A/N: I am so sorry that this is so late! I couldn't get any writing down when I have no creativity juices flowing. I will try my hardest to keep updating as fast as I can, but please be patient with me. Oh, there is a little surprise coming in this chapter, but be warned! Some of you may hate me after this... enjoy and let me know what you think! - ValueMyHeart
Edited as of 5/4/18
Chapter II: May 1464
Life at court these last few months was turbulent. King Edward and Elizabeth were excepting a new heir to the throne within weeks of their marriage. Tonight was a celebration of Elizabeth's pregnancy, and all the court attended. Mary sat beside her father and brother Anthony, laughing at the jugglers and acrobats. "They are all wonderful!" She said to her father as he laughed along with her. "I hope the dancing starts soon…"
"Not too soon for you, my little one," Richard said with a note of sadness on his face. He didn't want his second oldest daughter to marry soon after Elizabeth.
Mary laughed at the sight of her father's face while drinking an ale. "Father, do you not want more grandchildren? I would hate to become a spinster."
He drank his ale and took Mary's hand. "Not too soon, my dear, I would hate to part with you for just anyone."
Mary kissed her father's hand with a small smile on her face. "I know, Papa."
After that, the music started to play, and Anthony stood up from his seat. "Dearest sister, may I have this dance?" Their father motioned for Mary to do with her brother, and they lined up with the other dancers. Elizabeth nodded to her siblings from her chair while Edward stared at Mary with a small smirk on his face. Mary knew that look anywhere. It was the same look when Edward meant to have her sister the first day he came into their lives.
Mary broke eye connect with Edward to glance over at Anthony, who led the dance as the music began again. Her brother swirled her between dancers, making Mary laugh. "Can she look anymore, sour?" Mary spoke about Lady Margaret Stafford, dressed in a deep color red gown, alongside her much older husband. The lady was Mary's age yet looked so much more ancient with no smile to her lovely face, and it was one of pure misery.
Antony glanced over towards the Lady, "Her house is no longer in power and has married a man twice her age. I wouldn't be happy either."
Mary felt pity for the young lady, "Perhaps if she could have another child, it wouldn't be so bad." The dance came to an end, and Mary curtsied to her brother before turning to see Lord Warwick behind her. "My lord, do you not have any manners at all?"
Warwick's eyes went into slits, yet she never felt frightened of this man. "My Lady, I would keep that mouth shut before it gets you into trouble. I meant to ask for the next set."
Mary's eyes widened in shock and surprise. An enemy of her family asking her to dance? What was he playing at? "I don't know why you are asking this, my lord, but you will need to ask my father first."
Warwick gestured back to Edward, who was smiling at them both, while Elizabeth, her mother, and father all looked upset. "I asked for his Majesty's permission. He said that he would love nothing better than for his favorite cousin to dance with his beloved sister."
That's it. Warwick went over her father's head and went straight to the King, of course, Edward would approve. He loved and trusted his cousin more than anything. "If the King gave his permission, then why not."
Warwick took her hand in his leading her back to the floor with the other dancers. The music began as he drew her close. "Pity, your father has not married you yet. A man could get a fine son off you."
Mary met his eyes. Her tone laced with fury. "I don't know if your Lady mother gave you such liberties with your loose tongue. This is an unappropriated topic and none of your business."
"It is my business, my Lady. It seems that the King has arranged a match for you himself." Warwick said with a smug tone about his voice. It made her hair stand up on end. She glanced over at Edward, who was speaking with her parents, who had a shocked look upon their faces.
Mary said in a neutral tone, her body tightening as Warwick's hands went to her hips. "His Majesty would inform my family and me about a match for my hand."
Warwick laughed. "My Lady, Edward, is so concerned with your happiness that he has arranged someone from his family to look after you." His voice drifted off as Mary looks about the room until they fell on Richard. The King's brother's gaze met hers, and for a second, her heart leaped. Did Richard ask for her hand?! "We are to wed in a fortnight."
Warwick's voice made her gasp, and her world was becoming a living hell! "What?" She asked.
"Edward has arranged our marriage, Mary." Warwick put his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to his body. "As I saw my lady, your mouth had best learn to control itself before we wed." He kissed her forehead as he left Mary in the middle of the dance floor, with tears almost coming down her face.
She caught Elizabeth's gaze as it went to her father, mother, and others. As soon as it fell back on Richard's face, tears came down her face. She fled the hall as her name was being yelled at. Mary cared not who was calling her name. She needed to escape from this place before she married that devil!
