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| fancy and fantasy; tag; Charles Brandon | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 20 2010, 07:37 PM (149 Views) | |
| Jane Seymour | Nov 20 2010, 07:37 PM Post #1 |
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Jane prided herself on her appearance, feeling it was best to remain immaculate in every way. She enjoyed her stainless reputation and felt it brought credit to the Queen as well. But she was not blind at all; she saw men and appreciated their good looks and charm. The only difference between her and the other ladies was that she didn't give up her virtue to dally with them. Of course, she would never say that she didn't fantasize. She was a young woman of flesh and blood, just like any other. This, she decided, was the reason, during tonight's Christmas festivities, she couldn't take her eyes off of Charles Brandon. She'd heard that he was marrying Catherine Howard and didn't find herself very surprised. Catherine Howard was pretty and young. What man wouldn't want to marry her? Aside from her own brothers and other enemies of the Howard family, Jane could think of none. She raised her glass of mulled wine to her lips, sipping at it, as she continued to watch Charles. He was close to the King and Duke of Suffolk and it would be in her family's best interests that he didn't marry a Howard. She didn't like to think of how that would elevate them, but she didn't know how she would prevent such a thing. She was only a woman. A thought flashed in her mind, spurring her forward and into his way. She curtsied low. "My lord Suffolk," she began, "are you enjoying the evening?" ( Sorry that it's crap ): ) |
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| Charles Brandon | Dec 5 2010, 08:14 PM Post #2 |
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[size0]((Ooc: Eeps! I don’t know how I totally forgot about this thread. But I did. So here is my apology. And though I was going to go to bed and whatnot, I feel bad about losing track of this thread so I shall reply right now. xD)) Christmas was always a rather interesting time – although this year it didn’t have the same joy as it usually did. Not for him. Because the approach of Christmas signalled the approach of his impending marriage to Catherine Howard. And he didn’t feel at all pleased about the idea of being married. He supposed he could have done a great deal worse, and he had nothing against the young woman who was to be his bride. Nothing against her in particular. But marriage did not seem the right state for him; he preferred to do as he pleased, when he pleased, with whom he pleased. And having a wife, one who hoped that he might one day love her above all else, one who would be hurt by his exploits with other women (which were sure to happen, given his reputation), well, it didn’t seem all together wonderful to him. So he would enjoy what time he had left as a single man. He didn’t care that he was betrothed. He wasn’t married and he saw no need to exercise discretion. He was still his own man; he was still a free man. For at least a little while longer. There were a great many pretty ladies here, flaunting themselves. Charles couldn’t refrain from admiring them. Perhaps he felt all the more need to do so out of rebellion. Rebellion against the marriage that he hadn’t really wanted. He was headstrong, and he liked to make his own decisions. But because the king had given him the “happy news”, he’d been unable to argue otherwise. He’d had to feign gratefulness; pretend that he was so very honoured, so very appreciative. Because of course a man who had as much as the Duke of Suffolk was surely looking for a wife. Not. He had all the female company he could need and it wouldn’t be difficult to find more if ever he decided he wanted it. And if one day he had come to the conclusion he’d wanted to be married, that wouldn’t have been particularly difficult either. There were plenty of families that would have happily seen their daughters married off to him, the Duke of Suffolk and friend of the king. But that didn’t matter now. So he was going to spend the evening blissfully ignoring his impending change in marital status. And he was going to find himself some entertainment. Enter Lady Jane Seymour who, out of nowhere, managed to slip herself into his way and drop into a curtsey. She asked how he was enjoying his evening and his curiosity was piqued. Jane Seymour had a pristine reputation. She was hardly the sort to put herself into the way of someone like him, who’s reputation was far from honourable. So he wondered at her motivation and her aim. “Good evening, Lady Jane,” he replied in greeting, looking her over appreciatively. She would prove a nice enough distraction. “Yes, I’m enjoying myself well enough. But my mood could be improved considerably by the pleasure of a pretty companion to spend a little time with.” He offered her his arm. “Would you care to take a turn about the room with me, my lady?” |
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| Jane Seymour | Dec 5 2010, 08:52 PM Post #3 |
