The earl turned back to the window, his hands clenching and unclenching behind his back. He was weighing how much to tell the young Yorkist duke, but he could not reveal his hand yet. He needed this boy on his side if he were to regain control of the king. And if not, well then, he had other plans.

“Not only did the king undermine my work with Louis by treating with Burgundy, but while I was gone on his business, he also signed a treaty with another of Louis’s enemies, Francis of Brittany. Arrogant folly!” Warwick reached his hands either side of the casement and gripped the frame. When he spoke again, he was shaking with anger. “But most disturbing of all for me and my kin is that he removed my brother George Neville from the chancellorship last month. There was no reason for it, I warrant, and I am certain he only did it to spite me.”

For all he was still unversed in the politics of the court, Richard was surprised by this news, but he did not believe his brother had no reason. He remained silent waiting for the earl to involve him in some way. As he gazed at Warwick’s back, he briefly noted the window panes in this lesser-used of the Neville castles were still of polished horn and thus distorting Warwick’s view—not unlike his perspective on Edward, Richard mused. But then, if he were honest, perhaps he did not know his oldest brother very well as yet, and perhaps Warwick did. Was Warwick right about Edward? It did seem to the thoughtful Richard that his brother was deliberately pushing Warwick away. But why, after all the earl had done for his king? For the first time, Richard allowed himself real misgivings about Edward’s character.

Warwick swung round to face the wary Richard. “I think I have earned your loyalty, have I not? All of your family’s loyalty if the truth be told. You know I want the best for York, don’t you, Richard? Your brother George does,” he inadvertently divulged. “He sees the unrest in the country; he sees the way the hated Woodvilles have usurped my proper place at the king’s side; and he believes in my ability to bring peace to this troubled realm. Talk to George, he will tell you about Edward’s indiscretions and how many other magnates are grumbling at his lack of judgment.”