Free White Boar and the Red Dragon, The by Margaret W Price

explain.
    ‘My lord, I am very sad to leave. You have all treated me with such kindness and made me feel part of your family life. You have been like a father to me—and I never really knew my own…’ he trailed off, at a loss what else to say. He did not want to leave this secure and happy family nor face the court with its undercurrents of jealousy and backbiting, especially among the queen’s many family members and adherents. Her presence at court made it an unpleasant place to be those days.
    ‘We have done our best, lad, to make you happy here and shall miss you too—especially my younger daughter Anne, I think! Here she comes now. I will leave you two young people to say your goodbyes privately. I know it will be a big wrench for you to part from one another!’
    Neville was well aware of the close friendship between Richard and Anne and hoped—as he felt sure they did—that one day something more would come of it.
    ‘Oh, Richard, I overheard the messenger telling father and came at once! Do you really have to go? What does the king want?’
    ‘I do not know yet, Anne. But he has trusted me already with some great tasks which George really wanted. For some reason, Edward is convinced that I can carry them out better.’
    ‘Which I am sure you can! You’re far more responsible than George, and the king knows that and honours your ability!’
    ‘Lord Warwick thinks he’s calling me back to court out of spite! But Edward is a kind man and his friend. I’m sure he would not act so!’
    ‘You always think the best of people, Richard. And you won’t have a word said against the king. I know he is your brother and you love him, but…’
    ‘He has always been kindness itself to me, especially when I was very small—and he is open-hearted and generous. It would be unlike him to act in this way for the reasons Warwick believes!’
    ‘Everyone has their faults, Richard. Even the king! But come, let us have a last walk together before supper. The time is so short, and I don’t know how I’ll bear it when you’ve gone.’
    Anne’s voice broke and she dashed away what looked suspiciously like a tear.
    Richard put his arm round her and pulled her to him, and she put her head on his shoulder—and in wiping away her tears, which were coming thick and fast now he found some comfort for himself.
    Westminster, London, May 1465
    ‘But, Edward, you cannot banish your own mother from the court! She is old and maybe sick. Think what terrible things have happened to her in life. She does not know what she is saying!’
    ‘Richard, you of all people should not defend her. She has always treated you harshly and made George and I her favourites when we were young. You were ever the one on the outside.’
    ‘I know, but I cannot believe she is saying these things and still in her right mind! She was shocked and angry when you married Elizabeth Woodville. Indeed, we all were. But she accepted it then like the rest of us. Why should she suddenly come out now with these shocking revelations, as she calls them? Why not then? Nobody will believe what she is saying, anyway. They will call it the ramblings of a sick old woman.’
    ‘Whether people believe it or not is not the point—the words have been said, for all the world to hear!’
    ‘That the king is a bastard? It is nonsense. George and you both look alike, and Edmund was tall, fair, and handsome too. If any of us could have a finger pointed at us, it’s me. I am small and dark.’
    ‘But father was dark too, remember? And slighter in build. You take after him.’
    ‘And who was this archer she claims was your real father—Blaybourne, was it? Can you imagine our upright, strictly religious mother straying from the path of wifely duty with an archer? Even when she was young? Besides, she adored Father!’
    ‘Anyone can be tempted…’
    ‘Don’t judge others by your own experiences, Edward. We all know you can’t resist a pretty face when it comes to