Richard recalled his father’s long-ago remark, “Being born noble means to court an early death,” as he rode through the city on his way to Westminster, and his eyes darted right and left anticipating danger. Despite Anne’s calming presence at Crosby Place, Richard still worried about his personal safety in light of the Woodville ambition. It did not help that one of the prelates who had gone to negotiate with Elizabeth to leave sanctuary had given Richard disturbing information. The queen had commanded her astrologer to chart Richard’s birth stars. Nay, he had not exactly seen it, the bishop had said, but he had heard rumor there was one. (Superstition held that a death date could be predicted from the charting—or in the case of the black arts, a death date could be manipulated.) It was no wonder Richard tossed and turned at night. His back had never pained him as badly, and he would wake up with one arm stiffened. His superstitious mind questioned whether Elizabeth was dabbling in witchcraft—after all, she was descended from the water-witch Melusine—and, together with her astrologer, was perhaps plotting his death. Richard’s superstitions had grown with his fear, which made him testy and unapproachable.

Thus when Buckingham gave Richard the news that Hastings had flouted his orders to dismiss the Shore whore, and worse, he had taken her to mistress himself, Richard flew into a rage.

“Did the lying dotard think I would not discover this? Now I know he is truly depraved and certainly not to be trusted. Can he believe I will entrust him with any position around my nephew? Over my dead body!”

Quickly Buckingham pressed his advantage. “Then wait until you hear this. Guess who Catesby spied going in disguise to visit the queen,” he said, mentally rubbing his hands. “None other than Jane Shore.”

Richard stared at him in astonishment, and then he frowned. “What possible reason could Jane have for visiting the queen? It is common knowledge Elizabeth hates the woman.”

Then Harry whispered the words Richard had tried to suppress in consideration for Will’s friendship with Edward. “I think there must be a conspiracy, and Hastings’ mistress is involved.”

Or Hastings himself, Richard thought, as he lost control of his ring and it fell with a clink to the floor.