I'll be honest, Ed doesn't seem that interested in anyone. Which is interesting in and of itself. If he does nothing but be faithful to his wife, we might get a stable succession for the first time in a long time.
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I'll be honest, Ed doesn't seem that interested in anyone. Which is interesting in and of itself. If he does nothing but be faithful to his wife, we might get a stable succession for the first time in a long time.
Warwick is still an issue...
Can Richard make Henry become a monk or something? Would that solve the issue (I can't imagine Henry having problems with the idea, either, which helps)?
Isabella continues to be a delight.
Can Richard make Henry become a monk or something? Would that solve the issue (I can't imagine Henry having problems with the idea, either, which helps)?
Isabella continues to be a delight.
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As testy as the encounter was, between Warwick and King Richard, I almost feel like the tension has gone down a notch or two. Richard was not scornful or embittered, and didn't completely blow up when Warwick mentioned the possibility of a match for his daughter. I mean he did, but in the past I would have expected more vehemence.
And, as others have pointed out, Richard is giving Warwick much trust and many gains, due to his loyal service. Which Warwick doesn't seem to quite value as he might.
So is Richard warming toward Warwick?
And is Warwick so bitter and slighted, still, and blind to the gifts he HAS been given, such that he might turn on Richard at a later time, and still bring him grief?
Complicated stuff!
I agree - Isabella is becoming a favorite character.
Rensslaer
And, as others have pointed out, Richard is giving Warwick much trust and many gains, due to his loyal service. Which Warwick doesn't seem to quite value as he might.
So is Richard warming toward Warwick?
And is Warwick so bitter and slighted, still, and blind to the gifts he HAS been given, such that he might turn on Richard at a later time, and still bring him grief?
Complicated stuff!
I agree - Isabella is becoming a favorite character.
Rensslaer
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Apparently Warwick can't see the forest for the trees. Even with the responsibilities Richard has entrusted him with, he remains focused on that one item. While it could lead to future problems if Warwick remains so single minded, he ultimately has little to gain and much to lose. Eventually he should figure that out, or will he?
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Warwick also needs to grasp that no one except the Royal family likes him, or owes him anything. Plus he's already near the top in terms of power, wealth and influence. If anything happens to unbalance the current status quo, he's one of the main targets people will go after.
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If Warwick does indeed end up rebelling he may come to regret his many less than subtle hints about the former King. Having set that as the standard he can hardly throw himself on Richard's mercy. He obviously will do it anyway because he has the social skills and learning ability of a particularly brain damaged puppy, but he really shouldn't.
Overall an update that left me sad. I did quite like the early chapters version of Warwick so his deterioration is unfortunate. He's not down at Margaret levels of self-sabotaging incompetence but if he continues on his current trend he may well sink down that far.
Overall an update that left me sad. I did quite like the early chapters version of Warwick so his deterioration is unfortunate. He's not down at Margaret levels of self-sabotaging incompetence but if he continues on his current trend he may well sink down that far.
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I promise that I am not done here and will do both fb-fb and present the next scene when I can. Life has been incredibly busy of late and while I have the rest of the chapter to present and wish I was as prolific as I was last year this time, it is not turning out that way. I certainly appreciate and love all the support you have all given this work!
While you are at it...loving works and all that...you might stay tuned for a great revival of @Lord Durham's The Sons of Ragnar Lodbrok: In the Shadow of the Great Old Ones in CK2. Also...don't waste a chance to vote in the ACA's! As I always say, you do not need to vote for this work (such that I have done much this last quarter) but please do support those works and writAAR's that you love! Every writAAR in AARland will appreciate it.
While you are at it...loving works and all that...you might stay tuned for a great revival of @Lord Durham's The Sons of Ragnar Lodbrok: In the Shadow of the Great Old Ones in CK2. Also...don't waste a chance to vote in the ACA's! As I always say, you do not need to vote for this work (such that I have done much this last quarter) but please do support those works and writAAR's that you love! Every writAAR in AARland will appreciate it.
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Fb-fb:
To me, nothing will ever make Warwick happy. He desires...expects...all that he feels he deserves and any slight is an affront for what he believes he did. You are correct that he holds an enviable position. Will he ever see it that way?
Indeed, Ed is "getting out there" and that may cause some few troubles.
