Lets talk |FINISHED

[ANNE SOPHIE PLANTAGENET]

She moved around her paint brush studying the lines that she was painting with a cup of coffee beside her, this was one of those days were she loved to paint it just brought a part of her soul out to greet the world.

She had not been visited much for the last couple of weeks either for which she was glad, because she disliked company especially someones company who she realised despised.

Richard was that sort of man who she hated, she was normally sweet around groups of people but today she would be quite content since she was alone. The boy her son had left for classes piano ,french, and then last but not least horse back riding and she was now alone and at peace, a thing she got a few times rarely in the week when Henry would be off to school or to his lessons.

Grabbing the cup from her table that she kept next to her canvas she took a sip of her coffee and sighed in pleasure, she loved coffee Edward would always make her a cup or two before he went to his office and leave her alone.

In that time she would decide to make a bit of breakfeast for Henry and for her, then after that she would help him go to school enjoying her morning walk.

But that was all in the past now she lived under fear and sorrow because her husband was dead and she had no other ways to get on in life, she took up painting once again to cover some expenses at first when she found out about the murder but then the bills became to much to handle , and so she did the only thing that she could do ask for help from the only man she hated ,loathed, and despised.

He was the only one who was helping her now, and yes she was going to be kind but she would not let herself be pushed around even though richard was advancing on her and she was wondering what did he want from her because frankly she was not one bit interested in what he was after at all.

She would rather just part with him and never see him again, but he would not let her go so easily, he was like a vampire draining every last bit of her soul.

Sad but true, she now had to keep a face of pure calm while maintaining her spirit and emotions strong so that she could not lash out at the demond that was chasing her.

Leaving the cup beside her she stood when she heard the door sound as she just sighed who could it be that wanted to see her so suddenly in the morning while she was painting she hoped it would not be Richard.

If it were him she could only but wear a pleased face to see him, and just pretend not to loathe him until he went away and when he went away she would resume her activities that made her feel happy and conforted her when she found something unpleasant in her every day life.

Apart from that she had to finish the painting that was standing before her,before the buyer who had asked her for it would retreat from buying it if she took to long to paint it.

Standing now she placed her robe on top of her small night gown and walked over to the door unlocking it,sighning she peaked through the whole to see who it was as she yelled out "Who is it? " and then resumed to waiting for the person who was visiting her to awnser.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

After Richard had murdered Henry and Edward d'Anjou he and his brother Edward had kept the whole thing quiet. Edward promoted Richard to the position of comptroller for what he had done, but told the city at large the promotion was due to his service in the war. It was all top secret.

Little did Edward know another secret was being kept related to the deaths of the most prominent Lancastrian politicians. Edward d'Anjou had had a wife, Anne and a son, Henry. Anne was now a widow and, despite her prominent position as the widow of such a powerful politician, had little means of keeping herself and her young son afloat.

That was where Richard came in. Anne had come to him after waiting for news of her husband, and never recieving it. Richard had informed her of the demise of her husband and father in law, changing Anne's friendly attitude towards him completely. Yet it hadn't taken her long to come back to him, begging for his help.

Richard knew he weilded great power and influence over Anne and her son. He'd taken up the position of Henry's guardian in the absence of his father, relishing the fact that as he was now of a higher status than Anne he could do as he wished with the boy and there was little she could do about it. He helped Anne by giving her money for Henry's school fees and lessons...and he always asked for something in return. He hoped to keep this whole arrangement secret from his older brother; doubtless he'd try to intervene on Anne's behalf, misinterpreting the whole scenario and robbing Richard of his newfound power. He would take Anne and Henry under his wing and leave Richard with nothing but his title.

And Richard wasn't about to have that.

It had been a couple of weeks since he'd last paid Anne a visit. What with the doctor's diagnosis of Edward's failing condition and the subsequent crush of press attention Richard had hardly had a spare minute to himself. But he had decided this morning to go and visit Anne...doubtless she would be missing him.

Richard wasn't quite sure how he felt about Anne. When they were at university together they'd studied completely different subjects, yet he'd still tried to see her. He, Anne and Edward had been friends...until she met d'Anjou. Just thinking the name made Richard's lip curl. He'd stolen Anne away from him, forced her to marry him and bear his child...he wasn't worthy of her. He didn't love her as Richard did. However, Richard's interpretation of what occured, and the concept of love, were different to most. Richard liked to think he'd been doing Anne a favour killing her husband...but he had his suspicions Anne thought otherwise.

