Chapter Text
"The Engagment"
Kind Edward IV's POV:
“You need a wife, this country needs a Queen” his mother bellowed. “I have time mother, the country will not fall into the water if I choose not to marry right away.” Edward said as he kissed his mothers cheek and walked out of his dressing room. “You need heirs, your countrymen will not feel safe if you do not have a legitimate child to take your place should something happen to you-” the Queen mother was cut off. “There have not been any wars or rebellions since I was a child, the country is prospering, and nothing is going to happen to me mother, I am healthy, young and determined to have a long reign.” Edward's sky blue eyes smiled at his mother. The tall and well shaped new King of England adjusted the crown on his rich brown head of hair and walked forward into one of the great halls in the Tower of London. Soon greeted by his closest confidant and the Earl of Essex, Charles Worsley, a smile grew on Edward's face. “Ah, my Lord please do save me from my mother hassling me about finding a bride, tell her the country has nothing to worry about should I not be married soon.” he said positioning himself between his mother and the Earl. “Now your Grace, you know I agree with your mother. Finding a bride should be atop of your list. In fact, I had my private secretary make a list of potential brides.” The Earl soon rummaged through the stack of papers in his hand.
“I have been king but six months, I would like to enjoy it by myself for a bit before I have to have a wedding, the queen coronation and the rumors on whether or not I can produce a male heir start to run rampant throughout the kingdom.” he kissed his mother's forehead nodded to Lord Worsley. “Now men, who is ready for our hunt.” he exclaimed clapping his hands together as a large group of men followed him out the door. “Lord Worsley, could it be possible for you and myself to discuss my future daughter by law.” Elizabeth looked up at Essex. “I do believe we can, I have also taken the liberty of having portraits painted of the women, should he like to have an idea of what his bride will look like.” Essex held out his elbow. The queen mother took it, “Smart thinking my lord”. As they walked off to Essex's office to find the future Queen Consort of England.
Matilda Cornwell of Suffolk's POV: (One year prior)
“Duchess Matilda, I can not annul the marriage of two people who willing entered it without just reason, do you have a just reason my lady?” Archbishop Canterbury asked young Matilda Cornwell, Duchess of Suffolk, the only surviving child of the Henry Cornwell, Duke of Suffolk and his wife the Lady Matilda. “Yes, your grace. The Earl of Surrey and myself have not yet consummated our marriage of twelve years, that, according to my bishop, your grace, is enough grounds to grant an annulment.” the pale, dark-haired beauty ever so softly spoke. “Do you deny these claims Duke?” the archbishop looked over the the rather ghastly looking earl. “I do not deny these claims your grace, I do not find pleasure is the thought of laying with my wife. And I have gotten all the pleasure I can get from her. I will not object to an annulment of our marriage, your grace.” the Duke bellowed to the surprise of everyone in the room. “Since neither party has any objections, I hear by claim the the marriage of Matilda Cornwell, Duchess of Suffolk, and Richard Thomas, Earl of Surrey never existed.” the archbishop surmounted as all parties stood up and took leave of the gathering.
King Edward IV's POV:
“You and Worsley are up to something Mother, I know it. Now please tell what it is?” the king question his mother. “You know what it is son, we have narrowed down his list of potential brides-” the queen mother was soon interrupted. “I have told you both, time and time again to drop this matter. I will marry when I want to.” Edward exclaimed. “For your old mother's sake, would you just look at the portraits of the ones we believe to be a good match.” Elizabeth grabbed her sons arm and walked him over to the row of sheet covered canvases. “If it pleases you Mother.” Edward smiled. Earl Worsley began with Mary, the middle daughter of the Duke of Norfolk. “I have met her on several occasions, she may be beautiful, she is quite the annoyance.” Edward remarked. Anne the eldest daughter of the Duke of Northumberland. “She's a nice girl, but her family can not be trusted.”said Edward. “Too young.” the King remarked about the 14-year-old daughter of the Duke of Cumberland. “Too much like a sister to me.” when shown Worsley's only daughter as an option. Worsley smiled as he took the final sheet off of the final portrait. Edward stood struck by the pale beauty of the green eyed duchess. Worsley seeing the king becoming entranced, smiled to his mother before hr spoke up, “This is Matilda Cornwell, Duchess of Suffolk, the only surviving child of Henry Cornwell, the Duke of Suffolk, as you know he died fighting beside your father during the rebellion of 1612, she had not even been born yet. Her mother died two days after her birth and she was raised by close friends of her family. She received the best of educations, is known for her quiet voice but is smarter than most men in any room. She speaks German, Latin, Russian and French. She comes with a large dowry that does not even make a dent into the fortune left to her. She is the same age as you, your grace and as young and vivacious.”. “However?” The king questioned his friend. “She was granted an annulment by the Pope after twelve years of marriage to the Earl of Surrey just about a year ago.” Worsley hesitantly reveled. “Twelve years?” the king stood shocked. “She has been married since she was eleven, how old is the Earl of Surrey. “ the King questioned again. “I believe he just turned forty your grace.” The Earl answered. “She was married for more then half her life to a man more then twice her age? What were the grounds of annulment, did she fail to produce an heir?” Edward walked closer to Matilda's portrait. “Actually your grace, she never got the chance to produce an heir as she and the Earl never consummated their marriage.” Worsely revealed. “They were married for that long and never laid together?” The king said shocked. “My son, Surrey has a bit of a reputation.” the Queen mother walked to her son's side. “He had many mistresses.” Edward assumed. “No, actually it is rumored he is impotent. His reputation is for the fact he abused that poor girl for most of their marriage. She has survived quite a bit in her short life time.” Worsley answered as he stood on the opposite side of the king. Edward looked long at the panting, admiring the great beauty of the duchess. “Should you propose a marriage on my behalf to the Duchess, Earl Worsley, I would not object.” The king smiled. “You don't want to meet her first, my love” Elizabeth looked up at her son. “No mother, trust me when I say, I know this will turn out well.” Edward smiled and stroked the panting with the back of his hand before walking out the room.
