“Aye, my lord,” the new king replied, “I have heard say that your loyalty to my father has never been in doubt. I hope I may expect the same from you.” Then he braved, “My loyalty is also to my family, which includes my Uncle Rivers and my two stepbrothers, and after so many years at Ludlow, I have learned to trust my uncle. Although my lord father was the king and so had my allegiance, I hardly ever saw him. Neither do.

I know you, my lord, so why should I trust you more than my Woodville kin?”

Richard was impressed with the lad’s reasoning. He spent the next hour trying to convince the youth of his good intentions, of Edward’s trust in him to take charge, and how thus he was surprised Earl Rivers had contravened Richard’s instructions to meet at Northampton. He explained how solemnly he took his duty to the crown and to England, and it was why he had had to detain Rivers and Grey, even though he liked both men.

“When you take the oath and are anointed with the holy oil, your life will be one with England. Aye, loyalty to your family is important, but there will be times when you may have to choose England over family. That is what I had to do today. Thanks to your noble father, the throne now belongs to York, descendants of the first Plantagenet. It does not belong to the Woodvilles, but it is my belief they would try and rule England through you. Things are complicated, nephew, but I swear to you I will help you to the throne and guide you to the best of my ability.”

At the end of the hour, Edward began to unbend and, realizing there was much for a twelve-year-old to absorb, Richard engaged him in lighter conversation.

“I suspect you are looking forward to seeing your brother again, are you not,” he said, smiling, and offering the lad some ale. “I warrant you and he fight and wrestle as I did with my brother at your age.” At this critical juncture, he allowed himself a little white lie. “Oh, and I forgot. I also bring you greetings from your cousin, my son Ned. Aye, yet another Edward. ’Tis complicated with so many Edwards in the family, is it not?”

Edward, now fully relaxed, chuckled. “You forgot Uncle George’s son is also Edward. I swear I will not call a son of mine Edward. I will think of something completely different, um,” he thought for a moment, “like Cuthbert!”

Richard was relieved they were both laughing when Buckingham returned with food. The first hurdle seemed to have been vaulted.

The good humor did not last long.

When Richard told Edward that Rivers, Grey and the old chamberlain Vaughan had been sent north under armed guard, the king rounded on Richard, panic in his face.