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The reception she received from Charles Brandon made Jane smile and immediately take his arm without saying a word. Personally, she didn't even know why this thought had emerged in her mind because she wasn't that sort of woman. She was well-known for her piety and was observed as a woman not to be touched, more likely because she was Somerset's sister. There could also be the fact that men thought someone such as her was not worth the chase. She was unlikely to give herself even if the wooing was sound. She assumed these were the sort of thoughts in Charles' head, but she couldn't know for certain. She knew he had legions of women at his beck and call. It appeared he only had to look at a woman and she would follow him to his bed or the end of the world. His bed, of course, was preferable. She knew he didn't want for company.As she glanced to either side of them, she saw displeased women withdrawing. They were beautiful, more beautiful than Jane felt she was. Truthfully, it had surprised her to see him marry as he seemed to be a man who wouldn't flourish well in a marriage, but she supposed he could mean to keep a mistress. Most men did, didn't they? Once she herself was married, she planned to turn a blind eye to any other women in her husband's life. Especially if it happened that it was during a pregnancy. He would likely be afraid to hurt his heir and men had urges. "I am surprised to see you without a companion." she told him truthfully, turning her eyes away from the jealous stares. "There are ladies all about us that would wish for a turn on your arm. I am greatly honored." |
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| Charles Brandon | Dec 5 2010, 10:10 PM Post #4 |
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He enjoyed attention; he’d always enjoyed attention. Therefore being a friend of the king, and then later bestowed such an honour as being made a Duke, suited him quite well. That and he’d been lucky enough to be blessed with good looks – something he took pride in, though not unduly so as it hadn’t been of his doing. He used his appeal well, however, for why waste something God-given? Charles was not oblivious to the looks; it was hardly conceit but simply truth. There were plenty of women who wanted his company and he wasn’t stupid enough to think it was simply because he was nice to look at and had a good personality. He was a tad vain, but he wasn’t stupid. There were many who longed for his company because of what it could mean for them. The Lady on his arm, however, had him puzzled. She’d never seemed to him a particularly high seeking sort. Her family, certainly. They were rivals, so to speak, of the family of his intended. Which meant that she was probably here, putting herself in his way for that very reason. And he wondered if her family had put her up to it, or if it was of her own designs. Either way, it didn’t matter. The fact was that he had her attention, and he intended to hold it. She informed him that she was surprised to see him on his own, and that she was honoured that he’d asked her to walk with him. Charles chuckled. “I prefer the company of pretty ladies to the company of myself, admittedly,” he said cheerily, “but it seems that fat has made us cross paths, so who am I to question it?” He didn’t believe in fate. He believed in making one’s own luck, making one’s own future. And he didn’t think Jane thought too highly of fate either, at least, not in this instance. For some reason or another, she’d set himself in his path. It had been no accident. But he wasn’t going to question it. “And how are you enjoying yourself tonight, Lady Jane?” He would keep to the pleasantries, for now. “The Christmastide is, I believe, the most entertaining time of year. There are few other times of year when everyone is so quick to lose their senses and indulge in, well, everything. Or, at the very least, so few times of year when few care to hide their indiscretions.” He gave her a sideways glance, grinning good-naturedly. “But of course, Lady Jane, you don’t seem the sort to care much for indiscretions.” Her reputation was pristine. If her family was putting her up to this, why would they sacrifice her reputation? To what gain? “Some wine, Lady?” He asked then, retrieving two glasses, one of which he passed to her before she had much of a chance to respond. “After all; it’s a time of celebration. The birth of our Lord and Saviour; that’s what this all-“ he motioned to the mess of people, some drunk, some sober, and plenty of them acting bawdy and untoward, “-is about. Isn’t it?” With a wry smile, he lifted the glass to his lips and took a deep drink of the wine. |
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| Jane Seymour | Dec 6 2010, 07:00 PM Post #5 |
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As pure as new fallen snow they often called her and perhaps it was true. Her reputation was without stain; never had she tied to a man, never had their been rumors about her. She preferred it that way, but being as she was on this man's arm, there was sure to be some talk. His betrothed's family would likely believe it was a ploy by her family to ruin their marriage plans and Jane couldn't blame them, that had been what she was thinking. But ending that could implicate her in a way she wouldn't like. Just to have his attention, to be in his thoughts, that could help her. He was the King's closest friend, after all. "Is it only indiscretions that allow one to have revelry?" Jane asked, raising an eyebrow at him. "I love the Christmastide celebrations as much as anyone. Everyone is in great spirits - it is the most wonderful feeling I have right now." She couldn't help but smile when he passed the wine to her without waiting for a reply. Her answer would have been yes, though, so she sipped it before answering him. "I," she began, "agree with you wholeheartedly." |
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