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Let's be friends; tag auntie Eleanor!
Topic Started: Nov 26 2011, 06:31 AM (196 Views)
Catherine la Zouche
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*December 1512* (Whenever the lovebirds get back)

Catherine was ecstatic, it felt weird for her. It always took for a new person to help her overcome a tragedy, and this time it took two. There was one day when Catherine had been betrothed, but as that man had died before a marriage ever happened, it was natural for Catherine to feel peculiar and saddened. That had been seven years ago, and to overcome it, the daughter of her late betrothed had more or less been put into Catherine’s care. She of course wasn’t responsible for the child, but it was the first time her parents had seen her take responsibility onto herself and actually take on the role she was primed to be. And then the moment she was finally going to attend court; she lost her dearest friend in the world, her little brother. She never thought she would ever recover. She felt as if her heart had been ripped out and fed back to her, it made her feel sick inside and she didn’t think she could ever continue on without him.

But court life deemed a distraction for her. She was with friends and family, most importantly the cousins she loved dearly and with their help she was able to forget her sadness and live again. And while there was loss, there was celebration too. Guillaume, her favourite cousin had been wed and now so too had one of her uncles. Their family was growing, but most importantly with a new aunt and cousin-in-law, Catherine had more women to converse with, after almost a lifetime of spending time with many of her male cousins. And what better people to ask secret and private questions only a woman would know? Catherine knew what sex was, thanks to her many times of ‘catching’ her cousins and brother at it, but she always wanted to understand it from a female’s perspective, so she had written to the newly Eleanor Spencer to meet her.

Such a topic of course wasn’t all Catherine wanted to discuss. She was excited having another woman in the family, especially one who was close to her own age. She tried though not to feel left out with all these marriages happening around her, she hoped that her father was able to find her a husband in time, because being a burden to her family was the last thing she wanted. And with the coming of the Christmas festivities, she would be able to attract a husband even with her being so picky. But seeing as this was her first Christmas without her dear brother, she had wrote to him in her journal to inform him that she would play a little prank on their dear cousin, Wilmington. She had gone and ordered herself a most expensive gown for the Masque Ball. She though did not want to burden her father with such a thing, but with his new found wealth, Catherine didn’t think Guillaume would mind paying for it. It was their late Grandfather’s money they were spending wasn’t it, so why should Guy get to have it all to himself, Catherine deserved some too didn’t she?

This was actually the real reason she had invited Eleanor to see her, for she wanted to show off this new gown. Almost bouncing in her seat as she waited in her sitting room, excited and hoping to find a close friend in her new aunt, Catherine waited patiently. Her new gown was hanging up, ready to be shown off, while Catherine fidgeted with the beverage and food platter provided to them, hoping it would suffice for the countess. Just the thought made her laugh silently, her uncle an Earl! She actually wished she could make her family proud in the same way, but that only reminded her that she was twenty-five, her maidenhead still intact and no husband or children of her own to speak of. And then of course there was that matter of her father no longer having an heir, would that mean she would have nothing if another family member took over? She trembled in her chair and fiddled with her skirts, again trying to fight such worrisome thoughts from her mind. The Countess of Berkshire was coming to see her so she had to be all smiles.

DRESS
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Eleanor Spencer
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The new Eleanor Spencer no longer thought about her past transgressions or somber burdens. For once, after a number of years, the countess had a future to look towards, instead of a dreary past to turn and look back unhappily upon. Finally a present to cure all of her suffering and misery that had plagued her for so long. To think, this had been God's plan for her all along... and though it had caused her many sacrifices, even some she could still feel her questioning the necessity of, she would not once take for granted what had been given to her now. A man to love her, a family to welcome her, and within her her heart had been warmed and her spirit restored. She had Edward and his entire family to thank for that, the family that was now saw her as a new addition, the family that had celebrated her marriage to their Baron Denbigh and had openly referred to her as any affectionate family member would. Oh, how she loved these new times! There was a new spring in the countess's step, her usual grace of fluidity and calm now only livened and replenished not with a girlish buoyancy but rather a solid, realistic place of where her happiness lie. Nothing could take her husband or her new family away from her, not a single soul, and she dared anyone who threatened or tried.