He took a taxi to get to her house that day; he never used the limosuine to take him there as it would arouse suspicion (and perhaps get back to Edward). Alighting from the cab he paid his fare and walked towards her door, trying his utmost not to limp in so pronounced a manner (with little success).

Having at last reached the door he rapped on it with his good hand. Even as he did so he heard Anne inquire as to who it was. He couldn't supress a chuckle. Who else would be so kind as to visit a poor outcast Lancastrian widow? None but him.

"Anne," he replied, a small smile playing about his features. "I'm sure you're well aware who it is. If you would be so kind as to invite me in?"

[ANNE SOPHIE PLANTAGENET]

She noticed the calm voice , the slightly tone of power behind it knowing that it was Richards, Why did he suddenly decide to make an apperance to her when he had finally at the same time she thought had left her alone.

That was just a game she was playing herself in her mind, Richard never left her alone he was trying to get something from her but she did not know what could it be and actually did not want to know and rather would have him kicked off the premises of her apartment.

But duty was always duty and right now she had to complete her part, stepping back she placed a fake smile on her lips as she turned the handle of the door and opened it to greet the man that had changed her life right in front of her.

" Hello Richard a pleasure to see you" she said very sweetly to him, but always keeping the sharade until her entered her house then she could be rude and show her hate for the man.

Bitting her lower lip she left the door open and started to walk away over towards the kitchen, there she could find some sort of privacy before he started to talk to her and she trying to endure his words an not shut him up.

Looking around trying to find the kettle to make herself some tea and one for her guest she filled it up with water and set to work taking out a tray of candies as well as cake , putting it all down onto a table she started to look around for the tea bags.

Why was she shaking all of a sudden for fear that Richard might touch her, she would feel something was crawling on her skin sucking away her life like a creature she did not know or could not name but in one word she could express what she thought of him Evil.

Feeling suddenly a hand grab her own she just curled her feet fingers and tried to supress her emotions of disgust and revolt, turning them towards other things that made her feel more at ease, she really just wished she could kill the man and bury him somewere far away.

But would she bite the hand that fed her, that made her keep on living, what would be the consequences of that wouldshe finally free herself from Richard and his plots an his wooing.

Oh to dream of a day were she would be freed of his hands, it was not likely that in the nearest future she would be freed to do as she willed , she just wanted to be a normal mother and yet she could not be one with him around her life.

For now she would put the most amiable show she could muster, and then if he moved forward to conquer her every little bit of sensibility that she had would shatter and she would need to throw something , or worse break one of her prize possesions an she did not want that not today.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

Anne spoke sweetly to him, but Richard could tell all wasn't what it seemed. With her that never was the case. As she left the door open and hurried towards the kitchen he let himself in, closing the door behind him. He leant his walking stick against the wall and shrugged off his coat, laying it down on one of the nearby chairs. As he made to follow her into the kitchen he caught a glimpse of himself in the hall mirror.

He was used to his reflection, he'd seen it countless times, not to mention his face in the papers. Yet there was always something new, he found, when he saw himself. It was a secret smirk, a glint in his eye...something. He always looked different, even if the difference was so slight as to not be noticeable. He always wore a mask, he always put on an act. This was no different.

Having assured himself that his tie wasn't crooked and that he looked presentable as the occassion warranted, Richard followed Anne into the kitchen. He noted, with a slight hint of alarm, that she was shaking. It could be from the cold, as she was still in her nightclothes, but Richard suspected otherwise. He wasn't so much alarmed that she was shaking as that, without a shadow of a doubt, it was he who was frightening her.

He'd killed her husband and her husband's father. But surely she knew he would never dream of killing her?

Moving towards her he caught her trembling hand in his, allowing a small smile to crease his features once again.

"My dear Anne," he said, his voice soft and gentle. "What are you afraid of? I won't hurt you...surely you know that."

[ANNE SOPHIE PLANTAGENET]

Anne turned around to see richard had grabbed her hand as she slid it away and walked past him, ignoring him and his words since she did not want to really deal with him at all.

