~Pleasure~

Richard grimaced as he was once more swept with another sickening wave of the scent of thick wine and sweat. Groans of pleasure echoed in his ears as he tried to avert his eyes from the array of cushions and beds that filled the torchlit room, piled with English nobles and French whores.

He took another swig of wine from the bottle he held. It had been the strongest he and George (who stood beside him in their little alcove) had managed to find and they passed it back and forth, exchanging looks of increasing irritation and anger as they did so.

Both had been forced by Edward to attend and both sighed heavily as they glanced at their elder brother. A sheer curtain covered the bed where he lay, shirt torn open with a whore straddling his waist, riding him. The King's head was thrown back, eyes closed in pleasure as moans tumbled from his parted lips.

"Father would cry for shame if he could see us now" Richard muttered as he tore his eyes away from the scene and George grunted.

"Are you sure you can remember him well enough to know that?" He snapped and his little brother flinched. George's tongue was never sharper than when he was displeased and his words stung as a cut from a dagger might.

It was true, Richard could not really remember the late Duke of York very well apart from fond pats on the head and an occasional soft smile that was rather like his own. But that did not mean he liked for his lack of memory to be pointed out to him.

"Yes" he replied tersely, taking another gulp of wine "yes I am, brother" he found himself wishing that he were not at the castle but in his army camp where Jack, Francis and Rob had all retreated.

They had provided the excuse that they needed to keep the men in check for while the rest of the army had gone drinking and whoring around the town streets, Richard had forbidden his men to do so.

And so they sat quietly in their tents, awaiting further orders from their Duke. Richard was all in all rather pleased with that arrangement if nothing else. His brother's men could disgrace themselves all they pleased, at the very least his would not be found at fault and he was proud of that.

"It's that whore Elizabeth's fault" George spat, snapping Richard from his thoughts as he nodded in grim agreement "she's been writing to him since we left! Telling him not to fight. She has England's high command, not Edward" Huffing and in a high rage, George stalked away to find another dark corner to sulk in.

Richard once more took another hearty swig of wine, shaking his head as he glanced again towards Edward. He found that he could not meet his eye, had not been able to for the past week and so cast his gaze to the ground.

In doing so he did not notice the flash of thin white silk beside him, the loose hip length red curls that swayed from side to side. Eleanor.

She had managed to sneak into the room unobserved and her heart had been pounding the whole time. When Marie first suggested that she do such a thing she had refused, finding the idea beyond shocking. That others would be able to observe she and Richard in the throes of passion was unthinkable!

They had always kept their affection rather private, especially in public, limiting themselves to chaste kisses and the soft touch of hands.

But glancing around she could see that there were none there apart from her husband sober enough to stand, let alone pay any attention to her. Just as Marie said they would be.

Walking slowly to Richard, she placed a hand on his arm, feeling him jump before he looked up at her and his eyes widened, sweeping her body.
"What are you...." he began only for Eleanor to place a finger to his lips; hand slipping down to take his.

"Let me" she murmured before she spotted the bottle of wine in his free hand and reached out for it, taking it from his grasp and gulping down a mouthful "let me, Richard" she said, placing the bottle down and beginning to lead him across the chamber, weaving her way through the tangle of noblemen and whores on the floor before she finally reached the free bed she had spied.

Turning Richard, she pressed him gently against one of the bedposts and her hands reached for his belt. His eyes lit with surprise and then a slight amusement as he began to realise her intentions, wondering if she truly meant to go through with them.

"Are you sure?" He whispered as his belt dropped to the floor with a clatter and Eleanor began unlacing his doublet, her fingers working as fast as they could as she began to feel the sparks of desire settle between her thighs "in front of all these people?"

All the response he received was a bruising kiss as Eleanor pushed his doublet from his shoulders, smashing her lips against his. Drawing his shirt swiftly over his head she pressed her body against his, could feel his warm skin through the silk of her robe and kissed him once more.

Kicking his boots off, he let her lead as she tugged him onto the bed and they knelt opposite one another, hearts beginning to pound, excitement and anticipation rising. Gliding a hand slowly up and down his chest, Eleanor felt him shudder slightly at her touch and her lips curved into a confident smile as her hand ventured lower.

Swiftly untying the laces of his breeches she pushed them over his hips, feeling her confidence mounting as she saw the evidence of his desire for her. Richard reached for her as his breaths grew heavier, intent on stripping her robe from her body, all thoughts of the others in the room gone but Eleanor caught his hands, smirking playfully as she pushed him back onto the pillows of the bed and removed his breeches; tossed them aside.

His eyes widened with surprise as she gracefully climbed on top of him, slowly leaning down to brush kisses against his neck. The surprise she saw excited her, made her want to press on as she sat up once more and pulled at the ribbon that held her robe together.

