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'Sister' is More Than a Word; Tag: Mary Howard
Topic Started: Nov 22 2010, 09:53 AM (216 Views)
Isabel Leigh
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Virtue alone is invincible.
December 1511

Ah, the library and gallery. It was the absolutely perfect place to be, in Isabel's mind, now that the weather was frigid in London. The redhead had nothing else to preoccupy her time with besides serving Her Majesty. She was not one of the lucky numbers of women with new husbands to attend to or weddings to plan. No, no -- Isabel was left to her books, as always.

Her discussion with Lady Katherine Parr had peaked her interest in some of the works she mentioned, and so she roamed the stacks of books, her fingers reaching up now and then to reverently brush the spines of the books. It was amazing how quickly she became accustomed to being surrounded by the written word, when back in Kent in service to the Countess, it was the same books read over and over again. Perhaps she had become lax with such a luxury, for she did not devour the written word as eagerly as she did upon arrival. But then again, perhaps it was simply because she had more things on her mind.

Serving Her Majesty was wonderful, and the redhead was more than eager and pleased to obey Her Majesty's wish to educate her ladies -- Isabel did love learning, after all. And with her mother and stepfather being at court, and Catherine's coming marriage to the Duke of Suffolk -- Isabel was filled with joy and thoughts of her family. It would be lying to say that she didn't feel some measure of sorrow for herself, seeing her baby sister get married off before she, but that was selfish. Only selflessness would do where Isabel's family was concerned, so she pushed the thoughts back to her mind.

She saw another in the library, and the glittering blue eyes gave them a cursory glance before looking back to the books. But then Isabel stopped and did a double take. Could that -- Could that be her own beloved sister Mary?
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Mary Howard
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Mary breathed in deepy, savouring the smell of the many hundreds of books that were to be found within the Library of Hampton Court. Mary had stolen away to this place, eager to see for herself the many books that the palace had to offer. It had been a while since Mary had devoted some hours to reading and she was quite ashmed of herself for not coming to explore this wonderous library beforehand. At Lambeth, Mary had spent much time in the library despite the pityful collection that the Dowager Duchess could boast but now that she had come to court, Mary had neglected as of yet to read any of the titles that she had coveted for many years but had been denied. It seemed the excitement of the court had overtaken her mind.

Mary wandered through the room, glancing with wonder at each book title, each one conjuring some memory if she had read them or filling her with a desire to read if she had not yet. There were so many books here, and Mary knew she could waste no more time - it would take an entire lifetime to devour each and every one. As she continued to walk, the fingers delicately touching the leather spines of the books, and as she pondered how she was ever to chose which to select first, she thought that she saw through the corner of her eye the flash of brightest red.

Mary lifted her head, allowing her gaze to fall upon the red-headed woman who stood before her. Mary gasped slightly before a smile laced its way across her features. It was her sister, her dear Isabel whom she had not seen for many years. Mary had been waiting for a chance to see her again, for she knew that Isabel was at court and the meeting could not have come sooner.

Mary rushed towards the woman, her arms held out and pulled her into a warm and heartfelt embrace.

"Dearest Isabel how I have missed you! To think I have not seen these wonderous locks for... how many years... 6?" Mary laughed as she playfully took hold of one of her sister's fiery curls.

"I have been waiting for the moment when I would see you again. How strange that we should meet in the library! I still remember you teaching me how to read when I was but a girl... it seems fitting that our reunion should take place amongst these books!"
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Isabel Leigh
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It was her! It was Mary! Oh, how she had grown! The last time Isabel had seen her, she had been perhaps a girl of twelve. Now she was a woman! Isabel received her into her arms tightly, her eyes becoming wet. It seemed she had lost so many years being in the service of the Countess. While she was grateful for them, meetings anew with her siblings still reminded her of the years she hadn't been there as they grew into the persons they were now.

Isabel pulled away enough to look in her sister's face. She had become so beautiful, just like Catherine! And they were both so beautiful in their own ways! She felt as though her chest might burst from pure glee. She blinked her eyes to ensure she would not cry, and she found her voice after Mary had spoken. She had taught Mary to read, and she was one of her siblings who took to it! Oh, bless the day, bless the day!

