Cicely's King Richard (Cicely Plantagenet Trilogy) by Sandra Heath Wilson Read Free Book Online

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    ‘She saw him last Christmas, and that is not so very long ago.’ Elizabeth searched her daughter’s eyes. ‘Has he returned her feelings? Has he . . . touched her?’
    ‘Say what you will of him, I feel sure he would be proper with her.’
    ‘How would you know? You have certainly not met him in a long time.’
    ‘Then be honest, Mother. You have known him ever since you met Father. Do you think he would?’
    Elizabeth smiled. ‘No, I suppose I do not, but even a saint can fall by the wayside. Although not this saint, I fancy. But that does not make Bess’s adoration any better. She does love him, does she not?’
    Cicely lowered her eyes. ‘I would only be guessing, as you do.’
    Elizabeth smiled again. ‘Jesu, I know you will not appreciate this, but you, too, are like me, Cicely. Bess has Woodville tendencies, but not the quick mind to accompany them. She is swayed by foolish Plantagenet passions, whereas you . . . Well, I do not know exactly what it is about you that makes you so different. I see the way you watch and learn. You may only be fourteen, but you behave more like nineteen, a nineteen with a great deal of insight. You can analyze what you see and hear, and I suspect your judgement to be superior. You will always know the right thing to do, the right advice to give, although whether you can apply it to yourself may be another matter. You can also, without trying at all, induce others to trust you. On reflection, in your case, perhaps I did lie with Richard of Gloucester after all, but it was so unexceptional that it entirely escapes my memory. You certainly make me think of him.’
    ‘I am not accustomed to your praise, Mother.’
    ‘That is praise?’
    ‘I believe so, but whomever my father might be, please do not say I have your coldness.’
    Elizabeth laughed. ‘Oh, dear me, no. There is a spark in you, Cicely, a light that tells me you will fight to the last for what matters to you. Here you are, standing midway between Plantagenet and Woodville, and you have the best of both. Oh yes, there are some good things about the Woodvilles. Not many, I grant.’ Elizabeth searched her daughter’s face. ‘If you put your mind to it, I dare say you could go far. You will certainly be able to influence men.’
    ‘I want love, not machination.’
    ‘You will soon learn to discard such romantic notions.’ Elizabeth gave an ironic laugh. ‘I really had not noticed how much you have matured. You are becoming a beauty. Maybe you will trump Bess.’
    ‘I do not think so, Mother. My looks and colouring are not the fashion.’
    ‘Changes of fashion have to commence somewhere. Why not with you? Which reminds me, you really must have your forehead shaved back.’
    ‘No.’
    ‘We will see about that.’ Elizabeth moved away. ‘Now, regarding, Bess, I wish I knew what it is about Richard of Gloucester that makes women want him so. Whatever it is, he has more than his fair share. You can tell your sister that if she does harbour a fleshly desire for him, and allows it to be known, I will carve her heart out with a blunt knife.’

Chapter Four
    Richard’s revenge upon those who had conspired against him at the time of Edward IV’s death was astonishingly temperate. Only a few had really incurred his wrath. Cicely could not help thinking that if she had been her uncle, she would have dealt much more harshly with all his enemies. There would not be any left to cause trouble in the future!
    The country willingly and gladly accepted Richard of Gloucester as King Richard III. There was still discord from Lancastrians, Woodvilles and dissatisfied Yorkist nobles, but the people knew Richard would rule justly, as he always had on his lands in the north. His fame went before him.
    The day of the coronation, 22 June 1483, was one to remember, even for those seeking sanctuary. As the sun stood at its highest, an expectant hush fell over the capital, and then the first fanfare sounded in the distance