Safe. Richard liked the sound of the word at this moment. With George dead and his rebel adherents without a leader, perhaps England would be free from civil strife, and Edward could focus on protecting his kingdom from foreign interference. Moreover, Elizabeth could focus on mothering her growing brood instead of plotting to destroy George. The more Richard thought of Elizabeth’s words, the more suspicious he became that she had somehow orchestrated George’s downfall. It was a feeling, nothing more, and he dismissed it. Elizabeth was not worth his thoughts at this tender moment with the people he loved. How grateful he was for his gentle wife, his happy home, and his precious son.

He nuzzled Ned’s dark curls and looked across at Anne, watching him with such devotion, and he finally said the words he had been unable to say truthfully all these years. “I love you, Anne. I love you with all of my heart.”

Elizabeth Woodville gave birth to another son on St. George’s Day and ironically named him for that dragon-slaying patron saint of England.

Not three months later, and not satisfied that George’s death had made her husband’s and sons’ crown safer, she turned her malicious thoughts to the last of the York sons, convinced that Richard of Gloucester would seek power for himself and take arms against the king. It was hard not to blame her suspicions after George’s clear designs on Edward’s throne, but to turn on Richard was purely vindictive. She lived in perpetual fear of losing her own status as queen as well as her children’s right to the crown.

Richard had sensed he was in danger as early as the summer of George’s arrest and imprisonment. In an unusual move when war was not imminent, he had called upon all his tenants in the bishopric of Durham to swear an oath that they would do him service in time of need. He was expecting the queen to turn on him, and he would be ready. Disturbed by George’s grisly death and convinced Elizabeth’s revenge was unassuaged, he could be forgiven for overreacting.

But for now, Richard returned to his duties. He tried to forget the execution and forgive Edward for allowing it. That George deserved his fate there was no doubt in Richard’s mind, but he still believed his brother should have been beheaded in the proper manner of a noble, and only he could have ensured that end. How he loathed not having had control over the situation, as he would have done as Lord of the North. Over and over again, he chastised himself for not fighting harder for a better death for George. Yet another burden to bear, he thought grimly.