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| For The Love Of Wine; Tag: John Shilston | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 22 2010, 09:06 AM (176 Views) | |
| Mary Howard | Nov 22 2010, 09:06 AM Post #1 |
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The chatter of voices and clink of metal as people toasted each other no longer appeared to Mary as a welcome embodiment of the joy and excitement of the court. Indeed, each passing word that caught her ear, expressing some pleasantry or another grated upon her like a knife sliding across stone. How could everyone in this court be so very false and hypocritical? Her ill humour could perhaps, in part be put down to the excess of wine that she had consumed thus far this evening. For some, the few glasses that Mary had drunk would have had no effect but she was not accustomed to drinking alcohol and so they had gone to her head. This however did not soften the intensity of the aching bad humour that desecended upon her like a cold mist as she sipped at the intoxicating liquid. Everyone here at court simpered and curstied to each other, wishing those that they loathed good health and happiness, and then, behind closed doors plotted against each other. It seemed that there was no man or woman who was not part of some faction or another. Her conversation with the blonde-haired Earl rung in her ears - even that seemingly kind and intelligent man was part of the game of the court and seemed to relish it. Mary herself, as a Howard was a member of a faction. All of it seemed so endlessly without purpose to Mary, for what good were position and power at court when one grew old or when one eventually rejoined God in heaven? None of the money could be tkane with you. Her bad humour was endless and so Mary sought more alcohol, perhaps irrationally as it had been the wine that had brough this bad mood in the first place. Mary glanced across the room to see a pitcher of wine sitting on one of the large tables. She immediately started to head towards it, weaving her way quite sucessfully through the many people, given her intoxicated state. Women had the worst deal. Mary was well aware that it was her Uncle who had secured her position as Lady-in-waiting to the Queen, a fact that was the most difficlt for Mary to swallow. If she had been a man, she could have come to court and made her own way, earned respect and positions from her own merit, not waited for her manipulative Uncle to send for her at his will. Thinking of her Uncle only worsened her black mood. Oh he was the embodiment of everything that Mary hated, if only she could take a knife and cut his throat, putting an end to his endless cruelty and scheming! If he thought that he was going to use her for his plans, insert her into a man's bed as his wife or worse his mistress then he would have to think again. So consumed by her anger was Mary that she did not notice that a man, of some considerable height had stepped in fron of the path between herself and the pitcher of wine. To late... she did not notice him until she had bumped into him. She huffed violently and stepped around him so that she may serve herself some wine. "I beg of you, my lord to watch where you are going! I defy you to come between my person and this wine again." She laughed a little despite her mood. She had not entirely lost her mind, yet and she saw how strange her behaviour was for this man. She poured another glass of wine which she then offered to the man before her. It struck her then, as she looked at him properly that he was rather handsome. More ruggedly so than the Earl she had danced with earlier but attractive none the less. Her smile widened - for once in her life she was not going to be the logical Howard girl. She was in the presence of a handsome courtier and, if she so pleased, she would flirt with him and there was nothing that any of her family could do about it. "Forgive me, my lord I merely cannot resist the taste of wine. I am Lady Mary Howard. May I have the pleasure of knowing your name?" |
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| John Shilston | Nov 22 2010, 07:54 PM Post #2 |
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John wasn't sure why he kept coming to these nightly, holiday festivities. His son had recovered from his illness and was now as energized as ever, wanting to cling to his father's leg whenever he left for supper. Perhaps only to avoid the "evil eye" from his wife, the knight had taken his boy to these celebrations.. but only for a little while, for soon after William had eaten, John sent for his maids to take him back to his mother, who presumably was still in the chambers. God better hope she was. He hadn't given it much thought, though, for as soon as he was relieved from his rambunctious toddler John resorted immediately to the company of his comrades. Tonight wasn't much different from the others, the wine slipping down his throat as if water and the laughter coming from him as if he was born to do it. His eyes were instinctual on the people around him, making note every once in awhile of just who was nearest and who had strayed. He kept himself involved, though, within the circle and conversation of his friends, sharing the wine until the pitcher had been emptied dry. "Aye," he muttered as he picked up the empty and drastically lighter pitcher. "I'll get another, yeah?" He said to his comrades, grinning as he dismissed himself and spied the next nearest, unattended wine pitcher for his taking. Casually he poured himself a cup, sipping it quickly as he prepared to take it back to his comrades. But just as he finished the goblet, John realized he hadn't been the only one to spy the isolated pitcher. He took a single step back from the impact, generally unfazed by such a small girl but still