Court Affairs (Charles Brandon Love story)

Chapter 5: The Hound Makes a Plan

Lord Charles Brandon watched Anthony stare helplessly after Katherine as she made her spectacular exit. He was amused by how much fire she had in her, but he supposed that was the Scottish side coming out. Charles waited a few moments before walking towards his friend, who had fallen back into the grass with his hands covering his face. 

"Dear Anthony why do you look as though you have lost a great battle?" Charles asks, smirking at his own joke. 

"Fuck off Brandon, I'm not in the mood" Anthony hisses before rising to his feet.

"Show some respect Knivert, I still have better titles than you" He scolds playfully and watches his friend run a hand through his locks.

"Listen, I am not in the mood to hear of your latest rendevues with Lady Buckingham." Anthony says bumping shoulders with him as he passes

"Oh come on, don't be bitter that she wanted to be with me and not you" Charles laughs and follows after him. Sighing he reaches Anthony's side and walks with him. "But in all seriousness what is troubling you Anthony"  

"Lady Katherine is cross with me and this time I don't think I'll be able to fix it" Anthony sighs and shakes his head. "I really fucked up, all because of you"

"Wait a second, what exactly did I do?" Charles says defensively 

 "If you weren't such a dog, I would have to worry about keeping her away from you" Anthony hisses and walks off towards the stables leaving Charles to roll his eyes. 

He cared about his friends truly, but it wasn't his fault most women want a night with him rather than Anthony. Shaking it off Charles heads into the castle and straight towards Henry, he wanted to speak with him about possibly arranging a courtship between Katherine and himself. It would be the only way to make sure she had to be around him, and the more time together they spent the more likely she was to grow attached. Charles whole plan was to make her depend on him, need him, actively look for him in a crowd. This wasn't about love of course though to others it may seem that way, Thomas Boleyn had asked him to keep Katherine out of the way. He was worried she would interfere with his plan to get King Henry to fall in love with his daughter and divorce the queen. Normally Charles would have shrugged Boleyn off and told the King of the plan but Thomas had mentioned something rather intriguing. He wanted Woolsey out of the picture and in order to do that he needed his daughter to have some sway with the King. Although Henry did not view Kat in a romantic light, he still valued the girls opinion, if she was focused on Charles she would notice the Boleyn girl or Henry's separatist thoughts.

"CHARLES" Henry calls snapping Brandon from his thoughts and he smiles at the King.

"Your Majesty" Charles bows "Is it possible to have your counsel for a moment?"

"Of course, anything for a dear friend" Henry smile, dismissing the men around him and pulling Charles into his private study. "What is it that you want?"

"I want to court Lady Katherine, she is charming and beautiful. I also know that she means a lot to you Henry." Brandon says and watches the King who has a look of shock written on his face as he processes what Charles just said.

"You want to court Lady Macbeth...Charles are you feeling quite well?" Henry laughs and sits watching Brandon closely. 

"Yes Henry I am perfectly fine" Charles chuckles and sits down "But a man can only be wild for so long. I am getting older and It's about time I settle down" 

"You are right about getting old" Henry chuckles, "but she seems far more interested in Anthony. Let me speak with her before you attempt to woo her and she kills you"