Richard snaked his arm around Katy's bare waist, moving himself next to her. She stirred softly, adjusting to Richard's new position. Richard, still asleep, exhaled on her neck and held her tight. Katy listened to the door open slowly, turning to see Anne peaking her head in, smiling softly at her. Katy slowly and quietly began to remove herself from his entanglement, neither saying a word. She moved his arm softly, only for him to quickly replace it.
"No," he groaned, "it can wait." Katy giggled and turned to face him, kissing his nose lightly. He moved his arm around her back, keeping her close to his warm body.
"Anne is here," Katy whispered. Richard opened an eye and sat up, yawning and stretching.
"Anne, surely this can wait," he waved his arm at her, laying down next to Katy. Katy lightly placed her head on his chest, listening to his heart beat steadily. "Let us sleep more, for we are tired." A familiar laugh boomed as Edward pushed his way past Anne. Richard did not move, but Katy quickly sat up exposing her breasts from the blankets. Richard grabbed her arm and pulled her back to him, sitting up to his brother.
"Richard, would you not let your beautiful wife address me as her King?"
"She is not yours to play with," he asserted, as Katy covered herself. "You promised me that."
"I said nothing about looking and she is quite a sight, as we all know." Katy's cheeks flushed with the sudden attention. "Katy, please."
"What can I do for you, brother?" Richard removed himself from their bed, standing and quickly dressing. "You have my total support, as you know."
"We're going to ride today. Prepare your men, Richard. And your wife," Edward looked over him to Katy. Richard moved slowly in front of him, faking a smile and laughter.
"My wife is always prepared to ride," he continued laughing, moving Edward from the room and closing the door. Richard sighed and looked back at Katy, shaking his head. "I am sorry for him."
"He is King, there is not much to be done." Katy shrugged, walking to him. She wrapped her arms around him, cocking her head to the side and smiling. "We must prepare," she whispered, releasing him and walking towards her chest.
"Shall I call Anne back?"
"No, thank you. I am perfectly capable of dressing myself." Richard laughed, sitting on the bed while watching her intently.
"You best not let Isabel know, she may accuse you of being a witch," he teased. Katy quickly laced her skirt and bodice and turned to face him.
"I have put you under my spell," she teased back, straddling his lap. Richard's hands traveled up her thighs rested on her hips. He raised his eyebrows, smirking and looking up her. "We should not, you need your strength." Katy moved off him, moving towards the door.
"When we win, I shall come see you first." She smiled and left the room quietly.
~
Katy sat atop Morgan, looking over the Irish men brave enough to support her. To her right, Richard addressed his men of Gloucester. He spoke with such pride and undying support for them. Gerald and Patrick sat behind her, shining in their armor. Her nerves were evident, as she could see Lancaster's camp set up in the distance. The men spoke to each other, filling the air with noise.
"You ought to speak with them," Gerald advised, moving next to his sister. "Tell them what we fight for."
"I do not know what to say."
"You had best think of something. Oi! Men, your Lady wishes to speak to you!" The immediately silenced, all eyes looking at her.
"Men of Kildare and Wexford, I thank you for this support. Today, you are instrumental in the fight to keep our peace! We have known tyranny and lived in fear. We have watched our friends, brothers and sisters, and enemies executed for minor crimes, ones that would not have such a punishment in England. Our customs, names, and even our tongue have been anglicized. Yet you stand before me, willing to sacrifice yourself for King Edward and House York! All will be remembered, for this is the day we stand for the peace we so dream of. A peace we will find with King Edward. A peace where we may return as it was; playing our hurling, respecting our sanctuary, and ag labhairt ár dteanga dhúchais; speaking our native language. One of you has married into House of York, for I am Kathryn, Duchess of Gloucester, but I will always be Kathryn of Kildare, daughter of Thomas Fitzgerald, Earl of Kildare!" The men erupted in shoots of support.
"Lady Kathryn of Kildare! Gerald Fitzgerald! Patrick Kennedy, Lord Wexford!" Katy swallowed dryly, looking at Richard's smile grow at their support of her. "We fight for Richard, husband to our Lady! His brother, King Edward! God save King Edward!" Katy turned to the field, taking in the peace before the carnage would begin.
"Richard!" George called quickly, "You must come with me, and bring Katy." Katy and Richard sprinted to Edward's tent, quickly dismounting. She noticed a new horse outside of it. Edward sat reading a letter to himself, a young man standing behind him. Richard drew his sword, recognizing him as Lancastrian.
"Control yourself, Richard," Edward advised, and George grabbed him. "She wants to meet Katy."
"I would rather die! She will never meet her!" Richard called, wrestling free of George and grabbing the letter.
"The Duchess has caused much uproar with her Grace, Queen Margaret. She believes it to be fair that she may meet the Duchess." Richard scanned it quickly throwing it to the desk.
"Richard, she makes a fair point, Katy is invited to claim sanctuary in the Abbey during the battle. If her men storm our camp, they will not know who she is, nor will they care. She may be better off dead. If we storm the Abbey, she will be protected by us." Richard rushed from the tent, screaming a name that she could not make out. The tent opened and John Townsend rushed in behind him.
"She will not go alone," Richard motioned to John, who bowed to the all in the tent. "I trust no one more than Mr. Townsend."
"Thank you, your Grace. I am honored to escort her Grace to sanctuary and keep her in safe keeping. I will ensure no one lays a hand on her."
"Richard, do not..."
"I don't have a choice. You will be safer in the Abbey, but do not let Margaret take you with her. Swear to me." Katy nodded and he embraced her, kissing her forehead. "If her son even looks at you, I will kill him."
"What of Somerset? And Lord Tudor?" The young man looked up with the mention of Lord Tudor's name.
"Lord Tudor has given me this, for the Duchess." He handed her a small piece of parchment, with his seal. Katy quickly opened the letter and scanned it quickly.
Lady Kathryn,
Please accept this offer of sanctuary with Queen Margaret. You will be safe and under my care once again. I will ensure nothing happens to you during this time, as I was the one to present her with the idea.
Inform your husband, I swear on my life to keep you protected in the event of his defeat. You will be safe and away from all harm, just as it would be if he is successful. I urge you to accept this, as if you deny I can make no promises for your safety.
J Tudor
Katy closed her eyes and handed the letter to Richard. He read quickly before looking up to her, sadness in his eyes.
"I should not have brought you. I have been so foolish!" Edward grabbed the letter and put it not he table.
"You have made quite an impression on Jasper Tudor, Katy."
"He was kind to me." George scoffed and took a step behind Edward, looking over the letter.
"You do not have the right to say anything to me George," Katy barked.
"Control your wife, Richard." Richard's mind was elsewhere. He needed her safe, and Tudor would be her best option. He closed his eyes and clenched his fists.
"Take her now, before I change my mind." The young man ran to his horse, Katy was sure it was due to fear. Richard helped her onto Morgan, kissing her hand before hitting her hind quarters causing her to run. John was not far behind her, and Katy watched as the camp disappeared into the trees. She was extremely nervous to see Margaret of Anjou, as their last meeting did not fare well.