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| My only friend in the world; tag MaryC | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 26 2011, 06:44 PM (208 Views) | |
| Anne Shilston | Nov 26 2011, 06:44 PM Post #1 |
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*Christmas 1512* Anne didn’t know what to do with herself, she felt as if she were a lost cause. She had no husband to annoy and her children had been sent away because she simply could not keep it together. And then Sir Leonard was thrown into the mix and her life just became muddled. Her only company were her servants who stayed in London. She didn’t even know when or if John would ever want to come back to her. Why should he? She had given him two sons, surely that’s all he needed from her? Many other families had no sons at all and she had given one of the less popular men in court two of them. Surely his enemies were envious of him? She at least were envious of their wives, because surely those husbands would have been more appreciated and caring towards Anne for bearing two boys. And yet the first thing she did when she realised she had more time on her hands was sew shirts for her husband. When she had suggested that John and the boys be sent away and do whatever they please, Anne didn’t realise how little there was for her to do. She couldn’t dream of showing her face at court, especially with John there. She simply needed to recover and perhaps when the warmer weather came upon them again; she may feel a little better. She truly hated being this miserable and hated being such a burden to her husband, but what else could she do when John’s actions turned her into an outcast? The only friends she had had once been John’s mistress at one point in time and the one who she thought would never fall into that category was stolen from her in just the same way. She didn’t know how she could forgive either of them and John always had to make it worse by implying it was Anne who was at fault. Was she not allowed to have her own friends anymore? Her only other friends who would never have anything to do with John, were in fact his enemies. And there was no guessing at how John felt about that. Did he know about the Dragon hunt, Warwick had created for his son? Likely not, for she knew he hated the boy living in a fantasy. Anne though had grown not to mind it, children at least could always find the finer things in life and Anne wished she could do the same. Maybe then she would be happy with the scrap of love she received, for if she managed that, John may be able to accept her again. But things got worse before they got better, it was always the case. As Anne sat by the hearth sewing shirts for the males in her life, she came to the realisation that she would be alone on Christmas. It was just too much for her and she broke down and cried there and then. Much of it had been her doing, but it took her this long to realise it and now it was much too late. Seeing her mistress in such distress one of the servants tried to console her and put in a suggestion of inviting someone for a Christmas lunch. When Anne was in a better mood to think on it, she struggled to think of just who she could invite. Sir Leonard was out of the question. There was too much temptation with him, for the need she had to be in someone’s loving arms was just too great and she certainly didn’t get that from her own husband. No, it had to be someone who could understand her, and then Anne knew. Why she didn’t think of Lady Carey before, she did not know. The two had become fast friends once they were able to move on from the fact that Mary had been involved very intently with Anne’s husband. It was all in the past now, at least Anne had been able to steal John’s friend while he had stolen Anne’s. Mary would be able to understand her strife, and she hadn’t seen Mary much after her marrying William Carey. That had been a fun night, they had easily managed their feat of almost drinking themselves under the table and Anne hadn’t cared how John felt about that, especially as Anne had been quite pregnant indeed. Oh so many things had happened since then! And now that she regretted sending the boys away before Mary could meet her new son. But then even her brother Charles had yet not seen him! So with just the mere thought of seeing her beloved friend again, Anne sent along the invitation for a Christmas lunch and hoped and prayed, Mary would be able to make it. Spending time with another noblewoman after all may very well be what Anne needed. There was too much testosterone in this house, which is probably why Anne hoped she could conceive a girl, but that may never happen unless John would want her again. When Christmas morning came, Anne even assisted the servants in readying the house for their guest. She had permitted for a schedule to be made so that every servant was able to visit their family on such a glorious day. She wore RED for the event and once everything was in order, she sat in the parlour with some wine and a small food platter to wait for her guest’s arrival. |
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[align=center]PLOT: :BIO: :TRACKER [/align] | |
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| Mary Carey | Nov 30 2011, 06:38 PM Post #2 |
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The English Mare
