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| And you used to think me a martyr...; Uncle Eddie Spencahhh | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 21 2012, 10:42 PM (458 Views) | |
| William Spencer | Jan 21 2012, 10:42 PM Post #1 |
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Lord Winchester (courtesy)
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Mid-Feb 1513 Hours were definitively blending, as were days. William found himself contemplative, and it was hard for the general demeanor in his 'accomodations'--with just he and Thomas--to be anything but morose. Though he held himself with as much grace and dignity as he could muster, he was literally quite helpless. His shoulder would not well take these conditions, especially after those who had questioned him thought to grab him by it; he was not deluded enough to think it had been a coincidence that they were rough with him in the one spot that could hurt him without seeming to hurt him. William had told the truth as he'd nothing to hide. The longer time went by, the more worried and yet the more hopeful he became. The longer time went without any change, the less compelling the evidence seemed, yet each day he still spent here made it seem as if something was happening, as if sentiment was stacked against him if no evidence. He was not afraid for himself. He was afraid for his family, for his wife, for what she would have to do if ill became of him. It was of her that his mind would not quiet, of that secret child in her belly she had informed him of not even three days ago. If he was convicted a traitor, in collusion with an entire other country...it would not end well. She would be left without anything and their child would always be in danger. During the times where he was not at prayer, which was most of the day, he was typically reading by the fire, attempting to not move his shoulder much. While his incarceration was tolerable, and he had many of his own things and did not lack for anything particular, it was not what he was used to and the dampness of the place made him ache. The fire did not help very much. The place seeped gloom no matter what was done to make it better. He was reading when he heard footsteps approaching again. Pins pricked on him each time he heard that, because it could be news that could rocket him to two polar opposite emotions. If not that, it could be more questions. It was a visible relief when this time it was his uncle. He closed his book and stood. He'd not seen either Edward or John since John had arrested him, and while he did not doubt either of them in their loyalty to him, he stood there without words. He felt as if he should deny that he had done what he was accused of, and he found himself wondering if his uncle thought him capable. "Uncle," he said with a nod, licking his lips and thinking of something to say. He nearly did not know where to begin. |
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| Edward Spencer | Jan 27 2012, 12:00 AM Post #2 |
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Earl of Berkshire/Baron Denbigh
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Edward Spencer was not--repeat, NOT--a happy man as of late. Oh, things had been going rather well for him in the past few months, not to get him wrong on that. He had been rather enjoying his newly (re)married state, especially at night; Eleanor's bed had hardly been slept in since their wedding night. There was much to be said for nightly bedding, a joy that he'd nearly forgotten about. And certainly he'd been taking the time to adjust to his new home, Longford Castle. There had been much to attend to, what with moving his younger children to Longford (Rose in particular was delighted with her new surroundings, and was more than pleased to finally have a mother) and making arrangements for his eldest son Henry to inhabit Denbigh upon the completion of his service. And of course there was still Berkshire yet, to take care of. Edward had, in fact, planned to attend to that when his new courtly duties were taken care of (now that the Christmas celebrations were over), when he'd gotten the message concerning the arrest of his nephew Wills. For treason, of all things. That ... was not good. Not only was it not good for Wills, but it wasn't good for the rest of the Spencers, either. If his nephew was convicted of treason, the taint would spread to the rest of the family as well. Edward was not fond of losing everything he'd worked for, nor was he particularly fond of the notion of being branded a traitor by familial association. God's blood, a TRAITOR! Unfortunately, Edward could all to easily see it being a reality. After all, Wills was half-French, and had spoken frequently of his life in France with a fondness that had almost always left the elder Spencer a bit unsettled. Lord Berkshire was an Englishman through and through, and he had no desire to be associated as sympathetic to the French. His wife was not terribly pleased, either, to say the very least. And there had been other ... matters to attend to there, as well. As soon as he was able--meaning, as soon as he felt he could do so without pounding