Richard heard the whispers of “’Tis the king’s brother,” and was dismayed by the scowls his name evoked. He was not exactly afraid, but his hand crept to the hilt of his shortsword as he addressed the soldier. “Leave her, sirrah!” More gently to the woman, he said. “We wish you no harm, mistress. I pray you, allow us to pass.”

Seizing her chance, the goodwife ran to Richard’s side and kissed his foot. “Help me, my lord,” she begged, “please help me.”

Richard frowned. He was not sure how to proceed; this was the first of such encounters for him. Protective Rob urged his horse forward. “Petition your own lord, mistress. His Grace is on the king’s urgent business and cannot help you.” He jerked his head to Richard to walk on, but Richard did not move. He looked down into the sorrowful face of the petitioner and was moved.

“What is your trouble? Has someone robbed you?”

The woman let go of Richard’s foot and wrung her hands in her dirty apron. “My husband is awaiting trial for cheating a customer,” she blurted. “He is in gaol and I am alone. My neighbors came and stole everything from us. There was nothing I could do. It was their right because my husband is accused.”

Richard blinked. “It is their right to steal what is yours? I don’t understand.” He looked around at the now gathering crowd. “Where is your bailiff or alderman? Who is in charge here?”

A stocky, bald man with an enormous nose stepped forward and effected an awkward bow. “I be the constable, my lord. What Goody Wainwright says is true. If a man is accused but not yet indicted, his goods can be forfeit because there is no bail.”

Richard glared at the man. “Do you know who took them?”

The constable shrugged, “Aye, but ’twere their right. ’Tis the law. Nowt I could do.”

“Let us leave, Richard,” Rob pleaded, noting the surly expressions on the restless villagers. “There’s nothing we can do here. You heard the man, ’tis the law.”

Observing Rob was right, Richard sighed. “Very well, but I shall look into this.” He fingered a rose noble in the pouch at his waist, leaned over and surreptitiously pressed it into the woman’s hand. “Hide this well, mistress. ’Tis all I can do…for the time being.”

“G…God bless you, young lord,” the woman stammered as the coin disappeared somewhere into the folds of her voluminous skirts. “I shall never forget this day. May the sweet Virgin watch over you, Richard of Gloucester.” She backed away not taking her eyes off Richard as he clicked his tongue and Strider took his cue.