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| la chanson céleste; tag: Margaret Percy | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Dec 11 2010, 08:36 PM (233 Views) | |
| Francois Spencer | Dec 11 2010, 08:36 PM Post #1 |
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January 1512 The lights had already dimmed for the candles that were burning out. The night was almost over because the King and Queen had already retired, but many had stayed on because they wanted more. More of what they were getting, more of what the King and Queen could give them. Nobody truly know why they still stayed, but they knew it was some sort of inclination that made them stay. Francis was such one person that did stay, not because he knew of what he was doing or what he truly wanted. He was quite too drunk for that. He stayed for no reason at all but to observe as the dying throngs went for their last dances, knowing each one could mark the end of the evening, glancing nervously about the room at the court musicians. Half drunk from the mulled wine, his judgment and eyesight were marred by the dim candles and the strong scent of a night of banqueting. He was surprisingly alert, an ability he had picked up after too many nights in the gutter. Now, he used it to his advantage, carefully looking through the throngs of ladies that actually stayed beyond what was necessary for them to serve and attend the Queen. He indeed saw one, and recognized her at once to be new to court, just as he was. The look was obvious to him, like a hawk spying a mouse on the ground, it was simply natural. Yet, she was so fair, with that look of exquisite delicateness that stirred feelings of protectiveness within Francis. He hadn’t know that feeling before, only lust, when looking at a woman of great beauty, and yet this girl, her beauty was special. Francis didn’t really know if it was the wine affecting his ability to process his feelings or if it was those feelings themselves that stirred up within him. Whatever it was, he could feel it and he needed to act on it. Slowly, he stood up and managed, to his immense pleasure, a normal casual walk. Drunken debauchery was not something he wished to present at first to a lady. (He was sure she was a lady, because she carried herself in the pampered manner of the aristocracy) Yet, not a lady of haughty demeanour, but only perhaps a lady brought up to be just that, a lady. As he walked over to her, the aristocratic elegance of his movements diminished greatly by wine, he tried to catch the fair lady’s eye. Wondering what colour they would be, he was startled when he found them to be a pure blue to contrast his boyish warm brown eyes. He smiled roguishly, the look of boyish charm ever present on his face, as he caught her attention. The music had stopped for a moment as the musicians were preparing to start a stately pavane. Francis hurried his pace, so that he could ask her to dance. As he reached her, he bowed low, ”Good evening, my lady, may I have this dance?” |
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| Margaret Percy | Dec 12 2010, 12:32 PM Post #2 |
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This was the first night Margaret felt she had enough energy to stay up after the King and Queen retired. Her responsibilities kept her very busy, and trying to remember everything was taking more out of her than she thought possible, but they were mostly enjoyable. She liked that she was going to get to practice her Latin, and she'd never been exposed to Italian before. With bright eyes, Margaret looked about the hall, watching the dancers. More and more people were beginning to retreat back to their rooms and Margaret supposed she should go to, lest she be caught with the more rambunctious members of the court. That wouldn't make her look good at all, would it? She wasn't as concerned with her reputation as she was with the Queen's. A moment more, and she would try to find her way back to her room. For a moment, she was unaware that she was the subject of a young man's attentions. Her eyes flitted over the people gathered in the room as they prepared for another dance, watching the men who had perhaps one too many glasses of wine and the women who weren't far behind them. The English court was certainly a lively place. Personally, she hadn't touched a glass yet, aside from the little bit that she'd taken with dinner. To be honest, she wasn't sure how she felt about the raunchy nature of the court. It wasn't something she felt comfortable taking part in yet. Part of her wondered if Henry did, and then she immediately dismissed the idea. Surely not. None of her brothers would behave in such a manner. Her eyes moved over the people present, wondering if Henry had left already. And then her eyes caught the gaze of another young man, and her heart lept into her throat and then jumped back to her stomach. Oh, he had a very pretty face. She returned his smile with one of hers, glancing away so as to not appear too bold, but her eyes kept darting back to him as he came closer, curious and excited. Being so new here, she didn't recognize anyone, and surely any woman would remember a face like his. ”Good evening, my lady, may I have this dance?” Margaret returned his bow with a curtsy of her own, a delighted smile pulling at her mouth. Some people tried to hide their emotions, but she'd never been good at that. "I would be delighted to accept, my lord." It would be the first time she'd been asked to dance outside of the festivities that took place to entertain the King and Queen, and she had only been allotted a very small part in those. She placed her hand in his, letting him lead to where the dance was to begin as her eyes floated over the other people present. She dearly loved company. "May I ask your name?" Perhaps that sounded too bold. "It is just that I am newly arrived at court and haven't been acquainted with very many people yet." Even if this were only a dance, it would be nice to have someone to say hello to later on. |
