~To Become a Woman~

Catherine could not prevent the tears that glided down her cheeks as she watched her Mother's carriage pull away from Fotheringhay Castle, Percy red and yellow curtains draped around it. A gift from Richard.

Despite her thick woollen shawl, she shivered on the ramparts of the, peering into the distance as the carriage faded out of sight and into the snow-covered roads. Three days Eleanor had stayed, three days Mother and daughter had had together, laughing, drinking, trying to show all the love they felt for one another in the short space of time they had to do so.

Now, she had left for Berkley to see to Hal and tend to her household while Catherine was left to tend to hers. The last lingering veil of childhood was gone. She was a woman now.

"I will make you happy, my love" Richard murmured as he came to stand beside her. He'd been watching her from the icy steps for a few minutes in truth but had remained in the shadows to allow his young wife the privacy he felt she deserved. Only when he saw her cry did he go to her, he could never bear to see her cry.

Wrapping one strong arm around her waist, he smiled as Catherine leant against him, gently nuzzling into his shoulder for comfort "It is our first Christmas as the Lord and Lady of a great castle! There is much joy to be had!" She nodded, letting her body relax into his while he held her, so gently, so tenderly as he always did.

"Why didn't you tell me?" She asked and Richard looked down at her, smoothing back a lock of golden hair from her forehead with his free hand.
"Tell you about what, sweetheart?"
"About my brother.....he was imprisoned by Edward and....and I never knew"

At that, Richard frowned and she knew instantly he had played no cruel trick to keep it from her. The expression that crossed his features was one of true confusion, so much so it almost made her smile.
"Your brother Henry?" He murmured "I thought you knew....I didn't think you wouldn't! I thought that would be something Warwick used against you and you never speak of your family.....I didn't want to pry into a healing wound"

Catherine raised her eyebrows at that, sighing as they turned around and began to wander down the steep stone steps leading to the warmth of their chambers. The thought that Warwick could've used it against her had not occurred to her mind before and she wondered why he had not. After all, it would have been a ripe opportunity to torment her!

"I suppose he preferred to scare me with the image of his men hunting Hal down" She concluded quietly, smiling softly in contentment as they entered the warm halls of their new home.

"You're shivering" Richard remarked, making quick work of lifting her into his arms and carrying her to his chambers, a place he assured her would become theirs. Catherine could only imagine with a tremble of delight how and could not help but laugh as she was carried ably through the bailey halls, the servants they passed curtsying and bowing.

It was a freeing feeling not to have to sneak around in their affections for fear of the evil eye of Warwick. Here, at Fotheringhay, they could do as they pleased and happily followed that rout, Richard kicking their chamber doors closed once they entered.

Removing her shawl, he sat before the fire, placing her on his lap before he began to kiss her, gently pressing her body against his.

"Are you trying to warm me, my Lord?" She asked with a giggle and her husband arched an eyebrow, sweeping aside her braid to begin placing hot kisses to her neck.
"Is it working?"

A soft groan passed her lips and she nodded, feeling him smirk against her skin, the ice in her veins turning to liquid fire.
"Don't stop" She breathed, seeking his lips again. "Don't ever stop, Dickon"

꧁꧂

New Year's Eve 1467....

The wine flowed freely and merry laughter rang throughout the castle of Fotheringhay that New Year's Eve, the full moon clear and shining in the cloudless night sky above. In the great hall, a roaring fire blazed, it's amber flames licking eagerly at the carved surround, charring the heavy logs that helped them blaze.

Along with the candles that burned bright above in iron chandeliers and in brackets upon the walls, it filled the room with light, making every scrap of gold glisten.
And by God, there was a lot of gold.

The precious metal glimmered from every guest that lined the hall's trestle tables, nobles from across the land displaying their best silks and jewels; their best smiles. Many of the older squires, free of Warwick's care, attended, bringing their wives and familiar laughs that filled the hall with warm the warm kinship they all treasured. Even Rob was there with his new wife, Nell, a pretty little redhead who hung onto his each word as if he were a God!

They were all together, just as he said they would always be on her birthday. The only man missing was Francis but in a year or two he would join them, they were all sure and then their retinue would be complete!

They feasted on plates of silver and gold, each laden with the finest food Fotheringhay's cooks could conjure. Roast swans, wings elegantly spread, cooked pigs doused in sweet gravy beside pies who's pastry melted on the tongues of their devourers and apple and strawberry tarts each sticky with sweet syrup. It was a feast worthy of a King, a King and his Queen.

