Tell us your dirty little secret, tag Mags

[Catherine la Zouche]

*November 1512* (Wedding Reception)

While Catherine was overjoyed that she had new family members added to the addition, more importantly, women who she could converse with, all these weddings were a constant reminder that her time in finding a husband was almost up. It scared her actually that her family’s future weighed down upon her; she didn’t want to be a burden to her parents even if she had a handsomely wealthy cousin to turn to. She didn’t mind being shown a tiny taste of his wealth, but she hated the thought of being a burden to him too or any of their family or her father’s. It was probably why she had taken to the wine so eagerly to rid her of these silly thoughts. Besides she had only just arrived at court, surely before the French return to their country she would have found a husband?

So with the help of the wine, she was in a merry mood at her uncle’s wedding, or relatively the feast and dancing afterwards. Safely tucked away in her rooms was a letter her mother had sent for Catherine to bid the newlyweds her parent’s well wishes. No one really minded as Catherine’s mother had miraculously fallen pregnant after so many years, having only been successful in bearing two children full term, or figuratively survived infancy. Save for the babe in her mother’s womb, Catherine was now their only child, which is probably why Catherine had been so eager to attend court. Surrounded by friends and family would at least help her forget how lonely she felt without her younger brother at her side.

There was another part to her mother’s letter that was of good humour. At the mere mention of her uncle Sir John, Catherine of course fell backwards on her bed and laughed and laughed. So with her mother’s request in mind, Catherine was quite eager for the celebration after the wedding. She hoped a sketch artist was nearby to capture her uncle’s face when she informed him of what her mother had to say! Oh how she loved her family! Even the idea of wearing pink did not hinder her good mood. And she only wore it for it was one of her mother’s gowns in a feat to ensure she was remembered upon this Spencer gathering. It was just another addition to her mother’s good humour; Sir John at least would be made to appreciate it when Catherine eventually declared that he must dance with her because his sister said so!

Catherine though was going to wait for the right moment to ‘deliver’ her mother’s message, for now she had plenty of other family members to converse with, one being her delightful new cousin-in-law. There had been something Catherine wanted to ask her for a while, but the moment had never been right and more importantly she hadn’t had enough wine for courage to ask such a thing. As soon as she spotted the Lady Wilmington sitting at a table with an empty seat beside her, Catherine took the opportunity to steal it. She dipped her head in greeting with a wide smirk upon her lips. “My Lady! I was looking for you.” Not caring if she had just stolen Guy’s seat, she sat down and smiled. “How are you?”

[Margaret Spencer]

As the last strains of music dissipated around her like a soft morning mist, Margaret curtsied deeply to her partner, and left the floor before another hopeful courtier could claim her for the next dance. It was strange, but it seemed as if men found her more desirable now that she was married. She had no idea why, unless it was the seductive lure of forbidden fruit that drew them to her. They did seem more attentive now, and more flirtatious, but all they were doing was wasting time and energy that could be best expended elsewhere. Dancing was as far as her interest would ever go, for she was completely enamored of the man she had married only two short weeks ago.

Her husband. The man she now referred to as Guy, for it was the name his family tended to call him and she felt that it suited him better than William, as he was far more French than English. Or so it seemed to her. And she adored him for it, as she adored everything about him. Theirs was a marriage of true love and respect … as rare as snow on a hot summer day.

Or perhaps it was only rare outside her husband's vast family, for her friend Eleanor appeared to have found it as well with Guy's uncle. She had already teasingly referred to Eleanor as her aunt, and it was actually quite fitting. The older woman had always been something of a mother figure to her, even though there were not that many years between them. Eleanor had taken Margaret under her wing when she had first come to court … guiding her, keeping her out of trouble, and tempering her youthful exuberance. Margaret considered Eleanor one of her best friends, and now they were related by marriage and shared the same surname. She certainly hoped the woman would find as much happiness in her marriage as the newlywed Lady Wilmington had found in hers.

Spying an empty table that had a good view of the entire hall, Margaret strolled over to it and sat down, still breathing a bit heavily from all the dancing she had done. A servant came by and offered her a chalice of wine, and she gratefully accepted, taking a few small sips as she contemplated the various activities going on around her. Her husband was standing not far away conversing with someone whom she did not recognize, and a small smile turned up the corner of her lips as she watched him. As if sensing he was being observed, he glanced in her direction and she winked at him flirtatiously, which brought an impish grin to his beloved face before he returned to his discussion.

Reluctantly moving her gaze away from him, her eyes came to rest on a pretty blonde woman making a beeline in her direction. Margaret had spoken to Catherine La Zouche briefly at her own wedding, and by her mannerisms, she suspected that the woman was a bit like her in personality. And apparently she was a bit on the bold side, for she slid into the seat beside Margaret without even considering whether her cousin-in-law wished to speak to her or not.

