So he explains to them, humbly and in writing, that he fears himself unworthy, and will take up the role only at their insistence. He looks to the peerage of England to exercise the King’s authority in this matter.

They insist.

‘Ask them to clarify their terms.’

They do. He is to be head of the King’s Council. More even than Regent, he is to assume personal authority for the rule and defence of England, against enemies overseas and rebels at home.

‘Rebels at home. Good,’ says Cecily. ‘Now no one can move against us. And, if the King ever wakes up and asks, “Who made you Protector?” you need only point the finger and say, “They did.”’

Richard rules the kingdom as he ruled France and Ireland; by putting men into roles who are fit for the job and by giving good men reason to be loyal. And by paying his debts. Warwick’s land dispute is made to disappear. Salisbury is given dead Kemp’s chancellorship, and Richard summons the Percys down from the North to account for themselves. When news comes that they’re gathering men and have made common cause against him with Henry Holland, he rides north himself to knock heads together. It’s quickly done. Holland has no more sense than his dogs, all bark and no bite. Richard locks him up and leaves him to stew. Henry Percy, though, could raise an army if he put his mind to it. Richard slaps his wrists and placates him with a seat on the council.

Thank God, people say. Here’s a man who knows how the world works.

England gets used to good government. Cecily gets used to being something very like a queen and, at Baynard’s Castle, holds something very like a court, where men seek her influence and women promote their daughters to her attention. Some she keeps about her for policy’s sake. Others because she likes them, familiar faces from the old days in France. Alice de la Pole, it seems, has left the loss of William long behind her and has the interests of a twelve-year-old son to promote. Margaret Talbot, who has found little to mourn in her old soldier’s death, brings the dark-eyed Eleanor, who lost soldier-father and soldier-husband on the same field and has never looked so well. The gilt-haired Elizabeth will make Jacquetta a grandmother soon. She has every man at court writing verses to her beauty and a young husband who, Cecily confides to Richard, would be the envy of all, if anyone could remember his name or where he comes from.

Cecily brings her own daughters to court and watches them shine in this new fellowship. Jacquetta is everywhere among them, and seems to have forgotten the Queen.