surprised from unanticipation. The darker blue hue of his eyes flickered down at her, immediately appraising her and her sharp choice of words. His brows furrowed, his shoulders squaring as he placed down his cup with a loud clink. "Pardon, madam?' He replied, watching her inquisitively as she emitted a small bout of laughter. Trivial, this girl was. He smirked pleasantly, though, as she spoke of her inability to resist the Court's wine. So many thoughts ran through John's head at that moment that he'd nearly ignored the easy syllables of her name. Mary Howard. His smirk grew, already enjoying what this girl seemed to have brought on about her. "Is that so, Lady Mary?" He asked, now a single eyebrow arching to hover questionably over his right eye. "Then, by all means, have it." He took hold of the wine pitcher and refilled the cup he had used, handing it smoothly over to her with a pleased, oddly warm expression. "I couldn't imagine coming between a woman and her wine." Once he placed down the pitcher, John bent at his waist in traditional respect and exhaled an even sigh. "Sir John Shilston, at your humble service." |
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| Mary Howard | Nov 24 2010, 09:40 AM Post #3 |
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Mary's smile grew as she saw that this man was evidently amused and not offended like some of the more proper courtiers may have been. Not that they would have any reason to be of course, for Mary doubted that there was one person here of true, good moral character. Her conversation with the Earl earlier had truly made Mary feel a fool, not for her opinions for she would never change them or be convinced that they were only the dreams of an innocent child, but simply for having been so open with someone that she did not know, for being honest. It seemed here that people wore the mask of court for every second that they breathed and so she would not be so forthcoming about her true personality again. With this man before her she would play the flirty coquette. She curtsied with a flourish in response to his bow, rather less elegantly than she may usually have done given her state of intoxication. "I am pleased to mmet you, Sir John Shilston." An involunatary laugh escaped her and she felt her cheeks flush rose. Mary had not even begun truly flirting with ths man but already she felt unable to truly maintain her role. It seemed that she would never be a truly forward woman, not when she was trying to force herself to at least. "You really must think me a foolish, empty-headed girl. And perhaps you would not be to far from the truth. Compared to everyone here I am but an innocent child if being an innocent child means that I believe there is such a thing as love and that it is possible to find happiness!" Quite by chance, Mary found that she had become quite emotional, her bad mood and frustrations spilling out into her conversation with a courtier who she had met just minutes before. Somehow though, perhaps with the influence of the wine, she did not feel embarassed as she would normally have done but felt quite simply that if he didn't like it then he could leave her alone to drink. With that thought she took a large gulp of wine. "Are you offended that a young lady should behave so crudely in front of you, my lord? Well perhaps it could be said that I am no lady at all." She drained her glass and did not look to see his reactions. "Are you unhappy in your marriage, my lord? Are you even married? Please tell me that you are like myself and believe that a marriage can truly be a union of love and for that reason you have not married yet as you have not found the right lady. Then you and I, two fools together can marry and be the only two people in the world to share our belief!" Mary, who had not quite yet finished her speech, suddenly stopped talking as a loud hiccup esacped her lips. |
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| John Shilston | Nov 26 2010, 03:11 PM Post #4 |
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John smiled heartily at her laugh, finding the sound a little melodic and perhaps comforting. It sliced right through whatever affect the wine had on him, sobering him and clearing his dark blue eyes of any cloudy boredom or temper. He dipped his head in courtesy, feeling oddly calmed by this young, silly girl. "The pleasure is all mine, my Lady." He replied smoothly, straightening his neck and leveling his gaze to hers. From the moment this little woman collided into his broad chest, John had smelled the wine on her breath, could see the faint purple tint over her lips and the looseness in her muscles. "You really must think of me as a foolish, empty-headed girl.." John chuckled breathlessly and shook his head, thoroughly amused by how the alcohol seared warmly through her veins and outer behavior. "Love, you say?" He smirked; yes, yes this girl was very young. He breathed evenly through his nose, watching her, testing her words and the weight hung onto them. Only a few moments had passed between them and already she had shared her most ridiculous, laughable beliefs. John sighed quietly; were they laughable? Perhaps because the man had never experienced love, had never even bothered with the thought, because his wife was so fucking miserable that the idea of loving seemed blasphemous. Blasphemous! He shook his head again, his shoulders deflating with another long sigh. "Is that not every woman's dream, my Lady?" A single eyebrow arched over his stare. "I trust you know full well love is not the only thing that brings happiness." Titles, estates, money, those brought happiness. Respect brought happiness. Wine, of course, brought happiness... in most cases. And for John Shilston, right now, the Mary Howard's laughter and girlish views on life brought him