Five-year-old John blinked and turned to his father. Richard nodded, “He won’t bite you, Johnny. Just try saying ‘Your Grace.’” When John mimicked the salutation, Edward smiled and raised him to his feet. “Good boy. Brother, why don’t you take him along to meet his cousins? My two boys are with their mother in our apartments.” Richard was grateful Edward had not seen fit to comment on John’s illegitimacy; he was unsure yet what John understood.

As John stared about him at all the darkly clad men crowded around the king, he suddenly felt alone, afraid, and wanted his mother. He had had enough of this “adventure” that had been promised. Tears began to form, and he wailed, “I want my mother.”

Richard reached down and took his hand, remembering well what the need was like.

“You will get used to being here, son, I promise. Now, let me introduce you to another important member of the family,” he said, snapping his fingers at his wolfhound. “Meet Rufus, and tell him to sit. He will, you know.”

Richard could not have known that John had left a much beloved litter of pups in Suffolk, but he was pleased when the boy’s his eyes lit up.

“Sit, Rufus!” John ordered, and his wailing changed to smiles when the huge dog obeyed.

The queen was less accepting. She looked down her perfectly pert nose at the small boy, her large eyes taking in every peasant inch of him. She refused to acknowledge he was also a Plantagenet. “He looks strong,” was all the goodwill she could manage. She pointed to her sons playing with toy soldiers in the corner of the large solar. “You may go and play, if you wish,” she curtly instructed the lad, who clung to his father’s hand.

John had never seen such fine toys, however, and, happy to see children his own age, finally let go of Richard’s hand and cautiously joined his cousins.

“I am glad to have this chance to talk to you, Brother,” Elizabeth said, suddenly becoming charming as she took his elbow and guided him to the window seat. Richard stiffened. Why, he could not say. She had never been impolite to him, nor dealt with him in the haughty manner in which she had just treated John. She had even sent an exquisite, silver baptismal cup to Ned.

“How is Anne? I trust she and your heir are well. A pity they could not be here for this important occasion.” She chattered on for all she and Richard were good friends. “But I hear from your mother that Anne may be with child again and thus was wise not to make such a journey.”

Richard acknowledged that they were indeed expecting another child. “But Anne is quite well, I thank you. She wanted to come, but it was I who dissuaded her. We have waited too long for another babe to take any chances.”