"My dear sister!" Isabel squeezed Mary in a hug again. "It seems our entire family seems prone to come to court, there shall be no stopping them!" She laughed and sniffed and laughed once more. "You've become a woman! Oh, dear me... dear me." She looked at her precious sister with thoughts working in her head. "Yes, it is so strange, and so fortuitous! Why are you here, dear sister? Have you come at the behest of the Duke of Norfolk, or mother and father?"
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Mary Howard
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"Oh Isabel there is no need to cry!" Mary laughed slightly, delicately wiping away the tears that had leaked from from own eyes, before hugging her sister more tightly. It was such a comfort to know that she had a kind, trustworthy friend at court who she could truly be herself around and speak the truth with. Everyone else constantly wore the mask of the courtier, something Mary despised.

"I know, is it not wonderful that we are all together once again?"

At her sister's next words Mary felt her happiness falter a little but she tried not to show it on her expression. Yes, their Uncle had secured her position and Mary feared as to what purpose was behind his actions, why he had chosen that time to bring her to court. She feared that there may be a bethrothal in the future or worse... she would be asked to become a man's mistress for ambitions' sake.

"Sister, I am come here as a Lady-in-waiting to Her Majesty, as you yourself are. I hear that she is a kind and intelligent mistress - perhaps I will get the chance to further my education here as I have longed for for so long." Although Mary did not want to break their bubble of joy by expressing her fears about their Uncle, it suddenly struck her that Isabel may be privy to some piece of knowledge that may involve Mary's future.

"Our Uncle secured the position for me, and whilst I am grateful for the honour I cannot be pleased from whence it came. If I know how scheming he can be, then I know that he sent me here for a reason. I fear that he may arrange a marriage for his own ambitions - I know that you think that marriage is a blessing but I have always hoped to chose a husband for myself, a man that I love."

Mary broke eye contact with her sister as she continued, fearing that she may not support her. Indeed for some the idea of marrying who the person whom their male relatives have chosen for them might not be a terrible idea, they would accept their duty but for Mary, who only wished for love, the thought was almost terrifying.
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Isabel Leigh
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Isabel laughed. She was being silly, yes, but she was so happy to see her family members after so long! "When I first came to court, the Duke of Buckingham's daughter Lady Stafford tried to get me to stop being so -- enthusiastic and plain about my feelings. Obviously, I did not adhere to her lessons well enough." The redhead laughed again and blinked her wet eyes away. "And I think the tears of a woman are more than expected when she reunites with her loved ones. Oh, Mary!" The older sister returned the hug, and she couldn't help but grin widely.

Mary's slight change in demeanor and the subtle change of expression made Isabel's grin slowly shrink. Oh no. Oh no, the Duke could not be at it again. Not with Mary! Catherine was bad enough, but to progress up through the Howard family. The gall of him! Yes, he was the eldest son, yes, he was a Duke, but Mary and Catherine weren't even his daughters! Isabel's eyes went to the floor as Mary continued speaking, and when she looked up again, she saw Mary no longer met her eyes.

Marry for love? Such a thing did not happen. Isabel would never think of such a thing, certainly. Her lips pressed together and she cocked her head to the side, a sympathetic look upon her face. "I suppose it is a pretty thought." She offered grudgingly. "But marriage is a blessing, and we must do with what is brought to us. Mother and father were lucky, but they grew to love each other. Mary... I don't think it is right for His Grace to try and fix such things, but a sensible marriage is practical. Love... it doesn't happen."
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Mary Howard
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Although Mary had no wish to argue with her sister after such a long period of seperation, she couldn't help the forwn that seemed the appear across her features of its own accord as she listened to what Isabel said.

"It is more than a pretty thought Isabel, it is my ambition, my dream and I will not accept that the love I dream of only exists in my own mind." Mary could not be angry with her kind hearted sister, she only knew that she needed to make her see her point of view and understand it at least, if not even convince her to think the same way.

"Everyone here is driven by their ambition, well I to am driven by mine, even if it is not political or for power." Mary made an effort to smile, trying to bring back the light-hearted feel of earlier by playing down the depth of emotion that existed behind her words.

