Holding firmly to the table edge to steady his legs, he told Edward exactly what he had been thinking about his big brother. “You have been my idol all these years, Ned. I looked up to you—we all did. None was prouder of you on your coronation day than I, except perhaps for Mother. I have wanted to be like you all my life, but now…now I am not so sure. You seem to care more for your own pleasure than you do for the welfare of England. How can you set a good example as king when you have no morals?”

George gasped, and Edward took a step back. Not even his mother had given him a dressing down such as this, although Edward knew she had been close—especially after the revelation of his secret marriage. He considered Richard for a prolonged moment, watching his brave little brother squirm on drunken legs awaiting his fate. Ah, the power of kingship.

“Have a care, Richard,” Edward said finally, the measured tones returning. “I should have you put in chains for speaking thus to your king. But you are my brother first and so I shall demand your apology instead. I hope ’tis the drink that has addled your brain or I would take you for a fool or, worse, a prude. Therefore, I shall forgive your outburst. But hear me well, Richard, I will not countenance another.”

Richard felt for his chair and sat down, but his eyes never wavered from Edward’s. He knew he was in the right, and although he wanted to do nothing now but run to the garderobe and lose the contents of his stomach, he said: “I apologize, my lord, but I must stand by my words.”

“Fair enough,” Ned said, relaxing. “Spoken like a York. What say you we find some food.”

And just like that, Edward’s anger died. The next day, he was called away to London on urgent business and took Richard aside. “Do not imagine I have not thought on your words of last evening. But bear in mind, my boy, don’t think I’m ignorant of your dalliance between the sheets with a certain young lady, who,” and he paused meaningfully, “who, I believe is married and with child. Be careful you are not called hypocrite.” He chuckled as he saw Richard’s chagrin and pulled him into a brotherly embrace. “You, too, may find one day that passion trumps duty.”

Never, Richard thought. Not ever.