With her nurturing spirit nearly flamboyant and allowed to roam freely amongst Edward's children, and perhaps even Sir John's, Eleanor sprung at every opportunity to secure her place amidst the Spencer family. After all, she was a Spencer now, too, and she would protect this name as fiercely as any mother or wife should. Upon receiving a letter from a certain Catherine la Zouche, a woman whom she could consider her own niece with the coming of her new family, Eleanor did not waste a single second in going to her. She had sent an usher ahead, just so the Lady la Zouche was not found off guard or surprised. The countess of Berkshire wanted only peace and a quiet grace throughout her family, and she would be sure her hand soothed whatever corner of her family that needed it. She would be there to consolidate, to counsel, to guide and, most importantly, to love. Already she felt comfortable and even welcomed as a new matron of the Spencer family. Thinking fondly of the very little she knew about her new niece, Eleanor traveled through the hallways of court with a pair of ladies in service following behind, picturing Catherine in this new gown she mentioned in her letter. Indeed, even for the littlest of things, to see a new pretty gown, Eleanor would be there for her family members.

She did not hesitate at Catherine's doors, for she was a Spencer now. Could even be considered Catherine's aunt. This was no place nor time to hesitate, and with a dignified lifted chin, she entered her niece's chambers and pleasantly announced herself to the usher she had sent beforehand. After having been let in, Eleanor crossed the threshold of Catherine's floors and opened her arms to the blond. Oh, were all the Spencers so beautiful?! The smile across her coral lips was warm and welcome, and she was smooth with her affection as she placed a greeting kiss on the apple of her niece's cheek. "Dear Lady Zouche," she spoke, still smiling as she pulled away and appraised the woman that was her niece. She had only met her a few times, mostly at her wedding celebrations in Wiltshire, and was only glad Catherine did not drift from her newest family member after the revelry had ended. To think she had remained in the woman's thoughts nearly melted Eleanor to the core. "Is this the dress you had written about?" She asked with glee, stepping back and putting a slender hand to her fallen, pleased mouth. Her eyebrows went up and she giggled happily. "Oh, goodness, this is just wonderful! And look at you! Oh, this gown was made for you, darling."
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Catherine la Zouche
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Once her new aunt was announced, Catherine shot out of her chair quick smart, she was actually excited about seeing her aunt. They were relatively the same age and with this meeting, Catherine hoped she could have a friend at least someone who she could turn to who wasn’t a male and wasn’t really blood related. She still dreamt and giggled about her uncle and aunt’s marriage, giggling more of the fact that she had cornered her other uncle, Sir John to dance by request of her mother. As much as she loved all of her family, Sir John had to be one of her favourites, yet she didn’t know why. Perhaps it was that smirk of his, or how easily she was able to annoy him, or maybe it was just her mother’s influence, but now she had another favourite, Eleanor Spencer. Her uncle Edward reminded her a bit too much of her grandfather, something he didn’t do on purpose she was sure and she loved him all the same, but his new wife certainly won out ahead of him that was for sure. And that was simply because Eleanor was a woman.

When the Countess entered, Catherine smiled and eagerly met the woman’s outstretched arms with her own. For some reason she felt ten years younger, this woman just had a certain air about her that perceived her being mature and the lady Catherine always should have been. Eleanor of course had been married twice now hadn’t she, and she was a Countess, so surely that must be it. Catherine was just a mere Baron’s daughter who could never live up to the high expectations of her family. Much of her life she had been trying to run from it and work against them, but now finally after the loss of her betrothed and now her brother, she was finally coming to terms with her position in the world. She had to find a husband and she had to bear sons before it was too late, just in case her father’s Baronies were passed down to her…or rather this husband she should be finding. She hated the responsibility that was now put on her shoulders and that is why she needed Eleanor’s support. At least here was a woman Catherine could look up to.

“My Lady Berkshire, I am so glad you came!” As Eleanor planted a kiss on Catherine’s cheek, Catherine kissed Eleanor’s other, before stepping back to allow the woman to hold her at arm’s length. Catherine was virtually beamed at having the woman here, oh what parties they could have with the new female additions to the Spencer family, and all the gossip they could do. This is what Catherine needed after growing up amongst boys. “And you can call me Catherine if you wish, especially in here. Some of my family even call me Cat, you can too if you like.” Eleanor was after all family now. When Eleanor stood back and asked about Catherine’s dress, Catherine smirked and stepped in beside her aunt to admire her gown along with her and nodded. “Yes, indeed it is! I cannot wait until I see Guillaume’s…err William…Lord Wilmington’s face once he realises he has to pay for it!” Catherine was beaming again with Eleanor complimenting her, oh she loved this woman already!

