Palace of Whitehall
March 28th, 1522
Lord Edward Morley, Earl of Richmond and future Duke of Pembroke was celebrating his seventeenth birthday in a novel way. His father, Lord Pembroke, had seen it fit to finalize a betrothal between Edward and Lady Kathryn Harwood, the daughter of Baron Harwood of Surrey. She was hardly unfamiliar to him, they had shared tutors in the court school organized by Queen Catherine. She was a blonde haired, green eyed girl with a quiet demeanor, he was already fond of her, he just hoped she felt the same way about him. She was talking to two other girls Edward knew: Lady Elizabeth Mugge and Lady Anne Palmer, both betrothed to Earls. Lady Anne was gentle spirit overshadowed by her drunkard betrothed; she was Edward's good friend and he feared for her safety at times. Lady Elizabeth, however, was very hotheaded and it was clear that the Earl of Hertford was very easily influenced by the beautiful brunette. Edward made his way over to the group and no sooner than he had arrived did Lord George, Anne's betrothed, put a protective arm around her.
"Lord Richmond," she greeted with gritted teeth.
Edward nodded. "Lady Anne, Lord Southampton."
George said nothing but watched him warily, as if he feared that Edward would whisk Anne away at any given moment. Of course, these fears had been planted when Edward had embarked on a game of courtly love with Anne, who had been receptive, but his father had his eyes on Lady Kathryn who was likely to become a baroness in her own right.
He kissed her hand. "Lady Kathryn"
She blushed. "Lord Richmond."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Why is everyone so formal as if we have not known each other since we were children?"
Anne giggled. "Elizabeth! We are at court, we have to be presentable."
Elizabeth huffed. "To whom? We are all betrothed and the king is not around. Why use these stiff titles? It is like we are not friends."
George scowled. "We are not all friends."
"You are not friends with anyone, George. You are not even friends with yourself!" Elizabeth retorted.
"Elizabeth..." Anne warned.
"Do not "Elizabeth" me, Anne. You know it is true. He is nothing but an unstable drunkard." She shot back.
Kathryn sighed. "Stop it you two."
Anne and Elizabeth nodded to Kathryn, who seemed to relax once the two stopped bickering.
George shrugged. " Come, Anne."
Anne frowned. "Where to? We have just arrived."
"Anywhere he is not." His eyes were fixed on Edward.
"He is who we are here to celebrate." Anne reminded him.
" I apologize for interrupting a chance to praise your lover, madam." He muttered.
"How dare you say such a thing? Anne has been nothing but chaste since she has been betrothed to you!" Elizabeth snapped.
George grabbed Anne by the arm. "Come, Anne."
Her eyes were unreadable. "Forgive me, Edward, but I must depart."
Edward nodded reluctantly. "Of course, Anne."
George dragged the petite woman out of sight and Edward, as usual, feared the worst.
"He has changed so much." Kathryn observed.
Elizabeth nodded. "To think we used to be jealous of her!"
Kathryn sighed. "I remember. Now all we do is fear for her life."
Edward shook his head. "George has gone mad."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "We have noticed."
Anne allowed herself to be taken to the other side of the hall by George where his friends: the Earl of Hertford, the Earl of Winchester, and Sir Thomas Stubbe were enjoying a round of mead.
"Lady Anne," Thomas nodded respectfully.
"Sir Thomas," Anne murmured.
She always felt uncomfortable when George got around his drunkard friends, he became more unstable than usual. Of course, the Earl of Hertford had slowed in his consumption of drink, per Elizabeth's request. Instead, he watched the flask longingly as Thomas poured George a round. Anne shuddered inwardly and prayed that he would exercise some restraint.
"Anne, care for a drink?" Thomas offered.
She shook her head quickly. "No thank you, Thomas. I just wish-"
"Wish what?" George snapped.
Anne sighed. "I apologize, my love."
He frowned. "You do not love me! You only have eyes for that damned Lord Richmond!"
A few of the nearby courtiers stopped to stare at George and Anne. Lord Hertford moved away the goblet, but George snatched back.
"Richard, just because Elizabeth controls your drink does not mean for you to stop me."
Thomas gave an uneasy chuckle and Anne shot him a sharp look before attempting to return to her friends. George gripped her arm tightly and pulled her close to him. "Anne, I hope you did not hope to be with another man tonight."
"Like whom, my love?"
"Lord Richmond, Richard, maybe even my good friend Thomas if you are really desperate!
Anne sighed again. "I am no whore, George."
George laughed. "I love you, even though you love someone else."
Anne shook her head. "I do not love anyone other than you."
George looked annoyed. "Why are you lying to me, Anne?"
"I have told no lies." Anne retorted.
"Stop it! Stop it Anne!"
Anne stormed off with George close behind.
"Anne! Anne! Anne!"
Elizabeth watched George chase Anne through the hall and down a corridor. She feared for Anne and she wanted Richard and Thomas to do something about him. She began her march to follow George and Anne , only for Richard to block her path.
"Move Richard,"
Richard pulled her back. "It is not your fight, Elizabeth"
Elizabeth tried to walk around. "I care not whose fight it is, but I refuse to allow one of my best friends to be killed by her future husband. "
Richard muttered something under his breath before replying. "Elizabeth, let Edward, Arthur, and I handle it."
"Edward is the root of it!"
Richard clamped his hand of her mouth. "He is also a direct link to Cardinal Wolsey!"
Elizabeth nodded with understanding."Go fetch Anne,"
He felt in control. He had Anne cowering in fear against the wall, her bright hazel eyes glazed over in fear as she trembled beneath his envious stare.
"George!"
Richard was scowling at him and George stumbled to his friend laughing. Anne did not move from her place by the wall and soon Arthur arrived.
"Lady Anne, please allow me to escort you back to your family chambers."
Anne didn't move, her eyes fixed on something in the distance and Arthur had to go nudge her to bring her to.
"Do not touch her! She is to be my wife! Not that damned Lord Richmond!" George could feel himself slurring, but the sentiment was still there.
Anne had given Lord Richmond her favors and spent much time with him in the gardens at Richmond Palace. He had written her poems and made her cheek flush red more than he ever had. She had seemed quite disappointed when Edward had been betrothed to Lady Kathryn instead of herself and she had received him as her future husband. It was a slight George could not get over, Anne would never love him as much as she appeared to love Lord Richmond and she was more than likely jealous of her dear friend, Lady Kathryn, regardless of how close they were. George could feel how Anne's moods seemed to change when she saw Lord Richmond as opposed to when he visited her. She never walked the gardens with him and his poetry was usually met with a less than enthusiastic smile. Anne did not love him no matter what she said.