Joining Back with the Court

Olivia closed her eyes as Charles ran his fingers through her hair. He was braiding her hair and having a hard time controlling it. He had become quite the great groom. They had not shared another kiss since that first one, but Charles seemed to enjoy sitting by the fire, braiding or combing her hair. Olivia didn't mind; she thoroughly enjoyed it. He had also showered her with gifts of nice jewelry and new dresses. She wore one of the new dresses now. It was a rich burgundy dress accented with silver. It was velvet, which made it quite warm for now. The snows had started falling a week earlier.

"Why is the king going to the North when there is snow on the ground?" Olivia asked as she lay against Charles's shoulder.

Charles laughed a little. "Because if we wait much longer there will be too much snow to go and he does not want to wait until the spring."

Olivia felt Charles's arms slip around her shoulders. She could tell that he was not looking forward to what was to come. She looked at him for minute. In the firelight, it was hard to really decipher what he was thinking. However, it was not hard to the see handsomeness of his features. He had a strong, set jaw that his beard now hid. His eyes were amazing. She reached up, running her hand through his hair. Charles looked over at her and gently kissed her forehead.

"I don't want to go back," Olivia said. "We won't be able to have nights like this."

Charles chuckled a little. "We will, but we cannot be caught."

Olivia laughed and turned back to the fire. She knew once they got back, each of them would go back to their duties and seeing each other would be rare. She was torn between how she feel about that. One part of her longed to be with him and never think about the consequences. The other part, knew that she had to leave him and get back to what she was really supposed to be doing. She was behind already and this great detour was only going to make it worse. She closed her eyes, thinking about that those things, when she felt Charles looking at her.

"What?" she asked.

Charles shook his head. "I was just trying to figure out who you are."

"I told you. I'm Olivia DeWinter."

"And who is that?"

Olivia thought about those words. Who was she? She knew but she could not rise telling him. If he had been some servant, she might risk it, but he was the Duke of Suffolk. Her secrets could destroy both of them. She sighed quietly. She couldn't tell him, at least not now. Maybe some other time, when things were not so bad.

"Olivia?" Charles said suddenly.

Olivia jumped and looked at him. "What?"

"Where did you go?"

Olivia shook her head. "Nowhere."

Charles took a deep breath and stood. He pulled her to his feet gently, looking at her. She felt that he might just kiss her again. He gently ran a hand down her cheek.

"We should rest," he said softly.

Olivia nodded. "Good night, your grace."

Charles gave her a stern expression which soon turned into a smile. He leaned closer to her, brushing his lips against hers. "It's Charles."

Olivia stepped back from him. "Just getting back into practice."

Charles took her arm and started walking to what she had started calling her room. It was still his room. She knew that well. She must have slept on Katherine's side for the other pillow smelled exactly of Charles's hair. She had spent many nights just smelling it and then falling asleep to it. He stopped at the door, smiling.

"Good night my lady," he said softly.

Olivia grinned a little and walked into the room. Most nights she had turned and given him a small kiss. But tonight, they could both see that was a bad idea. It could lead somewhere neither was ready to go just yet. She closed the door and leaned against, thinking of all that had happened in the last few weeks. Facing Court again would not be easy. She was used to calling him Charles, being with him when it suited both of them, and not being securitized by everyone. As she lay down, she thought of what was to come. She could leave the court and not look back, but where did that leave Charles?

Charles was up early the next morning making ready the horses. They would be leaving as soon as Olivia was ready. They would have a little more time to be on their own before they had to join the progression. He stayed up most of the night thinking of how he would confront Culpepper. He would see the man die for what he had done. No great idea had come to mind except telling the King. Culpepper had the King's love though. It was a dangerous game to play that card. He kept thinking about that when the door opened.

He looked up to find Olivia standing in the doorway. She was wearing her black dress with the burgundy cloak. Her hair was pulled back in a tight form, and she had on a black hat. He had never seen anyone look so beautiful in his life. Katherine had been a great beauty, but there was something about Olivia that made her so lovely. Her skin had lost a little of its tan but not much.

"What are you staring at?" she asked.

Charles shook his head. "You."

Olivia smiled with a slight blush and walked out to the horses. She stopped at seeing her black horse from before. He was saddled in the gear she had bought for him and still looked the same. She turned to Charles with a huge smile.

"That's my horse," she said.

Charles nodded. "Yes it is. I had one of my servants go get him. He is quite the handful."

Olivia smiled. "You can see why I love him."

Charles smiled as he helped her on to the horse. His hand rested on her knee for a little longer than necessary. Olivia looked down at him for a long moment. Perhaps another kiss was involved. It would be a long time before they got that chance. She leaned down in the saddle and felt Charles's hand run up her neck. That simple movement nearly sent her out of the saddle into his arms. What happening to her? No man had ever managed to make her feel this way or forget what she was really doing. Her thoughts were suddenly broken when she felt Charles pop up on his toes and kissed her.

