Free The Fate of Princes by Paul Doherty Page B

Duke of Norfolk, the Duke of Buckingham, or,’ he paused, ‘anyone in this room.’ He held his hands up. ‘I mean no disrespect but the crime will be laid at our door.’
    ‘Francis,’ the King asked sharply. ‘What do you think?’
    ‘Your Grace,’ I replied. ‘Kendall is correct. I believe the Princes were killed or disappeared around the beginning of August, the same time the rumours began in London and the surrounding shires that the Princes might be murdered. They began,’ I added slowly, ‘after Buckingham had visited the Princes. Buckingham could have bribed Slaughter to either abduct the Princes or kill them. The fellow did so but was double-crossed, his only reward being a torn throat and a pauper’s grave.’
    ‘True! True!’ Brampton spoke for the first time, his voice clipped in an attempt to disguise his accent. ‘Many men had motives to kill the Princes. Let us be honest. We sit on the council because the Princes were set aside.’ He looked quickly at Richard. ‘I mean no offence, your Grace. I only say to your face what others relate behindyour back. Buckingham would like them dead. Remember, as a boy he was a ward of the Woodville woman, who forced him to marry one of her daughters. Like us, he hates the entire brood. My Lord of Norfolk also profits. The Mowbray inheritance was held by the younger prince; if he was dead I do not think Jack of Norfolk would weep bitter tears.’ He held up one bejewelled hand. ‘We must also remember that my Lords of Buckingham and Norfolk remained in London, whereas we joined his Grace’s progress through the country.’
    ‘There is one fly in the ointment,’ Catesby interrupted softly. ‘Brackenbury! If anyone had killed the Princes, Brackenbury would find their corpses. He would tell the King, as well as inform us of the possible murderer. I do not believe,’ he concluded firmly, ‘the Princes are dead, but that they may have escaped.’
    Tempers became heated as different possibilities and theories were exchanged across the table. I just sat watching Richard carefully. He still refused to meet my eye, lost in his own thoughts, impervious to the discussion. Catesby was right, the key to the solution was Brackenbury. Was he the murderer? Either on his own or on secret orders from the King? I quietly promised myself that Sir Robert and I would certainly discuss the matter again. Catesby, ever the diplomat, led the discussion on to the conspiracy in the south and the possible plans of Buckingham. Adept and skilful, he drew the King into discussion and Richard vented his anger and hatred at Buckingham and his coven.
    ‘That man,’ Richard shouted, ‘has betrayed us all! He is behind the whispering campaign, spreading malicious rumours, stories and whatever filth he can dig up. I believe my Lord Lovell,’ he turned and glared at me, ‘has other news.’ I had told Richard about Percivalle’s meeting with me. The King had dismissed it as a matter of little consequence yet he had apparently brooded onthe matter, gnawing away at it, imagining threats which did not exist. I had no choice but to describe the scene to the rest of Richard’s councillors, the King nodding vigorously as I spoke.
    ‘Percivalle’s visit,’ the King said menacingly, ‘is important. Firstly, because he sows seeds of doubt about my true intentions. Percivalle brought news to me that my brother was dead; he may well have been responsible for rumours that King Edward had died before he actually did. Secondly, Percivalle wished to suborn the allegiance of this,’ Richard stretched out a hand and put it lightly on my shoulder, ‘my lifelong friend. So, my Lords, if Percivalle has approached Lovell, who else has he visited in the dead of night?’ A sharp intake of breath greeted Richard’s question. I glanced around. Each of the councillors looked away, shuffling nervously on their chairs. Catesby was the first to reassert himself.
    ‘Your Grace,’ he exclaimed. ‘I speak