She just wanted some peace and quiet but he would not let her be , " why did you come she yelled from across the hall as she wanted to know at least afew awnsers or a reason why he was here.

Yet she was still afraid that she would get him in a foul temper and yet she wished they could enjoy one anothers company, grabbing the kettle she turned off the stove and placed some water on the tea pot.

Setting it down in the tray she started to walk away silent towards her guest table as she sat down and waited for Richard to join her as she imagined he would.

When she finally thought that she had freed herself at last from his grasp , he had to come back like a leech and touch her, infect her , she hated it but she had to stay strong for her child, for the memory of her childs father.

Looking down at the ground she did not want to see him get seated as she wondered would he do something about her looking at a different direction than him.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

Richard couldn't help but continue to smile as Anne wrenched her hand away. He couldn't deny it amused him to a degree, how she acted around him. She was scared, obviously, yet at the same time she tried to keep her pride and act in a dignified manner. It was quite a laugh.

Even as she ignored him and stalked away his smirk remained in place. He followed her to the table as eased himself into the chair opposite her, his eyes fixed on her face as he did so. Maybe it was just him but her righteous anger seemed to make her all the more beautiful.

Why had he come indeed? It was a good question. Richard had come because, loath as he was to admit it, he missed their little...chats. He missed Anne. He'd missed her ever since d'Anjou snatched her away from him all those years ago. To be near her again and have her in the palm of his hand...it made him feel so triumphing, so powerful, as if he were on top of the world. And she wasn't about to deny him that.

"Isn't it obvious my dear?" he said, seeming to draw out the words to make them have all the more impact. "It's been awhile since you and I have spent time together...I wondered if we might...do so again. You've missed me, haven't you?"

He knew in his heart of hearts (if indeed he had one) that she had been glad to be rid of him and would love to kick him out of her house right there and then. But he liked to play his little mind games in attempt to make her feel guilty if she said she hadn't.

[ANNE SOPHIE PLANTAGENET]

Anne noticed him seat beside her , wrapping her hands neatly in front of her she started to serve the tea but stopped when she heard Richard say that she knew the reason why he was here.

Yes she knew slightly but he liked to hear it from his words, and was now rather trying to control what little patience and delicacy she had in her little body.

So he thought that he could control her, make her do whatever he wanted, yes he had that power but he would never control her mind, she would stay sensible , she would not become like he wanted her to become.

" Yes I know ... but I like to hear it from your lips what you are doing here, what do you want from me , because if I remember that is what we agreed on. " she told him and brushed her hair from her back, and started to prepare her tea again, he could prepare his own if he wanted since she was now a little disturbed and also questioning what he wanted.

She was wondering what was going on in his mind , what perversed thought did he want her to do, what would she have to do now , the last time was a dinner with the Embasador of England, the next she would know soon enough and she was guetting desperate and shaking.

After he had left she would bathe herself to clean herself , like she usually did but even thoughh she would get clean the filth would still be there, until he left her alone for good would she feel herself fully clean.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

Richard chuckled. So she knew, but she wanted him to tell her. And there he'd been thinking it was always women who did all the talking. He was there because he missed her, surely she knew that. But there were a few other things on his mind as well.

"That is what we agreed on indeed," he said, playing for time without really knowing why. "You know I came here because I enjoy your company...but for other reasons as well."

He paused and poured himself a small measure of tea, not taking his eyes of Anne even for a moment. He'd become an expert at this over the years and he didn't spill a drop. He set the teapot down again, picked up his cup and took a small sip, all the while thinking about what Anne would say in regards to his latest proposal.

Not in the marriage sense. But maybe someday...

He pushed the thought from his head as he set the cup down. He mustn't run before his horse to market. He would just have to wait for his plan to unfold.

"What I want from you this time, my dear, in exchange for paying this month's worth of Henry's lessons, is that you consent to accompany me to dinner."

He paused again, to allow his words to sink into Anne's mind. Surely she would agree...she had to. If she wanted to keep her son and herself in the style to which they had become accustomed she'd better.

This was another step forward in his plan; a bigger step. The dinner with the Ambassador of England had been just him, Richard and Anne. This dinner, however, would be the pair of them alone. Together. In the public eye.