That is a fair point, but as he ages certain things begin to open his eyes.
The Henry question is not quite answered but touched upon in the next post.
Richard has always appreciated Warwick, but his limits are tested often. Warwick has it to mind that he did much of the heavy lifting to cause what has become. He is not entirely wrong on that given how long it took Richard to come to the moment, but the King is the King and Warwick is still just an Earl. A powerful Earl, but an Earl nonetheless.
He should but he might not.
That's the thing. Warwick tends to think everyone owes him something, right or wrong.
Early chapters Warwick saw a horizon in front of him. A ladder to climb. Now that he has reached what he is being told is the top, it is not high enough for him.
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The Tower, August 1465
A cool breeze wafted in through the high window and Henry relished it in the sweltering confines of his Tower chamber. Pushing away his book, he sat back in the chair and sighed. This was not prayer. Not what had been promised. Rarely did he see the outside other than the meager view from his room. In truth, he rarely saw anyone other than the guards that brought him twice daily his victuals. It was not poor food at all and Henry appreciated that Richard made certain he was fed as befit his former rank. Yet he ate alone. Every day. He was not even allowed to join with the young Earl of Northumberland, Henry Percy now five and ten, who also made his current home in the Tower.
Was he even an Earl anymore?
As he considered it, Henry was surprised when the lock to his chamber door sounded and a guard entered along with Dr. John Morton.
“Good morrow, sir,” Morton showed only a brief bow in front of the guard.
Henry skewed a curious eye, “This is odd.”
“I did come to pay all respect,” Dr. Morton cautiously eyed the guard as he left the room and then bent to a knee, “Respect due to Your Grace.”
“We fear that you seek the wrong man, sir,” Henry turned away and looked out of his window once more, “That man resides to Westminster and is not to here.”
Dr. Morton lifted and took a step to the former monarch, “All know the true King of England...”
“You would hold your tongue silent with such words,” Henry turned to him, “If ever a man courted treason, it is one that speaks in like manner.”
Morton bowed again, “Yet I only know the truth of it, sire. I have come bearing news from Anjou. Your wife, the Queen and your son, the Prince...”
“You mistake me, sir,” Henry cut him off, “I am but a loyal monk to God’s wisdom.”
Dr. Morton looked around, “So this be your monastery? I think not.”
“To a good man of God, any home is a place of worship.”
“And yet you are so much more than that,” Morton suggested, “By God’s anointing, you are given right to be sovereign of these many peoples. Would you not agree?”
“We are given right to pray,” Henry turned once more to the window and then asked softly, “Yet...how is Margaret?”
“Low, Your Grace,” Dr. Morton answered, “Quite diminished in spirit.”
Henry sighed, “Then she too should pray.”
“I quite agree.”
“And...the boy?” Henry half turned in query.
“Learning,” Morton replied, “Though he does harbor a resentment.”
Henry turned fully and showed a narrowed brow, “That he should. It is a terrible thing to be wanting of one’s parents at such young age. I would know.”
“Quite,” Dr. Morton gave nod.
The former King stepped to pour some wine and did not offer any to his guest, “You should not be to here. There are none for which it would do well. And we desire only the peace of Almighty God.”
“Things do move apace, sire,” Morton offered, “This King...this Richard does plan to war once again. He will soon be across the channel and that would offer...”
“Do not plan for us, sir...” Henry did not turn in response as he held his wine, “Destiny is known only by the Grace of the Lord.”
“And yet He has already provided it, sire,” Morton suggested again, “Was it not Holy oil that touched your hands, heart and head? Was it not the Almighty’s Grace that provides for your own?”
“How did you scheme to be here?” the former King turned with question, “What ill contrived plan makes it so?”
Dr. Morton made bow, “Your brother, sire...and young Edmund Beaufort now called Somerset...your Lady wife the Queen.”
“Jasper?” Henry showed interest, “Where is he?”
“At the now safe to Brittany,” Morton answered with care, “Yet he does long to spy your face once more.”
Henry gave nod, “And I his. Yet it is not to be. Better him safe there than to peril here.”
“Would you not wish it different?” Dr. Morton questioned.
“I told you,” Henry passed him to look out the window again, “I would wish the peace of God and no more of this senseless shedding of blood.”
