Court Affairs (Charles Brandon Love story)

Chapter 6: Reconciliation of Kindred Spirits

Lady Katherine thought that Charles would have lost interestedly now. Unfortunately he had not, which meant she must endure his presence everyday for the past three weeks. What was even worse was that she was starting to enjoy these strolls, most of the time he spoke and Kat listened. Charles seemed to like hearing himself speak and Katherine was starting to enjoy his stories. 

"And then I fell face first into the mud, I was covered and Henry had a laughing fit so hard we thought he was going to stop breathing." Charles chuckles and Katherine smiles holding a tulip in her hands playing with the petals. 

"I can picture you doing that. You are quite clumsy" She says looking up at him and bitting her lower lip. Charles would never admit this aloud but he was starting to realize why Anthony enjoyed her company so much. She was very witty and entertaining to be around.

"I am not that clumsy My Lady" He smiles brightly moving closer, Charles wasn't sure where he stood with her yet. She seemed to like being with him but always dodged his touches or backed up if he got to close. 

"You seem to fall into a lot of beds" Kat jokes and moves around him towards the fountain, she had promised herself that she would not fall for this man, He wasn't worth the heartache.

"Not since we started these walks M'lady, I keep my promises" Charles defends himself quickly. he wasn't lying, to say Charles was growing impatient for some sort of physical affection is an understatement. 

"Mmm, so far you have" Kat says looking up to see Anne looking at her, Katherine's face paled. She hadn't told her that Brandon was attempting to court her. Her focus was so much on Anne she didn't feel Charles hand sip around her waist causing her to jump and push him away. 

"Katherine what's wrong? Did I upset you?" He asks and pulls back cursing for getting ahead of himself. Charles looks to where she was and tries not to rolls his eyes noticing Lady Buckingham watching them. He couldn't believe how clingy she was, he takes her to bed once and she still follows him around like a puppy. 

"No. I think this is where I shall leave you for this evening" Lady Macbeth says quickly before scurrying towards her friend who had been watching them.

"Kat, what where you doing with Lord Brandon?" She asks still looking at Charles over her shoulder.

"Nothing, he just happened to be in the garden. I was only with him but a moment" Katherine lies smoothing out her dress. 

"Oh...doesn't matter I suppose. He seemed to have lost interest in me as soon as father caught us" She says sadly turning her face so that Katherine could see the cut and bruise forming on her nose and cheek.

"Anne" Kat says and reaches to gently touch her friends bruised cheek only to have her pull back. "I am sorry your father has treated you in such away" 

"Its my fault, and gods will." Lady Buckingham says before turning away from her friend. "Enjoy the time you spend with Charles and pray your father doesn't catch you. We both know it would be far worse for you" 

With that Anne moved away from Katherine and towards a group of women joining in whatever gossip was being shared. Lady Macbeth was stunned and hurt by Lady Buckinghams cruel words, She had no reason to be angry. Charles wasn't hers to own and pine after and it was not fair to be accused of stealing him away, and yet Katherine felt extreme guilt. She watches her friend for a moment before looking down as the women all stare then whisper to one another. Katherine quickly moves inside suppressing tears as she makes her way to her chambers. locking the door she falls onto the bed and begins to weep. In those hours she spends crying she curses her father for leaving her at court when he went back to Scotland in order to deal with some issues at home. All she wanted was to return to the highlands and spend her afternoons out ridding through the Moores and forests, practising archery and stealing biscuits from the castle kitchens. Unfortunately she was stuck in this awful place, with men attempting to control everything she did. It wasn't until someone knocked on her door that she broke from her pity.

"One moment" She calls and looks at her reflection attempting to calm her reddening cheeks as she walks to door. Once it was open she looks up to see Anthony standing before her looking like he had not slept in days. His hair was a mess and large circles hung under his eyes as he looked at her pitifully.

"My Lady, before you speak you must hear me out" Anthony begins and Katherine stays silent watching him with sad eyes as he fall to his knees head lowered. "I pray you, forgive me. I am a wreck of the pain I have caused you and though I do not deserve your forgiveness or kindness I beseech you to allow me back into your good graces. These past weeks have been horrible without your company. I promise before god I will not say an ill work against you for the rest of my life, even if it means other men may attempt to steal my greatest friend from me. I need you Lady Macbeth, you keep me sane" He finishes in tears staring at the worn cobblestone clutching her hand to his forehead not the slightest bit ashamed of what he has just confessed.

"I..." Katherine watches him for a moment before also kneeling and taking him into her arms. He was her only friend at the moment. "Oh Anthony of course I forgive you" She squeezes him tightly against her and holds back.

"Thank you, thank you so much Mackie. You have no idea how much I have missed you" He says kissing her forehead. "will you join me for dinner?" He asks as they pull back and she nods.

"Yes, of course I will Anthony. Considering Lady Buckingham now hates me, you are my only friend at present" She says rising and bringing him with her. "Ill meet you in the great hall for dinner" 

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I finished season one last year and I am still

MAD AT Charles Brandon FOR LETTING HIS WIFE DIE ALONE

WHAT 

A 

BITCH!