closed starter for @bridgctparr, the pageant
playing calliope had been exhilarating. nel had always thrived in court, but never had she taken such a grand part in events, the honorary mistress of revels, the guide of the captivated audience through the many delights put on by the ladies of the court.
and she herself had been delighted. nel was no stranger to the beauty of the feminine. she had thought of it, written of it, even shared some of it that night in her opening words, though nothing so transparent as to expose her heart. that was to be kept locked away, until this longing for bridget could be set aside. in the meantime, it was to bridget’s open arms and bright eyes that she would surrender herself, even if as only a friend.
still, she was joyful, for bridget never failed to inspire that within her.
“a clever speech you gave up there,” nel told her, as they moved through the room, arm in arm, “though i would expect nothing less from this evening’s peitho.”
Nel was always a welcome companion, as she always seemed to know exactly what to say to ensure that Bridget stayed in a good mood. Bridget had been delighted to take the younger girl under her wing, as dangerous as that might be in the eyes of their fellow courtiers, and it pleased her greatly to see Lady Fitzroy enjoying herself at court once more. "Ah, but you, Calliope!" Bridget reached over with her free hand to give Nel's forearm a gentle squeeze. "You led the production with grace, the perfect Tudor rose. I have no doubt that your uncle the King must be pleased to count you among his relatives."
As they took a turn around the hall, Bridget's eyes could not help but fall on her aunt; her uncle by marriage was yet again absent from a glorious court event, and it seemed as though Alice had no qualms about attending in the arms of another man. "How nice it is to see our elders enjoying themselves," she remarked, a wisp of a jovial tone in her voice. "Do you suppose we shall be so happy in our advanced years, Nel?"













