It was thus that Henry Stafford, duke of Buckingham, became the virtual viceroy of Wales, one of the most important regions in the country. And, much to the annoyance of Jack Howard, who believed the task belonged to him as lord high steward, Buckingham was put in charge of arranging young Edward’s coronation. Others on the council were watching and waiting to see how the protector would fare, some still on the queen’s side. Ignored all those years at court by King Edward, there seemed no heights to which the young duke of Buckingham might rise. Richard had observed Harry’s conceit, but he was willing to overlook it in his need of a powerful royal cousin as ally, as Warwick had been for Edward. So, for the time being Harry’s assets overcame any doubts Richard had as he felt his way forward.

It did not occur to Richard to express any trust issues with others in his circle, assuming they were as wary as he, but Richard knew Buckingham and Will Hastings had formed a mutual dislike of each other. Will’s staunch loyalty to Edward had always appealed to Richard, and Richard hoped he could count on that loyalty going forward with Edward’s son. He would, however, expose the young king as little as possible to a man Richard considered immoral. Therefore, for the moment and perhaps unwisely, Richard got into the habit of excluding Will from private conversations with Buckingham, fanning the flames of Will’s discontent. As well, when Richard went to the Tower to confer with the young king, it was Buckingham who accompanied the protector, not Hastings.

As protector, Richard was legally responsible for signing court documents in the king’s name, and after the crowning, Richard was determined to begin the transfer of power to the boy; for now, however, let him enjoy what remained of his boyhood for a few months longer. Edward had a quick mind and would learn fast, and Richard would be glad to relinquish his protectorate and eventually return to the relative peace of Middleham.

“Where is my lord Hastings?” the young king asked Richard one day when Richard had gone to explain a detail of the coronation. “He was my father’s councilor and should be here.”

An awkward silence followed. “I will bring him next time, Edward,” Richard promised. Just as soon as Will proves his allegiance by ridding the court of Jane Shore and her ilk, I’ll take him back into my confidence, he thought. Hastings still had much support on the council, and Richard could ill afford to lose it.

Richard was not to know that, on his part, Will was having misgivings about the protector’s motives based on Richard’s puzzling attitude towards him. Was Richard pushing him out, Will wondered, to take sole control of the king? Or was he seeking the crown for himself?