Before any answer, the chamber door opened again and the Chancellor of England entered. George Neville looked to Dr. Morton with curiosity, “This is passing strange. Bourchier did tell me that you had reentered our bosom, yet it was to be in service to Fotheringhay and not to here.”
“Your Imminence,” Morton gave nod as George Neville had just been named Archbishop of York, “The Archbishop of Canterbury requested that I hold audience prior to my progress.”
Neville snorted with derision, “Then to Canterbury you should be, sir. Not to here for I believe that many miles between that place and this.”
“Of course,” Dr. Morton looked back to Henry and offered a slight bow.
As he left, the new Archbishop shifted to look on the former King, “How are we this day?”
“We are wondering why it is you that comes to see us and not our cousin,” Henry looked to him with little respect, “Is Richard so busy as that?”
The Archbishop smiled, “In truth, he is...sir.”
“Some new war, I understand?” Henry questioned.
Neville held his smile as he moved to pour his own wine, “His Grace King Richard would honor his duty. The King of Champagne is married to his daughter and that place is threatened by Orleans. Yet that is not what keeps him.”
“No?”
“Nay, sir,” the Archbishop replied as he turned, “He is deep in planning for the marriage of his son the Prince with the Princess of Castile.”
“Yes...indeed,” Henry looked out over the grounds below, “A royal wedding. What takes it so long I wonder? Has this babe not been to these shores for some time?”
The Archbishop dropped his smile, “That is unimportant. What is important is a thing that we should discuss at the now.”
Henry held his gaze below, “Pray tell...sir.”
Archbishop Neville stepped forward with a scroll produced from his robes, “In his wisdom and love for you as his cousin, His Grace King Richard has held you safe and whole within these grounds. He would wish no harm to you and only your fullness.”
“He is kind,” Henry allowed.
Neville stepped closer still, “Yet it has been over one year in time. Time that your role...your former role...should be announced.”
“Announced?” Henry turned with question, “Are things not settled?”
The Archbishop sat the scroll down on a table between them, “In his care for you, King Richard has not forced the issue. Yet there remain far too many that would look. May look to you. As a...former sovereign...you would remain a figurehead. A beacon to the dissatisfied.”
“Are there so many as that?” Henry almost laughed, “I had thought Lancastrian claims null and void and spent. Is that not why I am here at the now? In this place?”
The Lord Chancellor grew frustrated, “The lack of satisfaction may be caused by many a thing. As you well know. His Grace has need to call for war taxes to pay for...”
“Adventure?” Henry teased.
“Expense,” Neville corrected, “More than might be, had you and yours not caused so much the last time round. And as he does have a wedding to pay for...”
Henry allowed a grin, “Was her dowry so little?”
“You mistake my point,” George Neville frowned.
“I think not,” Henry moved and settled by the hearth, “I believe to know it well. Yet I do not know how I may be of any assistance whatsoever with your charge. I should also say...we do not care for you. So if I am troubling...it is well meant.”
“I serve the King of England,” the Archbishop stood proudly, “As you were once, I did serve you. As you are no longer...that brings me to the nub of my point.”
Henry raised his brow, “I see. Here we come to the moment in which you would ask of me to renounce all of my claim. Is that it?”
“The very thing,” George Neville showed a slight bow hoping for understanding.
The former King stood to his full and considerable height and stepped to his former servant, “I was made to renounce my son. That I did in favor of my cousin. I was...”
“He is not your son.”
Henry peered closely, “I was made to renounce my wife. That too I did.”
“It is my understanding that this was your own choice.”
The former King stepped even closer, “I have done all to clear a path for my cousin yet a thing that I will not do is renounce my God.”
Neville skewed his brow, “No one should ask that of you.”
“And yet you do,” Henry stood over him. One man in his finery and another quite diminished.
“We do not!” the Archbishop suggested again.
Henry pushed up his sleeves and showed the prelate his wrists, “These, sir...these have been touched by God. This head...this chest...this body. All. Touched and blessed by Almighty God. We should allow all manner of people to do in our stead...yet what we should never do is deny our Lord. As a man of the church yourself...your very soul is at peril for doing such.”
“It is a matter of...”
The former King quickly cut him off, “Hellfire and damnation! Though we may not practice at the role, we would not deny what God Almighty has written. And should our cousin have trouble with that...then he may come and see for himself.”
