Chapter Seven

                                    

                                          
A WEEK LATER...
                          
Sitting by the window crook, wrapped in a wool blanket as I watched the snow fall outside and cover the dull grass with mountains of white puffs, I contemplated quietly to myself, taking in all of the recent events around us.
                          
Lawrence has gone to our home in Oxford again, his last goodbye ended with a nice and polite dinner with Charlotte, Charles, and I. Charles has been dealing with the Boleyns after his conversation with the King about Anne's secret lover, Thomas Wyatt, to which she has momentarily banished him from court. 
                          
Anne was given the title of Marquess, making her two ranks below me rather than five, giving her higher dowry and new lands around England. But that also came her secret ceremonial wedding to the King, which I was forced to attend with Charles. Yet, their secret wedding didn't top it all.
                          
Catherine is no longer Queen of England, she has no servants, no lands, or dowry provided by the King. Mary has been kept secret from her as Catherine has been dealing with this all alone. But most of all, despite me caring for Catherine and Anne at the same time, I still fear that Anne will believe I favor Catherine more than her, to which, in all honesty...I don't know.
                          
"Lady Katherine, Lord Brandon would like to see you." Lady Rose said as she peaked her head through the door behind me.
                          
Not turning around, I nod my head and wrapped the blanket tighter around me as I hear the door creak open and heavy footsteps come closer to me before stopping by my shoulder.
                          
"It's official...I've finally vowed to obey the King as the head of the English church," Charles said hesitantly.
                          
"Was Anne there?" I whispered, staring off into the distance.
                          
"No, just the King...Kat-"
                          
"When do I have to go?" 
                          
"...Well...tomorrow, if you would like."
                          
"I will ask Charlotte to ready a dress for my meeting..." I mumbled.
                          
Feeling the brush of air on my shoulder, I closed my eyes softly as I knew that he had kneeled down beside me.
                          
"It's alright to feel angry, Katherine...I am-"
                          
"I'm not angry, Charles. I'm worried...about everything." I said, turning my head to look at him holding his hat in his hands.
                          
"My father hasn't written back to me, neither has Richard...the season is almost over and then-"
                          
"Then what? You leave me?" He questioned.
                          
"I would never leave you..." I blurted out, shockingly.
                          
Grabbing the sides of his face, I couldn't help but melt at the sight of his blue eyes softening.
                          
"I love you...so much. But I can't wait another minute not being your wife, I see...I see the way women look at you. They don't see a ring on your finger, and as I stand beside you, they see a girl who lives with the Duke of Suffolk."
                          
"I promise you...we will have everything we could ever want." He said, placing his hands on top of mine.
                          
"Come...let's prepare for the meeting tomorrow."
                          
THE NEXT DAY
                          
Standing on top of a wooden box, I watched Charlotte and Rose fix the hem of the yellow dress I was wearing for my meeting with the King. Light pink flowers scattered around, complimenting the yellow tones under the tulle skirt I was wearing above.
                          
"Headpiece, today?" Charlotte asked.
                          
"How about the gold rose one..." I whispered, smiling politely at Charlotte.