Soon the two young men were devouring fresh trout, jugged hare and custard tarts at the table in Cecily’s solar. “I had forgotten how much boys eat,” Cecily said, chuckling. “My ladies and I have the appetites of sparrows, I confess. Comes from growing old, I suppose.”

Richard smiled fondly at his mother. “You don’t look a day older than when you birthed me,” he teased, although he found the widow’s wimple that hid Cecily’s glorious hair too severe. He whispered behind his hand to Rob, “She is nigh on fifty-five, you know.”

Cecily feigned a reprimand. “Enough of your flattery, young man. Certes, wheedling a meal from your old mother is not the reason for your sudden arrival. You need my advice, I warrant, and I shall freely give it.” She frowned. “Edward was not one to take it, but then you are not Edward.”

“Nor charming George,” Richard added quietly, “and now not-so-charming George.”

“George will wave in whichever direction the strongest wind blows, my dear Richard. If there is one thing I have learned in my dotage, it is that we all spoiled that boy. But he is the least of your worries at present. He will do whatever Warwick tells him; thus it is my nephew of whom you must beware.”

As if I did not know that already, Richard thought, but he held his peace. Was he wasting precious time being cosseted at Berkhamsted? But then Cecily allayed his doubts and demonstrated why her husband had so often counted on her common sense and intelligent insight in times of crisis.

“Warwick may have the respect of the common people, but he does not have that of their leaders—the nobles, if you will. He has not wooed them to his side the way your brother has these ten years. They see Warwick as power-hungry, arrogant, and a turncoat, and wonder where it will all end. He is a fool if he thinks he can rule through Edward, and he is a fool if he thinks that he can murder him, win the hearts and minds of Englishmen and then put George on the throne.” She paused and requested wine. “It is curious the man does not seem to want the crown for himself, is it not? But it is as clear as a day in May to me he wants it for his daughter.”