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comfort in time of need; William Parr
Topic Started: Nov 17 2010, 09:16 PM (163 Views)
Ursula Pole
Unregistered

December 1511

The sky was dark with clouds that threatened snow in England. To Ursula, the flakes meant skating and sledding down sheets of pure white; it was a time of excitement and joy. The court was buzzing with the anticipation of winter fun. The vivid energy surrounding Hampton Court was alive in Ursula that afternoon as she walked quickly down the hallway, towards the rooms of William Parr, the Earl of Essex.

Part of her happiness stemmed from the news that she was to be wed to the young, handsome man who had stolen her innocence this past summer. Not only was happy for the union, but also relieved that the man who had taken God's precious gift from her was to be her husband. It was as if God himself was forgiving her for her mistakes as a young, foolish girl. She vowed to never be so naive and dimwitted again. Now that she was to be Lady Parr, wife to a very prominent man in England, she could not afford a stain to her reputation.

As she approached her future husband's door, she smoothed the front of her gown, and gingerly tucked a few stray curls behind her ears. The bright but rich colors of her gown were meant to give off a cheerful vibe, one that would certainly bring a smile to William Parr's face. As of late William had been in a depression of sorts due to the arrival of Anne Bourchier, his estranged wife who refused to set him free. Ursula herself had never encountered the woman directly, but assumed she was a nasty thing from what the men said of her. She had left poor William cuckolded and abandoned.

Ursula was prepared to pick up the pieces and show William how gentle and loving a wife she would be. She wanted to show him that not all women were like the wicked Anne, who sought to harm William then selfishly claim him. Ursula should have been upset at the news of Anne's return and stubbornness, but she had the Duke of Norfolk's backing and blessing in this union. He was on their side, and was certain to push for their marriage. Anne Bourchier would not be an issue as long as Norfolk supported them.

With a delicate hand Ursula pushed open the door to William's room, which was left ajar. "Lord Parr," she called out before stepping into the room. She was careful to stay close to the doorway, not wanting to overstep her boundaries. "I have come to cheer you up," she chirped brightly.
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William Parr
Unregistered

It must have been Kate or Anne. It must have been. William had begun to regularly expect their visits to his apartments, simply because they didn't want to leave him be. Sometimes he loved them for that, but now it seemed it was getting quite old. Because he wished to be alone, it meant something was terribly wrong. Yes, something was, but he was slowly coming to terms with the fact that it seemed whatever he would do, no matter what it was, he would remain married to Anne Bourchier. It would be life. He would, as he expected years ago, get on as well as he could. He still would make himself a great man, yet with no children to follow this legacy he would create. It was enough burden to feel heavy on his shoulders, yet he tried to hide it, speaking with confidence in Privy Council meetings, laughing at the meals in the great hall with friends, participating in court life that seemed increasingly irrelevant to him. It all meant nothing.

He had only just come back into his apartments, wanting to get a book to give Katherine. Hunting for it amongst the bookshelves proved a difficult activity, for he simply could not find it. Standing there, biting the corner of his lower lip, squinting up into the leather bound volumes, there was no way he was finding what it was his sister wanted. William hadn't the attention span for it when he needed to sit down and read that letter from the Duke of Norfolk. What it was about, he was not sure, but he had a feeling it had to do with the gossip going around court regarding that foul wife of his. No reply had come from Essex's hand as he had not read it, unsure what to write to the formidable Thomas Howard, not wanting to come off as some upset, whining child. He knew nothing of the Duke's plan to somehow get rid of Anne Bourchier, and then marry William off to the woman he had been spending much of his time with these past few months.

A surprising voice caught him as he stood, not truly looking for the book anymore. Ursula Pole's. William was genuinely surprised to see her, considering their liaison had not been kept up once Anne Bourchier re-entered court. Not because he did not wish to spend time with her, but because he did not want to worry her with his anger and hate. Their relationship, while it had begun strictly as a platonic thing for satisfaction, was something more. He didn't want to touch it. Not when he thought love was a ridiculous, false sentiment created by poets. Even thinking he had feelings for her made him feel like an idiot, when he knew he truly did, after vowing to himself years ago as a younger man that he would never, ever trust those feelings again.

"Ursula." He did not even give her the courtesy of her title. Instead, William inclined his head to her, a small smile slowly appearing on his lips. So she had come to cheer him up? What sort of cheering up did she have in mind? She was a smart girl, easy to talk to, knowledgeable about all the things William was--but he wondered if she was here for something else, of the private kind. It didn't matter much. He, who had once gone from bed to bed of various women at court, found himself quite attached to her at least in that manner of speaking. He hadn't dallied with anyone else since starting this relationship, if one could call it that, with formidable Lady Pole's daughter. "Cheer me? God knows I need it."

