CHAPTER THREE: THOMAS, 1461
                                                                                                                          

SHE HAD SPEND HER DAY AMONG THE COURTYARD. SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WAITING FOR THE NEVILLE SISTER'S TO APPEARED. Lord Warwick had ordered her to be presented among his daughters later in the day, she waited and still didn't see any sign. All her handmaidens weren't presented, she was alone. "Lady Catherine of Lancaster." She heard her name being called out. She turned around to find herself staring right in front of Margaret Beaufort. "I hope we are still on the same sides, Lady Catherine." Margaret declared causing her to widen her eyes at her. Who did she think she was? "These are different times, my lady," she reminded Margaret Beaufort, "I'm sure my father reign was nothing but joy and glory but I'm sure King Edward will bring peace."

"Says who?" Margaret asked, venom laced in her tone of voice, "He has taken the throne by force. He is a pretender--" Margaret continued onto to change the topic. "You are the princess of England. You're the daughter of King Henry, surely you can't stand the thought of Edward stealing your father's throne. A throne you could have had?''

"And those who speak such things about him are guilty of treason. Treason is punishable by death, as you already know." Catherine told her frustrated.  "You are of Lancastrian blood," Margaret whispered in a soft tone, looking betrayed, "There had always been rumors of Henry V only son, Edward not being his true son. There, saying to your father, declare you his next heir to the throne, not Edward." Margaret finished.

"I'm only a girl. Edward is my elder brother who is next in line. After my father, it's my brother who appointed the next heir, not me." Catherine stated.  "These are rumors, I speak of. Catherine, you must learn how to be clear of things." Margaret argued. "Someday you'll know."  At this part, Margaret left leaving her open in thoughts.

○ ○ ○

Steeds started to drift when she looked to the side and saw Edward getting off the horse with an individual another to him, they looked so alike. They were chuckling and grinning. Till Edward looked her way, she tenses up. He gave the horse over to a stable boy, he made his way through the courtyard, bringing the individual with him. ''Lady Catherine of Lancaster, meet my youngest brother, Thomas," He informed her. She listened to stories approximately the brothers of York. Edward being the eldest, a youthful charming man, at that point George, the center boy, mother favorite, Richard wasn't all that awful, she had listened. He didn't talk much and was the one most faithful to his brothers. At that point, it's Thomas, the youngest of them all, his mother's second favorite, the most out of control of the brothers. "Lovely to meet you, Lady Catherine," Thomas talked, delicately. She smiles then, grinning softly. Thomas seemed delighted to meet the former princess of England and Catherine held a stern look on her face. They both stopped looking at each other when they heard Edward's name being called. Edward quickly smiled, taking Catherine's hand leading her to the rest of his siblings. "Lady Catherine, if you'll remain here, I suggest you meet the rest of my siblings."

Horses began to ramble when she looked to the side and saw Edward getting off the horse with a person next to him, they looked so alike. They were laughing and smiling. Till Edward looked her way, she tenses up. Her handmaidens were right behind her.

He handed the horse over to a stable boy, just before he began to make his way through the courtyard, bringing the person along with him.  "Lady Catherine of Lancaster, meet my youngest brother, Thomas," He informed her. She heard stories about the brothers of York. Edward being the eldest, a young charming young man, then George, the middle boy, mother favorite, Richard wasn't all that bad, she had heard. He didn't speak much and was the one most loyal to his brother, the king.  Then it's Thomas, the youngest of them all, his mother's second favorite, the wildest of the brothers.

"Lovely to meet you, Lady Catherine," Thomas spoke, softly. She nods, smiling lightly. Thomas seemed delighted to meet the former princess of England and Catherine held a stern look on her face. They both stopped looking at each other when they heard Edward's name being called. Edward quickly smiled, taking Catherine's hand leading her to the rest of his siblings. "Lady Catherine, if you'll remain here, I suggest you meet the rest of my siblings."

