Richard winced, but he let the boy vent. Edward had every right to do so; his father had betrayed him after all. He was quite eloquent for his age, and Richard sadly regretted the lad would not be king. Rivers had schooled him well in rhetoric and logical argument; he would have made his York family proud as king. But it was not to be.

“How I wish it was not so, Ned. I am so sorry,” Richard told the older boy standing stiffly by the window. He gave the smaller boy a squeeze and kissed the top of his golden head. Poor boys, one day king and heir and now reduced to bastardy.

“I understand your feelings, Ned, and you have every right to question me. But it is your father who was at fault, not I. It is he to whom you should address your anger.” Richard rose and went to Edward’s side, pretending he had not seen the few tears that had spilled down the lad’s cheeks. “I swear to you, that I am not lying in this. Everything I have done since your father’s death I have done in accordance with my oath to you for the good of England. I cannot break my promise to England that I will defend her crown to my dying breath, and I would break that pledge if I said nothing and allowed you to be crowned. Would you have me break my pledge, Ned?”

Edward hung his head. He understood. “Nay, I would not,” he murmured.

With the worst of the interview over, Richard went on to reassure his nephews that no matter their status, his and Aunt Anne’s affection for them would not change, and that whenever their mother chose to leave sanctuary, they would be able to live all together at Elizabeth’s family home in Grafton. “You will be welcomed at court, but I doubt your mother will want to be there.” He paused, watching them anxiously. It was a lot to absorb, he knew.

Edward stared out onto the green where, less than a week ago, Will Hastings had lost his head. Dear God, Richard thought horrified, had the boy witnessed the execution? He would have to ask the usher. But he did not have to, Edward’s quick young mind had gone there, too.

“Why did my father’s best friend lose his head?” Edward asked in a dull monotone. “Was it he who told you of the pre-contract? My Uncle Rivers called him immoral and a bad influence. My Uncle Rivers did not like Hastings. Did you?”

Richard was flabbergasted by the boy’s adult questions. He struggled to give the lad a good explanation of his decision about Hastings, but first he suggested that little Richard go and ask Lord Lovell for a ride on his horse. The boy did not hesitate and ran off.