He needed to move quickly now and cursed his previous tarrying.

Buckingham had grown stouter since Richard had seen him last at George’s trial. But Richard greeted his cousin gratefully when he arrived at the largest inn at Northampton on the twenty-ninth of April with his three hundred men.

“Where are Rivers and the king?” Richard asked his cousin, surprised not to see them. “I requested they should meet me here.”

Buckingham escorted Richard into the landlord’s private chamber on the first floor and shut the door. The inn must be popular, Richard thought idly, looking about him and noting the velvet bed hangings, Turkey carpet, and a large silver pitcher in lieu of the more commonplace pewter. Buckingham handed Richard a cup of ale and sat himself down on a cushioned stool, leaving the best chair for Richard.

Richard eschewed the seat and the ale and began his customary pacing, which Buckingham found unnerving. “Mayhap he did not get your summons, Richard. Or the king took ill on the way from Ludlow. They will be here, mark my words. If he received it, Rivers would not dare defy your command.”

“I know he left Ludlow six days ago. Ample time to get here, but,” and Richard’s tone was harsh, “when one is dragging two thousand men and cartloads of weapons, it will slow one down.”

“Two thousand? And weapons?” Buckingham expostulated. “Is he looking to do battle with you? I warned you to be careful. We should have mustered more men ourselves. I only brought close to three hundred.” Finding the stool uncomfortable, he transferred his bulk onto the chair. “We should march out and confront them on the road,” he announced. “Bar their way to London. They have no right…”

Richard held up his hand. “And turn the people against me, Harry? Nay, we shall show unity when we all meet. There must be no sign of conflict. Young Edward should be greeted joyfully by his subjects, and I will be the first. Rivers will have no choice but to fall in behind me, and we shall proceed to London and show the citizens, council and parliament that I have already taken on my new role.”

“Let us hope Rivers and his two thousand men agree with you, because…” Harry got no further as the door suddenly burst open and an agitated Francis went down on his knee to Richard.

“Something is amiss, my lord,” he cried, just as Rob and Sir Richard Ratcliffe, both out of breath, followed him into the room. “We have come from seeing to the horses and discovered that my lord Rivers and the king were here yesterday and left. They were making for Stony Stratford.”

“They were what?” Richard bellowed. “On whose orders?” His heart was racing and he felt control slipping. Why had Rivers not stayed in here Northampton and waited for him? It was clear to Richard that unless he entered London at the side of the young king, he might never gain access to the boy. He must secure Edward, and secure him quickly. “Spit it out, Francis, what has happened?”