Minstrels played merry tunes from the balcony above the high dais, their bright garments of blue and yellow a testament to the jovial couples that danced below. 
Women smiled, men grinned, gently holding their partners with wine-induced adoration that sparked their laughter, fuelled their graceful steps.

Blue and murrey banners hung from the walls, the white boar of Gloucester emblazoned on the material that had been raised high just hours ago. The royal emblem glimmered in the firelight, claiming the hall as the property of the Lord who sat at the high dais, his wife beside him.

Dressed in robes of crimson velvet, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester sat with their hands intertwined, fingers shimmering with the many rings they wore. The fine food before them lay devoured, the silver jug once filled with wine drained of almost every drop. It had all been poured into the cup they passed between them, exchanging knowing looks as they did do, looks of want and love.

Catherine wore her hair down that night, the golden curls flowing to her waist beneath her Duchess' coronet while Richard wore his own, the array of jewels glimmering. Her mouth and lips were stained with drink, the sweet alcohol prevalent on her tongue and in her mind, making it spin with joyous laughter and an ease her husband shared. They laughed, they joked, their words flowing like a silken river between them that they bathed in more than willingly.

Nothing could quell the smiles on their lips, the light in their eyes that appeared when they looked over the feast. Their feast, their home. Richard had promised he would give her a feast worthy of the Lord himself and he had stayed true to his word just as he always did.

They seemed a perfect pair when they danced, their bodies in sync with one another and their constant gaze never wavering; the true image of harmony. Catherine was sure she would have been happy to dance all night but she would not allow Richard to do so, anxious he did not hurt his back or his shoulder in his effort for merriment. He complained like a child when she made him sit but with one kiss, she silenced his whining, making a red flush appear on his cheeks.

A flush that appeared every time he looked at her.

Something was different that night, something in their glances, the way their hands touched and longed to wander.

Every so often, his eyes dipped to the tops of her breasts exposed by the low cut neckline of her bodice. It had been one of the reasons she chose to wear the velvet gown that night and could tell he wanted her, just as she wanted him.

Both of them knew what they wanted, knew what they needed. It had been promised that they would make the Duke's chambers their own and Catherine could not help but feel giddy at the thought that that night, they would.

Taking another sip from the goblet he offered her, she could feel his eyes linger on her face, a shaking breath filled with desire pass his lips. He had never proved one for public displays of affection, choosing to keep his love reserved until they were afforded privacy but she could see he wanted to kiss her. She felt his hand on her waist, concealed beneath the table cloth as he gently pulled her closer, the other brushing against the necklace she wore.

Catherine looked at him, the fire in her eyes not conjured by the roaring flames at the other end of the hall. It was a fire they shared, thrumming between them like a restless hunger waiting to be satisfied.
"My Lord?" She asked, voice deliciously suave as she leant closer, daring to brush her lips against his.

Truly, the guests were so in their cups by then, she was sure none would notice and knew she did not care! "Really if I move any closer I shall be on your lap"
Richard smirked, grasping her waist a little tighter, a question in his eyes, one desperate a so deep with desire, Catherine was sure she would drown it it's intensity.

He leant closer, gently brushing her hair aside and making her shiver when she felt his lips brush just beneath her ear, hot with need.
"I would ask you to come to my chambers tonight" He whispered "If that is to your liking my Lady?"

She cast her eyes to the tablecloth, feeling herself blush as she nodded, nodding with all her desire, all her want.
"I think that would be very much to my liking, my Lord" She replied softly, feeling excitement brew within her at the slight smirk that curved Richard's lips, emboldening her "In fact....I do not think I wish to wait....Margery?"

Her friend was there within an instant, curtsying quickly to attend to her needs.
"My Lady?"

"I wish to retire!" Catherine took up her goblet from the table, taking a measured sip as she looked around the great hall. Her great hall "The guests may celebrate all they wish but I....I have other matters to attend to tonight" She felt herself blush again and Richard shift beside her as Margery helped her rise, eyes filled with a knowing look "I shall see you soon, my Lord"

꧁꧂

Catherine let her eyes close as the silk kirtle fell away from her body, plucked loose by Margery's skilled hands and pooling at her feet with her gown. She stood before the fire, her hair brushed, jewels gone, wearing nothing but her shift as she stepped out of the circle of fine cloth, gazing into the flames before her.

