I don't own The White Queen.


Chapter 4

1471 – 1472

Anne Neville is now placed with her sister, Isabel as her lady-in-waiting. She is sure that the York king, Edward, is keeping her mother prisoner, and he said she willingly went to the sanctuary during the rebellion. It is bad enough that she is under watch if she made any treason or signs of rebelling the York in favor of Lancaster, and she will be put to death and lose everything again.

Yet she felt that no one would believe her even though she told Issy about her mother's notes and letters.

Thinking about her sister again had brought her a lousy mood.

Isabel and George are trying to keep her prisoner. She doesn't know why, but nothing good would come about George, and Isabel is allowing him to do this to her.

She now knows that whoever sent her small letters tried to warn her.

It happened when They brought her a few days in court.


Letters written:

"My dear Lady Anne Neville, I wish to say that I offer you condolences for the terrible event that has happened to you. I cannot reveal myself to you in person, but I am under the care of the woman in power. My lady will help you, but to gain her trust, you must not reveal any notes or reply to any contact until she declares it safe for you to do so.

From your friend."

Anne did know who had sent her that letter, but she kept it a secret. She figured it could be her mother trying to help her and had a friend that could protect her.

The second letter came in shock.

"My dear Lady Anne. I fear that I must come forward with such disgusting news. You are to inherit half-dowry from your lord father and his estate and the rest from Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales wealth is left with you by Margaret of Anjou. They are trying to take your wealth and send you away.

Please hurry. Time is not on your side.

From your friend."


Anne refused to believe it, but the moment came when she questioned about her dowry to her sister. She laughs and taunts her, which she believes is about remarriage already. They went into physical fights, and Isabel punished her. She tries to get her sister to help her, but now she sees Isabel's loyalty to her husband, and she is allowing her husband to do this to her.

She got a small note that said.


"You may write back to the next tray of food and place it inside of it. From your friend."


The maid quickly placed the food and opened the tray of grapes and meat. And the side is paper and quill with ink.

Anne ate her fill and wrote in her letter confirming her actual friend's words.


Anne's letter:

"My friend, I fear that you're right. George is keeping me a prisoner and trying to get my inheritance from me. Isabel became so desperate for his love that she could not see that he was a monster.

Please, help me.

~Anne Neville."


The following day another letter was given to her late at night.


"Dearest Anne, I bring great news. With your permission, we would like to bring something powerful to protect you and bring permission from the King. My mistress is already planning to protect you and your inheritance. First, she says that you must follow the Duchess of Gloucester. My lady says that if you get closer to her favor, you must ask her to help you.

From your dearest friend."


Anne Neville realized that she must protect herself from George and Isabel. They are trying to steal her inheritance and get rid of her.

So, day-in and day-out, she was eager to answer to the Duchess for any errands from the ladies-in-waiting of Duchess of Gloucester. She would befriend them and ask them if they could help her talk to the Duchess for personal reasons.

They are kind to her. Some willingly assisted Anne with their sewing clothes to help them sell and give to the poor.

No matter how hard she tries to get close to Lady Oighrig, it is no use. She is ignored for a time, but slowly the Duchess starts to notice Anne Neville.

She would give her thanks and allows her to sit by her side during her sewing lessons.

Until finally, months of getting close to the Duchess finally paid off.


Flashback~

Anne walked through the halls when she spotted such royal purple and golden laces. Everything about the Duchess spoke out that she may have married Richard, but she has empowered herself since the common people at Gloucester loved her.

People, even servants, bow before the Duchess of Gloucester.

Anne had to follow their example.

After all, her rank outranks Anne's situation.

Steps have lightly touched the floors until Anne Neville stops them.

"Lady Neville," A voice made Anne look up at the Duchess. The former princess of Scotland made her hair a wet-like appearance and tangled together with jeweled sashed tied around her hair. The royal color purple is designed with white Camellia on her front chest, and the rest with light green leaves scattered patterns.

"My lady," Anne greeted her.

'I wonder if Richard told her about that one-time confession.' Anne looked guilty as she would lower herself as a mistress, and she can't do that to her new friend now.

Imagine if she placed herself in those similar situations, she could not bear the thought that Richard would bring home a mistress.

"I would like to have you walk with me." She ordered, not giving her the chance to speak as she quickly was made to follow behind her ladies to follow.

The guards allowed them outside, but Anne was ordered not to leave. Anne tries to tell the guards that the Duchess needs her, but George orders them not to let her leave.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" A loud voice in rage shouted at what Anne believed was her fault, but the Duchess glared at the guards.