She wondered around endless corridors before she came upon the Royal garden. Mary collapsed on the dirt path, weeping into her hands until she felt the river's song. Mary stood up, running down several roads until she came upon a small stream. She collapsed by the river's edge, finding the only solstice in this forsaken place for the first time in several months.
The moon began to rise in the sky as Mary lay in the dirt of the river bank feeling the river's soft current flow between her fingertips. "Mary…" She heard a voice coming from the water's edge. Mary went to sit up but listened to the splashing coming from the water. Mary shut her eyes, trying not to peek as this sound came to her. Wet tender hands combed through her hair was a woman's body leaned against her back, soaking her gown. "Mary…" The voice was so sweet, tender, and had a mother's loving tone laced underneath. "Fear not my child. Your destiny will come to you in time," 'Richard…' Mary thought, "Embrace this change. Marry and give the devil a son to bring love back to his family line."
The hands stopped combing through her hair as footsteps approached the river. "Mother, she is over here! Mary!" It was her brother Anthony who picked her up from the river's edge, tucking her shivering body next to his warm one.
Mary could hear her parents' worried voices as she was brought to her chambers. It was all a fuss as her mother took over her care, sending her straight into bed. Once all the servants, Jacquetta turned back towards her daughter. "Mary! What happened?"
Mary opened her eyes, staring at the fire burning in her stone fireplace. "I will marry Warwick."
"I will marry Warwick," Mary repeated.
The next morning, Elizabeth commanded Mary to her chambers, and that's when she told her family that she consented to Edward's match. "It is a good match for me, and it will provide us with an opportunity to tie Warwick to our family interest."
In truth, it was a grand match for any girl in England. It provided her a wealthy match to a prosperous army that would keep Elizabeth safe on the throne. Mary had thought long and hard about this match. If Warwick were to die and Mary gave him a son, it would provide her with enough standing to marry the King's brother. Her future stepdaughters Isabel and Anne would marry off. Mary would control most of the Neville wealth in her son's name.
"Mary, we don't have to marry you to him…" Elizabeth said to her sister yet could see the advantage of this match. It would tie Warwick to their cause once and for all. Mary straightened up, "I am honored to marry Lord Warwick in a few days." Elizabeth meets her sister's gaze knowing the future would now change with Mary's marriage to the Kingmaker.
Elizabeth's coronation followed, and it was a glorious day for England. Mary stood next to her betrothed Warwick as Elizabeth sat up next to the King with St. Edward's crown on her head. "Mary," Warwick spoke up, leading her along into the crowd towards his daughters. "I would introduce you to my daughters, Isabel and Anne." Both girls curtsied to her, and Mary smile. They were beautiful creatures, yet she was a few years older than them both. "Girls, this is Mary, your future stepmother. It would please me if you kept her company while I go speak with the King."
Warwick withdrew his hand from her arm and kissed her on the forehead before walking to join the King. No doubt, it was about the peace treaty with France. Warwick had been working on it for a year until Elizabeth ruined his plans.
"Isabel, Anne, it is wonderful to meet you finally."
"It is our pleasure, My Lady," Isabel answered with a noticeable distance in her voice. "Our father said you wept with joy upon hearing the news a few nights ago and swooned out in the garden."
Mary's smile became strained. Yes, that was the official story or Warwick's version of the night as he figures out what happened. No doubt, Warwick meant to hit her, but in front of the King, her father, and brothers, he didn't dare yet.
"Do you love father?" Little Anne asked her future stepmother with amazement. The Queen's sister was so beautiful and kind. She knew that Mary would love them as daughters after their Lady Mother had died.
"I am fond of him, Anne," Mary answered, although none of it was true. She could not stand Warwick yet even learn to love him. "I believe in time as I grow to know him that I will love him." Anne took Mary's hand with a small smile. "Believe me when I saw that I don't want to replace your Lady Mother, I only wish to become a friend if you need me."
Little Anne seemed to beam, yet Isabel didn't seem so welcoming. "My Girls, I hope you have not scared my future bride. Lord knows her nerves got the best of her a few nights ago." Mary could feel the mocking tone in his voice, but she didn't say anything.
"My Lord," Her father came up, "May I borrow my daughter for one moment?"
Warwick nodded. "My Lord."
Mary could breathe as her father pulled her away from the dragon's den back into her family's circle. "Thank you, father, I believe I will never survive this union."
Richard took his daughter's hand. "There is still time, tell the King you don't want this marriage."
"No, father…" Mary said. "This marriage will support Lizzie's descent to the throne."
