The Court of the Midnight King: A Dream of Richard III by Freda Warrington Page B

which should have been kept for your husband?”
    “Because they’re forcing me to marry I man I find loathsome! I set out to ruin myself, so no one would want me!”
    If she meant to prove she was human, and not a succubus, she failed. He looked horrified.
    “And you thought you’d use me in this monstrous scheme?”
    “It wasn’t a scheme.” She wanted them to part with affection, not angry words, but he’d gone too far. If he wanted a witch, he would get one. “My poor suitor shall be ten times more outraged than you, and I shall laugh in his face. And be careful whom you call monstrous, Richard of Gloucester, lest it come back to haunt you.”
    He finished saddling the bay, checked its legs and hooves, and flung the reins over its wide neck. Mab’s nostrils flared and she shifted, eager to follow.
    When Richard spoke again, his zeal had faded. “How shall I find my way out of here?”
    “The hidden world is everywhere,” said Kate. “Tell King Edward that the faeries abducted you, and you woke up a hundred miles away.”
    “Haven’t you had enough sport with me?”
    “You wandered into the hidden world and you’ve been here a day and a night. I could keep you here forever. Didn’t they teach you not to offend the faerie folk?”
    He led his fidgeting horse in a half-circle, which brought him face-to-face with her. “Please, Kate.” The intense sombre radiance of his face struck painful longing through her. She recalled his silky hair under her fingers… “I didn’t mean to offend you. Is there a correct way to behave? If I give you a gift, will you show me the path?”
    “Something to remember you by?” She thought of asking for a lock of hair; then he’d fear her witchcraft for the rest of his life. She wanted to ask for a kiss, but pride wouldn’t let her. “Give me your white boar.”
    He hesitated.
    “I’ll keep it close and secret,” she said. “I won’t use it for sorcery against you, on the word of a witch. I’ll look at it and never forget you.”
    “This will not be easy to forget,” he said quietly. He unpinned the badge and pressed it into her palm. “Which way?”
    His eagerness to leave hardened her heart. Disillusioned, all she wanted now was for him to go. He’d served his purpose. Did people always feel guilty after lust and turn the blame on each other? If so, it was detestable.
    “That way,” she said, pointing to the track on which he’d first appeared. “You’ll see your path. You may see many paths, so choose the right one.” She heard her mother’s voice coming out of her, and felt powerful. “No creature of the twilight will harm you while you’re under our protection. Go.”
    Richard gave her a last glance, grim and fearful. Then the big bay carried him off through the trees in plunging leaps. Katherine stood and watched until he was out of sight.
    Once he was gone, her heart sank. Now she must go back and face her mother’s anguish. She’d committed a mad act of defiance, coldly regretted in the dregs of dawn. And now, because of his attitude, she couldn’t even remember her lover fondly. She was no sorceress, just an unhappy girl; but neither aspect, apparently, could please the Duke of Gloucester.
    Kate went and put her arms around her mare’s neck.
    “Nothing I’ve done has made anything better,” she said against the damp mane. “All I’ve done is to make things worse, Mab. Come on. I’ll go and face my punishment with my head in the air.”
    ###
    Arriving home, she ran upstairs into the solar and collided with her mother, who came rushing to the doorway to meet her. Katherine braced herself for loud fury, even a blow. Instead, Eleanor threw her arms around her, and held her so close she couldn’t breathe. She didn’t even mention her ruined dress.
    “Kate, where have been? Thomas has men riding the whole demesne, looking for you! Thank Auset you’re all right.”
    “I’ve done something terrible,” said Kate. Her voice came out