Richard Plantagenet, comptroller of New York City, and Anne Lancaster, the widow of a man he'd murdered.

[ANNE SOPHIE PLANTAGENET]

Anne heard his chuckle and what she could only do was sigh at him, half smile and then try to keep herself seated in her chair waiting for him to finally tell her the details of their next evening together or moment and guet it over with as soon as possible.

But he was sure also taking his sweet time in telling her, a thing that he usually did when they were spending time together, his hand moving towards the tea and take one cup as he never left her eye sight, why did he have to do that .

Did he not know that she disliked greatly when he tried to show her how much of an interest he had for her, or did he really think that she was going to just stand and walk away. No even though she hated him with a passion she could not be rude to the man who was supporting her.

Finally hearing him explain what he wanted her for , she wanted to stand up and vomit in her bathroom, another display of her beauty and of power as well. How could she even stand another moment with him alone , I mean the gala with the embasador of england had just been the three of them this time however would be just her and richard.

How was she even going to fair and hold herself together, but if she refused what would happen , everything that she knew would fall apart, her life that she had become so accustomed would be ruined, her childs lessons would vanish everything that she had asked gone in a whim.

Looking down at the floor , she only sighed and looked up turning to look at Richard, " What would I have to wear... "she asked him and waited for his awnser god she hated to be in this situation.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

It seemed the request had shocked her; Richard had to admit he wasn't surprised. But she was agreeing! She hadn't said no, or protested in any way save for the resigned expression on her face. She was completely under his control...just the way he wanted her.

Anne seemed to be contemplating the pros and cons of agreeing as disagreeing; she certainly took her time to speak again. She looked at the floor, looking drawn and wan, before looking up at him again. Richard didn't like it when Anne broke eye contact with him; her eyes were one of his favourite things about her. They were bewitching, even he would admit that.

"What would I have to wear... "

Richard held back another laugh. Well, honestly. What a...feminine sort of question. No 'which restaurant?' or even 'when would we be going to dinner?' but 'what should I wear?'.

He couldn't help it. He chuckled again, looking her right in the eyes.

"Well," he said, pausing to think over the query. "Something formal, definitely. But not overly so. A dress will do...but not too long. It must not be floral...you know I detest florals.Not pink either."

He paused again, a picture of the pair of them painting itself in his mind. If he was going to show Anne off to the general populace she would need to look her best.

"Red," he said at length. "My favourite colour. I'll let you figure out shoes...as long as you aren't taller than me that will be fine."

He enjoyed nitpicking tiny little details, as he should if he wanted everything to be perfect. A few publicity shots with Anne on his arm would surely improve his public image.

[ANNE SOPHIE PLANTAGENET]

She smiled and chucklen when she saw Richards reaction, and was falling right to her game which was very good for a change since she was not the one being played with but he. Of course she would never agree to having dinner with his terms , or what she would have to wear, she was actually just trying to sugar coat him a little to try and see if she could at least have her way for once in her life.

But when would he realice that he was the one who was being played with , and for the first time in her life she felt an emotion of happiness. It was only but a trickle of what she had not experienced since her late husbands death and now she wanted to spit out the truth of what she had done to the man in front of her.

How would he take it she was wondering, as she smoothed out her dress and stood a little straigter a smile plaguing her features, " I must say I refuse to what all you have to say , and I wont wear your favorite color, I think I shall wear a black dress. "she told him , and started to stand up and suddenly felt a hand sit her down again.

Oh had she gotten him furious, or had she awoken a feeling of displeasure, because frankly this was the moment she was waiting for, oh yes she would go to the dinner with him but she needed a little convincing at first m and right now he was the one who was going to try his best until she agreed she was not going to move or budge until she heard him beg .

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

"I must say I refuse to what all you have to say , and I wont wear your favorite color, I think I shall wear a black dress. "

As Anne made to stand up Richard grabbed her hand and forcefully pulled her back down onto her chair. His jovial mood was gone now; he was seething, furious. How dare she defy him...how could she have the gall? After all he'd done for her! When she first came to him he could have ignored her and cast her away, but he hadn't. He paid out of his own pocket to keep her and her brat alive, and this was the thanks he received?