Archbishop Neville stepped away with disappointment, “The King will not be pleased.”
“Then mayhap he should come and see to his cousin before he leaves these shores for another war.”
George Neville had no more answer and turned to leave the chamber. Henry did not stop him. Instead he shifted to the table and eyed the offered scroll. He knew what they asked. He even knew why. Yet with a brief smile, he reached out and tipped it to the rush strewn floor with his fingers. As it tumbled to the ground, he laughed. Such is the folly of Kings.
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@coz1 a delightful scene!
I like Henry so much more as a former king. That poor man, such a pleasant personality having been weighed down with all that responsibility.
He's always had a sense of humor and a certain degree of keen insight, but it's so much more available now, and followed up by that snarky wit!
Rensslaer
I like Henry so much more as a former king. That poor man, such a pleasant personality having been weighed down with all that responsibility.
He's always had a sense of humor and a certain degree of keen insight, but it's so much more available now, and followed up by that snarky wit!
Rensslaer
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Pleasant personality? Perhaps, but only if he was a complete nonentity. Unfrorusntly, he's one of those infuriating people who stands for nothing, does very little, and what he does do, does poorly.
He's nice (ish) but this entire AAR is his fault, at the end of the day. If he were truly so noble, good and holy as he presents, he'd tell the truth, stand up for what he believes in and take action.
He's spent YEARS ignoring the Queen, his bustard offspring existing, the realm nearly falling apart, and even now will not do the decent thing and either die or give up.
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Henry does himself no favours by refusing to officially renounce the crown (I assume that's what the scroll was about), yet at the same time is fully aware that people like Dr. Morton would see him back on the throne. That ultimately makes him a liability if there was ever a groundswell of support leading to another potential civil war. I know Richard loves his cousin, but how long could he put up with that distraction?
I appreciate the shout out, @coz1. One post in and another coming soon. Now I just need an audience or it will be a very short revival.
I appreciate the shout out, @coz1. One post in and another coming soon. Now I just need an audience or it will be a very short revival
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There are shades here of Charles I and his determination not to renounce his prerogatives after losing the Civil War and eventually facing trial for his life. He knew full well what the consequences were likely to be, but would not render to men what he believed had been granted him by God: the only one qualified to judge him. A judgement which that determination brought forward by a good many years! Different situation and people, but some similarities too. I wonder if the consequences for Henry will be as dire …
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Will Richard shout
Will no one rid me of this turbulent Henry?
Ah, we shall see..
Will no one rid me of this turbulent Henry?
Ah, we shall see..
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Henry was great in this scene.
That last line was poignant. Such is the folly of Kings - both kings, really, are fools...
Will Margaret get back in touch with Henry? If she does, that would be a problem.
That last line was poignant. Such is the folly of Kings - both kings, really, are fools...
Will Margaret get back in touch with Henry? If she does, that would be a problem.
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I must admit I was warming to Henry until the end, when I was reminded why he was such an arse. If being God's Anointed is so important to him why did he flatly refuse to actually rule while he was king, surely that was just as much a denial of the Lord? While I'm not familiar with the exact wording of medieval coronation oaths I suspect they required him to actually do things and not hide away in prayer all the time.
For all that I think he is safe from a 'tragic accident', if Richard must suffer plotters then Henry is the ideal rival claimant - ineffectual, cowardly, imprisoned and doesn't actually want the job. Hard to get many people to rally behind that, yet by his mere existence he divides any opposition and stops them all rallying behind someone competent.
For all that I think he is safe from a 'tragic accident', if Richard must suffer plotters then Henry is the ideal rival claimant - ineffectual, cowardly, imprisoned and doesn't actually want the job. Hard to get many people to rally behind that, yet by his mere existence he divides any opposition and stops them all rallying behind someone competent.
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Fb-fb:
To all - My output of late has been quite sparse and for that I apologize. I suppose it may help others catch up (if they still are) but I have been unable to write much of anything these last months due to work and perhaps some block. To quote George Harrison, "all things must pass" and I assure you we will get back to a steady stream of updates but for now I need to put them out slowly. We are about halfway through the chapter and while I am leaving some things unsaid, you may be able to read between the lines. I could spell it out in detail within the narrative, but if I did so it would take forever to move the plot forward.
