~Death and Treason~

December 1476....

When the news came that Isabel Neville had died mere days after giving birth to her long awaited boy, Catherine did not know what to think. She did not cry, she did not feel it was right. How could she? She had never liked Isabel and Isabel had hated her but no woman deserved the death that she suffered and no children deserved to be without a mother as her two now were.

Little Margaret and Edward of Clarence.

She was in the Queen's rooms when the news came, and their boys were playing on the carpet by the fire while their Mother's occupied themselves talking. Henry was the leader of the five boys (as the oldest) and even commanded the Prince of Wales who was returned to his homeland for the Christmas festivities!

They all looked up to him like the would the greatest knight and Henry was only too pleased to take up that gauntlet, not noticing when his Mother's smile turned to a frown when Anne's letter arrived

Looking up, Catherine found the Queen was already watching her and held the parchment out, almost flinching at the rustle when Elizabeth took it.

After a moment she stood up, the letter still in hand and frowning.

"I am sorry" She murmured, glancing at the boys who still played by the fire. One elegant hand crept up and wrapped around the cool silver of her locket. The locket that contained George's curse.
"Do you think it did this?"
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows at Catherine's question, shrugging a little while she drummed her fingers on her locket.

"I do not know, my friend" She answered, wandering to the chamber's window and leaning against the delicately carved stone "Come" She ordered gently and Catherine did so, joining her in a moment so they were out of the earshot of their boys. They were just children, they did not need to know of their Uncle's troubles "I fear this may cause more problems for us"
"How so?"

Elizabeth sighed.
"George's wife is dead" She murmured "He will either accuse me of intervening with his wife's lifespan or he will destroy us all in his quest for a new wife"
"A new wife?" Catherine repeated, somewhat surprised "So soon?" She did not think even George would run to the alter again but perhaps he would only see it as another step in his pursuit of power?

"Of course so soon!" Elizabeth replied "This is George we are talking of, Cat! His ambition has no limit, nor does his hatred of us and if he marries again" She shook her head, correcting herself "When he marries again, he will seek to undermine the King and even try to take the crown once more!" Now it was Catherine's turn to sigh.

Would George really make for the throne again? Even after the times he had tried and failed? Has his ambition not been sated by now? She sighed again. Of course it hadn't, the only question was which path of destruction he would take!

She jumped when a little hand suddenly tugged at the hem of her skirt and looked down to see her little Edward at her feet. At only seven months old he had learnt how to crawl and did so whenever he could! He could also haul himself up onto his little legs when he had something to cling to and his parents sometimes woke to see him standing at the side of his cot!

Reaching upwards he gurgled and Catherine did her best to smile as she picked him up. Elizabeth watched, reaching out and stroking a finger over her nephew's blonde hair.

"Three York sons" She murmured, tilting her head "You are to be congratulated!"
"As are you!" Catherine replied, looking to two of the remaining boys playing by the fire "Edward and Richard are fine boys and Edward shall one day make a fine King" Her voice quietened with sincerity "It is a comfort to know my boys will live under his reign"

"As it is a comfort to me that they will be there to support him" Elizabeth said, a small grin flitting across her lips before she turned back to the window. The winter sun streamed onto her face, making her pale skin seem almost translucent and her figure like a ghost "We must ensure our children are safe, Cat, and pray George comes to his senses" Catherine scoffed at that.

"I doubt he has any"

꧁꧂

June 1477, Bamburgh....

The sun showered down on the earth in golden beams that streamed from the fluffy clouds above. It warmed the sand, the air, even the shallows of the ocean and set the castle in a beautiful light. Henry, Joan and Dickon played on the green, batting at one another with wooden swords while Edward toddled after them, clapping his little hands!

Their Mother's ladies cared for them that day while their parents were away and their laughter could be heard echoing around the castle walls while the Duke and Duchess made fun of the day below.

