“You are mistaken, Your Grace,” Richard affected nonchalance at this trivial sexual banter. Was it all Edward could think about at such an important time? “There is no one in the north who awaits my return.” Except perhaps Anne, he thought diffidently. He quickly changed the subject. “Do you have a role for me at your council table, Ned?”

“Not yet, but it has occurred to me that you might benefit from time at Lincoln’s Inn. Your interest in legal matters shows an aptitude for the law, and I can arrange for an article of clerkship for you. It would serve me well—and you, too, when you are fully in charge of your estates.”

Excited, Richard stepped to face him. “I would like this of all things, my lord, except for proving myself as a soldier. If I can continue in that training as well, you will have a most contented and devoted brother.”

Edward was satisfied. He had successfully extricated one brother from Warwick’s sticky web. Now for the other.

Almost before the final feasting of Epiphany had time to settle on the court’s stomach, Edward’s angry voice was again heard throughout the small mansion. Richard hurried down the stairs to find Elizabeth pacing and muttering in the hall, her brother Anthony watching her from a high-back settle. The queen scowled at Richard.

“Your high and mighty lord of Warwick has refused Edward’s summons—again!” she snapped, accosting him. “His minions are spreading rumors about an imminent Burgundian attack, and that Charles has overturned his treaty with us and is now conspiring with Louis against us. ’Tis no wonder the king is unhappy.”

Even angry, Elizabeth, in pale blue satin, was a very beautiful woman. “This is old news, Your Grace,” Richard retorted, asserting himself and enjoying the inches the last step of the staircase afforded him over her. “What was my lord Warwick’s reason for refusing to come?”

Anthony Woodville stepped between his sister and Richard, his prudence calming the stormy exchange. “Temper your tone, Bess. Richard is not to blame.”

For the first time, Richard saw Meg on the shared settle seat and noted the tender expression on her face as she watched Anthony. So this is the man Meggie’s in love with, he thought, but had no time to ruminate on it as Elizabeth was expostulating again. “The man is insulting,” she raged at her brother. “He had the gall to call us his enemies and demand that I and our family be removed from this house if he were to deign to make an appearance. His king demands his presence and the man refuses. Why, ’tis tantamount to treason!”

Richard suspected something more than Warwick’s enmity for the Woodvilles deterred him, but Richard had seen the earl on his high horse many times. And there was his insufferable pride.