#philippaed.

"I did not know anything about Edward."

He suspects, naturally, that Philippa is going to ask, and so he opts to cut her off at the pass, as it were. It's all many people have been able to speak about, whether to his face or in whispers. The sudden reemergence of his cousin has been the talk of court, filling John with a mix of emotions he can only attempt to untangle. The added scrutiny on his name is an unpleasant side effect, and there is no denying that he is already growing tired. Still, his guard remains up, even as he steps into the suite of rooms where Philippa has asked to speak to him.

John knew well that he had not conducted himself in a way that won favour with the esteemed Duchess of Suffolk. It was no secret, whenever he was present in the Grey household, that Philippa still had not fully warmed to him. In that, he could hardly blame her, knowing full well that he had betrayed her trust, even if it had been in the name of love. Still, John tried valiantly to find some accord with the eldest sister, knowing that, as it stood, she would be an ally he would most desperately need.

His furtive appearance in the Grey family's chambers now was chanced only because he hoped that others would be far too wrapped in their own preparations for the festivities to be aware of it. Encountering Philippa there, he bowed his head and offered a slight smile. "Your Grace. I hope you can forgive my intrusion. I have come only to say hello to Agnes before the evening begins. Are you looking forward to the gathering? It does promise to be a pleasant one, I hope." All these months on, John was embarrassed to admit that he still didn't fully understand how best to approach Philippa, falling back on the comfort of rather generic pleasantries for now.