“Well, it looks like you found me,” she said with a welcoming grin. “And please, just call me Margaret. I am doing well, just a bit tired from dancing. I must have been dancing for about an hour or more. Each time the music ended, someone would claim me for the next one, and it was just too difficult to say no.” She laughed as she raised her chalice to lips. “And I do so love to dance. And how are you? You look quite radiant tonight.”

[Catherine la Zouche]

When Catherine realised that she had just sat without asking, she imagined all of her male relations’ eyes on her giving her a disapproving look, but when she checked, none happened to be on her…odd. Had she come so far that they didn’t have to watch her almost every minute? If her parents had been there, she most certainly would have. After biting her grandfather when she was a girl, she didn’t think the adults stopped staring her down or correcting her ways…or at least trying to. It hadn’t been until she lost her betrothed when she had finally gave into her parent’s wishes. Having an adopted sister or daughter had what set her straight. But now that she was finally ready to complete her duty as a woman, she prayed she wasn’t too late.

She gave her cousin-in-law an apologetic smile and nodded. “That I did. I am sorry I didn’t ask before sitting, I tend to forget my manners when I am around family, but we can just say that I am keeping it warm for Guy.” It didn’t matter if it hadn’t been Guy’s seat, the smirk on Catherine’s face proved that she was amused in being a nuisance to Guy whenever possible. She had plans after all to make him pay for her Christmas ball gown.

Catherine beamed warmly at Margaret and nodded at her request. “Thank you, yes I am quite well. And you can call me Catherine…or Cat, everyone else in the family does.” Catherine smiled softly and soon had a chalice of her own occupying her hand and she sipped at the wine, needing for the lead up to some interesting questions she had been wanting to ask the Lady Wilmington. “You poor thing, you must learn to say no, especially with the men in this family! I am different though I suppose…” She took another sip before lowering her voice to a soft whisper so only Margaret could hear. “I once bit the late Lord Wilmington, my and Guy’s grandfather, so you can bet that I would refuse a dance offer.” She smirked softly at her cousin-in-law and then suddenly got a wonderful idea. And after another sip of her wine she lightly touched the other woman’s arm and she asked. “Did I ever tell you what happened when I made Guy retrieve my hat during a ride when we were younger?” Oh how she loved this! She had just found another fun way for her to be a nuisance to her beloved cousin!

The little minx waited to be sure that she had Margaret’s attention and then said in the same hushed voice. “Well, we were going for a ride…one of the times we were allowed to escape our grandfather and it must have been warm…well anyway, I used to pretend that I needed Guy to help me with my riding, but it was a lie of course, because we both easily jumped a small brook. The jump though made my hat fall off and seeing as it was easier for Guy I asked him to retrieve it for me, he did of course, because he can be a gentleman at times and that is why we love him. But as he bent over to pick up my hat, one of the horses, I can’t remember which one it was, bumped into him and he went straight into the brook! Oh it was so funny! I think he still seems to say that it was my horse and I had done it on purpose, and I probably did you know. But that is why I remember it being warm, because I had told him that he would be able to dry off by the time we finished our ride and returned home. That is why I love him so much and glad that he came to live in England, because it would have been less entertaining without him around!” She giggled, but then her giggle turned into a soft laugh, oh how ironic this was, for Guy was still entertaining after all these years!

[Margaret Spencer]

“There is no need to apologize,” Margaret replied. “I am pleased that you have joined me.” At least if she was engaged in conversation, no one would interrupt her to ask her to dance. But that was not the only reason she was pleased. She truly wished to become better acquainted with this woman. “And you are not really taking Guy's seat. I just sat down myself and he seems quite happy where he is at the moment.” Again, she glanced over to her husband, but this time he did not notice her. She wasn't certain who it was he was talking to … his family was so large that it would take her some time to get them all straight. It was a bit overwhelming, as her own family was quite small. In addition to her mother and brother, she had only two aunts... one of them the dowager queen of England ... and three cousins: the king and his two sisters. “If he wishes to join us, he can always pull up another chair.”

She sighed softly when Catherine mentioned saying no to potential dance partners. “It is difficult at this time to refuse anyone,” she said. “I know that everyone is curious about Guy's new wife and wishes to get to know me. And what better way for a gentleman to get to know a lady than through dance? It is harmless and fun and we get a bit of time to speak alone. I also don't want to slight anyone. It is important that I give every member of my new family the same respect.” It sounded as if she was repeating the lessons her mother had taught her about queenly behavior. She had not been destined to be a queen, but her mother had raised her as if she was. Her regal manner had already served her well when meeting Guy's more distinguished relatives, such as he grandfather, who had seemed quite impressed with her. Margaret was not a vain woman, but she was proud of her royal heritage and her regal bearing.

