Now was the time for anger, and Richard felt it mounting as he stared at his feckless sibling. He leaned forward on the edge of his seat and pointed an accusing finger. “I know why you do not sanction the match, George. I can see right through your greed and your trumpery. You are as false as you are shallow. As long as you control Anne, you own both Neville sisters’ inheritance. Do not lie, you dog in a manger!”

George sneered. “Be careful of hypocrisy, Richard. You want Anne for her inheritance, too. Don’t deny it. And it would please your sanctimonious little mind to deprive me of it. Why would Anne want to wed a crookback like you, anyway?”

George was unprepared for Richard’s sudden lunge and even less prepared to ward off the blow to his cheek from Richard’s fist. Reeling back, George hit his head against the mantle and howled in pain. “You arse-licking puttock!” he shouted. “Get out of here! You will not have her now—or ever.”

Like his father’s, Richard’s anger died quickly. He made sure George wasn’t bleeding, went to the door and shot his final dart. “I have Edward’s full support in this request. After your treachery last year, you might not want to test our brother’s indulgence again too soon.”

For the first time, Richard wondered at his motives for wanting Anne. Was George right? How would people interpret this betrothal? He shrugged it off. Why should he care so much what other people thought. After all, this issue was minor when compared to the dark deed he had perpetrated in the Tower that haunted him every single day. He had begun to believe, after that, he could handle anything Fate might throw his way.

He strode back to the wharf, satisfied he had Anne’s consent and dismissing any doubts he could not accomplish this next step in his life, despite George’s threats.

Richard confided in Rob that George might stoop to anything to thwart Richard’s plan to win Anne. “I did not like the way he treated her. She was intimidated—almost fearful. Poor girl, she was manipulated by her father, forced to marry Edouard, and now she is under George’s controlling thumb. I doubt he will let me near her again.”

Rob was thoughtful. “You say Isabel greeted you warmly? Why not enlist her help? Surely she wants to see her sister happy?”

“You may be right. Isabel might champion us. Sweet Jesu, I am glad I was not born a girl. The fair sex may seem to us to have an easy life, but in truth they are shackled to the will of whichever man has charge of them. No wonder so many of them end up taking the veil.”