Escorting Catherine up the stairs, Edward ceased when they were standing before his more youthful kin. "My brothers. George and Richard," He presented her to the two men and whereas Richard grinned merciful at her, George did not, "My sisters, Margaret and Elizabeth." Margaret grinned, squandering no time bowing to Catherine. She grinned back, doing the same in return. "My eldest sister is around here. I think." Edward educated her. "Lady Catherine will be a visitor here at court. You'd do well to treat her compassion. She is my ward." Edward informed his brothers and George was speedy to raise a doubtful forehead at him. "A ward? She is fifteen?" George asked without care within the world, "She is the girl of Lord Henry. The man who murdered our father and our brother." He stopped, turning to rapidly look at Catherine. "In the event that the rumors are genuine, her father cleared out her behind for his benefit!"

Edward hushed him. "George, I don't think you're right about that."

"I was left behind unwilling. It was a mistake. For the record, I'm a girl, I have no interest in the throne." Catherine spoke up, being frustrated enough of people talking about her when she is right in front of them. "We Yorks are the royal family now, not the Lancaster's." George continued to argue with her, leaving both Edward and Richard deeply frustrated. She was to reply only for Thomas to speak up.

"That's enough, George. Catherine doesn't have to waste your time arguing with you."
Catherine couldn't help herself to smile a little as she was defended by Thomas.

"How dare you argue with me?" George questioned Thomas. Catherine grinned when Thomas started to drift over George securing her. "She is of Lancaster's family. She can be frantic and carry the same quality as her father." George argued.

"Enough," Edward announced. Catherine couldn't bare York brother's battling. "I vow my devotion to the House of York from this day until my final day. I swear it." Catherine announced uproariously considering the words Marianne. She must play her cards right. All brother's turn to extend their eyes, "Your grace," she turned to face Edward. "I must find Lady Isabel Neville. Lady Anne Neville," Catherine curtsy the first time, began to walk away trying to find the girls she was supposed to meet. Her handmaiden's soon followed her.

"It seems like you disappeared," she muttered.

"We're sorry m'lady."

○ ○ ○

She has started to lose her patience and needed to return to her chambers as before long as conceivable. A voice called out, causing her and her handmaidens to turn their heads to see Lord Warwick. "Lady Catherine of Lancaster." she bowed before him, Catherine turned, only to see Anne and Isabel gazed at her behind Warwick.

"What?" She gruffly inquired, causing both young ladies to feel cumbersome.

"My daughter's have told me you never came." Lord Warwick educated her. Catherine raised her eyebrows.

"I did, they never did."

"That's not genuine, father." The eldest young lady contended.

Catherine sneered, "You're lying." "Enough," Warwick declared. "I propose you discover time tomorrow to spend time with my daughter's. They will appear to you to teach you the traditions of being a York and how to act." He proceeds to walk with his girls walking behind them. "It appears just like the eldest takes after her father," Rita murmured.

"The youngest is quiet. I feel pity for her." Luciana spoke, softly causing. She turned to face the youngest once more, how she followed behind. Anne Neville is much younger than her. "I feel pity for whoever she ends up," Catherine muttered feeling remorse for the youngest.

As she began walking, somebody took her away whisking her to the side. It was Edward. She quickly widened her eyes. She and Edward watched as her ladies kept walking calling for her name. "I had to see you,"  Edward confesses. Catherine raised her eyebrows.

"This is surprised, Edward. You know, you could have asked me to see you." Catherine informed him, wide-eyed who close they were.

"I couldn't.''

Edward gleamed upon her eyes. He carelessly touched her by the cheeks, showing so much admiration for her. "Is it true? You have truly sided with the York's and have sided with us." He changed the topic.  Catherine couldn't believe what she was going to say next. She was raised as Lancaster princess, her father always taught her never to be ranpluitve by others. Each day she has grown close to Edward, her mindset keeps pulling away from her. It's like she lost a sense of who she truly was. "I support the York's and nothing will ever change that."

Edward smiled lightly upon her. She smiled back, she is only fifteen but she had grown to have some sort of feeling for the King. It would benefit her a lot if she married him. Some day her sons will be king of England.

"Tonight meet me near the oak tree. It's not far from here. I will be waiting for you." Catherine nods, agreeing along. She had spent her time in the chambers, brushing her hair. She had ordered her handmaiden's to take some time away for themselves, she was alone. When Marianne entered her chambers.

"Getting glam? I wonder for who?" She muttered. Catherine rolled her eyes. "Isn't this what you wanted? I shall try to win the King's heart?"