"I know that you probably think I am just a foolish girl and perhaps I am. I am not saying that I wish to be ardently in love with my husband before I marry him, but only that we both know each other properly and are fond of each other, and we both know that we will, one day, love each other truly." Mary tried to explain herself more clearly to her sister, fearing that she may see her views as simply those of a childish dreamer, a typical romantic woman when truly Mary did not believe that they were, she believed that they were true beliefs, beliefs that affected how she lived her life, just like her faith in God did.

At her sister's last phrase, Mary gently lifted a finger to her Isabel's lips, trying to stop the words from escaping as they were almost like blasphemy to Mary's ears.

"Please Isabel, I can accept that you will never truly understand why I believe what I do but I cannot hear those words from your lips. Even if you are right, even if love never does happen for either of us, I know that we will live happier lives if we hold on to the idea that it will one day."
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Isabel Leigh
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Even though Isabel had been so very, very happy to see her sister, she now became slightly irritated. Her ambition was to marry for love? Who ever heard of such a thing? Marriage was a union between a man and a wife consecrated by God to bring children into the world. Some grew to love one another, some didn't, but marrying for love -- Who did that? Mary, who was so young and beautiful, should do her best to get married before she -- well, before she turned into Isabel. Isabel was all but a spinster, a burden upon her family, and useful to no one. Mary still had youth and beauty, and she should be looking to be married to someone who took good care of her, regardless of love! Certainly. her older sister wouldn't advocate being married off by the Duke of Norfolk, but to someone.

Isabel could do nothing but stammer in reply to the cascade of words and thoughts and ambitions that ran from Mary's mouth. Her blue eyes were wide with surprise, her mouth hanging open in shock. How could she think such things? How had she come to think upon such things in six years? Certainly, she was younger, but old enough to know better -- old enough to be practical.

"I disagree, sister." Isabel simply said sadly. "I would rather be married to someone I do not love than unmarried with someone in my heart. It is unseemly, it is not done, and I know that I should be much happier being a wife to a man I hardly know than striving for something nigh impossible." This meeting was already leaving a sour taste in her mouth, and the redhead's lips pulled down in a frown. "You should think more upon your place, dear sister, not your dreams."
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Mary Howard
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Isabel's reaction was not the one that Mary had hoped for, not in the least. It was a crushing blow for the young girl to know that even her sister, who was kind, intelligent and someone whom she trusted, thought she was foolish for harbouring her secret dreams of love, a marriage of love. Mary got the impression that Isabel thought her almost mad for wishing for something that she obviously thought was impossible, when to Mary it seemed that the rest of the world was mad for viewing marriage as they did and not as a union between two people who should love each other. Mary knew that there were many other things involved, and she accepted it, but surely people must realise that God was not concerned by alliances and advantages gleaned from different famlies and that what was important, once the deals were done, was two people who had to spend their lives together. If they could not love each other then surely their lives would not be happy.

"My place? Isabel surely my heart is more important than my place? If I did not know you were kind hearted then I should think that you were acting almost like the rest of them here, concerned with how your appear to others but not what truly lies within you." Mary heard the anger that she tried to surpress surface in her words. She did not wish to argue with her sister, not after such a long period of seperation, but Mary was not yet skilled in the art of holding her tongue when someone disagreed with her treasued principils so completely.

Mary took in a deep breatj and looked at her sister, at the frown that had replaced the warm smile. She suddenly felt a pang of regret, regret that their conversation had started to turn negative. She wished only to enjoy her time with Isabel and things had not worked out how they should have done. Mary held back anyhting else that she had to say on the matter and smiled at her sister. Principals could wait - for now Mary wanted to have a happy time with her sister.

"Please Isabel, let us not argue. I have missed you so much and our first meeting in six years almost turns into an arguement!" Mary's smile became more genuine and she took hold of her sister's hands.
"You must tell me what it is truly like to serve as a Lady-in-waiting to this new Queen? Is she truly a kind mistress? And what of her other Ladies?"
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Isabel Leigh
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The redhead listened to her sister's words with patience. Mary was, after all, young. She did not have the experience that Isabel had with suddenly finding herself unable to be useful upon the Countess' death, and being unsure of where her future would go. Mary had not experienced the overwhelming fear of not having anyone to support you, and the crushing shame to consider going back to your family for support since you weren't good enough to have a husband. Why should Isabel crush her sister's dreams? She would learn soon enough. "I'm simply speaking of what I know because I don't want to see you hurt, Mary." Isabel's brow wrinkled, and a sigh escaped from her lips. Despite their years, she was still the eldest sister.

