“With my whole heart, Ned,” Richard replied sincerely; he never again wanted to feel pulled in opposing directions. It was far too nerve-wracking. “You can always count on me.”

Richard wandered up to the bedchamber he was sharing with George, brooding on the ugly scene, but before he could step over the threshold, he felt the front of his jacket grasped and he was flung rudely to the floor. George stood over him, eyes bloodshot from wine and anger.

“You traitorous bastard!” he cried, and kicked Richard’s side hard while trying to retain his balance. George’s squire attempted to steady him, but George thrust him off. “Leave us, Godfrey,” he commanded. When the door was shut, George watched as Richard crawled to his knees and hauled himself onto the bed, rubbing his sore ribs. “You betrayed me to Ned, you flap-mouthed measle.”

George was unprepared for Richard’s newly muscled body and doubled over with a groan as Richard came off the bed, head lowered, and barreled into George’s midriff. George found himself flat on the floor with strong arms pinning his own and Richard’s angry face three inches from his.

“You betrayed yourself, George Plantagenet,” Richard sneered. “’Tis a wonder Ned has not locked you up before now. I know how many times you have consorted with Warwick behind Ned’s back. You are playing a dangerous game, brother, but you are not playing it with me. You are playing it with the king.”

“You told him about Isabel,” George whined. “You gave away my secret. My own brother!”

Richard was suddenly transported back to a day long ago, the last time he had seen Fotheringhay. “Then consider this payment for your betrayal of me when I was much younger and had no defense. You gave me away about Traveller all those years ago, and I have never forgotten.” He let go of his brother’s arms and stood up. “We are even, and if you want some advice, take Ned’s warning to heart. Give up the idea of Isabel.” He picked up his fallen bonnet and went to the door. “Never fear, I shall seek more accommodating quarters tonight.”

The two brothers avoided each other for a day or two, but then George said something that made Richard laugh, and the two agreed to shake hands. “Now Meg is not here, I shall have to teach you how to win at chess,” George said. “I swear, neither of us will ever be as good as she.”

When the temperatures plunged at night, most chose to enjoy the warmth provided by another body under the covers. Even so, it was awkward for Richard and George to share a bed again. Richard resented the drink-induced snoring of his older brother, which gave Richard restless nights that yuletide. His childhood nightmares even returned, and one night he shouted so loudly, George came out of a deep sleep to shake his brother awake.