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| a company of fools; tag;; William Compton | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Dec 28 2010, 09:32 AM (179 Views) | |
| Margaret Percy | Dec 28 2010, 09:32 AM Post #1 |
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The sight of all of the dancers swirling in colorful harmony on the floor always made Margaret want to laugh or clap her hands with delight. Such a display would have been childish and inappropriate, but the bubbly warm feeling remained as she watched from the sidelines. It was good to be at the court of a merry king and a happy queen. The Spanish princess and her household always seemed so solemn and still, and it made Margaret think Spain must be a terrible place where no one smiled or knew how to laugh. It was a shame, for Margaret herself dearly loved to smile. The English court needed to restrain itself just a little bit when it came to manners of immorality, but at least it was a happy place. Though now Margaret was beginning to suspect that the happy atmosphere was the result of one glass of wine too many for many of the courtiers present. She herself held a glass in her hand, but it was untouched - merely something to hold while she waited to dance or for company. It was getting late in the evening now and Their Royal Majesties had already retired for the night, but Margaret was too awake to think of retiring to her room. The band struck up another merry tune and the courtiers started another mad romp of a dance. It was almost getting a bit wild now. Perhaps she would step back a few paces to keep out of the way of the dancers should one of them stumble. It wouldn't do to spill wine all over her dress. Without glancing over her shoulder, she took a step back to avoid the dancers but didn't avoid stumbling into someone else. "Oh!" She gasped as a little of the wine slid over her wrist and onto the floor. Thankfully it missed her skirts. Turning to face the man she had bumped into, she immediately sank into a curtsy, difficult to manage with the glass still in her hand. "Forgive me, my lord. I was not watching where I stepped." Her face was the color of the liquid that still lingered on her pale skin. "I hope you're all right. I usually don't run into people." She didn't recognize his face, but that didn't make a difference. "It was very foolish of me." Though it had been an accident, it didn't keep her from feeling like any less of a fool. |
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| William Compton | Dec 29 2010, 10:53 AM Post #2 |
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Mmm Mmm Mmm, who was the lucky lady who would share his bed tonight? William Compton's eyes were traveling over every female face. He was a complete rake, but he was an endearing rake. He enjoyed spreading his love and friendship. He was a good listener, intelligent, and close to the King. What was even better was that William knew exactly how to please the King. He was always on his good side, because he completely saw to the King's pleasure and enjoyment. That was his one job in life, and he was good at it. It made him very popular with everyone, because everyone knew that he had the King's ear in an important way: as a friend. William was not political in the least. He only served one interest, so he never saw himself falling out of favour with Henry. Christmastime was one of his favourite times. Every lady came out of the woodwork. The best drinks to imbibe came out as well as the best food. It was a man's dream. It was apparently Henry's dream, and William was oh so very happy to share that dream with his King. There was simply nothing better. "Oh I am quite enjoying myself," he replied to one of his friends as he was passing by. Only his movement was halted by a bump. A bump that could have only been feminine. William turned and his eyes went up and down as a smile spread over his face. He gave the very young, pretty lady a nod-like bow. "No forgiveness necessary sweet lady," he replied, "I do hope that missed your lovely dress?" Turn on the charm. She had such a pretty little face, and he did not know her. "Sir William Compton, at your service," he said in a mocking sort of voice, giving her a wink. She obviously did not know him if she called him 'my lord'. What a very ill-informed young lady. Only the better for him. She would not have been warned about him. Not that there needed to be a warning. He preferred willing participants, and his charms usually made young ladies quite willing. Being close to the King, well, it did not hurt. "I am sure it was an accident, and thus, not foolish at all. Are you enjoying yourself?" |
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| Margaret Percy | Dec 29 2010, 07:11 PM Post #3 |
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Thank goodness the man was friendly, or Margaret would have felt especially bad for herself. He had a nice smile, and she returned it easily, appreciating the way it fit his face. How lucky, she thought naively, that she had the fortune to bump into a man who was both handsome and kind. Already she felt as though this might not be so bad. "No forgiveness necessary sweet lady," He replied, and Margaret's lips turned upward as she lowered her eyes shyly, forever modest. "I do hope that missed your lovely dress?" She nodded, glancing into the offensive glass. "It has, thankfully. Only a little spilled." She showed him the glass, mostly full. "I've hardly had any yet. It's not quite to my taste." Rather, it was because Margaret didn't want to be making a spectacle of herself like she had seen people do before. Little did she know that she was speaking with a man who loved the taste of wine and women more than life itself. "Sir William Compton, at your service." Oh. That was a name she had heard giggled and whispered about the ladies' chambers, though she had not yet had a face to match. Now her smile turned a little sheepish. "A pleasure, Sir William. I am Lady Margaret Percy." She was looking like quite a fool tonight, even without the aid of alcohol. How embarrassing. "I hope you will forgive my ignorance. I am rather new at court." It had been only a few weeks now, but that was no excuse for not recognizing one of the men closest to the king. "I am sure it was an accident, and thus, not foolish at all. Are you enjoying yourself?" Again, a shy smile worked its way onto her lips. At least he was going to tolerate her foolishness. "Oh, yes. Court is such a merry place, it is impossible not to be glad here." Her eyes looked to the dancers spinning and laughing on the floor and her smile widened. "I think merriment itself is in the air tonight." She did like to dance. Maybe she would later. Her gaze returned to the gentleman that she stood with. "And you, Sir William? How do you find court this evening?" The question was posed honestly, not flirtatiously. Margaret hadn't yet discovered how to use the feminine power given to each woman at birth. It would come in time. "I hope I did not jostle you too badly." |