The conversation had certainly seemed to steal the warmth from their reunion, and there was a moment of awkward silence between the two that seemed to last an hour. Isabel folded her hands before her, her blue eyes turned to the floor. She looked back up at her sister's beautiful face as she was brave enough to change the topic, and a shadow of a smile curled Isabel's lips. She squeezed her sister's hands as they were joined with her own, and her smile widened. Why worry about so small a thing when there was catching up to do?

"Her Majesty is really one of the most kind women I have ever met. Why, upon our first meeting, she was so good as to give me a beautiful little prayer book that she brought all the way from Italy!" The redhead's blue eyes danced like candle flames in the breeze as she recalled the memory. "Her Majesty wants her ladies to be educated, and so we are being taught Latin like they speak in Rome, and Humanism! I never imagine such a fortuitous thing would be granted to me my whole life!" The previous conversation seemed to be forgotten as Isabel spoke of the woman that she and her sisters now served.

"As for her other ladies, I confess I only know few. Lady Catherine Dudley, the Countess of Warwick, is a most honorable and noble woman, and Lady Katherine Parr is so intelligent! It is a marvel." Isabel finished with an encouraging smile. "I am sure you will find most welcome company among Her Majesty and Her ladies."
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Mary Howard
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Mary was pleased as the ice that had suddenly seemed to form between her and her sister thawed and the warmth of just moments before came flooding back as she listened to her sister's reply about the Queen.

Isabel's words seemed to fill Mary with an excitement akin to that of a child on their birthday and, not for the first time, Mary was reminded of the fact that there were good things about coming to court, good experiences to be had and not everything revolved around what her Uncle might decide to do with her or how false some of the courtiers behaved.

"I am so glad Isabel! I have waited a long time for the chance to further my education and become a truly intelligent woman like yourself, as at Lambeth there was little oppurtunity. I cannot wait until I have the pleasure of meeting Her Majesty." Mary felt her heart literally quicken at the thought of such an influential and exciting meeting. Although she was estatically happy at the prospect, there was also a hint of nerves at the idea that she, little Mary Howard, would be meeting and serving an anointed monarch of England.

"I must confess I am rather nervous however. I fear I will lose myself and fall on my face in front o the Queen when I try to curtsy!" Mary laughed a little at the thought but her fear was real enough. She was distracted however when her sister spoke of the other Ladies.

"It seems that here, as a Lady-in-waiting I shall be in the company of some great Ladies who I may be able to learn from rather than a lot of silly girls like at Lambeth!"
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Isabel Leigh
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Lambeth was foreign to Isabel; she knew many of her siblings had been sent there when her father was sent to Calais, but she didn't know what the circumstances were or what the Dowager Duchess may have done with so many youths running about. "I am glad that you'll be able to learn as you like from Her Majesty -- Her Majesty is also a woman who will only suffer women of virtue to serve her! She is truly an upstanding pillar of womanhood." Isabel's voice gleamed with admiration for the Italian maiden who had become Queen. "She is a blessing for this country after the sad passing of Queen Margaret."

Isabel smiled sympathetically at her sister's worries, and decided to indulge some of her own experience when first arriving at court. "When I first arrived and I was serving Princess Margaret, I was late in arriving at her apartments." She confessed. "Lady Stafford, who was the chief lady of Her Highness, greeted me and helped me prepare for meeting Her Highness later. I think all ladies have a reasonable amount of trepidation, but Queen Francesca is kind, and I'm sure you'll do well."

"What was Lambeth like?" Isabel asked with genuine curiosity. "You see, my only companions at Countess de Lisle's homes was Her Ladyship and the servants, so I'm curious to know what it was like for the rest of my siblings when father went to Calais."
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