Somerset House

**Alexandrine** · August 16, 2017, 09:28 AM

A fabulous city house that once belonged to Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset. The house, along with many of Beaufort's estates, were bequeathed to William Neville along with the title Earl of Somerset and in turn to his son, Anthony Neville and later on his grandson James Neville, and it finally landed into the possession of his granddaughter Joan Neville.

As a Lady-in-waiting to the Queen, she usually is found in the center of the royal court, but if not, she can be found here in Somerset House in London.

**Gandalfus** · September 03, 2017, 08:19 AM

After the battle...

Sir Thomas Holland arrives at the house of Joan Neville, accompanied by several retainers. He requests to meet with the Lady Neville.

**Alexandrine** · September 03, 2017, 10:13 AM

Sir Thomas Holland and his retainers was presented to Lady Joan Neville. She wore a exclusive Burgundian style dress. She was surprised to hear that sir Thomas Holland had come to pay her a visit. She was not expecting visitors. She rarely got any visitors. The only ones who ever visited her were her female relatives. Men rarely came here. More uncommon, unrelated men. She was wary about it. They were not alone in the room, to protect her virtue from idle gossip, her retainers were also present.

"Sir Thomas Holland," she said to him when he came in, with a stern and calm voice. She was standing in the middle of the room. "What a surprise. Welcome to Somerset House." she stuck out her hand, so he might kiss it. She did not know him well, so she wondered what his business was. "How can I help you today?"

**Gandalfus** · September 03, 2017, 11:17 AM

Holland resembled his father most out of all the late Exeter's children; he was stocky, broad shouldered in frame, hair cut neatly into a dark bowl, as had been the fashion for the last century or so, with a snub nose resting in the centre of his face. One would never think to place him as a grandson of the last Duke of York.

"My Lady Joan."

Thomas didn't smile, but dutifully grasped her hand and planted a kiss upon it nonetheless. His gaze was intense and enigmatic, a hint of violence obscured within.

"I find myself unwed."

He simply said, bluntly. Thomas was now a widower, his previous wife having died in childbirth some months past, giving him a daughter. One that would inherit the lands given to him by his father, as it stood.

**Alexandrine** · September 03, 2017, 12:50 PM

She had once thought to marry a warrior. Someone to defend her lands and protect her interests. Well, a warrior just walked into that door, into her hall. After he had kissed her hand, she withdrew her hand and took a seat for herself. She didn't offer one to Holland. "I see," she said. "I was sorry to hear of your wife."

Her arms rested on the armrests and she looked to him. Broad shouldered. A very large man. She sensed no gentleness in his eyes. She immediately knew what he meant by it. Everybody present knew it. "Do you wish me to find you a good match?" she asked, avoiding the obvious "I have the ear of the Queen.." Matchmaking was a woman job, for certain. Being with the Queen at court had a lot of advantages, one of them being able to make grand matches with royal support.

**Gandalfus** · September 03, 2017, 01:03 PM

"As was I. She was a good woman."

Holland replied gruffly, remaining stood. She had not been a bad wife, but she did not bring with her any means for him to live, and nor did he love her greatly. His own lands, accompanied with Joan's, would make him a wealthy man indeed.

"I think I have already found one, my lady."

The knight's gaze was attentive, washing over her features, but without betraying thoughts. When he smiled, it was only faint, and it soon disappeared again as if it were not there at all.

**Alexandrine** · September 03, 2017, 01:11 PM

He at least had the decency to say she was a good woman. Perhaps he had really liked her. She had given him a child, it was a blessing that the child was still alive. She didn't recall if it was a boy or a girl. But for a woman - a mother, that didn't matter.

She would play this game along, twisting a lock of her hair with her finger. "Ah, that is fortunate thing indeed, would you mind sharing her name with us, my lord? I am very curious now.."

**Gandalfus** · September 03, 2017, 01:20 PM

"Many at court know her well, for her beauty is second only to that of our dear Queen."

The smile became more permanent, tangible. She wanted to play a game, so he would indulge, after a fashion, eyes only upon her.

"Truly, she is the fairest lady in England I have spoken with."

Holland's voice was as gruff as his manner. Perhaps it took away from the romantic quality.

**Alexandrine** · September 03, 2017, 01:41 PM

A sly grin formed her face. It was a hint of a smile. Fairest lady of England, that as not a word she would use to describe herself.

"Ah," she said with an amusing tone. "I think I know who you are speaking off. And who would blame you. She is a beauty indeed." she signalled for a cup of wine for herself. "And sister to the king.. Princess Elizabeth would make a fine wife." she took a sip from the cup "The best of wives, most likely. Such a lively soul."

**Gandalfus** · September 03, 2017, 02:22 PM

"Alas, I think we are too close in kindred."

