Katherine swept into the room, one hand below her swelling breasts, waist starting to thicken under her gown, a look of concentration on her beautiful face. The neatly coiffed fair hair was tucked beneath a linen veil, with one curl escaping toward deep blue eyes. Katherine's simple gown, embroidered at the hem, brushed gently over fresh, sweet-smelling rushes as she moved lightly across the floor. The lady of the manor wore soft leather shoes upon her small feet, head slightly bowed as if deep in thought. Upon entering the room, immediately sensing something was wrong, she promptly forgot what she wished to speak with her husband about.
She found Richard with shoulders hunched slightly, standing one arm raised to the wall at the side of the brazier, gazing into the flickering flames, their warm glow not helping to lighten his mood. Katherine took one look at him, noticing the screwed up message in his clenched hand.
'Richard...what's wrong? You look worried. Has anything happened - why are those men here looking so sullen and formal?'
Her husband took a deep breath before answering and it came as a statement, or rather as a question.
'It's not possible...' he spoke quietly, almost to himself - 'there must be some mistake, surely...?'
'What's not possible? I don't understand.' Katherine was becoming a little agitated, having never seen her husband in this mood before. Richard's expression was one of morose gloom. He sighed and straightened up, before facing his anxious wife. There was a long pause before he spoke.
'It appears I have been harbouring a rebel...'
Katherine couldn't help interrupting before her husband could continue. 'A rebel? We don't have a rebel. What on earth does this mean Richard?' She was becoming more than a little concerned by now, her young mind in turmoil.
'They think young Dafydd is some sought of threat, having strong sympathies toward Simon de Montfort.
'Dafydd? He's only a boy!' Katherine sounded exasperated, incredulous.
'Yes, we know that,' replied Richard, 'but it appears necessary I may to have to prove it to the king himself.' He walked slowly over to the window and peered out, his mind working fast as he watched a flurry of activity in the courtyard. Beyond was a garden, which was slowly waking up after the cold winter. Spring wasn't far away, shoots of new greenery beginning to appear.
Katherine clenched both hands together, frowning. 'But you have sworn allegiance to the king. Doesn't that count for anything?'
Richard answered with a question. 'Don't you remember me telling you about the Dictum of Kenilworth? Well, perhaps not. It stated somewhere, that corporal punishment was threatened if anyone considered Simon de Montfort holy or just.'
'But Simon was killed over a year ago.' His young youthful wife in her own mind, was trying to reason, finding the situation troubling, almost intolerable.
Richard continued slowly. 'Evidently the lad became a keen supporter of Simon and what he believed in, following in his father's footsteps, learning from him. Had Simon lived, Dafydd may have become a threat in time. Simon stood for so much, the lad impressionable.'
Katherine retorted unrestrained. 'But he is still a young lad and surely cannot be considered any sort of threat. Not now, or even in the future.'
Richard for the moment, studied the activity outside the window, his thoughts in concentration. He could see Dafydd looked to be in conversation with young Hugh, or at least Hugh was gazing at him in awe.
Since his mishap with the horse, riding close to the entrance of Oakfield Manor, Dafydd now an orphan, possessed the ability to learn quickly what was required of him. He was adept at fitting into the general running of the place as and when needed - constantly applying himself to anything new, unusually astute for a lad of his age, a willing and conscientious contender. He went about his duties methodically, giving Richard cause to be pleased with him thus far. Both his parents were dead and never once were his or their political beliefs ever discussed and he continued to excel in becoming Richard's squire.
Richard smiled to himself before becoming serious again, and walked slowly back toward his wife. 'It will be necessary to do as I'm bidden or I could be in serious threat of losing my land. I don't have a choice.' He knew only too well what the consequences were for disobedience.
Katherine interrupted him again. 'But that is unfair...' She shook her pretty head, eyebrows in a frown of scorn, trying to keep her opinion and willful thoughts under control. She could be outspoken at times, not necessarily admired by men of any standing.
'Nonetheless, I've been summoned by the prince himself.'
'Edward? surely not.'
'He has been busy patching up, mending fences between the remnants of the rebels, trying to put the realm to rights.
Katherine continued frowning. 'Do you have to leave again so soon?' It came as almost pleading.
'Apparently so, I am to meet with the prince further north. I've heard recently he's possibly taking part in several tournaments.'
There was a sudden knock on the door at that moment. Wallace, Martha's husband, appeared looking anxious.
'My lord, you are needed to give some sort of answer to the tall gentleman standing at the door. He looks very errr...official.'
'Thank you Wallace. Will you tell him I'm on my way.'
'Yes lord.' He bowed briefly, before closing the door behind him. Footsteps were heard walking briskly away down the hall.
Richard drew a deep breath, turned to his wife clasping both her hands in his. 'Don't worry my dearest, the sooner I attend to this, the sooner I'll be home again. I know this doesn't make any sense to you, but the matter will soon be cleared up. I have no doubts about that,' he stated firmly. 'Whatever Edward has in mind I'm yet to find out.'
But Katherine wasn't so sure. She needed to adjust to the fact that her husband would be away again, finding it difficult. For how long, she knew not. Her safety and that of her unborn child were at the forefront of her mind. She also cared deeply for her husband.
Richard, face tense but resigned, turned and headed with long strides toward the main door.
The men responsible for delivering the message to Sir Richard, were accommodated nearby that night. They and their horses were in much need of rest, and the next day dawned bright, the sky marbled with scudding clouds - hues of pink, blue and white-tipped grey. There was little frost, the air almost sweet-smelling, breathing life into the early morning with an intoxicating freshness of an early spring day.
The staff were up and about their duties as Katherine joined her husband in the hall to break their fast. She wanted to spend every remaining moment left to them in the presence of her lord. Richard's mind was full of everything he needed to do before departing. The manor as usual, would be left in the competent care of Henry, his estate steward - the rest of the staff were capable of running things in his absence, or so he thought.
Richard finished the last mouthful of food, while noticing his wife was quieter than usual.
'Are you alright my dear? You look a little flushed and have gone quiet?' She shifted on the bench briefly and gazed across at Richard with a gentle smile on her face.
'Yes...yes, of course,' she replied
Richard thought something may be troubling her. 'But you've hardly eaten at all. Are you sure the babe is alright and still active?'
'I'm sure,' Katherine smiled again.
'Now you've got me thinking.' Richard was puzzled by his wife's unusual mood.
'It's just that...' she began again.
'Just what?' Richard was rising from the bench they'd been sitting on.
'Well you see, it's the day I was born, my birthing day.'
'Oh, I'm sorry my love, I quite forgot. There has been much on my mind of late.'
He placed his hand gently under her chin, lifting her head slightly, her deep blue eyes looking straight at his. 'Forgive me. I'll be sure and make it up to you as soon as I return.'
Katherine looked down thinking of the forthcoming birth, praying that Richard would be home in time. Neither were deeply religious, although there was a tiny chapel within the walls of the manor which was used regularly - but she hoped her prayers would be answered.
Not long after, Richard joined the gathered men by the stables, noticing the tall man who had delivered the message the day before, wearing a formidable expression upon his face. With them Richard had arranged for three men from the estate to accompany him, together with Dafydd.
Edmund the groom was there to lend a hand and for the moment the tall man flung the reins of his horse at Edmund, before strolling over to converse with one of his party. Edmund who was none too pleased.
A few moments later, Richard glanced over to the messenger and nodded briefly, his face serious, thoughtful. He had recruited his estate men as assurance and also hoped Dafydd was up to his duties, as the journey to meet Edward could be hazardous.
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