"I asked what you are doing to lady Neville?" She demanded the guards answer her.

"Your grace, we had our orders from her guardian, Duke of Clarence, not to allow her to leave." One guard stuttered to answer her.

"Oh? So, are you taking orders from Lord George like he was a king?"

The whole court gasped and whispered that seemed to ask the same question. Many of them looked at the guards in disgust, and some shook their heads negatively.

It has been a year or two since George claimed he should be King than Edward.

Many of them seemed to agree with the Duchess. Though some don't want to seem like they are on her side since she is from Scotland, but secretly feel there are some truths in her words.

"Uh…No my lady! Of course not." The second guard answered her for both of them.

"I had in need of assistance from Lady Neville to greet someone from the Vatican who happens to be my Godfather. With her being an English woman of noble birth, she can help ease a fellow Christian here in England."

"Of course!" The guards allow Lady Anne to pass. "Please go with her, my lady."

Anne was shocked but quickly followed her. The Neville girl is awed by such ferocious orders and harsh words. She could never do like the Duchess just did back there.

"Honestly." She heard the Duchess mutter. "I thought Lord George would show his gracious attitude even towards family."

Oighrig gave her a kind face, which Anne had wished others would show since she returned to court.

"My apologies, Lady Anne. I am still new to your court's customs. Back where I lived, we show our strength by raising our voice to show their place."

Anne lightly flusters and replies, "No, my lady. After all, I am just a fresh widow from an enemy of York and still need to be with my sister."

"Yes, I hear. What a tragedy for someone as young and virtuous as you to endure such cruelty." She sooth her like a mother to a daughter would.

Anne felt calm down.

Though, hesitant to question her and came to an abrupt stop when an archbishop came from the Vatican.

"Ah, your eminence." Oighrig curtsy before the Archbishop of Vatican. This man is Rodrigo de Borja, the future Pope Alexander VI, aka Rodrigo Borgia.

"Ah, kiss me, child." He put his hand out for her, and she kissed his ring on the finger.

"Arise, my child." He hugged his goddaughter. He is still a youthful man and is considered an honor to be a godfather to her when she first came to Rome for her studies of their realm.

"Walk with me." Anne Neville kept her head down and went up to follow the ladies until a voice made her heart stop.

"My lady?"

Anne turned around and saw the most handsome man she had ever met.

He is a handsome Italian man wearing the finest clothes that fit his body.

"My apologies. I didn't mean to startle you." He gave a charming smile.

Anne couldn't help but smile back. "You didn't, my lord."

"Oh, apologies again. I forget to introduce myself." He gave a bow towards her. "I am Riccardo of Este, second son of Duchy of Ferrara."

Anne Neville curtsy said, "I am Anne Neville from House of Warwick."

Riccardo gave a charming smile as he reached to kiss her hand. "My pleasure."

She blushed heavily and gave a shy smile.


Anne Neville blushed heavily at the thought of him. Since then, she wished to know more about him.

The Duchess of Gloucester said to Anne that he is distant kin from her mother's cousin's side of the family.

Every day she saw him, he would come to her and make her smile again.

Even when he wasn't present, she would look for him from a distance. She would feel sad, but he would send her small gifts with an apology note on them.

Anne would instantly forgive him and imagine her time with him.

He is a rather accomplished violinist.

His music pleased the entire court and brought joy to King Edward IV. He was declared the most favorite of the King as he was also good swordsmanship and horseback rider.

He considers him his closest friend, who didn't seem to please Elizabeth Woodville, but she held her tongue since Oighrig is a loyal lady and sister-in-law.

The queen sees no trouble since they are cousins, and Edward could use a friend in court.

Riccardo would leave rose as he claims her his passionate lady. Anne receives them and places them in vases to keep them.

It sounded silly, but the way he would dance with her and no other lady during his stay in court. He is the most handsome man that she has ever met.

Anne would swoon but tried to keep herself from blushing red.

Despite his popularity with other ladies, he pays attention to her.

And her alone.

Though George disapproved of him very hard, Anne didn't care. He treated her like she was her own person, not Warwick's daughter and not a dowager princess of Wales.

Just Anne.

'Oh, god. I felt something deep with that man.' Anne thought and gently caressed the rose petal.


Unknown to Anne Neville, the Duchess of Gloucester is privately discussing things with Lord Riccardo in the living room.

"So, I trust you enjoy Lady Anne Neville's company." She drinks her water, and her daughters grow up quicker in the blink of an eye.

She couldn't help but feel the relief of their health.

Riccardo grabs two pieces of grapes and replies, "Anne Neville is someone I could enjoy our talks together."

