He rested his brow upon the door, listening for her slow and soft footsteps as she decided to tease and jest. Were they meant to be so childish? Perhaps not, but this was how they worked together, how they tugged one another here and there to get to an advantage point. Oh, and how he closed his eyes to imagine her smile. How smug she would’ve been to know that she once more played a card he could not draw. With his fingers caressing the handle, he expelled a loud and dramatic gasp — playing to her tune as he rolled his tongue. “Ah! Of course, I should’ve known,” Richard remarked before standing back so she could open the door, his frame falling against the wall instead, acting as a lounging figure you may find in one of those romantic paintings from Italy.
His jerkin loose with his chemise on display (the neckline unbound to reveal pale skin that seemed to never touch the sun), he watched as his wife appeared around the door. All at once he felt relief, his smile broad and needy as she pulled him inside, his feet lazily dragging against the wood flooring before he took her face into his hands. His kiss was instant, his teeth even daring to pull on her lower lip in an action well-rehearsed between their sheets. Marriage had not dulled the passion between them, neither had Edmund — whom Richard had feared would ruin their future (a selfish thought, a thought he sought penance for).
“He is, I just left him running between the cots of Cecily and Mary… I fear he is overrun with girls, and look where that got me?” Richard laughed, his tone light and all for her as he ran long fingers through her russet girls, tangling himself within her before shifting them further into the room, selfishly guiding her towards the bed instead. “Everyone asks of you, they will go wild when they see you tonight. As will I, Lizzie.. Speaking off which, you’re awfully under-dressed. I quite like it,” Richard cooed and ahhed, only pulling back to admire her own chemise and kirtle, eyes raking her very visage for the details he had longed pictured. “I know we have a portrait at home, but do you think you should have one done here? With the coast in the background, a weasel on your lap…”
HE WAS HERS AND SHE WAS HIS. after their many years of running circles around one another, with eyes and plans focused elsewhere, none of it mattered for they finally stood together as husband and wife with hearts as light and childish as though they were mere children once more. together they became playful, gentle and so comfortable in the presence of each other that they could very well have become the same person. in her heart she knew that he knew her better than she ever did herself. richard had become the more energetic and fun side of her, bringing more greatness out of lizzie with each passing day and she never would wish for it to stop. he just made life GREAT for once. there was no charades, no playing games of the heart, it was all so simple and joyful in their still newly wed state. it was HEAVEN.
muffles, child-like laughter escaped lizzie as her lips were greeted by his own, gentle seeking to further untangle his jerkin so that her hands could rest upon the soft fabric of his chemise where they BASKED in the warmth that radiated from the pale skin beneath. leaning into him - regardless of where they were in the world - was akin to coming home. she had first poured her heart out to him atop the florentine bell tower as she was tangled in his arms, his warmth lulling her into a sense of security and safety which was unlike anything she had ever felt before and from that moment she knew that she was cursed to give into his ever whim if he would keep holding her thus. “ ricardo - ” the portuguese name she had originally called him in a bid to frustrate his mother during a time when lady beauchamp still pulled her daughter’s strings now held much more sentimental value now that they were to experience her mother’s homeland together. “ edmund is much wiser at his age than you or i are now, i trust he will not be such trouble with ladies as you have been. i pray for it nightly, actually. ”
her smile never faltered for even a moment as she mirrored every step as he guided her, one hand leaving the warmth beneath his jerkin to rest upon the side of his neck as the emeralds within her eyes stole a moment to admire the handsome man he had become, the one she was blessed to adore and kiss as much as she wished; which she took advantage of in that very moment by pressing a lingering kiss beside the corner of his lips. “ i did not wish to wrinkle my skirts terribly whilst i got ready, i thought you might not mind too terribly when you returned. a portrait of myself, alone? ah - a weasel. just the one? i think at least three would be a good start, any help we may get is most welcome. ... i still feel terrible, for getting your hopes up. i had so wished it were true, i was almost CERTAIN, though i fear god punishes me for being too boastful so soon. i shall not boast again. not until i know it to be completely true. though i suppose there is no worry a child shall bless us whilst here, is there? after all, you will be so distracted in your first appearance as an EARL at a gathering such as this; what ever will your poor wife do with herself in the meantime? ”