She gave her aunt a sideways hug as she beamed. “Oh thank you, it’s nice being able to hear proper compliments instead of just a manly grunt!” Catherine of course was exaggerating for she received more than just a grunt from her male relatives, but it wasn’t the same at being able to giggle with another female about something pretty they could wear. Normally Catherine wouldn’t be like this, but she was drunk on happiness after grieving for her dear brother for so long. She hurried over to the gown and carefully picked up the matching mask that had been hanging with the dress and held it up an inch away from her face for Eleanor to see. “This goes with it too of course.” Once lowering the mask, she smiled and asked. “Have you thought about what you will wear for the masque ball? You are going aren’t you?” Catherine at least hoped she was, because why wouldn’t she?
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Eleanor Spencer
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Eleanor had been waiting for the day when finally her family's name would follow hers... and not that of her husband's peerage. Of course, Wiltshire would always remain apart of the countess's history, but her responsibility and her burden was it no longer. Finally, marrying the man of her heart, Berkshire was theirs to have and no longer did the shadow of a hollow, haunting first marriage follow her. Not in name, not in mind or spirit. Greeting Catherine so warmly reminded Eleanor even more, as if she even needed it, as to all the bountiful pleasures that she was yet to indulge since marrying Edward... one of the many, many, many. Her smile was bright and radiating warmth as she embraced her new niece, actually quite glad that she was not a young girl to have to fodder over. She loved and adored every one of the young Spencer children, especially the young Rose, but it was a breath of fresh air to have another woman in the family of similar age. Eleanor could only imagine how Catherine felt about it. "Oh, you will find me entirely indulgent in that privilege... we are family, dear Catherine, and for that I want you to call me Eleanor." She smiled, blood rushing to her cheeks.

The aquamarine hue of her eyes flickered all over her niece's new dress, her expression at first a little confused at Guillaume, but recollection warmed her thoughts and Eleanor giggled. She remembered the stories Edward had told her, some with a slight hint of disdain but overall familial fondness for his nephew, and recalled how his French name had followed him back to England with those closest to him. Eleanor was only happy to see her family so tightly intertwined; oh, she nearly burst with the pride and happiness she felt with such a large but entirely functional and actually congregational family. The relationships they had with one another warmed and strengthened the countess to her very core. But, wondering how William would think of Catherine's new, surely mildly costly dress, Eleanor could not begin to fathom a reaction. Instead, she merely giggled a second time and shook her head in humorous delight. "I will hope to be there to see his reaction," she replied, her jaw opening and her throat emitting a melodic, hearty laugh as Catherine implied her sort of exhaustion with her family's "manly grunts." Oh, how she knew so well of that already.

"I cannot believe how hard it is to get a word out of those men sometimes," she giggled and thought affectionately of her husband and his brother Sir John. How stoic and entirely... not feminine. Her lips twitched with a greater smile and Eleanor sighed with not irritation or annoyance but actual fondness. She loved those manly grunts no matter how many times she could say otherwise. Before Eleanor could respond with another loving jab at the men of their family, she watched her niece bring up an eloquent, matching mask up to her face and smiled proudly beneath it. Eleanor mirrored the expression and was wrapped in a sense of awe as she stood there looking at Catherine. Even hearing two small gasps from her ladies as they lingered behind, Eleanor sighed again and reached a curious, awed hand out, silently asking for the mask so that she could give it further adoring inspection. "Oh, the masque?" She echoed, looking up to her niece. Lifting a palm to her chest, Eleanor gave it a bit of thought, mingled with innocent jealousy over Catherine's new dress and mask, and sighed once more. "I can't be sure," she finally replied, even with Catherine's mask beckoning her to say otherwise. "Edward... you know him, wearing masks and jumping about in bells and holly leaves. I dare say he'd rather swallow a nail." Eleanor chuckled, so loving of the way her husband was. She would not have him any different. "Yet, do you suppose I should go?" She asked, her expression suddenly hopeful; as if she only needed the slightest bit of encouragement.

