The Forgotten Rose {COMPLETED}

Part I: Chapter Ten - Bethothed Once More

Anne lay back on her bed. Three weeks she had been at the Church of St Martin Le Grand, and three weeks she had waited for her betrothal to be confirmed so she could marry Richard. Her head was brimming with her plans, how to be a good wife and how to get a boy. She did not care for anything other than her marriage, not after her escape. All she needed was Richards hand and she would be free, truly free.

He visited her each day, he brought her news from court like when the new princess, Margaret, was born. Richard had told her stories of the celebrations; the dancing and the grand feasts. He thought it would help, but it only made her wish for her freedom even more. She would be in attendance at the service and banquet when Queen Elizabeth Woodville was released from confinement, for then she would be a royal duchess. She would be free to do as she pleased.

As she drifted off into another silent sleep a knock came from her chamber door. She sat up in an instant.

"Enter." She beckoned her guest as she pulled her dress straight and ensured her hair was still tidy. The door creaked open and there stood her betrothed, Richard. She curtsyed a little, she was not yet his wife, she was still a nobody to him. At least that was what she thought each time he came and did not take her away to be married that instant.

"Anne." Richard greeted her, he brought with him a basket filled with apples, green, red and pink. Anne tried looked amazed at the contents of the basket, Francis had brought her apples only that morning. She could not eat so many, but the gesture was kind and there would not be apples all year - she should enjoy them whilst she could.

Her home had become the small chapel, in which she prayed each morning and night. It was peaceful, nothing like George and Isabelle's house, where everyday something happened, a feast or guests came over to visit. Either way they knew no peace at Coldharbour.

"Richard." Anne smiled back at him as he leant down and embraced her, his strong arms coiling around her. "Apples, thank you. You know me too well, Richard." Anne told him as she took the basket into her hand. She placed it on the table beside the flowers she had arranged the day before.

"No problem, you are to be my wife. You deserve everything I can give you." He beamed as he took off his riding gloves.

"You have spoken with the king?" Anne asked hoping that he would tell her his plans to marry her that night. To immerse her in the world of court once more. She could become better than her sister, stand taller, have more pride and be more in control. Nobody would tell her what to do.

"No, I could not," Richard said, "he has a new child. The court is celebrating a new princess. I do not wish to burden him with such business. But that does not mean my proposal has ended, it is still intact." He had and Edward declined; saying it would be too much fuss, they needed dispensation from the pope with being first cousins. Then the trouble with George. The king had advised him to stay away, but Richard was not ready to do that. He had brought Anne this far he couldn't turn her away now.

"Richard, I cannot stay here." She protested. "I am trapped just as I was with Isabelle and George. I want to have a home, to walk through the gardens knowing they are my own, that if I do not like something I can have it changed."

"I shall get you away, we will marry. I promise you Anne." Richard took hold of Anne's hands and forced her to look him in the eye. "Would I lie about such a thing, Anne?"

"I do not know you, Richard. As a boy you did as you promised. You are nothing like the boy I knew. How can I trust you?" Anne told him sternly as she broke free from his grip. She marched away from him holding back the upset which rose within her, it climbed up her throat and forced out a weak whimper, just like that of a child.