“elizabeth, i love you,” the confession was honest, a gut-wrenching truth that kept creeping back up his body in spite of it all. “i think i always have… you are… you are so, so adored,” richard whispered, almost pleading for her answer or at least her softest answers in the hope to protect both his body and soul as he loosened his grip from her hair, her red locks untangling from his fingers to fall back against her shoulders. all he could do, with the truth still metallic against his tongue, was wait. “i love you.” (x) // @beauchampx
as a young woman, elizabeth was heavily influenced by her mother and clung to her every word as though it were god’s. her older sister was raised to push boundaries, she would become a royal mistress if her heart and circumstance would benefit from it, but not lizzie. no, lizzie was the ‘good’ girl. it wasn’t until she became a lady of the court that the topic of sex arose in conversation but it didn’t make the young woman blush or shy away, she would simply listen on in silence as if indifferent towards the conversation. it wasn’t that she did not care for it, nor was there any questioning her attraction towards men, she simply did not understand.
lady beauchamp raised her youngest daughter under the belief that sex was for the production of children and that was all. she knew not of any pleasure that could be gained in the act nor the emotional and physical connection which could be formed, lizzie was genuinely of the belief that to have sex was to produce a child and if one was not then it was not done right. that was the extent of her knowlegde on the topic until she wed richard, at which point he quickly and enthusiastically proved her wrong.
from a young age, lizzie accepted that her life and her future were to be placed in the hands of her elders to do with as they saw fit and she trusted that they would do what was best for her. she doesn’t think of grey hairs and wrinkles when she thinks of aging, instead she thinks of the events which mark the growing up in one’s life; such as marriage and bearing children should god wish it. with this in mind, the youngest beauchamp daughter had never seen any reason to fear aging or growing old. not even for a moment. she had faith in the men whom held her future in their hands, was willing to go where every she was asked to, and yet the most surprising turn came in the fact that those very same men had no hand in elizabeth’s future what so ever in the end.
location : the iberian pageant, lisbon, portugal
timestamp : june nineteeth, 1458
status : closed to @beauchampx
A hand lies flat against the soft bounce of chocolate curls as Richard stands beside the window of the nursery, staring out against the rooftops of Lisbon as he felt the frustrated quietness of his son. Fatherhood had not came easily to the Earl of Richmond; parenting had been a long line of trials and errors — he had watched as his son flew into emotional torments, how he had laughed and smiled… Richard, despite every natural urge that told him he was to be an awful father, had grown to become the very adult he had always thought was never to be. He owned an estate, a title and nurtured a family that captured his very heart.
“You may go, go,” Richard muttered, patting his two-year-old’s head so the boy was allowed to leave, turning with haste to grapple with the toys and playthings. Of course, his parenting had much to do with Elizabeth — and he had told her so many a time. With his son once more kept under the care of the English governess Richard left to retreat to his chambers.
He had not sought a reason to leave Richmond, in fact, he almost refrained from joining the English court on matter of his duties and his people (that, and much had occurred during their time in Florence — both good and bad). He missed the normality of his routine, he missed the grey clouds and his wet wolfhounds that guarded the entrance hall to their estate. He missed it all, and yet, there he was — as he knocked on his chamber’s door. “It’s Richard,” he called, as if someone else was there to entertain his wife. “Safe to enter?” He continued, a tease lingering on his tongue as he twisted his fingers against his belt; fidgeting, still excited to see her — as if they were still atop that bell tower. With his brow resting upon the door, he waited.