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| William Compton | Jan 1 2011, 10:25 PM Post #4 |
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Oh and she was shy, was that not just quaint! Surely she was new. William could not help but let a pleased sigh go off in his mind only. How much fun was it when there were new ladies. New young ladies. "I would never forgive myself if the presence of my body would have ruined your night and dress," he said, although that could be taken more than one way. He was delighting in the anticipation that, with her seeming innocence, she would not catch it. "And a pleasure it is." Of course he said that in his best charming, baritone voice just teeming with the weight of hidden meaning. William found himself putting on his usual airs that he put on with women. He stood tall with a wholesome smile, one hand behind his back, his eyes focused on her but moving elsewhere now and again as if he had some importance in knowing what was going on. He was the King's friend, he had to be ready to jump to his pleasure after all. At least, he wanted it to appear that he had a purpose other than just moving around like just anybody else. "Rather new you say? A new lady to the queen, then? How glorious. I am sure you will find yourself surrounded by men wanting to pay you praises." He chuckled as if it were just a trite thing, that men would line up to worship her. More like line up to attempt to defile or woo her, but that was besides the point really. "I find myself thoroughly happy and entertained, especially at this precise moment. And do not worry, Lady Percy, I am quite a sturdy man. You would find me rather hard to jostle." It would be rather scandalous if she had any idea what he was talking about. However, William Compton was the King's close friend, he was not worried about such trifles. He had the protection of the King. He could not be faulted if the woman was willing, and this was the man who was bedding Anna Stafford. A daughter of a duke, and a rather intimidating fellow at that. A daughter of an earl was no real significant thing in comparison. |
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| Margaret Percy | Jan 14 2011, 10:09 AM Post #5 |
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To a naive, impressionable young woman, William was quite the sight. Margaret couldn't seem to take her eyes off of the man. "I would never forgive myself if the presence of my body would have ruined your night and dress," He said, and Margaret missed the lewd meaning behind his words, so caught up was she in the attentions of the handsome courtier speaking with her. "There is no harm done at all, though I dare say I have spilled more wine than I have drank tonight," Margaret said with a small laugh. On nights like these she held a glass of wine in her hand to blend in with everyone else, though she didn't indulge herself like the rest of the court did. Part of her was afraid to see what it was like to be drunk. It seemed to turn people wild. She paused a moment before adding a bit shyly. "I do not think the presence of your body has harmed my evening in any way." She meant that she was enjoying his company. His mind, of course, would think otherwise. He looked around as though he knew the thoughts of each man or woman that passed by, and Margaret wondered if he knew hers. Not that thinking a man was handsome was an indecent thought, but it would embarrass her to be so bold. Perhaps she should drink a little of her wine to calm herself. She took a tiny sip and tried not to make a face at the dry taste. She was a stranger to drinking to be drunk and had no friends or lovers to encourage her to do so, nor did she have a desire to make a fool of herself. One little sip would be enough for her for now. "Rather new you say? A new lady to the queen, then? How glorious. I am sure you will find yourself surrounded by men wanting to pay you praises." A faint little glow of color brushed Margaret's cheeks as she turned her head to hide the pleased smile. "I hope I bring at least a little pleasure to someone here. I would hate to be seen as a nuisance." It was a little bit of comfort to know that she would not be seen as completely undesirable. She hoped her father would be able to approach any man he pleased and ask them to take his daughter, and she hoped the answer would be yes when the time came. At least she was not loathsome. He did not seem to object to her company and that pleased her too. "And do not worry, Lady Percy, I am quite a sturdy man. You would find me rather hard to jostle." If Margaret would have caught on to what William was implying, she probably would have died. Instead she laughed, eyes as bright and merry as the atmosphere around them, but considerably less intoxicated. "I am glad you are strong enough to withstand my clumsiness. I hope you are never have the misfortune to fall victim to me again. I do apologize," She added again, still feeling guilty. "It was very awful of me, wasn't it?" And then another smile worked its way over her face. "At least we are acquainted now. Perhaps something good has come out of it." She did like the way he was so friendly and warm. If all people at court were as nice as he was, Margaret thought to herself, she would not ever be unhappy here. |
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10:54 AM Jul 11