Away from the crowds and noise of the great hall, she had sobered somewhat, nerves now mingling with the desire she felt coiling in her belly. She wanted Richard, she wanted to be his, to bind them together in a way no one could undo. She wanted the warmth that flooded through her veins satisfied and knew only he could do that.

And yet, she was silent as she was prepared, glancing almost warily at the large bed behind her, it's sheets pulled back and lit by the amber glow of candles. That was where her destiny lay, where she would soon lie, Richard's arms around her, keeping her safe.

As Margery dabbed sweet scented rose water behind her ears and wrists, she thought of the night in the hayloft, just a mere month ago. If they had not been interrupted then she was sure her maidenhead would have been taken and she'd not feared it then. She had wanted it, wanted it more than anything on earth, so why did she shy away from her desire now?

"Are you sure you are well, Cat?" Margery's soft voice asked, placing a gentle hand on her young friend's shoulder "His grace loves you, adores you. Tonight you will feel nothing but pleasure....I am sure of it"
"Thank you" Catherine murmured, slowly waving her dismissal and acknowledging Margery's curtsy with a small nod before she seated herself by the fire.

The click of the chamber door a moment later told her she was alone and a soft sigh past her lips, one hand resting on her belly where she could feel her nerves and anticipation rising.

She wanted him.....she wanted him so much....

"Good evening, my love"

Richard's gentle voice startled her and she almost jumped from her seat until she saw it was him and felt her body relax. His eyes were bright and his steps soft as he made his way towards her, wearing only his shirt and breeches, his fine rings and sword gone.
"Good evening, my Lord" She returned, glancing up when he stood before her, letting him raise her from her seat with a gentle hand. A shaking breath passed his lips.

He was nervous too.

Still, his eyes wandered up and down her body eagerly, taking in the gentle curves of her figure that danced in the shadows of the flames beside them. His hands slid slowly up her arms, tracing the delicate embroidery of her thin shift while she tried to remember how to breathe, keeping her eyes safely locked with his.

Feeling his hands trace the curve of her neck, she shivered with delight, letting her eyes close once more as Richard cupped her face and placed a delicate kiss to her lips. All at once, her nerves began to fall away and she realised one simple kiss was not enough. Not nearly enough.
"Would you like some wine?"

He shook his head silently, taking her hand and slowly leading her to the bed, turning them and gently pressing her back against it. Her breath caught in her throat. With love in his eyes, he studied her face, his gaze passing over her pretty features while he searched for something other than beauty. He searched for reassurance.

"You do know that if you let me lie with you there is no turning back?" He murmured "You can never return to your family. You will be mine, Cate, forever. You will be a Percy no more, you will be a Plantagenet. A York"

In response, Catherine tilted up her head, winding her hands into his dark locks of ebony hair to tug him close, kissing him with all the desire she could muster. She would show him, show him that she wanted him.
"I want to" She whispered when she pulled away to see his eyes burned a brighter blue before kissing him again, letting her lips wander to his ear "I want to be yours"

Feeling him shiver against her, her nerves dissipated some more and she gently draw back slightly, raising her hands to the front of her shift and beginning to tug at the strings holding the garment together. "Would you like to see me, my Lord?"

"Richard" He suddenly whispered, forcing their eyes to meet as his hands covered hers, taking the silken strings from her grasp "I am your Richard when we are in our bed, sweetheart" Waiting for her nod, he gently untied her shift, trying to force himself to patience instead of the passion his body longed to give into. He had to be gentle, he told himself, for her.

Edward had told him it hurt a maid to be taken for the first time and he was determined to hurt Cate as little as possible, he wanted to please her, not frighten her! With one last tug, her small gasp assured him that the shift was loose and his hands slowly came to her shoulders, pushing away the silk until it fell, only stopping when Catherine caught it at her waist.

She blushed, looking down only to find Richard's fingers under her chin, gently tilting it upwards until their lips could meet again in a sweet kiss.

"Let me" He whispered, slowly tugging at the garment in her hand and she nodded, letting it pool at her feet with a slight rustle. As soon as the cold air hit her skin she felt a bolt of desire rush though her, sparks ready to be fanned into a burning flame she could feel brewing as Richard's eyes wandered up and down her naked body.