To be certain, thank you all for sticking with me during this transition period (both in life and the story) and most definitely continuing to offer your most astute comments! As I have with all of my work here, I could not do it without you.
And the next scene follows in just a moment...
What I enjoy writing for Henry is that I am able to suggest both his intellect and his perhaps innocence. While he is not a fool, he certainly acts like it quite often. It is that grey area that I like to explore in him.
Infuriating all the way to the end. Henry can be no thing else.
I will admit that like RL, I am having Richard act as Edward IV did and keep Henry alive. And it makes even more sense given that Richard and Henry have a long and somewhat caring history. Plus, it allows these little moments. To be sure, the best course of action would be to see Henry suffer "an accident" but I do not think Richard could do that. Much like Queen Elizabeth I fretted at the idea of killing Mary Queen of Scots (as both cousin and anointed Queen), I believe it would tear at Richard's soul to do such a thing. However, as suggested below, he may need to have others do what he cannot and then claim his own innocence.Henry does himself no favours by refusing to officially renounce the crown (I assume that's what the scroll was about), yet at the same time is fully aware that people like Dr. Morton would see him back on the throne. That ultimately makes him a liability if there was ever a groundswell of support leading to another potential civil war. I know Richard loves his cousin, but how long could he put up with that distraction?
I appreciate the shout out, @coz1. One post in and another coming soon. Now I just need an audience or it will be a very short revival
That is a great comparison! There are indeed many similarities. While we are not quite to the "divine right of Kings" era, these people took their oath to God quite seriously and did fret over their mortal peril. Most especially Henry. It may have taken Dr. Morton to remind him, but it was not a hard sell as can be seen. Henry may have been a weak King, but his commitment to God is resolute. A tricky situation.
Richard would probably do well to follow the previous Henry, but I'm not sure he could take that step with this one. Indeed, we shall see.
I do wonder sometimes if my descriptions read as I see them in my mind (as I tend to write as I might see them on the screen), but I did so enjoy both the line and Henry tipping the scroll to the floor with a smile.
It is indeed frustrating that while Henry takes his oath seriously, he is barely capable of actually fulfilling it. I mean, he willingly gave it up and yet now refuses to fully commit to such. Thus the eternal quandary that is Henry VI.
To all - My output of late has been quite sparse and for that I apologize. I suppose it may help others catch up (if they still are) but I have been unable to write much of anything these last months due to work and perhaps some block. To quote George Harrison, "all things must pass" and I assure you we will get back to a steady stream of updates but for now I need to put them out slowly. We are about halfway through the chapter and while I am leaving some things unsaid, you may be able to read between the lines. I could spell it out in detail within the narrative, but if I did so it would take forever to move the plot forward.
To be certain, thank you all for sticking with me during this transition period (both in life and the story) and most definitely continuing to offer your most astute comments! As I have with all of my work here, I could not do it without you.
And the next scene follows in just a moment...
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Lincoln, November 1465
Edmund rolled over in the bed and shivered as the covers were off of him. Pulling them back close he tried to continue sleeping but a knock sounded to the chamber door. With an irritated sigh he called out, “Yes?”
The door opened only slightly and he heard his brother in law Suffolk suggest, “The Lady Beaufort is here to see you, Ed. I thought to keep her entertained for a moment, yet...”
“Of course...” Edmund sat up in the bed and looked to his right, “...she will be wanting.”
“Shall I call for some wine?” John de la Pole questioned.
The Prince stood gently and moved to the meager fire. He poked at it to get it roaring again and then looked back to the bed, “Lillibet does not share so well, brother...yet mayhap to here when I am left.”
Suffolk briefly poked his head through the opening and grinned, “And the Lady Beaufort is chaste.”
“Never you mind,” Edmund gathered his robe to him and pushed the chamber door closed.
He heard a laugh and then dressed quickly. Without too much time, Edmund made his way to the great hall and found Margaret Beaufort waiting for him with her servant Reginald Bray. She quickly stood and offered a bow.
“I am too troubled that I have seen to disturbing you, my Lord Prince,” she said quickly.
Edmund smiled, “Think no thing of it, my Lady. Yet what brings you to here?”
“I heard...” she stumbled in her words, “...that you...that you were making progress through these lands once more.”
