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| A Walk With Family; tag; Anne Shilston | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 21 2010, 12:42 PM (187 Views) | |
| Charles Brandon | Nov 21 2010, 12:42 PM Post #1 |
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It had been a while since he’d last had the pleasure of seeing his sister and her son. Charles had seen his brother-in-law in passing far more often, although this was not a pleasure in the slightest. Though John Shilston had seemed not a particularly bad sort around the time he’d been married off to Anne Brandon, since then, Charles had grown less and less approving of the man. In fact, he was ever concerned that Shilston might do something incredibly stupid and get himself, and his wife and son, permanently removed from court. Charles couldn’t care less if John was removed, the idiot deserved it. However, he was determined that his sister and nephew not see such a fate. He’d requested that they meet him in the castle grounds at about two in the afternoon – both Anne and William, and very much without John. Charles hoped that the man wouldn’t give them any trouble, because Charles would deal with it personally. And so he waited, unbothered by the chill in the air. Winter was coming, no, it was already here, he reminded himself. There was snow, after all. Time just seemed to move so quickly he felt as though he was losing track of it. He hoped William was dressed warm – he truly adored his nephew and was looking forward to seeing him just about as much as he was looking forward to seeing his sister. They were the only family he had left, and though thus far he hadn’t done a very good job of tending to them and keeping them safe, this, he resolved, would change from here on in. He would bring up the subject of her husband, today, and find out exactly how she was treated. She was his sister, she was a Brandon, and she was worthy of being treated well. He could not command that they had a love-filled marriage – he was going into a marriage of his own, and it was certainly not one of love – but he could expect that Anne was treated well, if nothing else. And he had the suspicion - though by now, he was ashamed to admit, he should have known and not just suspected – that she was not being treated well. If that was the case, it would need to change. Perhaps this was spurred on by the fact that he himself was shortly to be married, and had begun to think a good deal about what was owed in marriage and what was not. Love was not a requirement, however, he knew for a fact that he would never hit or otherwise abuse his wife. If she did something he thought inappropriate, he would find another way to deal with it. He didn’t think anyone could maintain a decent, functional marital relationship if it was governed by fear and abuse. He saw them approach, though still a little distance away, and began to walk towards them with a smile. “Good afternoon, Anne, William,” he said cheerily as he approached. “I’m glad to see you both. Truly. It’s been too long.” |
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| Anne Shilston | Nov 21 2010, 10:02 PM Post #2 |
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The second Anne had received the request to meet her brother, she had leapt from the needlework she'd been labouring over and scooped William off the floor to take him to get ready. She'd ignored all overtures from the maids she help her and sent them from the room. She had become increasingly irritated with their presence because she was now more aware of her husband's wandering eye. He berated her for such things, but seemed to think it was perfectly fine for him to do it. Anne wished to change his mind on that. William wriggled in her arms in an attempt to free himself, returning her to the present, and she smiled before kissing his cheek. He squealed at her, happy, and then let her dress him in his best and warmest clothes. She sent him into the maids' care while she went to her own chambers to change into a warm and more comely gown. She always liked to look her best when she left her rooms, but she took extra special care to dress to meet her brother. Her favourite Tudor green damask gown seemed like the best choice. After dressing, she informed William where they were going and who they were meeting. The news was met with jubilance and he was tugging at her hand, pleading with her to hurry. She complied easily, following him. It didn't take long for them to get to the appointed spot and he, Charles, greeted them warmly. "It has. You must ensure it doesn't happen again." Anne said, tears springing to her eyes. She had missed him. And to illustrate that point, she crossed the space between them and hugged him. It wasn't long before William clung to his uncle's leg, excitedly telling him how happy he was to see him. |
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| Charles Brandon | Nov 29 2010, 09:23 PM Post #3 |
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Charles never would have supposed that his sister was so upset that they’d not seen much of each other lately. They’d never been particularly close – even if they’d been all that was left of the Brandon family after the deaths of their parents and older brother. He’d lived his life, she’d lived hers, and he’d done the best he could for her but until recently, he hadn’t had much. He’d lived in court; he’d been a favourite of the king. But now he was a Duke, the Duke of Suffolk, and now he had finally begun to settle down, at least a little. It was now that he was beginning to feel a strong sense of familial responsibility, particularly because he’d heard some less than favourable things about her husband. A certain John Shilston. A man who Charles had never bothered much with but apparently should have thought over a little better. He was caught off guard by both the tight embrace and watery eyes, though he smiled and wrapped his arms around her in return. It was not a lengthy hug; he could already feel little William clinging to his leg. “Yes, I apologize, Anne. I didn’t mean for it to go so long... but things got busy and I got caught up.” He sighed, feeling very much as though he’d somehow failed her as an older brother, but couldn’t precisely pinpoint why he felt that way. Because it had been a while since they’d had a chance to talk? Because he did not pay her the attention he ought? Coupled with the nagging suspicion that he’d given her in marriage to a man whose reputation was beginning to suffer at court due to his indiscretions... Charles wasn’t sure what to think So he stepped away from his sister and hauled the child up, settling the boy on his shoulders. “Now you hold on proper, we don’t need you falling off,” he said, though he didn’t sound the least bit concerned. Charles wouldn’t let him fall. All at once he wondered where the time had gone; his sister and his nephew were here, at court and yet he made so little time for them. Something that he would have to remedy; he would have to put in a greater effort to see to it that their needs were met, check in to make sure they were being well taken care of. “Come, walk with me a little while and tell me how things are for you and for William. And, for your husband. I hope the man is treating you well?” His tone did not betray the seriousness of his question – he forced himself to remain sounding light-hearted, a small smile settling across his face. He offered her his arm, his other hand keeping a supportive hold on little William. “How are you? Are you well? Healthy, happy?” He was curious too if he might have another niece or nephew to dote upon soon, supposing he could manage the time to dote, but that wasn’t a question he meant to ask straight out. Too, he meant to find out how she was holding up, if she was happy in life and her marriage, or if there was something perhaps she would need to improve her comfort. |
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6:36 AM Jul 11