It was George’s turn to grin. “Aye, I was an irritant to our sister, I admit. But, as always, she has forgiven me.” Richard said nothing. He knew all too well that George was Meg’s favorite, but her letters had shown him that she had not forgotten her youngest brother and thus, he was now more inclined to shrug off envy. Besides, who could not be drawn to this tall, athletic young man, with a lion’s mane of wavy golden hair, large sapphire eyes and sensual mouth? It was sadly obvious to Richard that Isabel was smitten, and when George turned his attention to his two female cousins, Isabel’s cheeks turned the color of a Lancastrian rose. George also did not fail to notice, lingering over the girl’s hand for just long enough to make Richard grit his teeth. He did not stand a chance with her, he realized, and his niggling resentment of George welled up again.

“As steward of England,” George was boasting to Isabel as he put out his arm to lead her towards the dais, where Edward was in conversation with Warwick, “I am to preside over the coronation. After the queen, I will be the most important person at the ceremony.”

Anne kept close to Richard. “What about the king?” she whispered, looking in awe at the sumptuously dressed giant speaking with her father. “Will he not be more important than George?”

Richard drew her hand under his arm and patted it kindly. “Court etiquette requires the king stay away from his wife’s crowning, Anne. Tomorrow is Elizabeth’s day. But you are right, George is merely vaunting.” As usual, he wanted to add.

Richard had yet to set eyes on the beautiful Elizabeth Woodville and, curious, looked about the room for her. When someone moved out of his line of sight, he knew he had found her. Her pale loveliness stood out from the frowzy, overblown peahens who surrounded her. Her waist-long hair was the color of moon-glow on water, her hooded hazel eyes dominated her heart-shaped face of smooth translucence, and her plump, cherubic mouth was asking to be kissed. He could not help staring. Always alert to ogling, as beauties are wont to be, Elizabeth soon noticed him and came forward to greet him.

“My lord of Gloucester, I presume? You are as His Grace the King described,” she purred as Richard bowed and kissed her outstretched hand. Edward’s showy sapphire gift overpowered her delicate fingers. Mumbling a response, he then presented Anne, who fell on her knees in awe of the vision before her.