Not to mention her running off with Edward d'Anjou. Richard doubted he would ever forgive her for that.

When he spoke again it was in a voice of deadly calm, forced calm of course. He really wanted to yell and shout but doubted it would be the most effective tactic. Anne could yell and scream to an alarming volume when she was angry too.

"Unless you want the money I've so generously been paying you to be henceforth withdrawn, I suggest you co-operate!" Richard snarled, his hand still firmly gripping Anne's own with no intention of letting go until she acquiesced.

[ANNE SOPHIE PLANTAGENET]

Anne just saw his tone change from angry as she could also could get angry, but this was not the tactic that she should apply at all , she would need to act with a lot of precision , and calmness for now.

Turning around to face her opponent she smiled sweetly and placed a hand on his cheek carresing him as she was trying really hard not to shrivel away from him.

If he did not know a woman had a certain power over a man with a single touch of affection, and love and this one was clearly aiming for that. But she would not acquiescent his request until she wanted to, until he made her feel confortably.

Leaning down to his cheek , she brushed her lips on his cheek and pulled away quickly after kissing his cheek, and tried not to clean her mouth with her free hand, controlling the stomach ache that was rising in her stomach. " I could always go to your brother Richard ... tell him about our deal... "she told him reminding him also that she had a certain power herself that she could use in an instant.

But how would he react now to what she had done, she hoped that he would let her go, that grip of his was hurting her hand and he did not really want to see her with a hurt or bruised hand now did he. " Please ... I was only fooling around my dear" she told him as sweetly as she could to make a point on what she had said.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

Well.

That was most certainly not the reaction Richard had been expecting. Make a note, he thought. Never. Underestimate. Her. Again. EVER.

As she placed her hand on his cheek he felt his grip on her other hand slacken a little due to his surprise at her unexpected touch. But what surprised him even more, if it were possible, was when she bent down and...kissed him. Kissed him. Kissed him.

He completely let go of her other hand at that; as she moved quickly backwards he raised his good hand to his cheek and gingerly touched where her lips had been only seconds before, as if trying to discern whether what had just happened was real and not some figment of his imagination.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but no sound came out. He closed it again as Anne continued...

"I could always go to your brother Richard ... tell him about our deal... "

Richard's blood ran cold, the intoxicating mix of euphoria and confusion he had felt before ebbing away a little.

"You...you wouldn't..." he said, in a somewhat strangled voice, removing his hand from his cheek and instead staring at her incredulously. He wanted to somehow salvage the situation; she'd caught him totally off guard, he wasn't prepared for this, he'd thought about it but he never thought she'd actually...

She'd kissed him.

It had only been a quick kiss, a brush on the cheek and nothing more than that. But the effect it had had on Richard was obvious; the hand that had seconds ago been gripping Anne's like a vice was now limp in his lap and his expression was changed, softer....more vulnerable.

Love was not an emotion he was used to feeling. He wasn't entirely sure what he was feeling at that moment. But it certainly wasn't hatred.

"Please ... I was only fooling around my dear"

'My dear'...she'd called him 'my dear'! Richard hoped when she said fooling around she was referring to her earlier statements and not to the kiss. To him that hadn't seemed like fooling around.

It was strange. For once in his life Richard was unable to see exactly who a person was, know all their strengths and weaknesses. Clearly from this exchange Anne had a degree of power, however slight, over him....

[ANNE SOPHIE PLANTAGENET]

When she heard him say that she would not , it was true she would find it a bit to cruel to just confess everything that she was doing with him to her brother, it would not end very pretty for the both of them.

Well she would benefit from it, he would not and would likely be sent to the tower and she really did not have the heart for that.

She once remembered the time when they were both nice to one another, very good friends and she kinda liked Richard in another way than she liked him right now.

Right now she just wished that he would stop what he was trying to achieve with her, if he kne wbetter he would just calm down and forget her.

What she remembered the most that had changed Richard was the war , when he had come back from the war she saw a new man, and she was amazed with herself at how much he had new ideas, new ways of thinking that she could not understand herself.

Returning back to the matter at hand she would agree to go to Dinner with him but , she would not reciprocate any more feelings that she knew would calm him down now. Sliding her hand on his cheek again she started to take a few steps back and saw her tea cup empty and started to prepare another cup.