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The final weeks of November and the first few of December had been filled with more contentment than Mary had experienced in a long while. Not since...well, not since the time she had spent with William shortly after their marriage when they stayed at the estates of William Spencer. No, perhaps even before that; before she had been married, and the final night spent with John Shilston. Perhaps. Although those experiences were not ones the Lady Carey liked to compare alongside each other, for they were all so different. The time spent with the king, however, had morphed into something that was. At first, Mary had thought nothing of it when her bleeding had not come, for it was a thing of normality. Women had come late before in the past, and she was certainly not the first. No, she must have miscalculated her cycle, that was all, and a few days was nothing to concern herself with. But as days turned into weeks, Mary was forced to accept what should have been so obvious: she was with child. The king’s child. It could belong to no one else, for William had not had her for several weeks now, his business keeping him preoccupied. Surely he would noticed that as well when she came to him, announcing her condition. What on earth would he say? Mary knew she couldn’t have easily cast off the king himself when he had sent for her. No, for that would had resulted in a very hasty dismissal from court, and the pride of the Boleyns, Howards and Careys shattered. Although that horrid circumstance still had the potential to occur if court were to catch wind that the child she carried did not belong to her husband, and was instead a royal bastard. For her to keep her dignity, and that of her families, Mary knew that this child would have to be recognized as William’s and as a Carey. And so, in all her artificial wisdom, she had opted to say nothing. Nothing. Because of course, that was the answer. Yes. Brilliant. For nights on end, she had not been able to sleep, living in guilt that William would find out the wrong way, or something would happen to the child before it was due and that would be how he discovered. Saying nothing was proving to be a very inadequate solution to her problem; she simply had to tell someone, although the real question was whom. Mary knew she was not a woman of many true friends, and those whom she did consider close enough to trust with the secret of her condition were entirely inappropriate to tell. The Princess Mary would have come to expect something by now, the king being her brother, and Anne..well, Anne was an entirely different matter. If her younger sister were to find out, then she would be showered a never ending array of reprimands and scoldings, and surely Mary knew she did not want that. No, it seemed that she were to be alone in this matter, until rather unexpected a letter arrived for her, on Christmas Day of all days. It was from Anne Shilston, inviting her to a Christmas lunch at her manor in London. Any other time, Mary thoroughly enjoyed spending Christmas at court, with all the celebrations that went along with it, but under her current condition, it seemed that there were no other options available to her. So, dressing simply Mary set off for the manor. The trip itself took little time at all, and soon the Lady Carey found herself in a place she had never expected to be following the events of her affair with John Shilston. Being showed to the door, Mary painted a pleasant smile upon her features and moved to greet Anne. “Lady Shilston,” she said, “Merry Christmas. It was every so gracious of you to invite me. Thank you.” |
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[size0]"Whereas one man might satisfy you, I've yet to find one capable of pleasing me to the extent I wish." - Mary A true blue CISCUIT Mary is in a grand total of 2 thread(s). And could have 2 more. [/align] | |
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| Anne Shilston | Dec 30 2011, 02:01 AM Post #3 |
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Anne sat waiting patiently for the arrival of her friend and as she waited, she had time to think. She felt a little guilty for what had happened between her and Leo, but she did not regret it. She was guilty of the fact that she thought John knew, but she went over that day time and time again in her mind and couldn’t find any evidence that John would have known. Her servants at least would not have told him, they were more loyal to her, especially after many of them had come to learn what kind of man John was. It wasn’t the servants’ business what their master and mistress did after all, but Anne always tried to be sweet on them, because without them she would have found it rather difficult living under John’s roof. And yet here she was opening her arms to one of his mistresses. She didn’t know if it was truly over between them, but she saw no more signs of it. She told herself that it didn’t matter. Even if John had never slept with Mary, she liked to think that she would have been friends with her on her own. The fact though that Mary understood John, strangely made Anne better about befriending the woman; at least she wouldn’t think Anne a fool for loving such a man when she had done much the same. Whatever the case, Anne was glad to have a friend when she most needed one. She had driven out her husband, slept with another man and sent her sons