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| Francois Spencer | Jan 10 2011, 10:21 PM Post #3 |
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Finding that he didn’t recognize her at all, not even her features, Francis began playing a game in his mind. Could she be a Talbot, or they were blonde and fair, or a Howard, or perhaps one of the northern houses like the Nevilles or the Percies. There were so many noble houses of England that Francis had yet to learn, and he was trying to place this fair lady in front of him with a specific family. It would be good to know, because no matter what anyone said, families mattered the most at court, whether with mistresses or wives, it all depended on birth. Taking her hand, Francis led her to a corner of the dance floor for a more intimate atmosphere. He wanted to talk to her, even during the dance, away from the sounds of music that would soon begin to waft over to them. ”It is my great pleasure.” He said, voice soft, almost a whisper, as he took her across the floor, happy to be able to keep his balance. Shuffling into place with the rest of court, Francis began the steps of the pavane with the pretty girl. He had this feeling that he knew her from somewhere, closer than he thought, and he still could not shake that feeling of utter protectiveness that overcame him as he studied her soft features, so pretty and proportioned, so gorgeously petite. He wondered who she was, what great family produced such an exquisite creature whose naivety was matched by her girlish charms. He smiled down at her, a laugh coming from the depth of his throat, as he took the slow steps. ”I am newly arrived at court as well, my lady. I am Francis Spencer.” He pronounced his name as an English man would, but couldn’t help but add the little throaty noise that came with the French r. Realizing he had done what he did, and not quite willing to reveal his French ancestry, Francis quickly supplemented, ”Now it is your turn to reveal yourself, my lady.” He challenged as the steps of the dance compelled him to step closer to her, so close that he was almost pressed against her, but only for a moment, as he retracted quickly. His almond eyes were laughing, even when his lips were sealed shut. In the glittering atmosphere of court, dimmed somewhat by the length of the night, Francis lost himself in the mulled wine and hedonism around him. Somehow, Margaret seemed detached from all that. It wasn’t just because she was new here, although that perhaps had some effect on this perception, but she seemed somehow, pure, and the nature of court essentially was just the opposite. Francis had attended many courts, and none of them were conducive to the education of a young noble girl. He didn’t even want his own sister at court, and certainly his feelings of protectiveness over Margaret made him feel somehow the same way, although barring her coming to court, Francis would have never known who she was. |
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| Margaret Percy | Jan 17 2011, 05:33 AM Post #4 |
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Was it any wonder that the people here wanted to be at court? Everyone seemed so merry and happy, even if it were because of the wine that filled their bellies and heads with images Margaret couldn't imagine. The atmosphere was catchy, and as she was lead to the dance floor by the handsome stranger, she couldn't help but feel a flush of eagerness. Being invited to dance was a pleasurable first step for her. It was part of truly becoming a member of court. After tonight perhaps she wouldn't feel as shy. Even the softness of the man's voice made her flush with happiness, and she glowed innocently under his attentions as they began the dance. The music wasn't entirely unfamiliar to her and she was able to follow along fairly easily as they began. Her eyes kept moving to her partner's face, curious as to what he thought of the entire spectacle. Margaret was always the curious one. "I am newly arrived at court as well, my lady," He began, and Margaret turned toward him with interest as they drew closer. "I am Francois Spencer." For a moment, Margaret almost forgot that they were supposed to be dancing and she nearly missed a step as he came so that they were practically touching. It was her turn to reveal herself now, and she could not do it before she had the opportunity to laugh. It was difficult to keep herself quiet enough where she wasn't making a spectacle of herself. With shining eyes, she turned back to Francois, delighted and amused by the entire situation. "With pleasure, my Lord Spencer, for I do not think we are strangers any longer. I am Lady Margaret Percy." There was a flash of delight in her smile that came from finding not only a friend, but a cousin in such a surprising circumstance. Now Margaret was studying his face for an entirely different reason as they moved back closer together, trying to find the resemblance between him and William. Oh, she could see it all right. Her eyes were bright as she gazed up at him. "I had heard you were at court but I did not expect us to meet like this." As the dance continued, she turned to face him again, grateful that they were in a corner of the floor so they could speak more freely. She hated that she could not embrace him here as she so longed to. Margaret was a hugger, whether she was close to her family or not. Family, she thought, was one of the most important things someone could have, and she herself was very fortunate to have so many of her family members here at court with her. "Have you been here long? How have you been keeping?" Once again there was a storm of questions, and Margaret expected all of them to be answered in due course. Maybe a dance floor was not the place. |
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10:53 AM Jul 11