Marianne's eyes widened. "You're barely sixteen. A child. Edward charms many girls around the castle and you mustn't give your virtue to him, not yet."

"He says he wants to make me his queen."

Marianne scoffed. "His queen. More like his mistress. What would people say? The former princess of England is the king's mistress. You'll be a disgrace to the kingdom, it would scar you for life."

"Go away!" Catherine ordered, causing Marianne to flinch. "You have to trust me?" She spoke, causing Catherine to push her away outside her doors. She hated that she was right, but it still didn't give her the right to do so. She had a plan, she will be the queen of England. She sighed as she brushed her hair once more, it's been minutes, she was getting ready to leave.

The door suddenly opened. Thomas, the youngest of the brothers had come in. She immediately turns to him a curtsy. "Thomas. What brings you here?" She asked, innocently. Thomas noticed she was dressed up, all pretty. He simply sighed, he couldn't believe his own brother would go for her especially when she is going to be his bride.

"I hope we can exchange some words. I know my brothers aren't too enthusiastic to speak or talk for the matter, I am." This caused Catherine to raise an eyebrow. "It wouldn't hurt a lot if we didn't."

"Tell me about yourself," Edward encouraged Catherine, a smile on her face, showing her appearance. "Besides being a Lancaster...and the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on."   Catherine's eyes widened when she heard those words, he was being confident. What gives him the right to barge into her room at this time? She kept moving her hands, she was running late to meet Edward.

"I am fifteen, of course. I will be sixteen soon. I'm born into a royal family. The only daughter of King Henry and Margaret. The youngest sister of Edward of Lancaster." Those words made Thomas shivered, he sat by the door leaning on it, as he stared at her.

"Do you know a story? About a baby who never grew up to learn of his father's great tactics and plans." Catherine gulps, knowing fully well. He was going to talk about him, his father. "I never knew my father. My mother would tell me that the Mad King burned my father and elder brother, and put their heads on spikes.''

"I'm sorry, Thomas," Catherine admitted. Thomas raised his eyebrows. "Don't be. It's in the past." He smiled. Catherine began to get up only for Thomas to come forward. "Where are you going?"

Catherine's eyes widened. "I have some business to attend."

"It's almost midnight." Thomas declared.

Catherine frowned, she couldn't find herself getting rid of Thomas. Why would he care to have an interest in her?

"Sit." He sternly said she was forced to obey. She sat on her bed waiting for what Thomas will do. He left the room causing her to be fearful and altered only to come back with a bunch of flowers, bouquet. "These are for you? I freshly pick them when I came back with Edward earlier today, I meant to give to you." Catherine smiled at the thought of Edward helping him pick out the flowers. She saw flowers, roses, daisy's, and her favorite sunflowers. "I remember the garden," She spoke softly smelling the flowers. Thomas managed to sit beside her, smiling.

"The garden, I see. These flowers remind me of the forest." He continued. "I didn't take them from the garden. I went riding with Edward and he helped me pick these out. I had to do it for you." Her heart fluttered when she heard Edward.

○ ○ ○

Night has started, Thomas has gone through her time talking about his undertakings. "So, I said. There's no way, I can take your maidenhood, woman. You're as old as my mother.'' He took a sip of his water as he gazed at Catherine and grinning.

"She will be pleased to been with you.''

''Not truly. I was fifteen. It happen a year back, it was swelling time a few would say.'' Catherine giggled. "I'm beyond any doubt numerous ladies would be fortunate to have you.'' They started to grin at one another till Edward burst the entryway causing both of them to stand from their seats. Catherine bow before him.

Edward appears flustered. "Thomas?" Edward asked

Thomas promptly bowed down. "Take off, Thomas.'' She saw how Thomas turned to grinned at her once then left.

''I had to see you.''

He took her hands. "I don't care what other people would say about this. Do you accept my proposal?" He asked leaving Catherine to gaped, fearful. She eagerly nodded. "I do, Edward, I will always accept this.'' Edward smiled widely holding her hand. ''I will come back for you, I will think of you, while I fight.'' He smiled, holding her hands in deepest admiration of each other. Edward will make her queen even the rest of the kingdom don't agree with him, she will be queen.