The Forgotten Rose {COMPLETED}

Part I: Chapter Sixteen - Gods Will

"Must you leave now?" Richard said to Anne as she mounted her horse. "Can you not stay for dinner? Another night?"

"Richard, you know I must go. I have already missed a week and a half of my sisters confinement, by the time I arrive I shall be two weeks late. I cannot say another day, I am sorry," Anne grinned as she gathered her reins. She rested her hand upon her horses neck and stroked it gently.

"You will write to me?"

"When I can," Anne had become rather fond of Richard, he was odd that was for sure but how he rambled on about politics as they lay together at night was rather amusing. When she was gone she would miss those words. "And you write to me."

"My lady, we must be going," Thomas told Anne as he rode up to her on his large grey mare. He was to be master of horse upon the death of his father. At only fifteen he could glance at a horse and tell you its breeding, which magnificent stallion sired it and which mare bore it. Seven years on he still had that skill, as well as so many more. "We must be gone by midday if we are to arrive before weeks end."

"Yes, Thomas, I am ready," Anne replied looking behind her to see five men on horse back, four were guards for the road and the fifth held her dresses and her jewels. She did not expect such a large party to be sending her off, not for the ride to her sisters home. It was almost all open road, safe roads manned by the kings men.

"My lord," Thomas said doffing his cap to Richard. "We shall ensure she arrived safely." Richard smiled up at them and took Anne's hand one final time. They party moved off leaving Richard stood alone on the dusty track.

"Well, bring me news of a handsome nephew," Richard called after her waving his hands above his head so as to be seen. But Anne did not reply.

By night fall on the third day Anne had arrived at the home of her sister. She was greeted by her brother-in-law George before leaving his company for that of her sister.

The room was dark, the windows were covered by boards with the only light coming from half a dozen candles littered around the room. Another half dozen women stood at Isabel's bedside. Four were midwives and the others maids to tidy and keep Isabelle well.

"Anne." Isabelle said sourly at the sight of her younger sister. "I see you are late as ever." Isabelle was lain out on her bed, running her fingers over her bulging stomach. She smiled at the thought of the son that would be with her presently, her own little prince.

"Sorry, sister. I was most busy." Anne apologised. "I am here now."

"Being a whore I presume." Isabelle teased her sister, the other women laughed. Even the old midwife, Maggie, with the crooked teeth and back and wrinkled face, even she laughed at Isabelle's words. Anne remembered her from her own childhood, she had attended to her often when she was ill as a young girl.

Anne's cheeks flushed in embarrassment. She stepped back from her sisters bed side and to where the window should have been. Why did she come? To be a good sister? But what use was being a good sister if she would be constantly ridiculed for her past sins.

"So its true, you were whoring with your little Duke." Isabelle sniggered like a cruel child. "You were always the stupid one Anne, can't you see he does not love you. He loves your fortune and your name, not you."

"I never said he loved me."

"But you were thinking it." Isabelle responded quickly. "It shall be nice to have some entertainment around here, a little whore to make dance."

"If you did not want me why did you invite me?" Anne snapped rushing back to her sister. "If you did not want me here I would not be here. I would be at home, in peace with my husband."