He moved to the door, passing by her to close it quietly after a moment of pausing there, noting no one was wandering about the corridors. "Thank you," William said as he turned from the door, now closed upon them for privacy. "I am sorry I have not seen you. I am sure you have heard all the nasty gossip from the other ladies." His voice was dull, though he tried to inject some happiness in there, for he was glad to see her. "I trust you are well?" The concern was genuine, having not seen her; he wanted to know she was alright, that all was well in her world of backstabbing women, having heard all about the various ladies that served the Queen from his sisters. For now, he was proper with her, ignoring the urge to take her into his arms to hold and kiss the beautiful lady.
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Ursula Pole
Unregistered

The minute he stepped closer to her, Ursula's heart quickened with longing. Every inch of her wanted to touch him, to feel him. It had been a long time since they were together alone. She had seen so little of him since the heartless Anne Bourchier returned. She wanted to wipe the stains that such a painful marriage had left on his heart. However, she kept her distance. She was a polite, young courtier who could not afford to throw herself at any man. She kept her back straight and her hands neatly at her sides.

"They have talked of your former wife, and her return to court," she said quietly. "I would not expect you to call for me under such circumstances my Lord," she bit her lip as she said this. She felt shy and quiet around him, seeing him so somber and joyless. His voice was marred with suppressed sadness that she could not ignore. Of course, Ursula would not be as foolish as to address his emotions directly, four brothers had taught her that sometimes a man did well when they kept a mask on to block their feelings. "I am not upset," she continued gently. "I would do the same in your position."

Ursula could feel her cheeks flame up. She had come with the intention of bringing William from his deep depression, but to also view his reaction to the Duke's surprising news a few weeks ago. She was not aware if the Duke of Norfolk had truly spoken on William's behalf, or was merely arranging the union with his own hands. The Duke was not known for his honesty, and her mother had warned her to be careful of him, among others. As foolish as she could be at times, Ursula made sure to use her instincts and play the court game to the best of her abilities.

"I am well, thank you for asking," she answered him with a warm smile. "The winter air has made me excited with all the possibilities a new year holds," Ursula explained. Her eyes were drawn to a window, which lent a view to courtiers walking off in pairs. Their dresses and coats were lined with fur, and little clouds of white appeared from their mouths. To Ursula, the world was at such peace during the months of winter. The way the Earth seemed to slumber had always held a place in her heart.

She drew her eyes away from the sight, returning them to William Parr's face. He was such a handsome man, she was positive her mother would adore him. Her brothers would go hunting with him, perhaps they would look up to him as an addition to their large family. She almost laughed at her imagination running wild. She did not even know if he was aware of the Duke's proposition, and here she was signing him off as her husband already. "One possibility in particular caught my attention. One brought to me by the Duke," Ursula said bravely. Her chocolate eyes scanned his face for his reaction when it came. Would he think her a silly little girl? No, he couldn't. He had loved her, or at least did an act of love towards her, she was no fool for taking a marriage proposal from him seriously.
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William Parr
Unregistered

"I am sorry I have not been able to see you." William was regretful that he had to ignore her--a better word for it being avoid--considering the situation he found himself floundering in with no way out. They were still a few paces from one another, out of propriety, even though the door was closed to the world. It was just the two of them. "I have wanted to. It is just--" He didn't know how to explain it. He shook his head, figuring she would understand. She said she did already, that she understood, that she would do the same were she in the position he was in. "She is still my wife; she will not consent to the annulment," he told her, green eyes dull with no light in them.

When she spoke of possibilities, William chuckled. It was a dry, unamused sound, the sort of laugh of someone forcing himself to sound amused when he wasn't at all. He knew he was most likely fearfully boring to her now, the way he was like this, explaining to her what had been transpiring, why he was so upset. No, depressed, as he was stuck in this situation with no way out thanks to Anne Bourchier's stubbornness. "What sort of possibilities, do you think?" he asked her, somewhat teasing. "I am glad you are not angry with me." Those last words came out spontaneously, as he realized he had indeed missed her company, and not just her company in his bed, but in general. She was a joyful sort, someone who made him forget his worries. It was infectious. She made him happy, he finally realized, hiding his shock behind that mask of apathy his face had become. Oh, God. That was no good. No good at all.

He reached out to take her hips in his hands, pulling her to him, wishing to lean down to at least give her a kiss, something he had been denied for what seemed like years. The Duke of Norfolk? William blinked at her, surprised at this change of subject. "What do you mean?" he asked, tilting his head to the side, eyes narrowing in curiosity as he considered the options. The fact she was mentioning it to him meant it surely involved him, and as well as her. What could it be? Clearly he had no idea whatsoever of the devious Duke's plans for his ally Lord Essex.
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Ursula Pole
Unregistered

"I could never be angry with you," Ursula said slowly. She meant it, no matter what William could or would do, Ursula found that she would never be upset with him. He was far too gentle towards her. Even now, as the pain was evident within him, he made every effort to show a little kindness towards him. William Parr was a good man who Ursula cared for dearly. He had taken a part of her, and rather than toss her away, as he was known to do, he flattered her and kept her around. She did not kid herself into believing he loved her, but for a man who had women surrounding him, he certainly had to be fond of her.