his nephew into the floor--Edward had made arrangements to visit Wills in the tower. With a scowl on his face that seemed to be a permanent part of his countenance these days, he strode through the Tower of London, to Wills' cell. Where John's eldest son was also staying; Thomas never left his cousin's side, it seemed. His warrior's frame nearly filled the doorway, as he stood with arms crossed, his feet slightly apart and his body rigid, the heavy scowl still on his face as he regarded Wills. "Nephew," he nodded once, curtly. He fixed his steely, light blue gaze on the younger man. He flicked his gaze over to the younger boy in the cell and nodded in that direction as well. "Thomas." He then returned his scowl to Wills, and remained silent for a few moments. "So," he finally said, his voice fraught with tension, "Did you? Did you write those letters?" |
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[align=center]Bio :: Plot Edward is now Jure Uxoris ("By right of his wife") Earl of Berkshire, or Lord Berkshire [/align] | |
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| William Spencer | Jan 27 2012, 12:38 AM Post #3 |
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Lord Winchester (courtesy)
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If anyone would be cross with him, William had known that it would be his uncles. True or untrue, it was him that brought this upon them. They had done nothing to deserve it, and the only man who could claim responsibility for it other than William was dead. It just reminded him, looking at his uncle, how he had come to England for his father. He had been a boy then, a boy who was one day set to be Viceroy of a beautiful and sunny country, and he had chosen to come to England. He remembered how they looked at him and how their expressions had been cross like this often in those first years. And he had stayed, been sent away, and even came back. For his father. His father was the only reason he was even alive. Before today he could have done nothing to harm England or her king. He'd no reason or desire to. He would do his innocent family a painful disservice when he could have instead gone back to France whenever he liked? Why would he have committed any crimes against his king? He had no desire to run England, and quite frankly, the prospect of the French also controlling and ruling England was a threat to him and all humanity. Nobody would be meant to have that much power. All that flew threw his head before he said, "No, no, my lord, of course not!" He gestured to Thomas and shook his head, "I am starting to loathe that you did not basely advertise my disabilities to the whole of the world, my dear cousin, or that I did not sing from the rooftops or my apartments at court that I can no longer even write." His blue eyes turned back to his uncle, "Even if you think me capable of that, you should know me incapable of harming my family, Uncle." His lips moved for a moment without words coming out, and then he looked down. "I went to a war thinking I would surely die with my disabilities, for this family. Would I do this when I've already offered my life to prevent the same?" |
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| Edward Spencer | Jan 27 2012, 10:58 PM Post #4 |
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Earl of Berkshire/Baron Denbigh
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Edward didn't budge, not even an inch. He remained just as he was, feet planted apart and arms folded against himself whilst he continued to scowl at the elder of his two nephews. Finally, he sighed when Wills denied having written the letters, feeling somewhat relieved. He had no reason to mistrust his nephew, who had always been honest with him. If he said that he didn't write the letters, then Edward believed him. Mostly. "Truly?" An eyebrow quirked in question. He simply wanted to make sure; after all, the reputation and favour of his entire family was at stake here. Well, then. Apparently Wills hadn't been entirely honest with him. Lord Berkshire blinked for a moment, and then frowned. Wills was incapable of writing? When had this come about? "You cannot even write?" He blinked again in disbelief, and then frowned, his arms still folded against himself. "Show me, then. Have you quill and parchment in here?" He needed proof for himself. Yes, he believed Wills ... for the most part. It was simply too risky to merely take the word of one who was accused of treason. And Edward wished to ease his own conscience. He sighed again. "I would like to hope not, nephew," he replied quietly, his face finally relaxing into a merely somber expression. "However, need I remind you that you did manage to gain a great deal upon the death of your French uncle?" Up went the eyebrow again. Even with as much as he held in England, Wills still held considerably more in France. It was a fact that grated at Edward every so often, especially when Wills mentioned it. Edward shook his head, the faintest hint of a small, sad smile gracing his lips. "Do not misjudge me, Wills. I merely point out that which has been brought up at court and likely works against you. Whilst I realize just how much you have done for our King, the fact remains that there are many others who remain ignorant of such knowledge and see only that which you have gained." He paused a moment, smiling wryly. "So if you did not write the letters, then who would have done such a thing, and why?" |
