“Brittany is so certain I fear Tudor that he expects me to send 4,000 archers to ward off the French.” Richard told his privy councilors upon arriving at Lincoln. “My brother may have feared a Lancastrian challenge, but Richmond is a Beaufort and, as such, has no right to the throne.”

Lawyer Catesby felt obliged to remind them all: “By decree of Richard the Second, upon legitimizing John of Gaunt’s Beaufort bastards, they should never be eligible to wear the crown.”

The other three nodded remembering that Henry of Bolingbroke had ignored the decree, usurped the crown as Henry IV in 1399, claiming right of conquest, and then begat the Lancaster line. It was a sobering reminder for the group.

“Is anyone else concerned about Henry of Richmond,” Richard asked, feeding the faithful Rufus a tidbit from his discarded plate of roasted rabbit, “or shall I tell Duke Francis to heave the annoyance over the French border?” He motioned to one of his gentlemen to pour him some wine. Without Anne to admonish him, he was drinking more heavily to alleviate the tension of each day.

“I think we have more to worry about on our own doorstep,” Francis said. “Who do you think is behind this latest incursion? Surely, with Elizabeth guarded at the abbey, her cohort Hastings dead and buried, and no sign of her son Dorset…”

“The degenerate!” Richard interjected. “I have it on good authority he has been bedding Mistress Shore. That woman has an appetite for trouble. I had all but cornered Dorset after his failed attempt to rescue my nephews, but he has fled London. He can be of no help to Elizabeth now.”

“The merry mistress conquers anew,” Rob chuckled. “I can’t help but admire her initiative.”

Richard grimaced. “I fear I shall have to prosecute her again, this time for harboring a fugitive.” He went to the window. “But let us focus on the problem of unrest. Do we believe the trouble has arisen over my kingship or does the discontent stem from Edward’s mismanagement?”

John Kendall looked up from the sheath of papers he had on the table next to him. “If I may interrupt, Your Grace, but here is a letter from Queen Elizabeth.” He handed it to Richard, who broke the seal and scanned the unruly writing.

I am writing to beg you to allow my sons to join me here in sanctuary. I have heard rumor that they are dead—murdered in the Tower by your own hand. I do not believe it, and thus, appealing to you as a father and my erstwhile friend, I request you prove me right and bring me my boys. I remain, your brother’s faithful wife and queen, Elizabeth.