“Or I shall question your loyalty to me and our new king,” Richard said evenly. “I am determined to purge this profane court, and I consider you to be at the center of its immorality.” And he walked off.

The viciousness of Richard’s attack made Will realize that not only had he lost the power he had held under Edward, but he might well lose his position on the new king’s council entirely.

After safeguarding the kingdom from any possible attack and assigning the new council their roles, Richard turned his attention to the stubborn queen, who refused to leave sanctuary. He assured Elizabeth that he held no animosity towards her and attempted to persuade her, in vain, to rejoin the court. He was met with dramatic tears and an emphatic rejection of his offer.

“She is convinced I wish her and her children harm,” he confided to Buckingham. “At least that is the excuse she is giving the other mediators I have sent to her. ’Tis as clear as a mountain brook that her refusal to leave is proof she is guilty of conspiring to keep me from my duty.” He did not voice his fear that only by his demise could she keep him from his duty. “But to the people, it merely looks as though she is afraid of me, and that does my standing with them no good. Ah, but the witch is a wily one.”

Richard rubbed his right jaw, where a molar was screaming for a clove tincture. It made him irritable and impatient, but Harry was impervious to anyone else’s moods.

“Witch? I would more likely call her a bitch,” Harry said, wringing his bonnet as though it were Elizabeth’s delicate neck. “Let her rot in sanctuary with her brood, I say. But with Dorset in there with his mother, I would keep an eye on them. Why not send your man Catesby to watch the abbey and report on who comes and goes.”

Richard nodded slowly. “Good idea.” he said. “Incidentally, I don’t think I have expressed my gratitude yet for coming with me to London of your own accord. It could have been dangerous for you to ally yourself with me so soon. You have my thanks and will be rewarded. Trust me.”

“Oh, I trust you, Richard,” Harry said, unable to hide the greedy gleam in his eyes.