family safe."
"My father always loved you and your father. As his cousin he felt it was his duty to serve."
"And yours cousin?"
"As requested." Destiny answered bowing as she stood.
"Destiny, how do you like the queen?"
"She is kind."
"You may return to your work. I am having a banquet this evening. You must join us."
"If you so desire."
"You would meet a great many more members of the court."
"Then as long as her majesty does not need me I see no reason not to."
"Good then, see you this evening."
Destiny bowed and left him. She walked back to the queen's chambers, she was looking around seeing many courtiers as they quickly moved about.  She was happy that they did not know who she was. She felt a hand on her arm and her being harshly spun around.
"Hello Lady Bryne."
"Hello. Is there something you needed?" She asked looking at the man.
"I met your father once. He is a very honorable man but I hear that he has become ill as of late. It would be a shame you could not return safely to his side before he died."
"What is this you speak of, my father is the picture of health."
"Then maybe it would be worse if he was sent word that his only daughter was kidnapped and killed."
"Who are you?"
"Just know that we are here. And even within this kingdom and near the king you are not as safe as you believe."
Destiny looked at the man and around the hall, there were people moving around the hall but none noticed them talking or the fear on her face.
"Now come with me for a moment."
"I must insist that I will be returning to my queen."
"You will walk with me now." He said to her. Destiny looked around trying to catch the attention of anyone. The man put his hand on her elbow and led her away from the crowd and out into the large garden.
"See how easy it will be to take you." He said to her. Destiny stopped as she heard another voice.
"There you are my lady."
"Yes, I am sorry I was delayed."
"Come, we must be off. Excuse us."
She walked with the new man as they walked back into then palace.
"Are you alright?" He asked her.
"Yes thank you. I am Destiny Bryne."
"I am Charles Brandon. It is a pleasure to meet someone so beautiful."
"Do you flatter all women that way Mr. Brandon?"
"Only the most beautiful." He said kissing her hand.
"I must return to the queen now."
"You are shaking."
"I will be fine. Thank you again Mr. Brandon." She said to him, she hurried down the hall and disappeared into the room he knew was the queen's. He turned and decided to go speak to Henry.
"I need to speak to the king its urgent."
"Come in Charles." Henry called out to his friend.
"Someone has frightened one of the queens ladies."
"Which one?"
"Lady Destiny."
"When?"
"Just now, he was speaking to her just after she left from speaking to you. She looked frightened, he escorted her outside when I got to her I over heard him say something about it would be so easy to take her. Is she not safe?"
"I will be sure she is. Thank you Charles."
"Who is she?"
"My cousin."
"Your cousin? She sounds Irish."
"She is, her father is my cousin and there have been threats against her family. He is able to defend himself but his only daughter has been targeted so he sent her here."
"If you do not object I can also keep her safe and will do nothing to spoil her honor."
"Charles I trust you to keep her safe, but I also know you are one that can bed a woman easily." Henry told him.
"On my own honor I will not do anything."
"If she approves I will allow it. As I guess she is shaken I will talk to her in a few days."
"Let me know if you need me."
"I will Charles. Thank you for telling me of the assassin in my palace."
Charles bowed and left, Henry stood and nearly threw something across the room. His cousin had only been at the palace for less than two days and someone had already frightened her.