Reaching upwards, he pushed her hair behind her shoulders, rendering her bare to him before tugging his own shirt over his head, tossing the linen carelessly aside. Catherine's eyes widened, her mouth forming a small O at the muscled body revealed to her. The body of a warrior, the body of a man. His skin was soft, warm, as she raised a hand to touch it, gently running her fingers over it. Dipping to his stomach, she felt strong muscles tense at her touch and could not help but smile.

She was doing this to him, she was making his breaths grow heavier; his fists clenched at his sides.

"Cate" He whispered and she looked up at him, letting her hands rest on his shoulders where she felt the gentle unevenness of them, the slight raise of one and the normality of the other.
"Does it hurt?"

Richard shook his head, hands suddenly appearing on her waist as he pressed their young bodies together. Crushing her lips beneath his, Catherine felt her nipples harden and gasped into his warm mouth as the same wanting she so often felt gathered between her thighs. She no longer wanted to wait and kissed him back with all the passion she could muster, parting her lips eagerly as his hands roamed her body.

His hair was soft beneath her fingers and she clutched onto the curls as he gently pushed her back onto the bed, desire consuming him as it was her. He knelt beside her and her eyes widened as he tugged her to join him, realising he had removed his breeches and now was as naked as she. She had never seen a naked man and blushed as her eyes wandered his body, feeling his cock hard against her leg. It only served to infame her desire more.

Darting forward to kiss him again, she wrapped her arms eagerly around his neck, melting into the delicate dance of his tongue around hers. The feeling of skin against skin was exquisite, so completely right, she thought and could not help but press herself closer, wanting more, needing more as an unfamiliar wetness began to coat the insides of her thighs.

"Richard" She murmured breathlessly and he gently pushed her back, pressing her into the sheets before he suddenly left her, leaving one last kiss to her lips. Catherine's dazed eyes widened for a second, the sudden coolness of the air without his body on hers making her frown until she saw he was drawing the bed curtains.

"We shall be in a world of our own, sweetheart" He told her, his voice husky as he tugged on the heavy blue velvet until only the light of the fire remained. It took no coaxing for him to return to her and she moaned sweetly into his mouth when his lips captured hers again. Their bodies rubbed against one another, hips pressing together almost desperately while Catherine's golden hair spread out beneath her, making her look a true goddess.

"Have you done this before?" She gasped when he began to kiss her neck and suddenly he was gone again, sitting up with his eyes watching her body writhe. She tried to call him back but he only watched, carding a hand through his hair while he shook his head, almost bashfully, until she peered up at him.

"I have not" He admitted softly, extending a hand and leaning against the nearest bedpost as she slid onto his lap. He could feel her body aching for pleasure but she did not try to kiss him again, able to see he wanted to speak, and so she listened "Ned has been very shall we say, thorough in my education of pleasure. He was determined to have me please you but I have not shared the bed of any woman. I wanted you, Catherine, my wife" He hesitated slightly, looking down at the lovely young woman in his arms, the woman who was willingly giving herself to him "does that scare you?"

She smiled, only then, sitting up fully to kiss him, pressing her breasts against his chest in a way which made him groan; her grin.
"No" She said softly, taking his hand and gently pulling him back to the covers, tugging him on top of her "We can learn together, my love. I want nothing more"

Smiling again, she brought his head down to hers, letting her hands roam his body while they kissed, their desperation for one another once more soaring. She could see his hand reaching for her breast, fingers eager to touch the soft skin before he hesitated. His eyes flicked to hers, an almost worried expression on his face as he tilted his head

"Can I touch you?"

Catherine nodded eagerly, taking his hand and placing on her right breast, helping his fingers gently caress her nipple.
"Yes" She whispered desperately as his fingers began to move of their own volition "Yes I want you to!"

He grinned, emboldened by her words and soon his kisses descended. Hot and lusty, his lips trailed their way down her neck, to her chest where he gently began to suck on the tips of her breasts. Catherine arched, another sweet moan leaving her lips as her fingers delved into his hair once more, keeping him in place.

Pleasure clouded her mind, swirled around her like a warm blanket she never wished to escape. Her love, her husband was making her heart race, her eyelashes fan her cheeks while she gasped her delight. But however sweet the pleasure was, her breasts were not where she needed to be satisfied. The wanting ache only grew between her thighs and soon she began to writhe again, pushing her hips upwards. 