Ursula felt Will's strong hands pull her towards him, cupping her narrow hips. For a moment she shut her eyes, hoping in vain he would plant a loving kiss on her lips and lead her towards his bed, to which she had grown so accustomed to over the glorious months they had spent together. However, he did nothing of the sort, much to Ursula's disappointment. Though, she could understand why he would not; their relationship had ceased to continue after the return of his wife. It was not proper or expected at the moment, but God how she longed for it.

She looked up at him softly, thinking of how to phrase her answer. She did not want to sound like a mad woman, high with the hope of a marriage, but she did desire to understand his feelings on the issue. It was obvious to her that he knew nothing of what the Duke had suggested, which only meant that Thomas Howard worked towards his own intentions. Ursula knew the selfish intentions of courtiers and nobles. They worked towards their own goals and poor William and her were just pawns in whatever game His Grace had planned for them. Yet, if the end goal meant their union, Ursula would be happy to play for Norfolk's team.

She licked her lips a bit before answering Will. "Well a while ago the Duke of Norfolk spoke of a marriage between you and I, a prospect I admit I was quite excited by," she said quietly. "However, it seems with the sudden return of your wife, negotiations have been halted. Or, has the Duke not discussed this with you? He told me he spoke on your behalf," her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. She stepped away from him and buried her face in her hands, unable to meet his eyes. She sounded far too eager and forward. "Oh, I must sound like such a fool. Talking of marriage when you hadn't the slightest knowledge of it!"

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William Parr
Unregistered

While he wished to draw her into his arms, kiss her, take her to bed, he felt he could not. At least not now, with his curiosity so piqued. "I am glad you are not," William said hesitantly, truly happy in some way that she was not upset that he had practically abandoned her, only speaking to her in public and at that in the most formal of voices, treating her just like another lady, not like a lady he had bedded as if she were his wife (which, he had often thought, he wished she was).

Had William read the letter sent to him by His Grace, surely he would have known what Ursula was speaking of. But because he was in the dark, she surprised him. His face went from confused to astonished as she babbled on about marriage. Marrying her? Him? If Anne had freed him? The thoughts buzzed about his head like irritating insects. "I--" He stopped himself, biting his lower lip to prevent laughing at her bright cheeks, how she diverted her eyes and buried her face in her hands like a girl mortified. "It seems His Grace is taking my own matters into his own hands," he began, not sounding particularly annoyed by that point. A powerful man could help him out of it. Another thought came to him: Ursula as his wife, would it make him happy? For a man so disappointed in what his life had been, married to Anne Bourchier, reflecting on his personal happiness was a strange thing, as foreign to him as the Americas.

"Were there particular negotiations? Or did he simply speak to you?" His voice was soft, his hands having dropped from her hips to take her own hands, moving them from her face, their eyes meeting, his gaze gentle, the look of a man if not in love then certainly the look of a man who at least felt affection for the lady before him. "If I could, my lady, I would marry you." She was so unlike Anne: vivacious, intelligent, ambitious, surely a wife for a courtly man as Anne was a wife for a country squire. "I do not particularly like the idea of being a bigamist," he said lightly, trying to make a joke of it, "and so unless somehting happens--which, judging by my negotiations with the vile woman I must call my wife--it is simply something His Grace must have told you when we believed I would be free of her." When he leaned in to press a sweet kiss not to her lips but her forehead, William regretted what he had said only because now that the idea was in his head, he could not get rid of it. God, how he wished she could be his wife, not just a woman he called to his bed when he felt like it or when she came to him. If he could not be happy, then at least he would be fairly content with her, a lady far more suited to a man of his station and taste for ambition than the woman who left him...
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Ursula Pole
Unregistered

If I could, my lady, I would marry you.

That was all Ursula needed to hear. As long as he wanted to marry her she was content. It didn't matter that he was still married to Anne Bourchier. As long as there was a will, Ursula would find a way. She was the daughter of Margaret and Richard Pole. She was given the very best of everything; winning was so natural to her. She was born and bred to receive the best, and was never denied any sweet thing she craved. Anne Bourchier would be a horrible memory of the past, and Ursula would replace her as the wife of William Parr.