"Ha. So, I hear she is eager to try to meet with you again." She said to her cousin. Riccardo went back and sat on the chair with their table. "Did you happen to gain her trust to confirm my suspicions of George's movements?"

She never trusted George since he is nothing more than a bitter pawn in everyone's games.

"You were right. Her sister's husband is trying to send Anne away to a nunnery. Perhaps, trying to make it sound like she has the madness sickness."

In common practices, many powerful people would take advantage of using the church to lock their family away in madness, protecting the family image and stealing their rights.

"He can't do that." Oighrig sneered in disgust. How low can George go?

Riccardo looked grim. "He can and he will."

If there is anything he despises in this world. The family became too greedy to get rid of their loved ones for their wealth.

"You must hurry up and get Anne Neville." She told her cousin. "In order to cut the out the treasonous thoughts and rebellion uprising. We must cut out of their financial stability, and that source of his wealth is Anne Neville."

Riccardo knew his cousin called him to get Anne Neville away from George's hands.

"I must admit that when you summoned to find settlement in England, I was skeptical." He said to her.

"I did promise you a wife and privilege to live in England. After all, I can't imagine you as a priest like your father wanted to force you." She smiles at him.

"Ha!" He mocked and laughed at her. "I will let you know that I would be the most handsome priest Rome had ever seen."

"Then go. Get Anne Neville to marry you, quickly."

"Patience, sweet cousin." Riccardo mused himself at her.

"Since today I will be going on a hunt with the King soon, and many of the courtiers would follow us." Riccardo drinks his wine as Bess tugs on his pants.

Her cousin laughs and would pick up his niece by making her fly in the air. Bess is always the brave one. On the other hand, Jackie wouldn't say much unless she looked afar and did not say anything.

However, her mother knew better than Jackie wanted attention like her sister. Oighrig bent down to pick up her daughter and kissed her head.

The twins are growing and almost nearly walking unless they grab people by their dress and pants.

As the twins are asleep for their afternoon nap, she dresses herself to join the hunting party. Her husband will do the hunting as she knows men would not appreciate women participating in the hunting party.

"Lady Anne," She called upon the young Neville girl.

"I see that you are looking for something," She is slightly joking, then leans in to whisper, "Or someone."

Anne and Oighrig giggle at her notion.

"Your cousin, he is promised to someone," Anne asked the Duchess.

"He used to. Twice, actually."

Tragically, his family tries to have him settle down with a girl from an old family and friends to make unions.

"Twice? what happened?" Anne is curious.

"The first one was Lady Mary of Vienna; she was his cousin in the Habsburg empire. She was the daughter of a widowed countess of low counties, but sadly, she died. I don't know the details, but they said the horse incident threw her off and killed her." They walked as they clapped when the King released his arrow and hit a bird.

"The second, I believe, he was close to marrying a Spanish princess who I think as a younger half-sibling to Isabel of Castile or perhaps a niece of hers. Sadly, her family withdrew because she eloped with someone else. My poor cousin actually likes her and wants to marry her for a change. Though, his parents demanded a large settlement to cover the shame of what their bride did to my cousin. Now he is richer than his older brother, but no sign of any girls that caught his eyes."

Anne grew quiet and heartbroken when she heard that he had two marriage proposals, but none managed for him to marry them.

"I proposed to my aunt and uncle to send my cousin here for a more adventurous marriage and settle himself in England. They agreed, or so they had to since my cousin loved life too much to become a priest back in Rome. So here he is."

Riccardo laughs at what joke King Edward is making. Both Oighrig and Anne look back at the King and Riccardo's laughter.

Anthony doesn't seem to like how King Edward's favoritism toward the duchess cousin.

At the end of the hunting party, Richard is talking to some stranger, and the Duchess excuses herself from Anne and makes her way toward Richard.

"Richard." Richard turned to his wife and waved goodbye to the stranger.

"My love." He greeted his wife with a kiss on her cheek.

"Who was that?"

Richard looked at her then at the stranger before returning his attention to his wife.

"That is a valid servant to Margaret Beaufort, and he proposed a marriage of sorts to her."

Margaret Beaufort. Ah, yes, she heard the talks in court that she is not much to look at, but she is a devout fanatic and has a son who claims to be the Lancastrian heir to the throne.

"Let me guess. She had hope that you or George are dissatisfied with your wives for a possible into her matrimony." She mocked Margaret Beaufort's situation.

Richard smirked and said, "She is too late, for I already claimed my prize with you." He kissed her.

What a good husband she has.

Now she has to take care of two problems.

