Of Pounds and Crowns - A Tudor Tale

Chapter 2: The Turn of the Tide…





















I woke the next morning with what seemed like the weight of the entire country on my shoulders. I felt like I had to give an instant answer to the hardest question of them all. Henry had looked at me like I was the center of his world while I had calculated a hundred different ways to get out of this god forsaken predicament. While I was not thinking of marrying Henry to be the worst thing, it was the duty it would entail. I was not the obedient little girl who Henry thought he knew.





It was also about the money my father left me, I knew that for certain. Wolsey was written all over this whole thing. While I did not doubt Henrys situation, having a betrothed with such substantial fortunes eased the burden a little more. It was one thing to want to marry me for affection it was another to use me for my money.





While I had expected Dukes and Earls to crawl out of the woodwork and try to woo me, I had never expected my princely playmate to want me so desperately. I was surprised after all these years that Henry had immediately thought of me, and not some brazen Howard or Seymour girl who would worship him with unabashed, yet fake affection. Aim for the crown was their motto.





However I had never had the desire for the crown, and I speak to you nothing but the truth. To be the wife of a king was never something that appealed to me. I was not one for conformity or subordination, which was something that went hand in hand with being royal. Secrecy lies and adultery was a common occurrence in the royal court. Yet still I was not prepared to sell myself away to Henry. If it was one thing I remembered about my father’s ramblings, it was never to settle for second best, aim for the top. Henry was the very top wasn’t he?





My heart beated uncontrollably when I thought about saying yes, and I confess myself considering Henrys offer. It was the lesser of two evils. I knew we had a connection and once upon a time I fancied myself in love with him. Silly childhood fodder of course. Except now it was about to become a reality.





To love Henry was to love a country and every single man, woman and child within it.











~:~











While nervous around Henry; I found myself completely at ease around Charles Brandon. It was as if I had never left. He talked with me for what seemed like hours on end, we laughed, danced and renewed our friendship. I had never realized how much I had missed Charles. He was, as ever, the most delightful man I had ever met.





His smile was like pure sunlight on a bleary day. I instantly perked up whenever he entered a room, while it was nothing compared to what feeling I was developing for Henry; Charles was becoming my closest friend.





Catherine was ailing quickly and the enormity of my answer loomed large. Henry was ever present by my side, touching me, and keeping me entertained. I would often catch him looking at me, wistfully, and in all honesty, it excited me. Naturally he wanted to impress me, I knew that. The first jewel arrived swiftly, and as I opened the box, my breath caught in my throat. It was a glittering ruby necklace, signifying my virgin status.





I fingered the jewel that lay against my breast, as Charles spoke of Catherine. My eyes were drawn to Henry as he spoke with a dark haired lady of the queen. Her eyes were shining and she placed a hand upon his bicep and his head dropped, and my heart with it.





I rose quickly and crossed the room, and was at his side momentarily. Catherine had passed not five minutes ago. The look of sheer devastation upon Henry’s face broke my heart. I shooed the girl away, earning a scathing look for my efforts. I took his hand, and led him from the bustling dining hall. We passed guard after guard until we reached his chambers; Charles following swiftly behind us.





Without thinking I wrapped my arms around him, taking his shaking form within my grasp. His thick forearms wound themselves around my thin waist, and he held me close to him. My head was almost swimming in his heady scent. I placed my hand on his cheek, my fingers wiping the tears away from his shining blue eyes.





“I’m so sorry, Henry,” I whispered.





“I never expected it to happen so quickly,” he confessed.





“The lord works in mysterious ways, my friend,” spoke Charles from beside us.





Henry looked to me once more, and it devastated me. I could see the defeat in his eyes, the sheer hurt he was feeling, and I wanted to take it all away. I wanted to ease his suffering and rid him of the pain that addled his heart. I did not want to see him grieve ever again.













~:~















I stayed in Henry’s chambers for most of the night, waiting as he went to visit his late wife one last time. He returned nearly an hour later, Charles trailing behind him. Once again he sought solace in my arms. I pulled my fingers through his soft curls, as he laid his head upon my chest. I could feel the worried eyes of Charles upon us, and I held my hand out for him. We were very much a trio, in terms of our friendship, yet I loved both of them, but in very different ways from each other.





We lay together, as the sun rose up over the cold skies, my hand encased in Henry’s. I could feel the slow warm breathe escaping from his mouth upon my breast. I felt him stir, and he raised his face level to mine. Even in the morning sun he was magnificent. I placed my hand upon his cheek and his eyes fluttered shut.





“I’ll marry you, Henry,” I whispered.





His eyes flew open, and my heart thumped with longing. His arm wound round my head and pulled my lips to his.





It was like all time had fallen away. My hands found themselves clinging to his face as he kissed me, all affection and sweetness gone. It was hunger that affected us now. It was like we had returned to the days when we wanted each other the most. The letters, the proclamations of love, it was all there. His tongue swept into my mouth and I teased him with mine. Over and over we kissed, his hands ghosting over my breast, his finger tips dancing over the edge of my dress.





I shivered as he pulled away, his gaze locked with mine.





“You have no idea how deep the depth of my desire for you is,” he whispered as he touched me.





“Oh Henry, I have loved you since I was a girl,” I said.





“And I since I was a mere boy at a King’s knee,” he confessed.





I looked back hastily, Charles was still fast asleep.





“He is in love with you, you know,” said Henry.





I gasped and looked back at him.





“You jest!” I replied.





“My lady, I do not,” he said, his seriousness confirming the truth.





“I love him too, but it is nothing in comparison to what I feel for you,” I confessed.





“There is nothing that can come between us, my love. You will be my wife, and my Queen.”