A Thorn through Roses // RICHARD III (ON HOLD)

ONE

June 1464

Maria Northwoode wandered around the masses of land that her family were under the ownership of, humming to herself. She clutched a book in one hand and allowed the other to fall limp at her side whilst she strolled along a grassy bank not too far from Northwoode Manor Estate. Northwoode Manor was the ancestral home of her father, Lord Arthur Northwoode; his family had been one of the favourites of each King that had kept the throne warm since the year 1208, when King John Plantagenet reigned.
Despite a couple of men joining the priesthood and Maria's great-aunt becoming a bride of Christ, the majority of the men gained high Royal positions and employment at Court and even as personal councillors to each King. Therefore, Northwoode Manor and lands included with it had been passed down to every firstborn son due to inherit, her father being the most recent of those.

Smiling with the deepest serenity, Maria exhaled as the lovely, refreshing summer breeze called out to her, flowing through her long, sleek auburn hair. The birds chirped to elongate her mood. Losing herself in the carpet of daffodils upon the meadow, Maria appeared to lose track of time before her elder sister Jane came sprinting out of the estate and crossing the gravelled dirt road onto the grounds towards her. Jane was the middle sister between Ruth, the eldest, and Maria, who was the youngest. She was fair-haired and slightly smaller than Maria by perhaps a couple of inches.

"Maria? Father has requested you come inside. We've all been summoned for dinner."

Maria felt herself begin to laugh nervously.
"Already? Usually it's an hour later than now, purely by routine," she wracked her brains, thinking of possible conclusions to why her father was in a hurry to disturb her peaceful immersion in nature and disrupt the highborn family's normal routine.

"Alas I am not sure, but we'd better not keep him waiting," Jane remarked.

"No. I suppose not," Maria grumbled as she pulled herself to her feet, shaking off blades of grass stuck to her dress. She started walking over to Jane as her sister stood waiting for her. Both sisters then walked speedily to the stately house, linking arms.

"I think Father wishes to announce something," said Ruth from a distance as Maria and Jane rush inside appearing rather dishevelled.

"What makes you think that, dear sister?" Maria teased, curiosity stabbing at her rationality.

"I overheard him and Lady Mother talking just now in the hall. It sounded as though whatever it was is important," Ruth explained.

Jane nodded while Maria just looked utterly befuddled.

"We ought to go in girls," Ruth went on. Maria and Jane both followed their eldest sister into the dining room where their mother and father were sat. The aging couple abruptly stopped their hushed conversation at the sight of their three daughters.

Maria and her sisters took their places at the table. She swiftly took a momentary glance at her mother as she sat down opposite her. She appeared rather forlorn and bitter, although forced a pained smile, or rather, a grimace when she caught Maria looking.

"Lord Father, Lady Mother," Maria acknowledged her parents as both her sisters followed suit. "To what do we owe this pleasant change of routine?"

Lord Northwoode refilled his wine goblet whilst handing the jug over to the three sisters. Lady Northwoode merely looked down pointedly. This gave Maria uncomfortable feelings deep in the pit of her stomach.

"Is it Uncle Beseby? Is he..."

"No Maria. My brother is in excellent health," Lady Northwoode snapped. Maria's eyes widened in surprise. This was most unlike her mother.