“We will see. ’Tis time we summoned the mighty earl to speak for himself. If he is responsible, I shall expect him to apologize to Lord Rivers and his family for this outrage.” Edward pulled Richard into a shadowy corner of the room to whisper. “My kingdom shall never be peaceful until Richard Neville accepts my wife as my consort and her family as my family. I must have them reconcile.”

Richard well knew the disdain in which the noble Warwick held the Woodvilles: “upstart nobodies with greedy ambition,” he had said of them, but Richard could not bring himself to betray that confidence to Ned now, although he had questions of his own about Ned’s unsuitable marriage. Wisely, Richard decided now was not the time. Besides, he did not want to jeopardize this flattering confidence Ned was placing in him, and Edward’s idea of an accord seemed sound.

“When the earl obeys my summons, and I have effected a reconciliation,” Edward continued, “I will inform his lordship that your apprenticeship with him has ended. You will be gracious in your thanks, as will I. You will finish your education under my roof, where you belong.”

At once, the view of the countryside from Middleham ramparts flooded Richard’s mind. Then beloved, familiar faces floated across his vision: cheerful Rob Percy; the young, devoted Francis Lovell; gruff Master Blackbeard; the kindly Lady Warwick; lovely but faithless Isabel; and, unexpectedly, the childish, doting Anne. Was he not even to say farewell? A pang of longing made him wince, but his duty was to his brother, and he bowed acquiescence.

“Do not look so miserable, Richard,” Edward chided, making Richard flush. His brother’s blue eyes gave the impression of a wandering interest, but in truth they were as watchful as a falcon intent on prey, unnerving many a courtier who wrongly assumed the king’s mind was elsewhere. “I will have need of you before long, and perhaps George will work harder at pleasing me now he will have competition for favors.”

Seeking to assure his brother, Edward made to put his arm about Richard’s shoulders. In an-other time, Richard would have craved attention from Edward, but now, he could not bear to think his growing crookedness might be obvious to his brother’s touch. On his part, Edward was surprised when the young man evaded his grasp. Guessing it was to avoid looking like a child, he did not force the gesture. With a glint of mischief as he asked, “Did you leave a sweetheart in the north country, my lad? I hope you do not begin a new chapter with your virginity still intact? Don’t be glum, there are too many young ladies here to woo to waste time on one so far away.”