HOW TIMES HAD MOVED ON. the world in which elizabeth was born into seemed to be constantly evolving, titles and priorities changing as quickly as a game of chess, and yet the ingredients of it all were always the same. someone sought more than they had or were entitled to, betrayal happens between friends or blood, and hearts are broken on all sides. life as a courtier seemed exciting in how fashion and time progresses and yet beneath it all - she observed - it never really changed at all. lizzie always thought she would be swallowed into void of marriage and becoming a mother as all women did her age, she had no desire to fight it and was willing to do her part by marrying a complete stranger if needs be, and yet the path she now found herself upon was not usual. it was not made of the same bricks a regular courtier’s life was. her life was different; her RICHARD was different and for that she was eternally thankful.
titles had been elevated but their honeymoon period as husband and wife had been quiet away from court, which was mostly how they liked it. distance had allowed them to grow as people and as spouses, to adjust to raising a son in difficult circumstance without watchful eyes of judgement upon them, and the amount of joy they found in rainy days spent playing games with edmund or morning walks with richard’s beloved wolfhounds was all they needed. though, it was clear to see that one of them was more delighted to take part in the journey to portugal than the other.
once their belongings were arranged in their chambers, lizzie shuffled about the quiet room as she prepared herself with great excitement for the pageant. many a banquet and celebration had she attended but this would be the first in her mother’s hometown, the first opportunity for her to socialise in the language she was taught to speak before english even touched her tongue and to simply embrace her portuguese heritage without shame or fear of prosecution for it. the known upon the door brought lizzie to a halt, almost flinching away as she stood barefoot in only her chemise and a kirtle; auburn curls cascading down her back serving to appear even more inappropriately dressed for company, but the voice which soon followed was not any old company. “ be with you in a moment - i am just allowing my lover to ESCAPE! ” an amused smile curved her lips as she made her way to the door purposefully slowly. “ almost there, he’s just climbing out of the window. ” delicate fingers unlocked the door and opened it, allowing lizzie to peek around the wooden shield with the most innocent smile she could muster as a hand reached forward and sought to pull her husband inside. “ now it is safe. has edmund settled well? he shall have so much fun spending time with his young aunts and the other children, you needn’t worry so much. ”
whilst his wife reunited with her russian relations, the prince of wales was at the liberty to spend his night as he was habitually wont to do ––– gambling, drinking, and, of course, a good deal of disparaging the nevilles. expertly shuffling a deck of cards in his hands as the door to the private apartments swung open, the gentlemen in the room turned their eyes to the lady who appeared shortly thereafter: elizabeth beauchamp, countess of richmond. albeit fond of lizzie, perhaps undeservedly so, his upper lip curled at the reminder that she’d assumed his lady grandmother’s title. to soften the repeat bruise, he drained the last of his goblet’s contents, a satin stain already lingering upon his lips from the wine he’d consumed.
promptly, and without a moment’s notice, the prince rose to his feet and swung his arms wide, boisterously announcing –– “gentlemen…” another swig of his wine, “allow me introduce you to the woman who has accomplished the impossible and made an honest man out of my half brother, the earl of richmond.” harry meandered toward elizabeth, cheeks ruddy. “is he much accomplished, my lady, or has his life of excess…” the prince trailed off, picking right back up again –– “does he perform well as your husband, lizzie? or do your dreams of the sultanate’s desert keep you warm at night?”