happiness. Already he was enjoying her company, finding humor in nearly everything she said. But it wasn't the sort of humor he found himself maliciously toying with. No, it was the sort of humor that John wanted to further relish in, for the sheer pleasure of it. Genuine, true pleasure. "Perhaps it could be said that I'm no lady at all." At this, both of John's eyebrows shot upwards, bewildered at hearing such a thing coming from such a pretty girl's mouth. "Is that so?" He asked skeptically, pondering just how much wine she'd already drained. His lips parted to question her more, but she'd already gone off in her own fit of questions. "Are you unhappy in your marriage, my Lord? Are you even married?... Then you and I, two fools can marry and be the only two people in the world to share our belief!" The knight took a mere step back, blown away by her outwardness yet the gentility that came along with it. How was that possible? His eyebrows knitted together; everything about this Mary Howard was the wine. The silliness, the boldness to project such silliness... it entertained him. Oddly entertained him. He finally smiled and threw his head back, emitting a loud, hearty bout of laughter. "Goodness, my Lady!" He bellowed happily. "A woman hasn't entertained me so in what feels like years!" "And on that note," he went on, straightening his neck and returning his eyes to her. "I'm a married man, yes. Very unhappily." Though Anne wasn't exactly what he wanted to be talking about, John spoke as if it wasn't a bother at all. In truth, the remembrance of Anne waiting for him in their chambers flared a small flicker of guilt, but very quickly John remembered out of sight, out of mind, and quickly shook the thought of his wife from the back of his head. "I do pray that doesn't deter you, though, Lady Mary. My wife should be of no condolence to you.. or even me, for that matter." He smirked playfully, taking back that step he'd taken away earlier. "I do pray you keep yourself here. With me." |
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| Mary Howard | Nov 27 2010, 02:43 AM Post #5 |
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Mary turned her slanted blue eyes to look upon him, suddenly focused upon what he might say to her opinions. She had not meant to say what she had done, indeed just minutes before she had vowed that she would not be so forthcoming about her ideals any longer at court but now that she had drunkenly, once again revealed her inner most dreams, she was more than intrigued to hear this broad, tall man's reaction. So far, Mary had practically been ridiculed for her beliefs, first by the Earl and then even by her sweet, kind sister Isabel. Perhpas this man, who was, Mary contemplated as she peared into his blue eyes so very handsome, would give her a different answer. "Love... woman's dream? Mary sighed a little, it seemed that John Shilston thought that she was just like any other romantic fool and not that someone who truly believed the opinions she expressed. "Perhaps, my lord but I am not just any typical woman." She smiled, a little tugging lift of her rosy pink lips that brightened her already shining eyes; it seemed that when Mary Howard did not try to force herself to behave like a flirt, it came rather naturally. Mary really was starting to enjoy herself, the wine she had tasted bringing such a warm and comfortable feeling upon her, but at the same time making her feeling giggly and unembarressed, so much so that she did not even react to John's assertion that other things could bring happiness, when usually she would have taken that to mean he was like any other with ambitions for power and money. "If I truly was a Lady then perhaps I could accept my duty to marry whomever my male relavtives choose but I am afraid I cannot." As John let out a loud bout of laugher and told her that she had entertained more than any woman had in years, Mary curstied slightly as if a performer accepting applause. "If you truly mean that, my lord then you have not been keeping company with the right sort of woman!" Despite her intoxicated state, despite the fact that her usual inhibitions and emotions were supressed and moulded by the wine she had drunk, Mary still felt her heart sink as she heard him say that he was married, unhappily so. It did not seem that there was any marriage at this court, aside from between her own dear mother and father, that was truly blessed with love, indeed most seemed to actually despise their partner. She lifted a hand as if to make some gesture of comfort but let it fall again as she remembered how her last efforts had been received by the Earl earlier in the evening. Instead, Mary did something that must surely have been completely put down to the wine, she forced her smile back onto her lips just in tiem to hear his next comment. "I am sorry that you..." Her words suddenly seemed to sink back into her mouth as John took a step closer to her, closing the already small gap between them. She could sense his proximty with particle of her body, an electric current suddenly rushing through her and for the first time since the beginning of their conversation she became aware of just how broad and strong he seemed to be standing over her as he did now. For a moment, even with the wine, she could not bring herself to lift her head and look up into his eyes, those eyes that seemed to have made such an impression on her, deep and full of emotion and yet laughing, eyes that seemed to see right through her. Her heart was beating so fast that she was almost certain that he could hear it. Then, as though the wine finally took hold of the last of her inhibitions, she lifed her head, slowly pushing back a loose curl of her drak hair that had fallen across her shoulder. Their faces were now only inches apart, and if someone would have looked upon them, her reputation could easily have been ruined even though she had as yet done nothing, but Mary felt that she truly, honestly did not care what the courtiers milling around them, those hypocritical people, though of her. She only knew that she liked being close to this man and felt, quite impuslsively that she would like to feel the soft brush of his lips against her own. "If you do not truly love your wife then she is of no note to me..." Her voice escaped her in a soft whisper and she wished, ardently that they were somewhere alone. All thought of propriety had left her head, and if one of her relatives or friends would have approached her at that moment then perhaps the spell she had fallen under may have been broken, but as it was she saw only John Shilston before her and wished, with every fibre of her being that he would kiss her. |