He smiled as he shifted to the great hearth to warm himself, “My sister and brother in law are most kind. I feel it as a home.”
“Indeed,” Margaret stood straighter and pressed her hands to her dress, “And is that all?”
Edmund skewed an eye, “A curious question. Should I not wish to see my sibling?”
“Of course you should,” Margaret gave nod, “Yet...you do spend so much time to here.”
He laughed, “Do you keep the moments of my progress, my Lady?”
“You mistake me, my Lord Prince,” Margaret blushed, “I only mean...you are so long from court. And when your father the King...”
“My father the King is in deep planning for another adventure abroad, Lady Beaufort,” Edmund allowed, “He shows little time for myself or any other. And these lands are fine.”
She showed a smile, “Of course they are.”
“So I should ask again...” Edmund offered a quizzical eye, “...what does bring you to here?”
Margaret showed an embarrassment, “I did not mean to pry.”
“You do not,” he suggested.
She looked to his hastily fitted clothes, “Yet you do...seem preoccupied with some thing else, my Lord.”
Edmund grinned, “Now I think that you do pry, my Lady. Should my preoccupation be a thing of interest?”
“I only mean...” Margaret blushed again, “...that it should seem passing strange that you do not spend more time with your...with the Lady of Castile.”
He stepped closer, “The Princesa is a girl of no more than five and ten, my Lady. You of all people might respect that I hold a wide berth prior to our joining. Should you not think?”
“Of course!” Margaret gave quick nod, “Very proper. Yet...”
“Yet?” Edmund questioned as he stepped closer still.
Margaret felt flustered, “I...I could not say. I only mean...”
“What do you mean, madam?” the Prince stood over her.
“I...that is to say...those that look to a match...a pairing...I...we all...you...”
Edmund skewed an eye, “Are you nervous, my Lady?”
She demurred, “I am sorry to bother you. It is simply...with matches made all round...I look to mine own.”
“Is there some thing wrong with Sir Stafford?” he questioned with humor.
“No...not at all,” Margaret insisted, “It is just...your Lord father the King...and your mother...they see to all of it and with your own and...”
Edmund held a gentle hand to her arm, “Speak to me, Lady Beaufort. You may be assured that I will hear you.”
Margaret flinched at the touch and backed away, “You have always been so kind, my Lord. I should not trouble you. But my son...he is...”
“Indeed,” the Prince allowed a knowing smile, “It is mama that you come to speak on, is it not?”
“Queen Cecily...she is exacting and would know her way,” Margaret tried to smile in return but could not, “However...I see not how she may match my son with another so troubling.”
Edmund shrugged and moved away to pour some wine, “I could not say that I know of her plans, my Lady. Only that she holds them.”
“Maud Herbert...sir!” Margaret stiffened, “It cannot be!”
“Truly?” the Prince laughed as he poured and then turned back to her, “She would match with Black William? She hates him.”
Margaret showed nod, “All do! He is a blackguard to be sure!”
“Yet he is Earl of Pembroke, my Lady,” Edmund suggested as he sat near the fire, “It is a powerful position within Wales and I should think it some thing good for your boy. Do you not think?”
“He is a scoundrel and all know it, sir!”
Edmund tried to be sympathetic, “There is truth. Yet...and I know it to be mayhap uncomfortable to you...but he is Lord of that place and my father would wish a loyal man to arm it and keep it close.”
Margaret allowed a moment in thought and then looked to her man Reginald Bray. With a nod, he was gone from the hall and then she stepped closer to the fire, “Do you ever wonder what it is to marry, my Lord?”
“I suppose that I do every day,” Edmund answered, “As I am to be wed quite soon.”
She lowered her head and stepped closer still holding a soft hand to his shoulder, “Did you know that I was first betrothed to yon Suffolk? When I was a mere babe?”
“John?!” Edmund looked past her, “Truly?”
Margaret knelt to a knee and held tightly, “We were married in the eyes of God...or law. Both I suppose. I do not consider it true for we never even met. His mother...it does not matter. Yet it is true.”
“I did not know.”
She leaned in to his leg, “And then...I was naught but three and ten. My youth, if it were not already stolen...I was...it was unkind.”
“This I know, madam,” Edmund felt uncomfortable and stood to the hearth, “A most ungallant manner to gain that which you love so much.”