away. Now she prayed a woman’s presence would help her get back on track. She had never had a true friend until she and Mary had set aside their awkwardness and found a friend in one another while many of the women would turn their backs on them for what they had done and who they were married to. Mary at least had been lucky to find a good husband, he was connected to well established families too, Anne already had that from being Suffolk’s sister. While that connection was too late for her, she hoped it would provide opportunities for her sons. When Mary was announced, Anne stood up to greet her friend with a warm smile. “Lady Carey! I’m glad you came and look at you, ravishing as ever.” She embraced the younger woman and even kissed her on the cheek, before showing her to a chair. “And a Merry Christmas to you too. The midday meal will be ready shortly, but until then would you like an appetiser or perhaps some wine?” She waited for Mary to sit, before she sat with her and a servant was on hand to provide them anything they needed, but seeing as Anne could do well on her own, she dismissed the servants so that she could have some privacy with her friend. Once Anne poured the wine herself, she took a sip of hers, but put her goblet down to give Mary her full attention. “So tell me, Mary how have you been?” Formalities were fine in public and in greeting but when they were in private and alone; surely they could use one another’s Christian name? “I actually have something for you.” Next to her chair she produced a folded quilt that she had been slaving away for a little while, without one’s husband or children there was little else to do. She handed over the quilt with a smile. “It can be for the winter months while you sit by the hearth or a baby’s quilt if it comes to that. I do hope you like it.” |
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[align=center]PLOT: :BIO: :TRACKER [/align] | |
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| Mary Carey | Jan 4 2012, 09:03 PM Post #4 |
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The English Mare
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The moment Mary’s eyes settled on the form of Anne Shilston, she was relieved. Relived to see the genuine look of pleasure that passed over the elder woman’s face when she had entered the room, and relived to know she was actually welcomed. Anne was her friend, Mary realized, simple as that. There was no underlying meaning to this meeting, nor had it been arranged by some other party, namely John Shilston. She had been invited here simply because Anne enjoyed her company, and wished to spend Christmas with a friend, while she remained so isolated. Why that was exactly, Mary daren’t ask. She was unaware of what the Lady Shilston’s feelings were in regards to her husband’s arrest a month prior, and what ill state that may have left their marriage in, but it was none of her concern. Today was not to be spent lamenting the various sorrows that had implanted themselves in their lives, nor was it a day for recalling the past, and her illicit relations with John Shilston. Today, they were to rejoice over the time they would spend together, and their friendship. Embracing Anne, Mary kissed her cheek in turn and smiled. “Oh, but look at you!” She exclaimed. “One would never know that you gave birth such a short time ago. I pray your sons are well? And your...husband as well? I have not...” Mary cleared her throat. “Excuse me. I have not exchanged words with him since his imprisonment, and I daresay he was not kind to me then, even if it was only in a letter.” Accepting the seat and the wine offered to her, Mary smooth the fabric carefully over her knees, taking great care to make sure its fabric draped inconspicuously over her stomach, before continuing. “I had only sent a short note, asking of his wellbeing, for I do consider him a friend, and he replied with some ill words, and cast me off as though I were nothing.” Taking a sip of her wine, Mary sighed. “But enough about that; enough of men. Today is our day, and we will have fun.” As much fun, Mary supposed, as she could have, with the constant nagging feeling of guilt in the back of her mind. She had not yet decided whether or not she would express the concern of her pregnancy to Anne Shilston. It seemed the logical thing, for she would not be one to spread rumour around, but then again, it could be dangerous. Even if Anne did not, a servant could just as easily overhear, and that would spell the end. So when asked how she was, Mary opted, once again, to lie. “I have been well enough, I suppose,” she replied. “My husband had been fairly busy with his work, and we have not seen much of each other. That has been hard. My sister...well, I see her sometimes, but not as much as I would wish, though our current relationship is satisfying enough for her. And you, Anne? How have you been?” Before the answer could be answered, however, Anne was smiling, reaching beside her chair and producing...a quilt. A baby’s quilt, at that, she explained. Mary’s eyes widened. Goodness, had Anne heard something? No, not that was impossible, for she had not announced her condition to anyone, and she had said that it was for if the time were to come. Smiling stiffly, she reached out to accept the gift. “Thank you,” she said, “thank you very much, Anne.” And then, so very unexpectedly, “It will come to use very soon, I would think, for I am with child.” On dear. |
