Stunned, Richard now realized the condemned George must have threatened Edward. Could that have been why Edward had chosen not to pardon his brother for a third time? He needed to be rid of George. George had already cast aspersions on Edward’s own birth—the rumor of bastardy with which Warwick had tempted George. That conjecture was ludicrous, but this new one may well have been the final straw for Edward. Richard shook himself. What devilish dark thoughts of Ned were these? He ought to dismiss the accusation outright. But the temptation to believe that Hastings might have known of Edward’s bigamy for all these years and had kept silent was too great.

“Hastings knew?” he snapped, and the bishop nodded. “’Tis hard to believe he has not come forward since my brother’s death to prevent a wrongful crowning. It was his duty.”

Catesby suddenly stepped forward. “May I suggest that this is why Jane Shore was seen at Westminster, my lord. Could he be in league with the queen and sent his mistress as a go-between?”

“Hastings despises Elizabeth more than most,” Richard retorted, twisting his ring. “Why would he choose to side with her rather than with me?”

The lawyer’s mind saw a plausible reason. “Perhaps he resents your new order, my lord,” Catesby ventured, braving his lord’s displeasure. “You have chosen my lord Buckingham as your second in command, easing out Lord Hastings from the position he held with the late king. Since my lord bishop’s story has revealed that Hastings has known all along, he may want to offer his help to the queen to oust you and, as a reward, become the new king’s close advisor.”

Richard noted Catesby’s easy betrayal of his one-time mentor, but all that consumed him now was the lawyer’s implication. If Hastings aided the queen and together were able to get possession of the young king, Richard would lose everything he had strived for. They could easily silence Stillington—and him. Buckingham and Catesby would be finished without him, and no one would listen to them. Then nobody would know the truth. He stared at the floor, but aware all eyes were on him, he rose and began to pace.

Buckingham, who had no love for Hastings, broke the silence by bringing his fist down on the table, making everyone start. “By the Virgin, the man has threatened the royal line by remaining silent. If young Edward is a bastard, he should not be king. Hastings has deceived you, the council and the whole kingdom. He is a traitor and should be punished!”