Charles Worsley soon set off on horseback for the short ride to Westhrope Hall.
Matilda's POV (present day):
The Duchess left her chambers upon hearing a fuss at the front gates of her home. She strode down her corridor as the large doors opened. The herald announced the arrival of Charles Worsley, Earl of Essex. “My Lord.” Matilda curtsied. “My Lady.” Worsley bowed. “May I ask what it is that brought you to Suffolk?” Matilda politely quipped. “Of course my Lady, I am hear on behalf of King Edward the Fourth to extend his honor of asking for your hand in marriage. “ Worsley announced. Matilda stood shocked, not sure of she heard correctly. “The king wants to marry me?” She questioned. “Yes my lady, he saw your portrait and was immediately enamored with you. He is even willing to forego a dowry should you choose it.” the Earl answered. Sir John Leroy, a life long friend of Matilda's mother walked up behind his ward. “If it pleases you my lord, please tell the king, Lady Matilda accepts his most generous proposal, and she would gladly extend a dowry to his highness.” Leroy bowed. “Do I have any say is this Sir John?” Matilda turned and looked at him. “You are telling me you would turn down the only chance you will ever have to be Queen of England.” Sir John answered. “What if I do not want to be queen, what if I just want to spend my days out here. Marriage has never worked out well for me, I'd much rather not do it again. Earl Worsley, please send the King my deepest thank you, but I will decline his kind offer-”. Matilda was quickly pulled away. “I am in control of your dowry until you are twenty-five.” Sir John looked hard into Matilda's eyes. “I choose who you marry, and whether you like it or not, you will be marrying the King.” The duchess thought for a few seconds before walking back into the presence of the Earl of Essex. “Please tell the king that I do accept his most kind proposal. And that I look forward to being his queen.” Matilda answered with a hint of defeat in her voice before walking back through corridor to her chambers, scared of yet another unknown marriage she had no choice in. Light streams of tears began to fall down her face
King Edward's POV:
“The Duchess was honored to hear of your wish to marry her and graciously accepted your engagement offer, Sir John Leroy, the guardian in place to hold her trust, offered a dowry of 500,000 pounds, should your grace find that acceptable.” Worsley smiled to his King. “When shall she arrive in London, Worsley?” Edward questioned looking out the window of his office. “She started packing the morning after I left, once her house is in order, she shouldn't be long after that. I do believe by the beginning of the week.”Worsely bowed as he soon left after continuing their conversation for a few minutes.
“Shall I congratulate you baby brother?” the Princess Catherine smiled as she walked in to her brothers bed chamber. “Ah big sister, I thank you. Mother's incessant pestering has finally paid off. I have chosen a bride.” Edward chimed approaching his older sister. Catherine, who was a woman of short stature, raised on her toes and hugged her quite tall brother. “I am sure it shall bring you happiness not matched by anything.” she whispered in her ear. “Are you okay, returning to court after what happened?” Edward stated alluding to the recent death of Catherine's husband Louis, heir of the Holy Roman Empire. “Wallowing in sadness will not bring my dear Louis back, instead being happy for the ones I love will warm my heart, as he was such a loving man.” Catherine smiled. “Well I am glad, my bride has chosen to remained veiled until our wedding, at least in front of me. I shall need you to become friends and tell me everything I should know about her, and if her beauty is as great as it was painted.” Edward pointing to the portrait he kept by his fireplace.
Matilda's POV:
she felt her heart leap to her throat and her stomach sink as her carriage pulled up to the Tower of London, there was no way out now of a marriage she did not want in the first place. Her nervousness was apparent to her ladies as she began rubbing the space between her thumb and forefinger together. It was a habit she first noticed 13 long years ago when she was forced into her first marriage. “DO not worry Duchess, the King has a long reputation of being a kind man. He will not hurt you.” Anne, her dearest friend spoke. “I also heard he has a castle full of women and bastards. The King might not be as kind as he wants his subjects to believe.” Matilda answered. She looked up as the gates opened, there was no way of escaping now. She just prayed for a marriage and her new life completely different than what she has ever known.