AN: This chapter brings in an aspect that Nostradamus mentioned in 1x11 when he was imprisoned and told Catherine about Clarissa. He said to her, "It was the year of the Great Storm. My father came home through the floods with a newborn in his arms…" I am having so much fun pulling the pieces of this episode into my story! I hope you are enjoying it too! I'm so grateful and thrilled with the kind reviews – thank you!

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Chapter 22

Two days later, Richard was restless, unable to settle to any task or activity for missing Catherine and worrying about how she was. Henry, drinking wine with Diane draped revoltingly over his arm, spoke up.

"Richard, what is the matter with you lately? You're positively melancholy! Come on, man, drink some wine and be merry!"

Richard sat up straight, pulled from his daydreaming.

"Nothing, I'm sure," he reassured Henry. "I think it is the weather, or something. Doesn't it look like bad weather approaching?" He gestured at the window with concern in his tone, and Henry turned to follow his gaze.

"I suppose it does, now that you mention it. Probably just a storm. The horses seemed unsettled this afternoon too."

Richard sighed, looking out wistfully at the dreary view, worrying about Catherine being away from the castle during a storm, even though he was sure she was safe and cosy with her ladies in the house he had arranged for her. He had been anxious that she wanted to be so near to the castle, but she had told him that she may as well be at a village fairly nearby to give birth, since Henry thought her gone to Italy. What difference did it make therefore whether she was near or far? It seemed to make sense to him, and it meant a less lengthy and arduous journey, the closer she remained to the castle, so he had agreed. He did so wish that she was still within the castle walls, though, where he could see her and know that she was safe. In only two days since she had left, the castle seemed dull and dreary without her presence. Nothing motivated him, and even cheerful exploits no longer held any pleasure for him.

"Seems like you're lovesick to me!" Henry teased him, and Richard startled out of his reverie at the word 'lovesick', conditioned to be wary of any suspicion on Henry's part. Then he remembered that Henry thought the notes from Catherine were to do with a lady that had won his favour, and he decided the best thing would be to play along.

Sighing, he managed a sad smile. "You know me too well, my friend." Well, at least he was speaking the truth, even if Henry didn't realise that it was Catherine he was lovesick for, not a fictional lady.

"Has she not yet accepted an invitation to court?" Henry wondered.

"She hasn't had the opportunity, and she is fairly shy of a bustling society such as French court," replied Richard. "Perhaps one day she will come."

"For the Duke's wedding, perhaps?"

"I – I shouldn't think so. It's so soon, and I don't know that she will be able to attend, even if she was eager for all the politics and backstabbing of court!" He laughed, trying to make light of the situation, hoping that Henry would drop the subject, as it was making him uncomfortable. Henry did have a way of probing with questions, and he didn't want to show any sign of being uneasy about answering them. Even with Catherine away, he had to be careful to protect her at all times.

/-/-/-/-/-/

The weather did indeed turn out to be stormy. It was the worst storm the region had seen in over two decades. Strong winds and heavy rain lashed the landscape, and the sea was whipped into a constant foaming motion, the high waves sending the spray over the coastal wall into the woodland by the castle. Lowland areas flooded, and the nearest village was inaccessible due to the floods. Still the gales blew and the rain drenched the land in torrents. There seemed no end in sight to the storm, and the King declared an order that nobody should leave the safety of the castle, which was thankfully set on high ground, to venture into the woods or the villages surrounding them. Essential journeys for supplies were permitted, but everyone at court was very much stuck, restless and fretful due to the weather.

Richard was grateful that at least his mood would not be noticed, given the situation. He could barely sleep for worrying about Catherine. He had written to her twice in the days after she left, and had received, with great joy and relief, a letter in return, written so that it could be passed off as a letter from his "lady" if anyone else should happen upon it.

"My dearest Richard,

Thank you for your letter. It brings me such joy to know that you are thinking of me, especially as I find myself in quite the most boring situation, and with little worthwhile company. I would infinitely prefer yours, and I think of you often as I wait. I do hope it won't be long now.

Agnes discovered from the local villagers that there is a storm coming. We are well positioned in the event of flooding – you are not to worry yourself on my account! The house is well stocked, and I am being well cared for.

Take care to stay cheerful without me, dearest. Your letter made it most clear to me that you are missing me, and I miss you too. But please, be patient – it is only for a short while. I shall write again soon.

Your Beloved."