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| John Shilston | Dec 1 2010, 08:31 PM Post #6 |
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Though this Mary Howard spoke of things that would normally appall any right-minded man, perhaps it had been proven long ago that John Shilston was no right-minded man. Unlike so many other women at Court, Mary spoke her defiance with sheer nativity.. whereas others, others like Countess Warwick, used their tongue with what they considered knowledge. But John could never see himself wanting to strike the young Mary Howard. No, she was a pure doll. Innocent, and adorably ignorant. The thought brought a smirk to his lips, only imagining what else could come from that full pink mouth of hers. "No, you are most certainly not a typical woman." Whether or not that was true, the knight was yet to find out. But there was no denying this sort of.. peculiarity about her, a flighty, girlish stupidity yet somehow a firm grip on the world around her. Was that even possible? "Talk not of duties, my Lady. Say tonight we are free of those, yes? It seems you have already started.." his eyes flickered to her goblet, smirking in humor. "And suppose you're right. Lately I seem to be coming upon quite the nuisance of women." John shook his head and emitted a light chuckle; he liked this Mary Howard. Simply for her being so young -and perhaps attractive,- and her words so innocent. He had to admire her foolish determination. As he drank her wine, John watched her. For moments he analyzed, considering her thin body and how easily it seemed to be swaying beneath the alcohol's influence. Though it was amusing, something worried the knight. She was vulnerable, perhaps exposed if her state of mind furthered even more into the wine. Though he couldn't seem to raise a hand to object to her intake, he did feel as if he kept her from any ulterior motives. Other men, to take advantage of what she'd done to herself. Not only that, but what better man to take advantage of it than John Shilston? His smirk grew as the distance between them closed, a brief whiff of her perfume and the wine on her breath reaching his nostrils. It was an odd mix, vaguely familiar, but otherwise alluring. "I agree, Lady Mary," he went on, nodding. "The idea of love in our marriage is foolish. The woman drives me insane." He let another chuckle escape his throat as he looked at her, generally wanting to forget talk of his wife and instead onto what was Mary Howard. They had drawn closer now, her light crystal shade of eyes imploring his in a way that he could not ignore. Instinctively or not John took another step towards her, a slow smile spreading to his lips. That face, that mouth, that look she was giving him, how could he deny it? He couldn't. Leaning towards her, John lifted his hand and placed his knuckles beneath her chin, tilting it in his direction as he pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was brief, but nonetheless prominent and warm. The wine left on his mouth was sweet and unforgettable, bringing a pleased grin to his expression. "What say you, Lady Mary," he began, eying her closely as he slowly withdrew his hand. "That we retreat somewhere perhaps a bit quieter?" He kissed her again, lighter this time, as if to seal his invitation in the assumption of her answer. He took a step back and bent at the waist, extending his hand for the taking. "If you so wish." |
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| Mary Howard | Dec 4 2010, 05:56 AM Post #7 |
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The pair were so close together, and Mary was so enraptured by his proximty and the spell he seemed to have cast upon her that she was quite incapable of seeing anything other than his blue eyes. Everything else that surronded them, the noise that had previously been such an irritant and the sparkle of sliver and gold which had before been the focus of Mary's awe simply melted away, with only the flicer of the candles and the shadows they made in the extensive room being allowed into the world that Mary had entered into, the world in which she existed only to look upon this John Shilston. Although the wine affected her greatly, loosening her mind, Mary still had enough wit about her to realise she was slowly starting to become drunk on something quite different, on the smell and proximty of a man that she had only just met. This awareness however was quite worthless, as Mary chose to push it aside and give way to her warmth and happiness, quite by logical choice. Quite suddenly, a loud crash that aproximated from the left side of the large somewhat distracted Mary from her imagined seclusion with John and reminded her of the fact they were far from alone. The spell perhaps was not completely broken, unlike the goblet of wine that a drunken courtier had dropped which had caused the noise, but it was a little damaged, allowing some of Mary's thoughts to flow more