With nimble fingers she untied it and let the silk slide from her shoulders, finding herself almost laughing as a husky groan left Richard's throat while he watched her brush her hands across her breasts.

"Do you find yourself pleased so far, my lord?" She asked and he groaned again as she threw her robe aside, leaving her naked and straddling his waist. He reached for her to draw her close but she once again caught his wrists, the same lust filled smile as before playing on her lips as she placed his arms firmly at his sides "wait, love" she instructed, lips hovering against his before she coaxed him into a kiss, slowly beginning to grind her hips against his hardness.

She shuddered as he moaned into the kiss, trying to raise his own hips from the bed only for Eleanor to draw back a little, trailing burning kisses down his chest. She felt pleased as Richard's eyes fluttered shut in pleasure and slowly brought the gentle roll of her hips to a halt, causing him to moan his protest.

"What are you doing?" He breathed as he opened his eyes, wanting nothing more than to sweep Eleanor into his arms and be inside of her as soon as was possible. But he could see in her eyes that she had a plan, carefully crafted, one that was guiding her movements and he was determined not to spoil it.

"Making love to you" she replied almost airily as she sat up once more, trailing her fingers up the smooth sides of her body, carding them through her hair before she placed her hands on Richard's chest. She could see that surprise had entered his expression again as she raised herself slightly and grinned.

Feeling him between her thighs, she felt a slight hesitance, a subconscious worry that made her halt at this unfamiliar situation. 'You must let your instincts guide you' Marie had told her 'do what feels right for you'

With those words in mind, Eleanor steadied herself taking a deep breath before she began to sink down onto Richard. They both exhaled in a pleasured rush, eyes squeezing shut as Eleanor slowly worked her way down his length until he was fully inside of her.

"Fuck" the almost gasped word made her smile return, almost turning to a smirk as she opened her eyes only to see Richard's head thrown back onto the pillow. He looked as if he had been blessed by the Lord and all his angels! Placing a steadying hand on his stomach, she rolled her hips just once, testing her newfound knowledge.

Richard moaned, hands finally moving to her hips as she rolled them again, more confident this time. A shaky breath escaped her, head tilting back as she moved slowly up and down, pleasure consuming her whole.

Suddenly an idea blossomed in her mind and she smirked, reaching down and chuckling at the small gasp that escaped Richard as she pinned his wrists above his head. Green eyes stared lustily into blue, almost teasing as Eleanor slowly moved on top of him before she leant down for another kiss.

"Please, Leena"
She smirked at the words moaned against her lips, kissing Richard deeply before she chuckled.
"Hmm" she replied lowly, voice honeyed with pleasure "I think I rather like hearing you beg, sweetheart"

Richard moaned once again, eyes closing in pure bliss and Eleanor considered continuing her slow pace but her body was screaming for her to quicken. Raising her hips slightly she began to roll them faster, suddenly hitting the two of them with a wave of pleasure that made them cry out.

Richard managed to free his arms, sitting up on the bed and capturing Eleanor in his arms, intertwining their hands as she moved.
"Christ, Dickon" she moaned, gasping at the slight change in position, her pleasure nearing its peak as she felt Richard's head against her shoulder, shuddery gasps escaping him.

They met their climaxes at the same time, both crying out, heads thrown back as warmth rushed through their bodies and they fell back onto the bed, a tangle of limbs and love.

"Where on earth did you learn to do that?" Richard asked, chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. Eleanor smiled slowly, pleasure still flooding her veins as she slipped from his lap and onto the covers of the bed.

"Instinct, love" she returned, bringing his hand to her lips "have I pleased you?" He nodded, turning to brush a kiss to her lips, pull her heated body against his.
"You always do and it is one of the many things I love about you, Leena"

꧁꧂

October 1475, Wensleydale....

Eleanor, Richard and George grinned at one another as they rode ahead of the rest towards Middleham, cloaks wrapped tightly around them as the Northern wind tugged at their hair.

"I bet I could beat the both of you through the woods to the gates" George teased, jerking his head towards the woodland to the left of them. Eleanor grinned, Richard arched his eyebrows, glancing behind him to see how far ahead of the baggage train and guards they were.

"Is that so?" He retorted "well I bet I could beat you without even lifting a finger, slow poke!"
"And I bet I could beat you both in a heartbeat!" Eleanor remarked, nudging her horse into a gallop before either could stop her. George's surprised laughter filled the air as he made to follow her before glaring at Richard as he bolted past on his destrier with a wave.

"I'll have you both I swear!" George yelled as the three raced into the trees before any of the guards could follow them, disappearing from sight. They bounded over hedges, weaved through trees and bramble bushes, steering their steeds with expert hands while they called to one another, laughing and grinning, goading each other.

