Richard had returned from London in February concerned for his brother’s health, the growing worry of an invasion from France after the Burgundians signed a treaty with their old enemies, and the continued depravity of Edward’s court. He prayed daily for his brother’s immortal—or he should say immoral—soul, and he shuddered now remembering the unfortunate meeting he had had recently with Edward’s latest mistress, Jane Shore.

He referred to her as “the Shore whore,” as he had no doubt she must also be warming Will Hastings’ bed, judging from the way Will looked at her. Indeed, their only meeting had been at the Tower where he had caught Jane coming out of the room where the lord chamberlain was being held as a temporary punishment. Edward had blamed Will for a diplomatic mistake he himself had made that had led to the treaty of Arras. The king’s subsequent depression had resulted in unfairly slapping Will with a month’s prison term. It was Richard who had seen the injustice of it and persuaded Edward to lighten the sentence.

Now back in the north, Richard dwelled on other problems to do with the well-being of England. No further rebellions or in-fighting between noble families had surfaced recently, and now, two weeks after Easter, he felt his territory was secure enough for Edward. As was his wont during these reflections, George’s ghostly face would invade his thoughts, giving rise to a guilty relief that he would no longer have his brother scheming behind his back. Good riddance, he found himself echoing Elizabeth’s words, and forced George back into the grave.

Richard returned his attention to the quintain exercise. Next to tilt was John, who had taken to the martial arts like a cat to cream, and was tasked already with mentoring some of the younger boys. Ned cheered the loudest for his stepbrother, and John winked at him before lowering his lance and charging. The two boys were a complete contrast in physique, though both showed an aptitude for athletics. Ned had inherited his and Anne’s slighter build, but John was everything Richard had wished himself to have been at thirteen years old: strong, outgoing, and confident, although Richard wished John would apply himself more to his studies.