Retorted Holland, feigning disappointment at the revelation. The King's eldest sister was likely reserved for some foreign princeling, regardless.

"But fortunately there is another, equally as fair, seated before me. Am I not blessed?"

**Alexandrine** · September 05, 2017, 02:08 AM

Originally Posted by Gandalf.

"Alas, I think we are too close in kindred."

Retorted Holland, feigning disappointment at the revelation. The King's eldest sister was likely reserved for some foreign princeling, regardless.

"But fortunately there is another, equally as fair, seated before me. Am I not blessed?"

"Ah, what a misfortune. You are first cousins, are you not?" she pondered out loud. Now she thought of it, it was about time they married Elizabeth off to someone, but who? A domestic marriage would do a dynasty good. A foreign marriage, would hopefully improve the whole nation. But Elizabeth was known for her good association with her brother the king and his new Queen. Perhaps she would stop a foreign match herself if she wouldn't like it.

"But my lord." she acted all surprised. "You couldn't be meaning myself, now do you?"

**Gandalfus** · September 05, 2017, 02:26 AM

"Apologies, my lady, but I mean no other."

Holland crossed his arms, vague expression masking the pains that frequently stabbed into the right hand side of his torso; the legacy of almost being disembowelled by a poleaxe a few weeks prior. Underneath the robes and silks was the wicked scar the weapon had left as it broke through steel and flesh, still not yet (doubtfully it ever would be) fully healed.

**Alexandrine** · September 05, 2017, 07:00 AM

Originally Posted by Gandalf.

"Apologies, my lady, but I mean no other."

Holland crossed his arms, vague expression masking the pains that frequently stabbed into the right hand side of his torso; the legacy of almost being disembowelled by a poleaxe a few weeks prior. Underneath the robes and silks was the wicked scar the weapon had left as it broke through steel and flesh, still not yet (doubtfully it ever would be) fully healed.

"Aha." she simply said. "I should inform your lordship that John, earl of Warwick has asked for my hand in marriage and is going to press the matter towards his Majesty the king.."

She was curious to see what he would do with this information.

**Gandalfus** · September 05, 2017, 07:10 AM

A smirk crept onto Holland's face, perhaps at some hidden joke. He placed his hands upon his hips.

"Well we should be about the business quickly, then. There will be no issue with his lordship if we are already married."

Despite the smile, he seemed deadly serious.

**Lucius Malfoy** · September 05, 2017, 03:09 PM

One afternoon, a servant comes to the Lady Joan, speaking of Lord Warwick's request to see her. It seemed to involve the proposed marriage between himself and her.

**Alexandrine** · September 06, 2017, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by Gandalf.

A smirk crept onto Holland's face, perhaps at some hidden joke. He placed his hands upon his hips.

"Well we should be about the business quickly, then. There will be no issue with his lordship if we are already married."

Despite the smile, he seemed deadly serious.

She felt a bit uneasy with his serious look. He wasn't joking anymore. "John Warwick will make me a royal duchess in time, why should I consider you above him?" she plainly asked. She was a few years at court now, she wasn't a shy Nothern gal anymore, she knew how lords discussed these kind of things.

Originally Posted by Lucius Malfoy

One afternoon, a servant comes to the Lady Joan, speaking of Lord Warwick's request to see her. It seemed to involve the proposed marriage between himself and her.

She told his servants that he was welcomed at Somerset house any time. She invited Lord Warwick to a small archery party she threw at the garden of Somerset house.

**Lucius Malfoy** · September 07, 2017, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by Alexandrine

She told his servants that he was welcomed at Somerset house any time. She invited Lord Warwick to a small archery party she threw at the garden of Somerset house.

John enters the home of Lady Joan, making his way to the garden of the house to what the servants called an archery party. He bows his head to Joan when he sees her, before taking her hand and kissing it.

My Lady Joan, you have such a beautiful home. It is ideal for you, such a maiden of our English realm. I hope you have been well.

**Gandalfus** · September 06, 2017, 11:28 AM

She felt a bit uneasy with his serious look. He wasn't joking anymore. "John Warwick will make me a royal duchess in time, why should I consider you above him?" she plainly asked. She was a few years at court now, she wasn't a shy Nothern gal anymore, she knew how lords discussed these kind of things.

"He's less than a man. Couldn't defend you from a cripple, my lady."

Chortled Holland, who then placed his hands upon his hips indignantly. He was offended at being found lesser than such a feeble wretch.

"I admit, I am not likely to be as rich or esteemed as my cousin of Warwick. But I would defend you, and your rights, through strength of arms. I know that Montagu and Suffolk conspired to take them from you."

He'd heard the result of the trial, and of the famous exchange between Buckingham and de la Pole. Who had not? He gave her a long look.

"What do you think Warwick would do? Sit in his comfortable castle, doing little and less. While I would kill for thee, if need be."