First is Anne Neville to bring forth with her cousin in matrimony.

Second, giving her husband a son.


There has been unsettling in court.

It takes one person to cause the royal couple issue.

Jane Shore.

The so-called mistress of King Edward IV. The former princess of Scotland saw Jane Shore and ignored her presence.

Everyone is talking and whispering about her and judging the queen; she looks a bit heartbroken about it.

'What does she expect? Girls were often used as pawns to gain favor in court, yet they foolishly think it will last forever.'

Kings flock with mistresses, and queens look the other way to ignore them. Plus, she heard that King Edward would never stay loyal to his wife forever.

And now the queen is pregnant with another son.

She had performed her duties with Richard, yet there was no news of pregnancy.


Elizabeth Woodville talks with Anthony about Riccardo, the Duchess's cousin.

"What?' Elizabeth is surprised. "Anne Neville is married now. To whom?" Surely not one of her family managed to be done that.

"Anne Neville married to Riccardo of Este, second son of Duchy of Ferrara. Your sister-in-law's cousin, the Duchess of Gloucester." Anthony confirmed it with Elizabeth.

Elizabeth couldn't believe her ears. What is the duchess planning?

Anthony is complaining that Riccardo easily won favor with the King.

"They said Riccardo has gotten the Vatican's approval, and all he needs was the King's blessings to finish the job." Anthony drinks more wine.

"How did he manage to get the Vatican's approval?" Elizabeth questioned him.

"They said that the visiting archbishop that came a few months ago is her godfather and a good schemer to gain approval from the pope!"

Elizabeth is startled that how could she do this right under her nose?

Yet before she could comment, her baby was pressing, meaning it was the time!

George is arguing with King Edward and Richard about Anne Neville's situation.

"Worse, that foreign bastard stole Anne from my watch and married her without my consult! And Richard's barbarian wife played as the witness to their secret wedding!" George claimed he was a victim.

His wife told Ricard that she had been keeping an eye on George for a while and commented that she liked Anne as a friend and wished to help her since she would be mistreated. She even told Richard that George plans to steal Anne's fortune by sending her away into a nunnery. Plus, Edward hasn't lost his ambition to be King.

Her compassion moves Richard, and he does not blame Anne for her affection for Richard. She even told Richard don't tell Edward or George about this plan because it would break the brothers apart for another civil war.

Richard notices her fear of civil war since she witnessed a lot as a child when her uncle and father fought together for the crown. He eased her fears and told her he would prevent anything for what is happening as long as the marriage was a true one.

"Funny, you didn't consult with my permission to marry Isabel Neville." George wished to glare at his brother. "Unlike you, he received my blessings, and the archbishop Borgia wished with parliament to consult with the marriage that he has approved and the pope. Also, he will be granted Earl of Warwick, and Anne Neville shall be part of the marriage dispute for their sons and sons to continue."

George turns his glare at Richard. "This is your doing." He pointed at Richard. "You and that barbarian wife plan this from the very beginning."

Richard had enough of this.

"Call my wife a barbarian one more time!" Richard went to face to face with George. "Let's see what happens next?"

Elizabeth's sister came rushing into the room.

"Not now!" George yelled, but the news was dire. "The baby is coming early, and the midwife says she might not make it!"

Edward looked fearful for his wife and child.

"You two settled it yourself." Edward orders as he leaves to take matters into his own hands for his wife.

Leaving Richard and George by themselves.

Whatever words happened between the York brothers had stayed in that room. Anne is happy with her new husband as the Earl of Warwick.

Anne thanked Oighrig for doing this.

Oighrig had written letters to Ricardo's family, including her family in Scotland.


Though, she is gladdened by the gifts that she received from both families, plus riches for her part in helping make Riccardo the Earl of Warwick. In return, she sent that half of something of the gold to her Godfather to support his campaign for Pope one day.

Richard decided to be honest with his wife and told her he had a lover or two before their marriage.

He sired two illegitimate children around ages five and four, a boy and a girl. Oighrig sighs in relief and wishes for his children to be brought to their homes.

She shall raise them along with her daughters.

Under one condition, their mothers would not live here with them and will visit their children on holidays plus birthdays.

Richard had brought John of Gloucester and Katherine Plantagenet into their homes. They were good and kind children of Richard's.

Oighrig loved them like they were her own; in return, they loved her like a mother.

Giving them the education like any children of noble families.

Until next year she has finally given Richard what his desire is.

A son.

The son who had inherited Plantagenet blood and Robert the Bruce line close to the throne.


Reviews are welcome.

Riccardo Este played by Manolo Cardona