THOUGH ALREADY AN ESTABLISHED MEMBER OF THE ENGLISH COURT, settling comfortably into her new position and family had not come as easily as first thought. her upbringing and loyalty to the late queen had brought her close to the king’s legitimate children during childhood, yet her heart had brought her to wed an illegitimate son born of her queen’s rival. one might think this would gift her the best of both worlds and yet, in the eyes of many, she may be a traitor. a con artist trying to remain in the king’s good graces. the truth was that she sought a life of her own, one which surprisingly brought her more HAPPINESS than she deemed herself worthy of, and the opinions of others did little to unnerve or unsettle her.
wine had begun to dye the lips of courtiers, causing feet to stumble and tongues to loosen, but elizabeth had chosen to not partake that night. her excitement to be upon her mother’s own motherland was great and she desired to remember each and every moment of her first celebration there with a CLEAR head. though, as a familiar voice drew her attention and the flamboyant movements of her brother-in-law demanded her emerald gaze upon him, lizzie entertained the introduction as she tentatively moved closer to the men and bowed her head in recognition. “ good evening, gentlemen. your royal highness. do you ask out of concern for your own future? alas, i am not so crude that i will partake in this charade and - in doing so - discredit my husband. in regards to my DREAMS of the sultanate; alas i must admit there are so very few of them these days for i find myself with VERY little sleep... how fairs her royal highness, your wife? i hope the journey was not too uncomfortable for her and that god blesses her with much rest. ”
FLORENCE PUGH, TWENTY-FIVE, ELIZABETH BEAUCHAMP. ❝ ⤚⟶ EUROPE, 1458. thanks is given by the COUNTESS OF RICHMOND, ELIZABETH BEAUCHAMP, from ENGLAND. they are at best INQUISITIVE, and at their worst HYPOCRITICAL. whilst abroad, their ambition is to THRIVE IN HER MOTHER’S HOMELAND. SHE seems to remind everyone of FLORENCE PUGH & A GARDEN ADAPTING TO THE SEASONS, A STATUE LOOMING ABOVE OVERGROWN HEDGES, TOWERING BOOKSHELVES. ❞ penned by BEE; GMT, SHE/HER, 24.
introduction
Choose two of four prompts to answer. Each response must be a minimum of 150 words and reflect understanding of both the character and surrounding plots.
What current conflicts does your character face?
In recent years Elizabeth has grown distant from her kin - most notably her mother - given the choice she made to begin a family of her own. With her mother’s disapproval drowned out by her joy, Lizzie has so far found it easy to throw herself headfirst into her new roles as a wife, a step-mother and lastly a countess with no room for negativity or the sour attitudes of others in her day-to-day life. Thus far she has taken all things in her stride and has found deep happiness in this new life she has obtained, yet peace does not last for long within the English court. The arrival in Portugal places Lizzie closer to her mother than ever before. She may remain in England and still banished from court to this day, but Beatriz’s roots will always be in her motherland of Portugal and taught her children to feel the same for the country even if they had never seen it with their own eyes; until now. It was easy to brush off her mother when she had her own home and husband to retreat to, but now that Lizzie will see her mother at every turn in Portugal and will have no choice but to face the reality of rejecting her own mother. Of rejecting the memory of the late Queen whom she had once adored.
What are some potential plotlines you are interested in pursuing?
Whilst the biggest plot right now is to be the inner conflict of being in her mother’s homeland, this is only the beginning for Elizabeth. Her marriage to Richard and becoming a step-mother to his illegitimate son is a rocky road but one she is determined to make work. So far they have spent a great deal of time wrapped up in their marital bliss, adoring each other as the honeymoon period allows, but returning to court and all of its temptations will surely cause some waves. Another is the struggle of mothering a child that is not her own whilst feeling the pressure to become pregnant. She has been a wife for around a year now and the first thing people ask her is in regards to her future children, when they will come into the world and discretely making sure she is trying. Their intentions are pure, she knows this, but so far she has had no luck in the pregnancy department and that is not due to her lack of trying. It is a subtle struggle that she will no doubt have in silence, but Lizzie will wish to reach out to others for advice or in the hopes of sharing her disappointment with another.
three (lol) bullet-points.