He kept the letter with him at all times. Since the storm had begun, of course, only urgent messages were allowed to be sent from the castle, and he had not received any further letters from Catherine. He hated the separation, and felt some evenings as though he might pace a hole in the carpet of his chambers, listening to the wind wail and longing for Catherine. He worried constantly – what if the weather grew worse? Would she be at risk, even as well positioned as she was? What if something happened to her during the delivery of their child? Would the midwife be able to attend her? How would he know if something happened to her? He couldn't stand not knowing.

Henry, in particular, seemed to notice Richard's agitation growing on a daily basis, pressing him with questions until finally Richard told him that the latest letter from his lady indicated that she might be in difficulties, and he was anxious to go to her. Hope flared within him that perhaps Henry would make it possible that he could leave the castle and perhaps find news of Catherine. Henry agreed, but it was still impossible to leave with the weather so terrible. The whole area was flooded, and most of the roads impassable.

At last, the rain ceased and the winds died down. The Great Storm, as it had become known, was over. Sunshine reflected across the waterlogged land, and from the tower it was possible to see the extent of the severity of the flooding. Henry insisted that Richard wait another day for the flooding to recede a little, and so he did, with great agitation and impatience.

Finally, early the next morning as the sun was just rising, Richard set out on horseback to go to Catherine. He relished the escape from the walls of the castle that had so entrapped him for a week, and the fresh air and sunshine made him feel alive again. He had purpose! He would find out how Catherine was, and perhaps even see her, if it was possible. He rode all morning, glad of the fact that the roads from the castle were, so far, on high enough ground to have escaped the flooding. Around noon, he came to a large area of surface water. He was a long way from the river, but even so, it appeared that this was some sort of overflow from it. The water was clear, as though the land was covered in a natural lake, and he stopped to water his horse and eat some of the provisions he had brought with him for the journey.

After resting briefly, Richard made his way around the flooded area, taking a short cut across the fields that were raised up the hill a little. Rounding the crest of the hillside, he was able to take stock of his next move. He could see that the road to the village where Catherine was staying, was non-existent – covered with floodwater for the present. By riding across the open land and through the copse to the east, he should be able to reach the village well before sunset. The thought of being closer to Catherine spurred him on.

/-/-/-/-/-/-/

Richard made good time, and arrived at the outskirts of the village before the sun was low in the sky. He knew where Catherine was staying, as he had arranged the house himself. It was rather remote, within some farmland, acres to the north of the village. That had been the benefit of the place – the more remote, the better. He knew that he couldn't just ride up to the house and be seen by Catherine's ladies. She had been very clear that he wasn't to be seen, and he did not want to worry her. If he could somehow find out if she had yet had the child? And whether she was well or not. He shuddered to think of the latter. Stopping at the small inn in the centre of the village, Richard arranged for his horse to be fed and watered. The stable hand was very willing, and while he refreshed himself, Richard thought of an idea.

Disappearing into the inn, and returning a short while later with a note, sealed roughly with a blot of unmarked wax, he handed it to the stable hand, asking him, "Could you arrange for this to be delivered to the unoccupied farm house up the hill? It's being let by Agnes Lignier, and I have been asked to send her this. I'm just passing through, myself."

The stable hand took the note, pocketing it, and answered, "Of course, my lord. It will be delivered for you without delay."

"Please wait for the reply, if there should be any. I will stay here tonight."

"Yes, my lord."

Richard breathed in deeply as he watched the stable hand mount a horse and canter off in the direction of the farm house where, God willing, his beloved waited to hear from him. He had written, simply:

"Catherine. I am staying in the village tonight, hoping to hear that you are well."

He knew that she would understand who it was from, and hoped that if it was read by any of her ladies, they would not have any clues from the note as to the sender.

He waited, pacing the stables at first, and then trying to relax in the courtyard, for the stable hand to return, and at length, he did. He handed Richard a note, and Richard paid him and thanked him. He waited until the man had gone, before he opened the note.

"Dearest Richard, I am well. I have told my ladies that I will have a lone visitor on horseback just before sunset, and they are not to answer the door – I shall do so myself. They are to stay in their rooms until you leave. Please come quickly. With love, Catherine."

Richard could scarcely breathe for the excitement and anticipation of seeing his Catherine again – and she was well! How thankful he was! The sun was sinking low in the sky, and he knew Catherine had arranged the time with her ladies so that he could come to see her immediately. He retrieved his horse from the stables and set off at once.