Margaret looked up to him with pain in her eyes, “His name be Tudor, sir...but he is my son. My only son. My everything.”
“Yet you have Stafford, my Lady...a good man,” he answered as he backed away further, “A good man indeed. All know it.”
“He is...” she hesitated as she slumped to the stone floor in sadness, “...fine. Good. Well enough. Yet...”
Edmund questioned, “Yet? Is there to be more?”
“Should there not be?” Margaret turned to him with a glint in her eye, “Should a man not love a woman? Or a woman love a man?”
“We are of like age, my Lady Beaufort,” Edmund felt a pity and knelt close to her, “You should know well that it is fourteen sixty and five. The court of Aquitaine exists no more and courtly love...it is a myth. Should you wish to be Heloise? Should some other be Abelard? These are tales told by those that cannot practice it. A thing denied...cannot be had. Dare I say it, madam...but a fool’s errand.”
She held to his arm, “Must it be? Am I to a nunnery and my son to be sold to the highest bidder?”
“He’ll not be sold,” Edmund scoffed even in his kindness, “My father shall see it right. He recognizes the boy’s place. Your place.”
Margaret placed a hand to his cheek as tears started to run down hers, “Am I to be pawn my entire life? Is his life to be the same?!”
“You are distraught, my Lady,” Edmund tried to say but she held closer.
“I am...Edmund. I know no other in this life. My husband is good...yet my son? He is all that matters at the now.”
He allowed her touch, “Your Henry shall be made whole, madam. A Tudor for Wales and a constant for my father the King. To marry Maud of Herbert...he would take his rightful place as his father was before as Earl of Richmond. No matter...no matter how he became.”
“You are so kind, my Prince,” Margaret pulled his head closer to hers, “Why cannot you decide?”
Edmund wanted to pull away but she was sad and her tears moved him, “I am not King.”
“You will be,” she begged and pressed her lips to his.
He did not pull away this time. Not immediately. Margaret was still beautiful and passionate in her embrace. Edmund could not resist. As their lips parted he looked to her with confusion, “I think not that your...”
“He is not here,” Margaret stopped him, “I did not think for this to happen...yet it does. I must tell you...I think...to love you.”
Edmund pushed away and stood, “So you are to be Heloise and I, Abelard? A love that dare not speak it’s name? When I barely know you, Lady Beaufort?!”
She sighed and then stood as well with tears running down her cheek, “There is another Margaret that would seduce. I know not that world. I only know mine own and that of my son. I know not love, sir...”
“Not Jasper Tudor?” Edmund questioned, surprising even himself.
Margaret pressed her hands to her dress and held her head high as she looked to the chamber beyond, “One does what they must in times of confusion. I’ll not apologize for mine own. What others may do is not my purpose. I only tell you a truth, my Lord. I hold opinion...and a heart. For my son...for myself such as I may be...and yes...for you.”
“I wish...” Edmund knew not what to say, “...I wish that I could help you.”
She adjusted quickly and composed herself, “You may assist by speaking to your father on my son’s behalf. I ask no more. Yet I am not ashamed of my feeling. My Lord...I am true.”
“And I am sorry...” Edmund allowed a caring eye, “...yet I do not share it.”
Margaret showed a brief smile, “Then might you at least help?”
“I...I would speak to my father...” Edmund shifted to leave, “...and mama.”
She offered a bow, “I could ask no more.”
Edmund returned the bow with confusion and no little amount of embarrassment and returned to his chamber. As he entered the room, she stirred. He tried to be silent as he moved to the window in thought but she spoke in a soft sleepy tone, “Where have you been?”
“An appointment,” he answered.
The figure stirred in the bed and sat up covering her naked breasts with the sheets, “I missed you.”
“And I you...” Edmund looked to her with some feeling, “...Lizzie.”
She dropped the sheet from her body with a grin, “Do you not mean...my Lady Grey?”
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Ah great...
No pregnancies and it ends when he marries
Otherwise this all starts up again.
No pregnancies and it ends when he marries
Otherwise this all starts up again.
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And Elizabeth Woodville somehow manages to break back into the story despite Edward’s death. Somewhat glad to see Edmund shares his brother’s taste in women, though he at least to be slightly more self-aware about it.
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