elizabeth is one of the four children born of beatriz de meneses, a portuguese noble woman whom was lady in waiting to the late queen lianor of england, and baron richard beauchamp of kidderminster. being the third born child, along with her older sister’s close relationship with the royal children and her brother being heir, elizabeth spent much of her childhood on their father’s lands and at her mother’s skirts. the portuguese woman had a great impact on her youngest daughter’s upbringing, filling her head with tales of her homeland and often only conversing in her mother tongue; much to her father’s disapproval.
after many years of her parents debating back and forth where their younger daughter should marry - her mother making her desired for portugal very well known - at the age of thirteen elizabeth was betrothed to a young scottish lord. a compromise of sorts. it was not the portuguese match her mother advocated for but it would further the family’s reach, offering foreign security should it be needed and the ever-curious elizabeth was quite taken with the idea of seeing what the lands beyond english boarders were able to offer her.
once elizabeth was old enough to be introduced to english court life her need for more instantly expanded. more questions parted her lips than ever before, she was exposed to visitors from foreign lands that she had only ever heard of upon maps, and her horizons seemed to expand by the second. in spite of her mother’s dismissal from court, lizzie mirrored the footsteps of her older sister and found an official position alongside the english crown which placed her in the entourage of the queen. her mother had been an almost life long companion of the king’s first wife, travelling with her from their homes when they first came to england as young women, but her relationship with his new queen had not been so civil and it was such an atmosphere which placed lizzie in a difficult position when she became maid of honour; and yet she persisted.
shortly before her twentieth birthday the arrangements for her marriage finally came together and her departure for scotland grew near as spring passed, alas the summer brought a sickness which struck her husband-to-be and he was greeted with his grave before he could set eyes upon his potential wife. it did not make for a smooth passage into courtly life, but lizzie committed herself to learn from those around her - most of all the queen - and truly flourished with a reputation for being inquisitive and proud. some years and a trip to florence later, the young lady who was once merely on the sidelines of court now sits amongst it all as the countess of richmond and upon the arm of her beloved husband as a woman grown but also a woman unchanged. she still remains true to herself.
lizzie is a stubborn woman who, beneath her courtly manners and poise, knows her own strength and worth. she is persistent in her desire to learn, to gain knowledge of both people and the places they inhabit, but is careful to refrain from appearing to be too inquisitive. she does also have a kindness to her which is entirely sincere, though not given so easily for it can often be seen as a woman’s weakness.
@rosalindinwaiting asked:
✿ Would they ever trust dark or wicked magic?
whilst curiosity is often elizabeth’s downfall, venturing outside of her faith as a catholic is very unlikely as she trusts in god more than anything. she believes that he allows such things to exist but as temptation - just as many things sent to test us are - and would personally never partake.
over a year ago, i made this meme & since then, it’s blown up. so, over a year later — i thought i would make a new one. so here it is, after several requests & a pile of brains, THE PRE-ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIP MEME 0.2
send me a ✿ and i’ll fill out the template below. bold for things i could definitely see or want, italics for things i could see or am unsure of and striked out for things i don’t want or cannot see.
FRIENDSHIP. childhood friends / work buddies or coworkers / family friends / friends with benefits / smoking buddies / adventure buddies / fake friends / recently friends / party buddies / friendship of need / dying friendship / circumstantial friendship / partners in crime / old friendship / [ your muse ] is the good influence / [ your muse ] is the bad influence / [ my muse ] is the good influence / [ my muse ] is the bad influence / opposites attract / ride or die / frenemies / roommates or flatmates / penpals / exes to friends / enemies to friends / other .
ROMANCE. childhood sweethearts / [ your muse is mines ] childhood crush / [ my muse is yours ] childhood crush / exes / exes to lovers / forbidden lovers / highschool sweethearts / secret relationship / opposites attract / long distance / unrequited [ from your muses side ] / unrequited [ from my muses side ] / unrequited [ from both sides ] / skinny love / friends to lovers / enemies to lovers / spurious relationship / power couple / newly entered / soulmates [ metaphorical ] / soulmates [ literal ] / awkward / turning toxic / toxic love / cheating [ on your muse ] / cheating [ with your muse ] / other .