Not only did she enjoy the company of the young noble, but their marriage would ensure her reputation remained in tact. If she were to be married to another man, surely he would discover she was not as pure as her name and pedigree implied. She would be shamed should her husband discover her actions prior to their wedding. Marrying William Parr provided an easy way to escape the dangers of such a union, as well as a marriage she would be pleased with. He was wealthy, handsome, sweet and a genuine man. She was not such a fool to think they loved one another yet, but she had feelings for him, and she assumed he did. She had no doubt that with time their marriage could blossom into love. They would be a rarity among the courtly unions, and their children would be handsome and strong.

Renewed confidence awoke in Ursula, she smiled as his lips brushed against her forehead. She longed to grab him and toss him onto the bed. She wanted to be reckless and daring. No longer was there caution in her touch and her feelings for him. She was not going to be stopped by something as silly as an unwanted wife unwilling to let go. She felt almost territorial, and understood for a moment how Anne Boleyn must have felt when she attacked Ursula that summer day. Ursula, like Anne Bourchier, was an obstacle in her relationship. Unlike Anne Boleyn, however, Ursula would not threaten, nor scare Anne Bourchier. She would simply use her courtly graces and gentility to get Anne to consent to an annulment.

"As long as you want to my Lord," Ursula said softly. "We will find a way to rid you of Anne Bourchier, and provide you with a marriage you deserve," Ursula smiled brightly, no longer embarrassed. She was intoxicated with hope and his touch. Bravely, she pressed her lips to his, in a sweet, yet passionate kiss that displayed her longing for him. "As you long as you desire it my Lord, I will find a way to convince her to end this madness and agree to an annulment."
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William Parr
Unregistered

With how pleased she seemed to be with his words, saying that if he could have her, she would be the Countess of Essex, William felt strangely at peace. He never thought he ever would be with the idea of matrimony, with what pain it had caused him emotionally, a sort of pain and distress he had not thought possible. But with Ursula, perhaps it would not be a burden he had to worry constantly about but a state of being he could enjoy, with a woman at his side from such an illustrious family, who would be content with him instead of run from him. A preposterous idea, throwing away years of his thoughts about the idea of marriage (especially how he himself had been so forced), but it was effectively what Ursula made him do. He was strangely alright with it.

"Will you?" William murmured against her lips after returning her kiss, now thinking more on how to get her to his bed than anything else. He had so neglected her, and now, he wondered how he had abandoned her with his concerns for his wife. "I should be indebted to you more than His Grace, then, if you would accomplish such a feat that seems near impossible." Kissing her again, he pulled her into his arms, desiring nothing more than to lead her to bed, something he had been denying himself--and her--for what seemed like years, though it was only weeks.

Pulling away from the kisses to look at her, William's face was earnest as he asked her, "And you would be happy as my wife? I do not want you to be forced into such a thing as I was, no matter my own feelings." It was, in a roundabout way, his admission that he cared for her, perhaps even loved her, something he was not yet bold enough to say. "For you deserve happiness, my dear. If it is I who can give it to you, all the better." Leaning in, he brushed his lips against her ear. "Come to bed." He knew as well as she that she would not, could not, resist such an offer. She hadn't the first time, and she hadn't any other time. He not only wanted her because he desired her, but because he wanted to hold her in his arms.

Ah, yes. William felt more for Ursula Pole than he let on, even to himself.
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Ursula Pole
Unregistered

Ursula reveled in the kisses he planted upon her lips. She was back in his arms once again, after so many weeks. Here, in his muscular arms, only minutes away from his bed was where she felt most comfortable. She gently traced his cheeks with the tips of her fingers, enjoying the feel of his skin against hers. "I will get her to consent to an annulment, my Lord," Ursula vowed. "She will soon see how pointless it is to hold on to a marriage she destroyed." She knew she spoke bluntly, but she wanted William to see the passion in her voice. She wanted him to see how much she desired to be his Countess.

The young lady peered up into his eyes, examining the handsome face she had kissed so many times. Would she be happy with him? She had always hoped for her to marry him, though she never thought he would be open to the idea. She had been a wanton girl when he first met her. She had allowed him to lead her to bed, and gave herself to him freely. Still, here he was, when he had so many opportunities to deny her and send her away. No doubt her mother would be skeptical. The Parr family lacked the prestige of the Poles, but he had a title, wealth, the favor of the King as well as the favor of Thomas Howard. He was an honorable man, and she knew with a bit of convincing her mother would come to accept the idea. "Yes, I think I would be very happy with you," she smiled warmly, burying her face into his strong chest.

She smiled coyly at his suggestion. How naughty it was to talk of marriage, then hop into bed. Yet, he must have understood the hold he had on her, for she was unable to refuse his request. She desired him, and felt strongly for the young man before her. She had been courted so many times before, but there was something so genuine in her feelings for William. It was no longer a courtly game of flirtation, it was true romance blossoming for Ursula. She gently lead him to the bed, and kissed him sweetly, imagining how much better this would be when they were man and wife.
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