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[align=center]Bio :: Plot Edward is now Jure Uxoris ("By right of his wife") Earl of Berkshire, or Lord Berkshire [/align] | |
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| William Spencer | Feb 3 2012, 08:29 PM Post #5 |
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Lord Winchester (courtesy)
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Truly. The man would ask him that as if he would lie! William had never been a liar, and he had been many things. He would not dignify that affront to his honour with an answer. Instead he merely looked away, pursing his lips. Such was his plight. Such was his place. Traitors were not trustworthy now were they? Which is why their mouths ceased to wag before too long. A thought that made him ill. "No, I cannot write, and yes, Thomas has them," he replied, "Are you going to try and force my fingers around it as well, My Lord? I daresay they did damage to one in the effort." He gave the man a penetrating and scathing look. Holding up his hand he showed his uncle how far he could close each finger. "The index has no strength and cannot close that tightly, nor can the middle close tightly but has strength. I can barely manage my reins when riding and rely on just the three last fingers." A snort escaped him. What he'd gained. "Uncle what sense does it make that I would seek to take or threaten something which is not mine, when I have made no move to take or threaten something which is actually mine. Above all, I hate this weather!" When a few chuckles subsided, he heaved a heavy sigh as he was forced to contemplate the next question. "Could be many, but I would suspect someone of Norfolk's persuasion. It is he that hates me most, I believe, and I am his greatest threat. With my continental powers and connections, coupled with my marriage to His Majesty's cousin, he probably fears I'll be raised above him." William let out a snort. In every country but England, if you placed the two of them, William would have precedence. Norfolk could have his English duchy, William cared not. |
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| Edward Spencer | Feb 9 2012, 10:20 PM Post #6 |
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Earl of Berkshire/Baron Denbigh
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So. He'd managed to get under his nephew's skin with that small, one-word question. Indeed, Edward was well aware that Wills had never lied to him (that he knew of), but this was an extremely serious matter that they were facing. The whole of the Spencer family hung in the balance with the outcome of the charges brought against his nephew. Lord Berkshire said nothing, merely keeping his gaze leveled at Wills. And sighed when his nephew demonstrated his inability to close his fingers. Well, that would certainly make it difficult to hold a quill properly, now wouldn't it? "Forcing your fingers about a quill shan't be necessary, albeit I should like to see how you would hold a quill. How long have you been unable to write?" He narrowed his light blue eyes at Wilmington. "May I safely presume that Thomas does all your writing, then?" Perhaps he was asking the obvious, but he wished to leave no stone unturned. If he wanted to counter the accusations, he wanted proof, if only for himself. Was it so wrong to desire that much? Well, Wills certainly asked some good questions. "I am trying to reason through that myself, nephew," he replied quietly, relaxing his stance a bit. "I confess, it makes little sense to me, but have a care to remember what I am facing at court. Gossip-mongers can be quite harsh, and the havoc they tend to wreak is immeasurable." His eyes narrowed slightly as his nephew raged on hating the weather, but then his face broke into a slight chuckle. "We can rule out your love of the English weather, then," he replied, chuckling a bit more. But on to more serious matters, such as who would accuse Wills of treason, and his eyes narrowed once again at the mention of Norfolk. Which, unfortunately, was all to likely. Edward was well aware of the family history with Norfolk. "'Tis certainly a likelihood," he acknowledged. "We haven't got on with Norfolk or his family for some time." He paused, looking thoughtful. "And he certainly desires power. Perhaps even the crown itself, if I dare say so." No, there wasn't any love lost between Spencers and Norfolk. |
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[align=center]Bio :: Plot Edward is now Jure Uxoris ("By right of his wife") Earl of Berkshire, or Lord Berkshire [/align] | |
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| Isabel Leigh | Mar 9 2014, 09:23 PM Post #7 |
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Virtue alone is invincible.
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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