"There is no telling what his response will be, dare I ask him to attend. I had to prattle with him about the extravagance of our wedding before he finally permitted..." in comparison, Eleanor and Edward's tastes were quite opposite. Edward's, much more humble and conservative, quiet and safe. Eleanor, when allowed to indulge, did so freely in shiny, feminine trinkets, trivial things like fine fabrics, new jewelry, the latest of decorations for her home... and, most recently, a wedding consisted of all of those things.
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Catherine la Zouche
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Catherine could only grin at her aunt with the insistence of calling each other by their Christian names as she was most certainly in agreement of this. “As the Countess demands.” She nodded with her grin growing wider as if she had played a little joke, but she had not. It must be the Spencer way to grin like that and with Catherine so alike her favourite cousin, it was fortunate she hadn’t followed him into some of the more erotic type of fun William he preferred. Somewhere along the line Catherine knew that she as a woman would be ruined if she indulged in such sexual acts before marriage and that was one of the things she seemed quite unfair with this whole brick wall of a line of what women could not do while the men could.

One might have thought that growing up with men would have given her more chances to indulge in such things, but it certainly was not the case when those men were your family. She had seen William and her brother John countless of times, but no matter their age differences it was still them ensuring and reminding her that such a pastime was not for a lady to see or be involved with for that matter, which of course only made her more curious. In the end they never even bothered to say anything to her, just one of those stern looks or those manly grunts was enough to send her off on her way. But now there were more women in the family, and hopefully she would be able to ask them of these certain acts before the men in the family remembered to warn them against it. Men could have their fun so why couldn’t she? It was all unfair!

But she was barely thinking about this while she was showing Eleanor her new dress, it wasn’t entirely the whole reason Catherine had invited her new aunt here, she wanted to befriend the woman first and as she handed over her mask, Catherine was already starting to see that was happening and she was glad for it. She didn’t want any awkwardness between them that while they were relatively the same age, Eleanor was now Catherine’s aunt! It was how the world ran today, for some women could even be younger than other women of the family, by almost a decade! Catherine soon giggled along with her aunt about the men in their family and she nodded. “Sir John has to be the worst, I get a giggle out of annoying him, but uncle Edward is the same, at least to me. And now you’ve given him a grander title that makes him extra scary.” She still had a wide smirk spread across her face to indicate that she was teasing, for she knew her uncle would be different with his new wife. But she didn’t want to know about that…actually, no she did.

And then Eleanor had to go and say something like that about her uncle! Catherine couldn’t stop her laughter. She laughed loud enough for it to be almost unladylike and if those certain men were around she would have gotten a scolding. But none of them were here and she had no time to wonder whether it was appropriate to laugh so much in front of a new family member, for as she did so, she fell backwards onto a seat. “Oh Eleanor, what an image that would be!” She had to hold her stomach as she tried to compose herself and once she did, a smirk still itched across her lips, she looked up at her aunt with her bright blue eyes. “Oh forgive me, I did not mean to laugh as much as that, but you my dear friend are a joy to be around!” She giggled into her hand briefly, before she straightened and smiled pleasantly at her aunt, patting the seat beside her. “Yes, I do think you should go, and if Edward does not dance, William will always be up for the task, he loves to dance. Because I dare say I will not be able to pressure Sir John into another one, we are lucky to have William in the family and others like him.” Catherine was now finally able to offer Eleanor some wine, which Catherine poured herself; there was nothing she would do for her new friend. And while she had confused William and her brother a few times doing a simple servant’s task, she did not mind doing such things for her close family and friends.

Taking up her own chalice, she sipped at it, but her face still shone. “I still don’t understand how women can have their way sometimes with their husbands. After being told off so many times by men it seems strange for me. I can only wish a husband will be found for me soon, I cannot wait to find out everything I am not permitted to know before my marriage night. Well I do know about it, but…this is your second marriage isn’t it Eleanor, would you be able to tell me a little something? Some say it hurts, but a lot more say it’s quite good, it’s rather confusing and the men never want to tell me anything.” She paused and chewed on her lip, now giving Eleanor an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry if this is uncomfortable for you, I just don’t really have anyone else to ask…we can forget I mentioned it if you would like.”
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Eleanor Spencer
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As the Countess demands. Eleanor smiled. She had never been vain, the Lady Wiltshire or Berkshire, but admittedly she had missed the sort of respect and love given when she had been married to Robert. Whilst her father was alive, her husband was the only man to give her this sort of light, this warmth, and when she had been widowed, those had only remained by default. In name she remained the Lady Wiltshire, and by title she remained the countess, but only by dowager. Only a memory of what used to be and what had come to a miserable end. Yet, standing here in front of her new niece, married to another man that finally brought her home to her Berkshire roots, once more countess, Eleanor would not humble herself below her station. She instead only gave her chin a smooth, graceful dip in response, her smile happy and modestly approving.