"Come on!" Richard laughed as he pulled Catherine down the sand dunes of Bamburgh beach by the hand. All she could do was giggle and follow, wondering why on earth he was pulling her towards the sea. While they were a royal Duke and Duchess, the rulers of thousands, they were still young at only twenty four and their souls sought fun!

"If you wanted a walk we should've brought the horses!" She called over the warm breeze "Then we could've raced each other!"
"And let you beat me again?" He replied over his shoulder as she giggled and picked up her skirts a little more "Never! Nay, ma belle, I have something much more fun in store for us!"

Bringing her to his side, he wrapped an arm around her waist and began to run along the beach with her.
"What is it?" She asked, squealing when he covered her eyes with his free hand and continued to lead her down the beach "Where are we going?" The breeze stirred her skirts and as she got closer to the ocean, she could feel flecks of water seep through her stockings. Sparks of excitement lit in her veins and she clutched the rough hand in hers, squeezing.

"We are here!" Richard suddenly announced and took his hand away from her eyes, making her gasp at what she saw. A little boat bobbed on the water, it's wood still light, fresh from carving and with a crisp white sail. Not yet raised, it was ready to blow in the wind to take them away from shore into a world of their own.

"What is this for?" Catherine laughed as Richard helped her inside, lifting her train in after her.
"I had it built for us!" He replied merrily, that oh so boyish gleam in his eyes shining at full force "To take us away from politics and ruling for one moment!" She smiled at him as he began to push the little boat out and paused when he saw the veil of her hennin, fluttering in the wind like a sail itself!

"What about your headdress, my love? Do you wish to guide the boat yourself with it?"
Catherine grinned, waking him playfully on the arm before she slid the heavy pins from her head and tossed her hennin back onto the sands. Her golden hair tumbled down her back, stray strands floating in the gentle wind.

"You always prefer my hair down, do you not?"
Richard smirked and hopped into the boat beside her as it began to bob freely along the ocean and placed a kiss to her lips.

"I do, ma belle" he returned, reaching out to run his fingers through a handful of flaxen curls. Tilting her head, Catherine kissed his palm and sighed when his thumb flitted across her cheek "Now! Let us sail away, Cate! To our own little world!" He shuffled along the boat, moving to the back as he raised the sail and took the rudder, beginning to guide the little ship along the waves.

She watched with eagerness, the sparks of excitement fanning into flames as he manoeuvred the little boat and they sailed along the coast of their home "Would you like to have a go?" She nodded eagerly and shuffled along the boat to join him, settling in his lap as her hand took hold of the rudder.

Immediately, she gave a little shriek as the wind blew and the sail swung to one side, swinging the boat before it retuned to normal. But instead of moving, the little boat simply stayed still and she frowned. She tried to move the rudder again but the ship stayed still and Catherine gave a little huff.

"It's not moving!"

"It will if you ask if nicely" Richard chuckled, moving Catherine away from his knee and wrapping an arm around her waist. With his free hand, he adjusted hers, helping her hold the rudder firmer, the sail rope tighter "Set your course" He murmured "Tighten the sheet until the sail stops fluttering...." She did as he told her to, giving a firm tug to the sail rope but it was not enough and Richard reached around, pulling until the pristine material held firm "See! You did it!" He praised but Catherine only laughed.

"No!" She said "You did it!" He smiled, wrapping his arms around her again.
"Well" He whispered against her cheek "That's not the way I'll remember it, my love"
"Oh stop it" She chided though a giggle, relishing the wind on her face and through her hair without the eyes of the court to pry on them.

How freeing it was, to have her own little court here in the North, full of friends and laughter instead of being trapped in the one in the south full of intrigue and gossip. She would never wish to lead it and it was a comfort to know she never would!

With her back pressed against his chest, Catherine and Richard sailed along the coast, he helping her to manoeuvre the little boat across the water until her arms grew tired. When he took over, she manoeuvred herself to the front of the boat and looked down to where the sea broke against the helm.