Richard looked down, grinning and made his way back up her body, fitting their hips together in a way that made her gasp before he kissed her.
"Spread your legs for me, sweetheart" He murmured and Catherine was more than willing to obey, relishing the feeling of his hand descending her body to where she needed to be touched most.

"Richard...." She whined when his fingers paused, lightly dancing across the tops of her thighs while he grinned, gently teasing her before they descended. He groaned when he found how wet she was for him, squeezing his eyes shut while she gasped, her grip on him tightening "There" She whispered frantically as his fingers began to stroke her, surprisingly skilfully for his inexperience.

But she did not think on that, only gasped when his thumb found her clit, causing a flash of hot light to burn bright before her eyes. Richard grinned, watching her arch towards him before he did the same again, gently circling her clit while he sought her entrance. The sweet gasp she made when he slipped one finger inside made his muscles threaten to burst and he buried his face in her neck, nuzzling into the soft skin.

"Cate...." He moaned "I need...."
"I know" She replied breathlessly, her hips beginning to rock against his finger, the sensations tearing through her veins new but not enough, not nearly enough "Take me Richard...." She demanded though her haze "I want you"

He was more than willing to comply, nudging her thighs apart wider as he added a second finger, making her arch upwards, her body on fire "Take me!" She commanded again, grasping his shoulders and bringing his body down to her "I can't....I can't wait any longer...." Richard groaned positioning himself before he pressed forward and Catherine's eyes flew open.

She felt a burn, almost a tear inside of her that made her wince uncomfortably, but her pain was obviously not shared by Richard who looked as if he had been blessed by angels himself! His eyes half shut, head tilted back, his expression one of pure bliss before an almost strangled moan escaped him. Her name.

It was almost enough to make the small tear that slid down her cheek dissipate and she clutched him tighter, nuzzling into his shoulder. With a groan he withdrew, thrusting forward a little further this time and stoking something inside Catherine that made her gasp. The pain dwindled, quickly fading into nothingness.

Wrapping her legs around his waist, she sought his lips as he thrust into again her, his breaths becoming ragged, barely there while he moaned his pleasure.

His release startled both of them, their eyes flying open at the sudden spurt of hot liquid that pooled inside of Catherine. She glanced down to where their bodies were joined, sighing contently as Richard rolled to the side, collapsing onto the sheets while they both panted for breath. They were together, never to be parted and the thought made her smile as warmth thrummed between her legs.

"You did not find your pleasure" Richard suddenly said, dazed contentment turning to confusion to slight embarrassment as he turned to her.
"I assure you....I did" She replied, closing her eyes as her chest rapidly rose and fell, blood singing. Surely she had found her pleasure? She could not imagine anything better than what she had just experienced! There could not be more, could there?"

Richard chuckled, shaking his head and turning her onto her side so they were once more pressed together, dipping his hand between her legs.
"You did not, sweetheart" He whispered against her ear when she gasped again, his skilled fingers finding her bundle of nerves "But you shall have it, you shall always have it in our bed"

Slipping two fingers inside of her while he swiped her clit back and forth, Catherine moaned, her desire once more raising like a stormy sea inside of her. She rocked her hips against his fingers, almost trying to pull pleasure from his hand as she felt the heated coil within her belly tighten. Her eyes closed as Richard sped up a little, his kisses covering her neck while she moaned, wanting so much, wanting everything.

With one last thrust of his fingers, the coil within her belly snapped and hot white light once again flashed before her eyes, blinding her to the world around as her body arched. Hearing herself cry out his name, she collapsed onto the covers, feeling Richard immediately pull her close, whisper endearments into her hair.

"There, my love" He murmured as the storm inside her began to calm, leaving her with naught but satisfaction that filled her veins "my beautiful, Cate"

"Semper audax, semper liber" She found herself whisper once she somewhat regained her senses, cuddling closer into her husband's arms.
"Ever bold, ever free" He translated in perfect Latin and she smiled against his chest, her blue eyes peering up at his with all the love in the world.

"That.....that shall be my motto"

Richard smiled, pulling the covers up around them, covering their naked bodies with soft sheets she revelled in.

"Tis perfect, my love" He breathed through a yawn, one she shared as she snuggled into him. She had never been more content and did not think she ever could be again, lying happily in Richard's arms. Had she a choice she would never leave and smiled when he brushed a soft kiss to her forehead "Happy new year"