And to think that her husband's title as earl was scary. She giggled once, then again, and shook her head as she carefully held Catherine's mask in her nimble fingers. "Surely he is not so beastly!" Of course, she could see where Edward's rigidness, his monotone words and sharp, masculine demands could be frightening to his younger niece... Eleanor could have easily related once upon a time. "I will do my best to pacify him, for perhaps all our sakes," she giggled once more and sighed in awe at the mask in her hands, her eyes studying it with an innocent bit of jealousy, enough to convince the countess that she just had to attend the coming masque. She laughed along with her niece, elated to share such comfortable warmth with a new family member, and gently placed the mask down on a small side table. Falling gracefully into the cushioned space beside her, Eleanor smiled and waved a dismissive hand to her two ladies, hardly watching them sink into an obedient curtsy before turning to wait elsewhere.

"Oh, but that is just it, Catherine!" She interjected, beaming, "Sir John is so very easy to predict. As any man like he, he favors the smile of a pretty woman." Taking the wine offered, Eleanor glanced once at the claret inside and placed the iron rim to her lips, sipping quietly. The air was slightly chilled but the wine warmed her throat and set a small simmer to her stomach, the very reason for the next few liberal sips she took. "I will try and convince Edward, lest I bother William or Sir John. All three of them are all the more busy recently," Eleanor tried not to say this with any sort of solemn or forlorn touch, as she accepted with an easy nature what was duty and responsibility. Eleanor could wait patiently for however long for her husband to come to her after a day's work, or even a week's, but thankfully thus far, hardly an afternoon separated the earl and countess.

But what came next was far more than just a shock to Eleanor, and as her manicured eyebrows lifted above her colored irises and she turned to look at her niece, she could hardly think of a way to respond. Clearing her throat, the countess's gaze flickered to the floor and back to Catherine, and suddenly a smile slid across her lips and a soft peal of laughter erupted from her throat. She closed her eyes and brought a hand to the flat of her stomacher, shaking her head and willing the giggles from her lungs. Reaching a hand over to her niece's, she squeezed it and sighed to finally clear the flush from her cheeks. "It is alright, Catherine, dear, I promise." She smiled and chuckled once more, clearing her throat to take another long gulp of wine as if to prepare herself for a response. "The men ought to not tell you anything, lest they have more than an earful from your betrothed or anyone concerned." Her smile did not leave her apricot lips as she brought down her chalice of disappearing wine, her bejeweled eyes glistening happily at her new niece.

"It is all very different for all different women, Darling," she gave her head a small shake, "My late husband, God rest his soul, it seemed as if routine. Where it was an act for him, it was a chore for me. But it was my duty, and as his wife I owed every physical part of myself to him." She nodded then, giving Catherine's hand another squeeze, trying to convey the seriousness of the concept. "Whatever the matter, dear, it will be something you must do. Though, I find you rather lucky... you have good men to find you a husband, William who loves you and Edward and his brother love you as they should. My father was eager and rather greedy... the quality of my husband's person mattered only to a basic extent to him. I am happy to say a lot more matters to our paterfamilia." Yes, Eleanor had no doubt that William would find a good, loving husband for his la Zouche cousin. "Nonetheless," the countess smirked, "of course it will hurt, Darling. T'is entirely painful... and entirely violating." She refrained from shaking her head and kept her thoughts from touching too far into her memories of her late husband. They were not pleasant ones, per se.

She thought easily and fondly though, of Edward, and a pink flush rose to her cheeks. "That is of course..." she giggled softly, "you desire your husband in every way. I am blessed to have found and married Edward... I feel insatiable for him." She giggled again and withdrew her hand, lifting it to her mouth as if to shield her girlish embarrassment. "Quite the opposite of a violation..." her cheeks flushed deeper and she shook her head, wondering briefly where her husband the Earl was now. "But even if you do not enjoy it at first, the pain will go away eventually. Perhaps you will learn to love, if it does not come at first.." she suddenly seemed in thought now, glancing away for a mere second. "Some ladies say that the act can bring you to love, but... I suppose it is only opinion?"
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Isabel Leigh
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Virtue alone is invincible.
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