Reaching down the tips of her fingers skimmed along the water, sending a shockwave of ice through her veins that she grinned at. Even in the heat of the day, the sea water was still ice and the droplets that splashed her cheeks felt like snowflakes.

"Mother! Mother look!" Catherine jerked up at the sound of her daughter's voice to see four year old Joan sat behind Henry on his prized pony who they'd decided to name Blackberry! Her little hands clung to his waist and he waved to their parents as the little boat bobbed along.

"Look at our boy!" Richard chuckled, waving back "he is a fine horseman now! And at only eight he does not need a chaperone!" Catherine grinned. There could be no doubt it was pure pride that filled his voice.
"You sound as if you will knight him here on the beach!"

"I would that I could! But he has much to learn yet! Ah look, there's Ralph!"

True to his word, the wolfhound was bounding along the beach, his paws splashing in the water! While he was not fully grown, he was a giant of a dog, bigger even than Roland who was the biggest Catherine had ever seen! Despite his size, he was the definition of a gentle giant who adored the children and little Edward often rode on his back when he wanted to keep up with his siblings!

"Mother!" Henry called, waving again from his horse "Uncle Neddy's soldiers are here! They've come to see you?" In an instant, Catherine stood up, wobbling slightly as the boat jolted on the waves. Had she heard him right?

"Soldiers?" She called back only to see Henry nod and Richard looked at her, clearly worried as he swung their boat around and began to guide it back to shore. Their son did not seem concerned in the slightest by the new arrivals and neither did Joan who was looking around the beach with a smile "At least we know they are not an enemy" Catherine said and Richard nodded.

His boots made a splash as they hit the shallows of the sea and he pulled the boat to the shore and Roland ran to him, barking.
"Hello, boy" he greeted, giving his companion's ears a quick pet before helping his wife from their ship. Hand in hand they began to run up the beach, their shoes slipping on the sand and wind running through their hair.

"Oh God what do I look like?" She asked as she looked back to where her hennin still lay on the beach, it's veil blowing helplessly flowing in the wind. Her free hand tried to brush through the mass of flaxen curls (now tangled) to no avail so she simply pushed it behind her shoulders "I certainly do not look like a Duchess!"

"You do" Richard assured her as the sand beneath their feet dwindled away to the sharp crunch of gravel, leading to the castle gates. Surely enough, they were open and soldiers, mounted on mighty horseback, filled the bailey, men Henry stared in awe at. They were his very ideal of what he wished to become, dressed in armour and bearing noble standards.

"Knights!" He breathed "Look Joaney!" His little sister peeked over his shoulder as their parents walked through the gates, heads held high.
"Knights like you, brother!" She replied "Father will knight you before you turn three and ten! Mark my words!"

Richard smirked at their conversation, his keen ears picking up the exciting words from behind him. Henry was all he could wish for in a son but his mind was not on his family at that moment, at least not when he spotted the man lingering by the sea wall.

His wiry grey hair and thin face, adorned with a bushy beard was not hidden beneath his polished helmet and Richard felt Catherine stiffen somewhat beside him as she too realised who he was.
"Ah!" He proclaimed, patting her arm "Stanley! I was not expecting to see you here!"

He smiled and acknowledged Stanley's low bow, although the ever present smirk never left his lips
"Lord Stanley" Catherine murmured and he looked at her as he straightened his back, taking in her lose hair and the hem of her gown damp from the ocean.

"Oh Lord, I hope I haven't interrupted something, your graces" He exclaimed with a nonchalant laugh she forced herself to smile at.
"Not at all!" Richard replied "Now, tell me, what has brought you and your men all the way to Bamburgh?" Stanley continued to smile and the two men headed towards the keep, leaving Catherine to follow.

As it always did when Stanley appeared, a coil of nerves, swirling around the pit of her stomach like a nest of vipers. She felt they would slither about her body, twist about her heart and crush the life from it.

Or rather Stanley would. Stanley and his slippery smiles, the dangerous twinkle in his eye she could never tell was amusement or a scheme that caused his family's ambition to glimmer. Instinctively, she took her children's hands when they dismounted from blackberry and made them stay by their side as they entered the keep.

