A roaring fire in the newly constructed fireplace welcomed the youngest York into the hall, where a scene of domestic tranquility greeted him: Edward was dandling a cherubic blond toddler on his knee; George and Meg were absorbed in a game of chess; and their mother, Duchess Cecily, was dozing on a cushioned settle. Edward’s wife and her handsome brother, Anthony, were conversing at the other end of the hall, but all looked up when Richard was announced, and, to her credit, the elegant Elizabeth rose and was the first to greet him warmly.

“Well met, my lord,” the queen said, motioning to a servant to take Richard’s long velvet cloak.

Richard bowed and kissed her outstretched hand. “Your Grace, God’s greeting to you.”

A smiling Anthony Woodville, now Baron Scales, grasped Richard’s arm in friendship and also bade him welcome. They were indeed two of the most striking Woodville siblings at court, Richard noted, and, like his own, they had a strong family bond. Richard allowed Elizabeth to lead him to where he could give Edward reverence.

“Up off your knees, Richard,” Edward cried, hoisting his young daughter into the crook of his arm and getting out of his chair. “’Tis good to see you, little brother. Bess, you remember your Uncle Richard, don’t you?” The blond curls bobbed and Richard leaned forward and kissed his niece. She held out her fat little arms to him, and delighted, Richard took the child from her father and bounced her gently up and down.

“You are a natural,” Meg teased him, leaving the chess table and kissing his free cheek. “Too young to be a father yet, but I can see you will be a good one some day.”

Richard chuckled. “I shall have to find a wife first, Meggie,” he whispered. “But Edward has to get you married off before he can look for a mate for me. I hope yours is a giant,” he teased her.

Meg made a face. “Charles—the Bold—they call him. I hope he’s only bold in battle.” She took wriggling Bess from him and the child reached for Meg’s jeweled headband.

“Do you have a greeting for me, my son?” Their mother’s familiar voice interrupted the siblings. “They all think I am asleep, but I never miss a thing. You have grown and grown handsome, too, Richard. I am pleased.”

She held out her hand to be kissed before pulling her youngest into her arms. Despite his fashionably padded jacket, she could feel the increased muscularity in his arms and shoulders, although it seemed to her one shoulder did not feel quite symmetrical, and she frowned. Mayhap he had developed more muscle in his sword arm, and as Duchess Cecily was not one to let her imagination run away with her, she thought no more of it. Richard’s mother was, of course, correct. Richard’s spine was growing crooked.