The kiss was sweet and passionate. She felt his hands on both sides of her face as he held her in place. She kissed him back, running a hand through his hair. This was going to be the last kiss for awhile and she wanted it to last forever. Charles gently pulled away, but his hands didn't leave her neck.

"We better get moving," he said softly.

Olivia nodded a little. She didn't want to move from where she was at the moment. She was staring into Charles's eyes and her fingers were still wrapped around his curls. He pulled away from her and walked over to his horse. He looked at her one last time as he swung onto him. She followed him quietly, thinking about what was to come.

The ride to meet the progression was not very long. Olivia felt her heart jump when they could see the tents of the progression sat up near the edge of a small village. They higher members of the court would be staying at the inn. She would be in one of the tents with the other ladies. Charles slowed his horse as they got closer.

"Mary is expecting you," he said simply. "I sent a herald to her a few days ago."

Olivia nodded a little sadly. "And I'm sure the King is waiting for you."

Charles started to say something and simply spurred his horse forward. Olivia followed him until she noticed Mary standing at one of the tents. She dismounted and handed the reins to a servant. Mary came out to meet her as Olivia sank into a bow.

"It is good to see you well, Olivia," Mary said as she pulled her up.

Olivia nodded a little. Mary started pulling her toward the tent. As they walked, Olivia chanced a glanced at Charles's horse. It was being put away as Charles met Henry and Catherine at the door. She noticed Culpepper standing in the doorway of the inn. She felt her hand reach for her knife and froze. They weren't there. When she thought back on it, Charles had never given them back, if he even had them. She shivered, thinking of what he thought if he had found them.

"Are you alright?" Mary asked suddenly.

Olivia put on her best smile. "I'm fine, my lady. I just thought of something I might have forgotten."

Mary nodded. "Please come with me to dinner with my Father. I'm sure everyone would like to see that you are safe."

Olivia felt a pang of panic hit her in the pit of her stomach. She would be safe. Culpepper would never hurt her around anyone. She took a deep breath and nodded. She needed to change first though. Her dress smelled of horse, sweat, and leather. She walked into the tent to change and was completely bombarded by the other women. She shooed most of them away and changed quickly. She followed Mary in silence as they walked into the inn. She felt eyes on her from the moment that the door opened. They walked to the table, and Olivia took her position behind Mary. Charles took his seat, sending her a subtle smile. She returned it until the door opened and the King came in. She knelt quickly and rose only when she was told to.

Thomas Culpepper walked into the dining hall a few moments later and froze. There across the room stood Olivia DeWinter. She looked in very good health and there was some sort of coldness about the stare she gave everyone. He looked down at the ground as he walked to the table. He knew better than to acknowledge that he was surprised to see her. He took his spot behind the King and gave her a glare. He would take care of her when the time came; she would not get the chance to tell anyone what he had done.

The dinner was quiet and fast. Olivia told lies to everyone who asked about her absence. The King knew little except what the Court gossips told him. She felt relief when he finally retired for the evening. Mary stood and looked at Olivia.

"I will have a herald walk you back to your tent," Mary said.

Olivia nodded her thanks. She turned to meet the herald and found Charles leaning against the wall.

"I will take her Lady Mary," he said and walked over, taking her arm.

Olivia smiled and walked with him. She knew that she would not be able to kiss him when they stopped but to just have a few minutes with him was going to have to be enough for now. They walked slowly and stopped at the edge of the tent. Charles looked at her for a long moment.

"You didn't trust a herald to escort me?" Olivia asked with a smile.

Charles gently kissed her head. "Not exactly. I didn't know all of the men, and I didn't want to take the chance that one of them would be alone with you."

Olivia looked at him for a moment as she stood at the edge of her tent. "I better go."

Charles nodded and stepped back. She could see that his wanted to kiss her but knew better. He pulled the flap open and motioned for her to go inside. Olivia took one last look at him as she disappeared inside.

Charles watched her go inside and started back for the inn. He walked inside, going to see the servants. The one he wanted to see came out of the room. Charles had Thomas Culpepper by the throat before the man could react. He spun Culpepper around and smashed him into the side of the wall. Culpepper looked at him with wide eyes full of fear.

"Your grace?" he said shakily.

"If you touch Lady DeWinter ever again, I will kill you myself."

Culpepper looked at him. He tried to get free but Charles held him tight. He shoved him harder, making sure his head smacked the wall harder. Murder was all Charles could think of at that moment. He wanted this man dead. He felt his finger almost grasping for his sword. He held Culpepper's tunic tighter.

"I have warned you," Charles said lowly.

Culpepper glared at him. "Of course your grace."

Charles didn't loosen his grip immediately. He stared at the man before him. He had never trusted him from the start. There was something about him now that made it worse. It wasn't what he had done to Olivia; it was something else. He let the man go but gave him another warning glare.

"Stay away from her," Charles said and disappeared into the inn.

Charles took a deep breath as he shut the door from the inn. They were back at court and things had changed. He hated it and longed to be back at his estate with her. Life was simpler that way. Maybe even a little better. He took a deep breath. He knew he would not sleep. He could see his ghosts watching him from the window.