"Go to the nursery" She instructed, ushering them in the opposite direction that Richard and Stanley were walking, much to Henry's dismay.
"But Mother...."
"Now" She instructed firmly and he ducked his head in obedience, taking Joan's hand and beginning to lead her to the stairs.

"Your grace?"

Catherine almost shrieked with fear as a voice echoed from behind her and she spun around to see Stanley. God, he was like a ghost (or rather a demon) creeping along the corridors with nary a sound! A hand flew out to steady her, curling around her elbow with skeletal fingers that made Catherine shiver. He chuckled, simply taking it for surprise and not unease.

Before she could object, he tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow and began to escort her down the corridors of Bamburgh with confidence. As if it were his castle! 'Ha!' She thought indignantly and tilted her chin upwards a little more, forcing confidence she did not feel into her steps. When they finally reached Richard's study, Stanley let her hand drop and she was only too thankful to be released.

Her feet took her to her husband's desk and she took up the wine pitcher, pouring herself a glass full before devouring it all in one gulp. Richard watched from the fire and Stanley settled opposite him, his smirk still on his lips.
"I'm afraid you'll have to forgive me" He chuckled "I gave her grace quite a scare just as she was sending your children to bed. I believe there were two? The eldest...."

"Henry" She interrupted, her mind and heart both telling her not to let him speak of her boy "He is named Henry and yes, he is our eldest at eight. Joan was with him" She continued before he could ask after her too "she is five and our second" Out of the corner of her eye she could see Richard's mouth had dipped into a small frown and realised the sharpness with which she'd spoke, using her tongue as a the knife to cut her enemies.

Was Stanley an enemy?
She did not know.
But she certainly did not like him and his charming facade.

Despite that, she forced a small smile onto her lips and wandered towards the fire, seating herself in the chair beside Richard's.
"Is there anything I can send for for you, my Lord?" She asked "I take it you must have ridden a long way?"
Stanley merely kept his smirk on his face; shook his head.

"No, thank you, your grace. The news I carry cannot wait for supper" His suave smile only broadened at that despite his words being anything to grin like a Cheshire Cat about and Richard frowned. His hand folded over his wife's and their fingers intertwined, providing strength to each other.

"News?" He asked crisply "Of what? My brother is well I trust?"
"Oh yes yes!" Stanley chuckled, signalling for wine from the page who stood almost invisible in a corner "Do not fear for the King's health, he is most content as are the rest of his family! No, the news I carry concerns the Duke of Clarence...."

"George?" Catherine exclaimed and Stanley's smile still refused to falter as he nodded, eyes brightening at the wine given to him "What has he done?" He took a short sip, relishing the taste and the silence it provided. Only then did he let his smile fall to seriousness. Weather it was sincere, the Duchess could not tell.

"He is once again dancing the line of treason" He explained and Richard almost groaned "He's made accusations of murder directed at the Queen, saying that she poisoned his wife by placing a servant in the late Duchess' household to administer the poison"
"But everyone knows Isabel died of childbed fever!" Catherine cried.

"Apparently George does not and now that said servant has been hanged on his orders" Now it was Richard's turn to exclaim in surprise and he stood almost angrily from his seat.
"He is taking the law into his own hands?" He demanded, pacing back and forth across the hearth "Good God my brother does not know when to stop!"

"Where is he now?" Catherine asked and Stanley's unreadable eyes flicked to her again.
"That is the thing" He replied, taking another sip of wine "no one knows" Richard's pacing stopped and he glanced towards the grey haired Lord "King Edward sent men to arrest him but he has disappeared, they did find however, another man, a sorcerer, Thomas Burdett....he's been predicting the King's death"

"What?" Richard cried "So he has committed treason again! When will he learn? When will he stops?" Stanley raised his eyebrows and drained his cup.
"If I may, your grace, I think it is a little too late to learn"