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[size0]"Whereas one man might satisfy you, I've yet to find one capable of pleasing me to the extent I wish." - Mary A true blue CISCUIT Mary is in a grand total of 2 thread(s). And could have 2 more. [/align] | |
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| Anne Shilston | Jan 9 2012, 04:56 PM Post #5 |
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Anne was all smiles for Mary and felt flattered at her words. “Why thank you, Mary.” She paused though when Mary asked of her family and she lost her smile a little. “The boys are fine, I sent them off to be with their aunt…I needed a little time to myself for a change. And yes, I suppose John is well too, I haven’t seen him as much lately. I am sorry though that he was cruel to you. It is what I think I was trying to warn you about before. I suspect he would rather do the same with me, but as we are married he cannot and it frustrates him. He rarely cares what we women feel. No you are lucky to have your husband, Mary, at least he adores you.” Anne gave her friend a small encouraging smile; she had guessed that was the case with William Carey for why else would he have married a woman who had been in another man’s bed? Anne at least hoped Mary’s marriage was nothing like hers, and she didn’t think it was for there could only be one John Shilston. When though Mary suggested they stop talking about men, Anne smiled again and nodded in agreement. It was why she had suggested John to leave, so she wouldn’t have to put up with him for a time. It had been a wise decision hadn’t it? She needed time to mend her broken heart, why else had she slept with another man? She needed to feel loved…needed, just once. And though she knew it could never happen again, she would remember it for the rest of her life. It was sad really when she loved her husband but he could never give her what she wanted. She was jealous of other wives, jealous even of Mary for having a husband who could show her affection. But she tried not to think of it, lest she burst into tears. Now that they were seated and a goblet of wine in their hands, Anne sipped at her wine progressively in order to calm her heart. She wanted to relax and do as Mary suggested, forget the men altogether. “Oh that is a shame, but that is what marriage is. I hope though that he finds time for you. Well you will always have me.” She said this in response to what was said of Mary’s sister. Anne didn’t entirely understand it for she had no sister of her own, only that from John’s side of the family. “And I am much the same with my brother, but men are always too busy for their women, unless of course they are good men.” Charles was a good man in a certain way, but being a Duke and a close friend to the King kept him busy than most other men. He didn’t have time for her growing up and he certainly didn’t have time for her now. “But I have been well enough as well. We women are strong aren’t we? Because how else do we survive in a man’s world.” Anne though had no idea that Mary was already with child, so when Mary confessed Anne was quite surprised and laughed softly. “I did not know, but it is good timing then, yes? I am so happy for you. I am certain you will be an excellent mother.” Anne tried to put it out of her mind of the fact that Mary was pregnant when she had admitted only before that she had not seen her husband as often as she liked. She at least knew it couldn’t be her own husband’s, it was clear that it was over between them. And now that Anne herself had an affair she couldn’t criticise her friend for her past behaviour. Whether or not it was indeed William’s child, it was none of Anne’s business, but no matter what, she would support her friend. “Have you been able to tell William, yet? I don’t doubt it for a minute that he would be over the moon.” Yes women were strong indeed; Anne at least had to be. She tried not to think of the first time she was pregnant. How ironic it was that Mary may not be questioned, but Anne who until recently had been faithful to her husband had been banished as John refused to believe the child was his. And once again, Anne fought back tears. She drank more of her wine before leaning over and touching her friend’s hand. “There’s no need to worry, Mary, if you have any questions you only need ask me. As I said, I am here for you.” She gave her friend an encouraging smile, before she straightened and sampled a piece of fruit. It mattered not now that she had to go through her first pregnancy on her own, she would not let her friend have to go through with it on her own. |
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[align=center]PLOT: :BIO: :TRACKER [/align] | |
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| Isabel Leigh | Feb 13 2012, 10:23 AM Post #6 |
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Virtue alone is invincible.
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This thread has been archived either due to forwarding of board timeline or because of a month of inactivity. If you would like to continue, please PM an Admin! |
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[align=center]Mistress Leigh Isabel is in 8 threads and can has more! App | Plot[/align] | |
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10:58 AM Jul 11