Charles Brandon's bedchamber

"The Princess Mary can be a good queen, but these days, it is always best a male heir....
My mother inherited the throne of Navarre with fifteen years of age...and finally lost it"

I said with longing...

_"Tell me about you excellence... have you got any children?"

"Charles smiled proudly and nodded"

Yes...I have four children from the Duchess of Buckingham. Two boys and two girls. And now she is carrying our fifth child...

"He answered, leaning his back against the sofa"

I smiled with sweetness...

_"The Duchess is lucky...I think you are a very handsome man"

I said smiling seductively

"Charles smiled shooking slowly his head"

I think you're too kind, my lady. Honestly, I find you a very beautiful woman too...

"He added with warm voice"

I looked at Charles and smiled again...

__ "I have heard that you before marrying was a womanizer"...

I said looking him in his eyes smiling impishly

"Charles giggled"

Oh...really? You told you such things about me, my lady? I am a gentleman...

"He smiled teasingly, pretending to be serious"

_ "So I hear from the ladies of the court..."

I said with a wink...

_"My cup is empty..."
I said smiling and showing my glass...

_"Could you serve more wine dear Duke?"

"Charles looked at her empty glass and nodded"

Oh...but of course, Your Highness...

"He took her empty glass and stood up. Then he reached the table again with slow steps"

So...what else have you heard about me, my lady?

"He asked smiling, while pouring her some other wine"

I stared at him...

I thought that he was even more handsome than I had been told...

_ "I like this wine excellence"

I said smiling and I drank a sip of my cup

"Charles sat next to her again and sipped his wine too"

Thank you...it's italian wine, my lady. A dear friend here at court gave it to me as gift. She is the Duchess of Genoa, you know. And I always have some good bottle to share with special guests...

"He said smiling, staring at his goblet"

_ "I like Italian wine, and it is best to drink it with you"

I said and stroked his hand

"He nodded while smiling"

How long will you stay at english court, my lady?

_ "I do not know ... I hope that enough so we can be good friends"

I said and I went back to drinking my cup...

"He left his goblet on the table and looked at her"

Oh...I'm sure of it. And tell me, have you already met the King?

"He asked curiously"

_" I arrived just a few days ago.I was unable still talk to almost anyone in the court....
I have curious about Lady Anne Boleyn...I know she lived in the French court; I also lived there for a few years...My grandmother was Madeleine of Valois, daughter of the king of France"...


I said smiling.

"Charles listened her carefully and nodded"

I love learning more about spanish royal family. My poor previous wife has been Queen of Portugal. Even if for just few days...

"He added, remembering the travel to escort her until there"

_"Yes, I knew.All my family is French...Only my great grandmother, Queen Eleanor I of Navarre was Spanish.
But my brothers and I were born in Spain.I was born in Pamplona's palace, but the palace is now occupied by
the Castilians".
I said wistfully.

"Charles looked with interest at her"

Pamplona's Palace? I have never been in Spain. But I'd like to visit it some day. And tell me...how do you find english court?

"He asked with a charming smile"

_ "Pamplona is the capital of the kingdom of Navarre"

I said smiling at him.

_"In the English court the people are very friendly.You seem to me a lovely man".

I said looking at him sweetly

"He listened her speaking spanish and nodded meaning I understand. Then smiled friendly"

Oh...thank you. And I'm glad you find people friendly, my lady. I have to say...that I can understand a bit spanish. But please, don't ask me to speak. My spanish is very bad...

"He giggled and took a sip from wine"

_ "sorry my lord...It is for wine. I think I drank too much"..
I've not noticed that I was speaking in Spanish


I said, letting out a big laugh

"Charles laughed"

Oh...no problem. I found it funny. Can I offer you something else? Water or something to eat?

_ "I prefer another cup of wine"

I said with a big smile.

_"but that is the last drink..."

Again I looked at him smiling sweetly

"He stood up again and poured another glass of red wine. He came back to her with a curious smile"

Tell me...did you come here at court alone? I guess you miss your country greatly...

_ "I came to court with one of my ladies in waiting; her name is Catalina Perez"

I said at the same time I took the cup of wine with my hands.

_ "I hope my brother can restore the throne of Navarre.He is married to the King Francis of France´s sister.
We believe it will help.Although the emperor is powerful...and Navarre is now in his hands."

I said with intriguing eyes...

_"but I am sure that we will succeed"

_"My brother is in a similar situation wing of King Henry.He only has a daughter, her name is Juana of Navarre.And my sister in law, Margaret of Valois, is an old woman.She can not have more children...and my brother is still very young...He is 26 years old."

I said staring at him..