CHAPTER NINE – MIDDLEHAM, YORKSHIRE 1473
Tears had fallen during their farewells, as Kate and Nan had fretted over their children. Kate had held Katheryn close and told her to be a big, brave girl while gone. Of course, the little girl had simply laughed and said that she'd stayed with her father before, so Kate had no need to worry. But, as Kate had once told Marion, mother's always worry about their children, no matter what. When Kate had no words left to say in response to that bold comment by her young daughter, Marion had watched as her sister placed a crucifix around Katheryn's neck. The cross had been given to Kate by her mother, Isolde, and whenever Katheryn went away, Kate gave it to her. If anything happened to Katheryn, Dickon, or Marion, was to return the cross, so that they would be able to tell her, without using those dreaded words, that Katheryn had perished. It was a simple thing made of silver, with ornate edges, and a simple black stone set in the middle, meant to represent the sins of humans carried with them and their struggle to atone for said sins.
Nan hugged John close, and told him to behave or there would be consequences. She was uncertain, Marion thought, about how Lady Anne would take her husband's bastard son; having heard Kate's tales of how Isolde had treated Marion. Dickon had assured Nan that all would be well; Lady Anne had liked Katheryn well enough, so why should she not like John? Nan's fears were eased somewhat by those words, and by Dickon's assurance that John's nurse – the heavy-set woman named Alice – would accompany them all to Middleham and stay with John while there.
And then, there were farewells for Marion. Kate clucked over her little sister, voicing her regret that she would not be there to see the younger Morton betrothed. Nan told Marion quite sternly to always look people in the eye, unless commanded not to. "Shame shall be your enemy here," she had said. "You may simply be a nobleman's bastard now, but soon you shall marry a lord and become a lady. 'Tis time to start acting as such." Marion promised to take the advice to heart, before giving her sister one last hug.
The journey to Middleham had been chaotic, to say the least. John, being a boy of two years, was curious, as boys that age were supposed to be. He tried everything his young mind could think of to escape the cart in which he, Katheryn and Marion rode in, so he could either ride with his father, or eat freshly fallen snow. Katheryn became hysterical on several occasions, trying to restrain her little brother. To Marion, Katheryn was being a model big sister, as Kate had been to her, though she could tell that her little niece thought she was doing things wrong. Eventually, Dickon sat the little boy in front of him on his horse, and Katheryn and Marion basked in the glow of a well-deserved rest.
As they rode to Middleham, Dickon tried to get Marion enthused about her coming trip to London. Perhaps he thought that she would enjoy the trip more than the purpose of it. If so, Marion thought that he was being rather silly, as she dreaded it all.
"You will like London, I am sure." he smiled at her.
"Do they have castles in London?" since first settling eyes on Middleham as a girl of four, Marion was enamored with the great structures built to house kings.
"Oh yes," nodded Dickon. "Very big castles, bigger, even, then Middleham and Hornby."
"How many are there?"
"Oh, heavens girl, I could not give you an exact number! There are just too many. But I shall name but a few: there is Westminster Palace, where the King resides and holds his court, my residence at Crosby Place, the Tower of London – yes that is a castle, even though it is called "Tower" – my brother Clarence's residence... so many, Marion! You will love it."
Marion smiled slightly. Maybe this trip would not be so bad, even with the betrothal.
They found Lady Anne Neville, Duchess of Gloucester in a part of the castle that Dickon called "Nursery Tower". She sat in a rocking chair by the window, dressed in a woolen gown adorned with golden embroidery. Thick, auburn tresses were woven into a pretty braided style, held in place with a black band. When the door creaked closed behind them, Lady Anne turned her wide hazel eyes to meet her husband's. As soon as those eyes wandered to her, Marion pulled herself and her niece into low curtseys. This earned a light laugh from the Duchess.
"Come now, Marion, you know you need not bow to me. And you too, Katheryn, on your feet. Stand up straight so that I may look upon you, and see how much you girls have grown."
Obediently, Marion stood again, pulling Katheryn with her. The younger girl grunted in protest, but said nothing. When Marion looked up, she saw that the Lady was smiling.
"Ah, there we are! My, how you've grown, both of you!" her eyes found Dickon again, who held John. "And this must be John?"
"Yes, my Lady." Dickon said.
"He looks just like you," she murmured.
Marion shifted from foot to foot. She felt rather awkward in the silence that followed Anne's comment. But, thank goodness, Lady Anne seemed to sense this, for she smiled and resumed speaking.
"Well, Katheryn and John come forward and meet your new baby brother."
Katheryn squeaked excitedly. "Baby!" and rushed to the cradle Marion only now saw, sitting by the rocking chair.
Dickon walked forwards, still holding John, and smiled at Marion.
"Well, come along." Marion smiled, and obliged.
The baby was beautiful. Very small, even for five months, with a tuft of light reddish-blonde hair in the middle of an egg shaped head. He was very much awake, gazing up at the new faces in the room with quiet curiosity. His eyes were not quite Dickon's nor were they Anne's. Instead, they were a mix of dark blue and hazel, a mixture that was delightful to look upon, and enchanting. Fat pink lips stretched into a gummy smile.
"His name is Edward," smiled Lady Anne.
"Papa?" Katheryn asked. "Brother for me? More brother for Kathryn?" Marion smiled at her niece, at how cute she did sound trying to say those words.
"Yes, poppet, he's your brother." nodded Dickon.
"Mayhap soon you will also have a little sister," Lady Anne said.
"Sista?" grinned Katheryn. "Wow,"
Marion smiled even wider. "Does he have a nickname?"
Lady Anne looked to her lord husband. "We were thinking of a nickname, were we not? As there are many Edwards in the family."
"Aye," nodded Dickon. "Neddy, so he shall not be confused with my brother Edward, or Edward's son, also named Edward."
Marion put a hand to her forehead. All these Edwards... she was glad she had asked if this one was distinguishable somehow.
"I like that name," she smiled.
"Neddy! Neddy!" giggled Katheryn.
"Nenenenene..." babbled John from his father's arms.
For a moment, all seemed well, and peaceful. But those moments never last long, and Marion knew that all too well.