In Honor Bound by DeAnna Julie Dodson

"Rid me of this low-blooded Katherine and your daughter shall be Lynaleigh's next queen."
    "Your Majesty overwhelms me with this honor."
    "It will be well worth it, if you can do what you have said and keep me my son."
    "One day he will thank you, my liege, for sparing him the ignominy he now seems bent upon," Dunois assured him. "Bring the witch to trial."
    The king nodded. "There my nobles can see and tell the people she is fairly dealt with and none can call it unjust."
    "Of course," Dunois agreed. "Of course."
    ***
    Before noon , Philip was again in his father's private chamber.
    "Have you spoken yet to Margaret, Father? Heaven and earth, what she has done is an offense to God Himself!"
    "She is very ill yet," Robert said placidly, "but do not fear. This matter shall be brought before the court and the guilty shall not go unpunished. So, let that rest. I have need of you now in another cause. You must go to Amberly."
    "Why?"
    "There has been a dispute and near rebellion in the town over our levies for war. The lord mayor has asked me to send someone to settle the matter and I think it only right you should be my representative."
    "But the trial, my lord. I cannot go now."
    "That must wait until Margaret is well. It is important now that you be seen governing the people. You will next be king in Lynaleigh."
    Philip's eyes widened. He would be king. He had not before deeply considered what the death of Richard's child would mean to him. He would be king and Kate would be queen. He could never tell his father about her now. There was no knowing what Robert might do to keep the royal line pure.
    "No."
    "Of course you will, Philip. You are my heir."
    "No, please, Father, I have no right. I cannot."
    "You can, boy, you can! By the mass, have I strived so long for this kingdom to have you balk now? No right? Your ancestors have been the kings of Lynaleigh time out of mind. You are now my eldest son. I was my father's eldest and he was first born to an anointed king. No right? By law and before God, you have every right to the crown after me. Do you think that butcher Stephen would better fit the place."
    "No."
    "Well then, do as you are bidden. I would have you leave tomorrow early. Settle matters in Amberly and then, if you please to, you have my leave to visit Tom awhile in Chrisdale. It is not so much farther on."
    ***
    Philip left Katherine sleeping, pausing only long enough to press the image of her indelibly into his memory. When he was very old, he wanted still to see her as she was just then with her hands clasped together under her blooming cheek and the fair cascade of her hair caressing her skin. He wanted so much to wake her, for a last kiss, a last embrace, a last farewell, but he dared not. This swift, silent parting was kinder, and he would only be a few days away.
    "Good-bye, sweeting," he murmured, promising himself he would make all the haste he could in returning to her, and then he was gone.
    He and his men had ridden little more than half a day before they came upon a rider from Chrisdale. Philip recognized him as one of Tom's serving men, the one who openly numbered himself with the Heretics, the one Tom had recently made a captain in his army, much to their father's disapproval. Tom had taken a liking to his easy-going ways and, despite the ten or fifteen years difference in their ages, the two had become fast friends. Philip himself found much to like in the man and smiled at the sight of him.
    "Palmer!"
    "You are very well met, my lord. I have letters to you."
    "From my brother?"
    "Yes, my lord, to you and to the king such as should please."
    "Yes?"
    Palmer tossed a thick handful of his long hair back out of his face and nodded. "There was some trouble in Amberly, but my lord Tom, hearing of it, went to see what was the matter. The grievance was more to the old tune, but he told them again of your father's descent and right to the crown and how these levies they balked at are meant more for their own