"It's not your job to protect Elizabeth. What of your happiness?"
Mary smiled, her mind wandering back to Richard. "It will come sooner than we think."
Mary scurried down the main hall to Elizabeth's chambers the following morning. She served as the Queen's Chief Lady-in-Waiting until her upcoming marriage. Now she was going to be late for her duty, and Elizabeth would not be happy. She moved past an enclave and heard, "Lady Mary." Mary stopped dead center in the corridor, looking to her left.
Richard, Duke of Gloucester, stood in the shadows with a dark look in his eyes. She felt his eyes moving up and down her figure. Mary could feel herself standing up, letting him look at her with such liberties a lover would. "Your Grace. You have returned to court." For the last few months, Richard had gone to his estates, seeing to them. Only considering the coronation had he returned.
"Yes." Richard moved from the dark corridor, walking up towards her. " I plan on staying at court as long as my brother needs me." He glanced at Lady Mary's red hair as it fell loose upon her shoulders. "I trust the Queen has kept you busy."
Mary laughed despite the impulse to roll her eyes. "Yes, Elizabeth can be demanding,"
"I wanted to congratulate you on your upcoming marriage to my cousin. He will give you many children." Richard almost seemed sincere, but she knew that he is as upset about the match just as she was.
"I am lucky to marry into such a noble family," Mary said in a neutral voice. "My Lord forgive me, but I must hurry to the Queen's chambers. She hates to be kept waiting."
"Yes." He said before moving past here. "I trust to find you again later. I find myself lacking true friends lately and thought my cousin's bride might be an excellent companion."
Later,
Mary ventured through the castle, feeling as she was walking on air. Her conversation with Richard lightened her spirits. Now, it was time to attend the court where her formal betrothal would be announced to the whole of England. Warwick met her at the entrance with both of his daughters in attendance. Isabel gave no greeting, yet little Annie smiled at her future stepmother. The former Countess had been dead for three years, dying in childbirth. It had been too long since little Annie had felt a mother's embrace, and Mary would be that for the girl if she wished it.
Edward came forward with a bright smile on his face, a cup of ale in his hand. The King was merry from drink and clapped his cousin on the back. "My lords and ladies of the court. I am happy to announce that my cousin Lord Warwick has consented to marry Lady Mary Woodville in a fortnight. May you have many children together, cousin!" He exclaimed while the rest of the court raised their cups to their future marriage.
Warwick led her, his hand tightening around hers, and Mary could feel his anger. "I would have never consented to this match if you were not becoming." He whispered to her.
Mary decided to play along with her future husband. She remembered it was her destiny to marry Richard, and she would, but why make herself miserable until then. Perhaps their marriage could be pleasurable if his interests kept in line with the Kings. "I can see you still need to work on your manners, my lord, but rest assure, I would be happy to teach you."
His eyes glazed over in lust, and Mary felt triumph. She may never love Warwick because he was the devil in disguise, but was it wrong to find some pleasure within her marriage? It didn't make her wanton to desire her future husband. It just made her human. "I can't wait to see that milady." He kissed her hand before venturing off to the King, who clapped him over the back again.
"My dear Mary." George, the king's other brother, came over with two cups of ale in his hands, with a jolly smile on his face. "I must say that I am surprised that you, Woodville girls, are marrying powerful men." He offered her the ale in his hand.
Mary snatched it away from him and took a sip, the bitterness running down her throat. "You're Grace, we Woodville girls have the beauty and brains other ladies of the court to not own. It must be attractive to powerful men. If you'll excuse me."
She walked away from George towards the cocoon of her family. She would breathe easier with her mother coming closer. "Mother, I have a question?"
"Yes?" Jacquetta answered.
"It is wrong to try and find pleasure in my marriage to Warwick? Does that make me a traitor to our cause?"
Jacquetta smiled and kissed her daughter's forehead. "No, my sweet. It makes you human for wanting to have some understanding between you and your future husband. You are a woman who needs affection, and if Warwick gives you that, then my daughter, your marriage could be successful until the time has come to marry Richard." The last part was low to where no one could hear it besides her and her mother.
"I hope Elizabeth will understand that, mother." She glanced over to the Queen, who was laughing alongside her father up at the table. "You know how she is like when her wrath is spurred." Mary didn't want to betray her sister, the Queen, yet she wanted to live her own life. Mary took another sip of her ale while catching Richard glancing over. She met his gaze, held it, and raised her cup in acknowledgment. He returned the gesture, Mary drank it all down, allowing the bitterness to consume her throat.