logically once more. She turned to locate the source of the noise, breaking eye contact with John for the first time in what seemed like hours. This momentary laspse however was quickly repaired, as the final distance between the pair was closed and Mary felt the feel of John's hand, so strong yet gentle beneath her chin, lifting in slightly. Immediately she was once again immersed in the moment, and before she realised quite what was happening, she felt the soft warm brush of his lips against her own. Her body became at once a vessel of sensations, her heart beginning to beat faster than she believed it had ever before. Mary thought, for the first time she had felt what it was truly like to feel alive, to feel the thing's she had dreamed of for so long. Perhaps, she did not love John Shilston at this present moment, not truly but she felt that this intial connection between the two of them, and the fire that had alighted within her at the touch of his lips to her own, was evidence enough that love could blossom, that passion existed, a force that neither of them, as mere humans could ignore. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she began to properly respond to his touch, but all to instantly the kiss was over and Mary was left to marvel how such a short moment in her life of nineteen years could have had such an impact, could have changed her so much that she felt like a different person entirely to just seconds before. ""What say you, Lady Mary...That we retreat somewhere perhaps a bit quieter?" The question was simply the expression of what Mary had so ardently desired, but somehow, when put into words Mary's mind reared up to subdue her wilful heart that told her to accept the invitation this instant. For some reason quite unbeknown to her heart, Mary suddenly felt a twinge of fear, of nerves. She knew, even now that if she were to go along with this man, then she could no longer turn back and she did not quite know what might happen accept that once she had taken that step her mind reallt truly would be able to offer no further objection to anything that John might ask of her. "I say that that is the most marvellous idea I have heard of in a long time." From her reply, it was clear that her heart had won over her head and she stepped fowards, following John Shilston and allowed him to take hold of her arm. " Ido not think that there is anything, at this moment that I could wish for more." |
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| John Shilston | Dec 6 2010, 09:23 PM Post #8 |
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There was no mistaking the pleased expression on the Lady Mary's face, as if she'd been given exactly what she was asking for. Of course she did; John could never miss that sort of look on a woman's face; her eyelids lowered to add the desired passion and her slightly, almost unnoticeably puckered lips just giving voice to the silent request. And, being who he was, how could be possibly deny her that? Especially when no other man had even been considered on giving the pleasure to. He smiled widely as she took his arm, liking immediately how she looked on it. He dipped his head towards her before taking the first few strides forward to test her stability. With the alcohol surging through her vivacious veins, John could never be too careful. But she seemed sturdy enough, something he was silently thankful as they left the Great Hall. But as the hallways and corridors opened up to them, John had found a predicament. So very badly did he want to take her to his chambers, but knowing Anne was there, the thought seemed only a recipe for disaster, a disaster that would end up without either of them in his bed. The last thing he wanted was to jeopardize his chances with this Mary Howard, and subjecting her to the vile, wretched Anne Shilston seemed to would have done just that. But as he ran the tip of his tongue over his lips, he was reminded of Mary's mouth on his and was suddenly determined to get her where he wanted her. Somehow, he would have to make sure his chambers were empty of his wench of a wife. He smiled down at Mary, flashing her a quick wink as they progressed down the halls and towards his chambers. As they passed through the belly of Court, John was finally able to pull aside a servant boy that seemed relatively taskless. "Boy," he called out, using his free hand to motion the servant over. "Go to my chambers, will you? Tell the Lady Anne Shilston she is to stay with my sister tonight, by the demands of her husband." He smirked and glanced down at the woman on his arm, even going to the extent of pressing an eager kiss to the side of her head. The servant knew immediately to make haste to the knight's rooms. "Shall we give him some time, then?' He asked with the same smirk, slowly withdrawing his arm from hers and instead snaking it around her waist and bringing her into him. "And perhaps use this time to..." his lips were inches from hers, his warm breath expelling softly onto her face with each exhale. Very slowly he kissed her again, briefly but passionately. "Distract ourselves?" He smirked and sealed his low whisper with yet another tender kiss, this time lifting a single hand to clear a lock of dark hair from her face. She tasted so sweet, John had to keep his affections short in fear of losing control of them if he went on any longer. He flashed her a small smile as he pulled away, offering again his arm. "Come, sweet Lady Mary. Our quiet and privacy awaits." He nodded then, his eyes bright but perhaps mischievous, and finally did he take her to his rooms. Empty. Perfect. END. [ooc: figure our next thread should be in the courtier rooms. suppose you could start it, and your post could just be your reply to this?] |
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6:34 AM Jul 11