If one jumped a wall, another would shout that they could clear one twice as high and the race to find one as such would begin. It was as if they were all suddenly younger once more, before all of the war and strife, simply enjoying one another's company without a care in the world!

It had become a rarer and rarer sight to see George and Richard get along but now they grinned at each other as they had done during their boyhood and it made Eleanor's heart swell to see it.

By the time they reached the castle they were all out of breath, joking with one another until their sides hurt from laughter. The excited squeals of children filled the winter air as they flooded out of the castle where they had been eagerly awaiting the adults.

Eliza lead the pack, throwing herself into George's arms as he dismounted his horse, giggling as he swung her around and laughed with her.

Bess was hot on her heels, though she ran in a different direction with Katheryn right behind her, a beaming smile on her face when they both launched themselves into the Duke and Duchess' waiting arms. John raced to stay with his sister, crowing delightedly at the sight of his Father and Eleanor while Matilda toddled behind him, followed by a nurse.

Baby George held onto the woman's hand, thumb in his mouth as he stuck close to her skirts while she held a gurgling William who was looking curiously at all around him with his mother's green eyes.

Eleanor's heart felt fit to burst as she saw her babe, rushed forward to take him from his nurse and feeling relief when he reached out to her. Closing her eyes, she cradled William against her chest, gently rocking him while baby George clung to her heavy skirts, almost hugging her legs.

"Ah my perfect Prince" His mother cooed as she gazed down at him, reaching out to ruffle his dark hair, drawing a finger through the curls.
"Mama! Mama! Come and see the gold!" Bess cried, tugging impatiently on Eleanor's cloak.

"Gold?" Richard repeated a questioning frown settling on his face as he lowered John to the ground and felt Katheryn take his hand "what gold, Bess?"

"The gold in the hall!" Eliza answered excitedly, eyes shining at the thought of the chests piled before the fireplace filled with gold and precious jewels "Uncle Edward sent it! For you and Aunt Leena!" The children frowned as they suddenly found themselves placed back on their feet and handed over to the care of the nurse while Eleanor, George and Richard all but stormed into the castle.

"I swear to God if he has...." she began tersely, only for her eyes to widen in shock as they entered the great hall to the sight of large chests bursting with riches.
"Oh, he very much has" Richard muttered.

All the joy of just a few minutes ago seemed to melt away, replaced by a cold anger as the three strode forward to the dais to inspect the gold and jewels sent to the Duke and Duchess by the King.

"How could he?" Richard demanded in disbelief, taking up a handful of coins only to fling them back into their chest as if they burned him "so now he seeks to buy our honour, Leena! As easily as he buys his whores!"

"He thinks that he can sway us as he sways the other nobles" Eleanor replied with a shake of her head. As a part of the treaty with France, King Louis had saddled each of the English nobles with as much gold as they could ever want.

And all had willingly taken it for there were few who would refuse such riches.
Even George took his fair share despite his anger.

But Richard and Eleanor had steadfastly refused any money or jewels, no matter how much they were offered. They had made it clear that they thought to take the money would be akin to stealing from the people who had paid for the war with France.

Yet now Edward sought to win their favour with the very same riches they had refused out of honour.

"We will send it back!" Richard yelled, slamming a chest lid shut, expecting for his wife to voice an agreement only to see her shake her head.
"No, Dickon" she murmured, gliding a finger over a ruby.
"What?"

She glanced up, almost amused at the confusion in his eyes.
"Why give it back when we have a use for it?" She questioned, raising her eyebrows when Richard didn't catch onto her idea "we can give it to the people of course! They were bled dry for this 'war' and have been given nothing in return but humiliation! By giving this to them not only shall we be helping them but sending a clear message that we do not stand with Edward in his decision!"

As the idea sank into his mind, Richard began to smile, nodding as he mulled her words over in his mind. She was right! These riches would be put to much better use if distributed throughout their lands. The people would be sated and more loyal to he and Eleanor than ever!

He suddenly let out a small laugh, drawing Eleanor to him and gently kissing her lips, cupping her face with his hands.
"My darling, what would I do without your council?" He murmured, kissing her forehead as George coughed, making them look towards him.

"I do not say this to dampen your spirits but you must be careful" he said with a shrug, pouring himself a goblet of wine "you two are already out of favour with both of our beloved monarchs. In doing this you could send them into a rage!"

"It's not like you to be careful, Clarence" Eleanor countered with a smile "but I thank you for your words....however, as we know my sister is almost always in a rage and Edward will most likely come round to forgiving us in a month or two. Even if he does not I should not care! For in doing this we are doing what is right!"

"And who can say fairer than that?" Richard added.