She laughed at Catherine's admission that she had once bitten Guy's other grandfather. “Perhaps you and I are more alike than we know.” An impish grin touched her pretty features. “I bit Guy once when I was very young. I hated him because whenever he visited, he took my brother's attention away from me. I was quite a jealous little thing. I also hit him and kicked him and insulted him at every turn. And he was nothing but pleasant to me and always brought me gifts. I think that was the only reason I tolerated him at all … because of his gifts. I was not only jealous but greedy.”

The young Lady Wilmington rolled her eyes. “I am surprised that he did not run from me when my brother brought us together less than a year ago. But I am most certainly glad that he did not. He had changed so much that I hardly recognized him. And I had grown up and was no longer the mischievous child he remembered.”

Her new cousin had a story for her as well … one she had not heard yet from Guy. It was fitting that it would involve horses … horses seemed to an important part of every Spencer's life. She remembered how easily little Margaret Percy had ridden when they were on their way to court … as if she had grown up on the back of a horse. Although Margaret could ride now, thanks to Guy's patient instruction, she still did not consider herself a proficient rider and was still a bit wary of the beautiful but powerful equines. In the spring, she would ask her husband for more lessons. She truly did want to improve her riding skills.

She laughed again when Catherine described Guy falling into the brook. No wonder he had not told her about it, as it must have been rather embarrassing for him. And she could imagine the way he looked, sitting in the water soaked to the skin. Margaret would definitely have to remember this story … so she could tease him about it.

“Given his playful nature, I am surprised that he did not pull you in with him,” she commented. “And I agree with you that he is very entertaining.” Her blue eyes took on a far away expression as she thought about the way they spent their nights. “Very entertaining, indeed.” Blinking, she returned her gaze to her cousin-in-law. “It sounds like the two of you had a lot of fun while you were growing up. Did you get into any other adventures worth repeating?”

[Catherine la Zouche]

Catherine could only smile and soon followed Margaret’s gaze when she glanced at her husband. Catherine gave a tiny giggle and shook her head as her gaze returned to her cousin-in-law. “Well that is a pity, because I quite enjoy annoying him. With everyone getting married and…gone I almost have no one and it is almost as if I am being left behind. I only hope a husband is found for me soon, it would be good to have a purpose.” But refusing to dwell on her hardship, she giggled a little again. “I suppose you are right there, we do have a lot of family. It would be difficult to say no and not offend someone, I think that’s my job; at least many expect it from me.” She smirked a little and her mouth must have dropped open a little when Margaret confessed that she too had sunk her teeth into a Spencer male. Catherine let out a soft shriek of laughter and she placed her hand on the table before them, leaning towards her female cousin in her shock that she might have just found a new best friend and she whispered in her joy. “No way! Why was I not told this before?” She giggled and shook her head, finding all this quite amusing. “I would have done the same, though I didn’t, I just tagged along with him and my brother to annoy them both. That irritated them a little more I should think.”

The way Catherine was going, one of her male family members was sure to decide that she had had a little too much wine and send her off, but no she wasn’t going to move now that she had someone to giggle with over funny stories. “Well I am glad he didn’t either, but I wish now that he could have introduced us sooner, imagine all the fun we could have had!” She giggled once more before she added. “But perhaps that is why he hadn’t, us together would have made his life a living Hell.” Even in her slight drunkenness she remembered that his life already had been a living Hell courtesy of their dear grandfather. Well Catherine was glad that man was gone; she shuddered at the thought of what husband he might have suggested for her to keep her in line. No she was glad her dear cousin Guy held the title now, she hoped he at least would not suggest anyone horrible for her, otherwise she might hate him for it. But perhaps now that she, for the moment, was an only child, she could convince her father to give her a little choice when it came to finding a husband for her.

Hearing her new cousin’s laughter settled Catherine’s mind a little, for no one was going to send them both out for being drunken fools were they? Well maybe no one except Guy. Yet the thought amused her and perhaps she laughed a little louder for his benefit, they probably couldn’t be heard over all this chatter and other noise of the celebrations. Catherine’s grin returned. “You would think so! But I was rather smart and stayed on my horse! The poor boy would have been punished twice as severely if he had pulled me in with him.” It was no secret that Guy and Catherine were the most punished within their family, Guy a lot more just because he had been their grandfather’s heir. But Catherine was glad those days were over, she though continued to pray that Guy would not turn into him, because of his new found power and wealth, otherwise she would be devastated. She didn’t think it would happen though, Guy had been through Hell when their grandfather was alive, it was doubtful Guy would even think of punishing his family in the same way.