FAMILIAL. siblings [ half ] / siblings [ step ] / [ my muse ] is an older sibling figure to your younger sibling figure / [ my muse ] is a younger sibling figure to your older sibling figure muse / [ my muse ] is a parental figure to yours / [ my muse ] is a child figure to your muse / guardian figure / legal guardian / adoptive child / foster child / [ your muse ] is taken under mines wing / [ my muse ] is taken under yours wing / other .
ANTAGONISTIC. dangerous to each other / dangerous to others / unpredictable / rivals / petty / developing into sexual or romantic tension / based off family matters / based of off circumstance / based of professional matters / based off misunderstanding or lies / conflict of ideology / betrayal / hero - villain dynamic / enemies / fight club / friends turned enemies / lovers turned enemies / exes turned enemies / other .
Send a symbol for a headcanon about my muse. All horror/angst/scifi related.
✘ Have they ever committed a murder?
▼ What is their greatest fear?
✿ Would they ever trust dark or wicked magic?
△ Name one thing from their past that they regret.
✂ If they had to choose one weapon to carry forever, what would it be?
☣ Would they kill someone close to them if they had to?
☢ Would they survive an apocalyptic situation?
❣ If someone had the power to bring them back after death, would they want them to?
☠ Do they fear death?
♱ What do they think awaits them after death?
¿ Are they easily frightened?
╳ How would they react to seeing a loved one become possessed?
☹ Name one person they would kill for.
☼ If they had the choice to be immortal with one other person, who would they choose?
☎ How would they react to being contacted by a deceased love one?
★ Do they have a favorite scary story?
♣ Do they believe the world is made up of good and evil?
♥ Have they ever acting out of heartlessness?
☾ What is their favorite and least favorite thing about the night?
ψ Do they think they deserve punishment for their wrongdoings?
ϟ Have they ever gotten pleasure from causing others pain?
♚ Do they consider themselves to be evil?
♒ If they could choose how to die, how would they want to go?
™ Are they possessive?
✔ Are they holding a grudge against anyone?
◯ Do they believe in ghosts?
✦ Who is their favorite villain?
웃 Do they believe in aliens?
pre-opening games // DAY ONE.
𝐎𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐍𝐄 / journey self para / 50 points.
the rocking of the ocean brought the days of florence back to the forefront of her memory. formally enduring the journey amongst the queen’s entourage, the difference in her comfort for the journey to portugal was largely noticeable an extremely welcome given the heavily conflicted feelings which plagued her from the moment they departed england. excitement surrounded the thought of finally being able to visit her mother’s homeland, to see the places she had only ever dreamt of, but the events which occurred in the winter of her time in florence still lended to troublesome thoughts and irrational fears. her greatest comfort on windy nights and rainy days at sea came to her in the arms of her husband, it was never easier to drift off to sleep than when her head was rested upon richard’s chest or simply enjoying being in his company during sunlight hours.
after much time spent away from court in the wake of her marriage being reunited with the familiar faces of the nobility presented a distraction of its own, supplying an almost endless supply of people to recieve delayed congratulations from and an unbalanced mix of excited and concerned discussions regarding their destination; though they were mostly of the concerned nature. when all became too much, lizzie would retreat to her cabin on board where she hid a letter amongst the belongings and she would curl up by the window to read it.
whilst she and her mother were no longer on the best terms, especially given how she was persistant in making her disapproval of lizzie’s marriage known, when news of their departure for portugal reached the beauchamp home she had chosen to write to her distant daughter. the letter contained (written in portuguise) advice regarding her time in her mother’s homeland, names of people she should seek and sights that must be seen. in spite of how the pair had clashed, it meant a lot to lizzie that her mother would reach out so, she just wasn’t certain that queen isabel would approve of such a liaison after the treasonous words she spread amongst the court.
tangentwithtanner
stormborns