Forgetting about her grandfather, Catherine caught sight of the look Margaret had as she spoke of being entertained by their Guy, and Catherine let out a small shriek of laughter. She clasped Margaret’s arm gently, beaming in delight she spoke in a hushed voice. “Ooh I think I know what you are thinking about! Many of our said adventurous involved me catching our dear Guy with one of my maids!” Suddenly she grew serious and released the other woman’s arm, hoping the Lady Wilmington was already aware of Guy’s sexual antics prior to their marriage, but it was what all men did right? “You do know about that right?” She chewed on her lip hoping she didn’t burst anyone’s bubble of how they perceived someone she had known for a lot of her life, for she didn’t know if there were secrets Guy didn’t want his wife knowing. But that is how Catherine got to annoy him right? Leaning a little closer she whispered in a much softer voice. “How did he even fit, he is so…well you know. Does it really hurt?” Catherine had no idea how she managed to come to ask such a thing, especially in the middle of a crowded room. If Guy somehow managed to sneak up on them when they were discussing him in such a way, she probably would have to leave the room, because she was sure to fall out of her chair laughing.

[Margaret Spencer]

Margaret was rather surprised that Guy had never said much about Catherine. Perhaps … considering the way that she herself had annoyed him in the past … he sensed that she and Catherine were kindred spirits and was afraid of what might happen if the two of them got together. If her theory was correct, she wondered what he thought now about the two of them talking and laughing together. He had probably already noticed who she was sitting with. Just as her gaze often strayed across the room to his handsome form, his most likely drifted over to her. Perhaps he would eventually decide to join them.

“I often followed Guy and Henry around as well. Sometimes they allowed me to join them, but most of the time they sent me away. Now I understand why … most of the activities they enjoyed were not appropriate for a little girl … but at the time, I thought Guy was trying to turn Henry against me. I was quite a horrid little thing to him. I rather regret that now.”

Lifting her chalice to her lips, Margaret realized that it was almost empty. Perhaps all the dancing she had done had made her thirstier than she had first thought. Draining the last of it, she sat it on the table and it was almost immediately replaced by a new one ... her third chalice, which was usually all she could handle. She would make certain to sip it more slowly, for she did not wish to get drunk. Already she felt a bit tipsy, but her companion seemed a little inebriated herself and would probably not even notice. And anyway, they were at a wedding reception. A little overindulgence was almost required.

One eyebrow rose into the air when Catherine echoed her own thoughts as to the reason that Guy had never introduced them. “I was thinking the exact same thing,” she laughed, taking another sip of wine. “And I do wonder what he thinks of us speaking together now.”

Of course she would have realized that the reason that her husband had not pulled his cousin into the brook was because he would have been punished. He had told her of the way he had been treated by his grandfather, and she believed that his punishments had been rather excessive. She also felt even guiltier for tormenting him when she was a child. When he had visited Henry, he had been able to escape from his grandfather's harsh treatment. He should have been able to enjoy his visits without being bitten and hit and kicked by a vengeful little girl. If she had only known, she would have been kind to him. Or would she? Margaret had been a selfish child, especially in her younger years; she might not have cared.

She still marveled that he had never been the least bit cross with her, and had always brought her gifts. It had never seemed to her that he was trying to win her over; it was simply in his gracious nature to be kind to his friend's little sister. No matter how horrible she had been to him.

Yet then Catherine mentioned how entertaining Guy was and her contemplations turned to more pleasurable memories. Apparently, her expression was quite transparent, as the other woman guessed what she had been thinking. So Catherine had constantly caught Guy with her maids? Considering the rumors she had heard about him when she had first arrived at court, she was not surprised. What did surprise her was that he would allow himself to be seen while indulging in such adventures.

Catherine seemed to think that she did not know about his youthful escapades, and that the revelation might upset her. And perhaps thinking of one's husband with another woman might upset most wives, but Margaret was secure in Guy's love for her and did not begrudge him the affairs he'd had in the past when she was little more than a child. And she also knew that his former lovers had had never been his like she was his. Completely untouched by anyone but him. Margaret knew how much he appreciated that.

“He has never spoken of it with me,” she hastened to reassure her new cousin, “but I know he was quite the ladies' man from the gossip about his … romantic ... escapades both in England and France. It does not bother me at all.” In fact, she was almost grateful to those other women, for she was the one to ultimately benefit from the experience that he gained from them.

Catherine's next question caught her completely off guard, and she nearly choked on the sip of wine she had just taken. Yet she recovered her composure quickly, although she had no idea how she should answer. She did not think her husband would be too pleased if she spoke candidly about their sex life or about the size of him … which to her was nothing unusual as she had never seen another. But she thought it would be rude if she simply stated that it was none of Catherine's business. And perhaps her new cousin was simply curious about what it was like to make love to a man. Princess Mary had asked about it often enough, and she had always been able to answer her while still remaining vague. Perhaps that was the technique she should use with Catherine.

“It only hurts the first time,” Margaret said, choosing her words carefully, “and even then the pain fades quickly.” Grinning at the other woman mischievously, she added: “and if you caught him with your maids, you should already know how it fits.”