He lifted his brow and let out a little laugh. “You tempt me to haul you over my shoulder and take you to your room.”
“You had better lock me in if you do.”
He laughed. He actually tossed back his head and laughed. He hadn’t done so since the night before he rode to the Tower to find the boys gone.
“May I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“What’s with you and Reg? He’s your cousin, right? You let him and his family plus one, live here. I know he’s a snarky little creep, but he really irks you. Why?”
His laughter faded. What could he say about his cousin? “His father was my only living relative after the attack. Reg was five and the master of his house. He was a jealous child and made my life miserable when I had to visit his family. When the king gets here, you will see Reginald de Marre disappear up the shoot of Richard’s arse. He’ll go quickly, so be watchful.”
“If Reg was up King Edward’s arse, would you mind?”
Nicholas gave her a scowl. She knew the correct questions to ask. “No.”
She looked around his library and leaned in to whisper, “What did Richard do that you hold such strong feelings toward him?”
He sat up straighter and looked into the flames. He’d never spoken of it to anyone else. He wanted to tell her. “Edward had many children, mostly girls, one of whom is favored by Henry Tudor. His only two sons, Edward V and young Richard of Shrewsbury, aged thirteen and not yet ten, were very dear to me. Whenever I was home, I spent most of my time with them. I loved the girls as well. But I hardly saw them. My only consolation when Edward died was that his son would reign in his place.”
The fire crackled and he blinked.
“Go on,” she urged softly.
“Richard had them put in the Tower to study all the formalities of the coronation, which was to take place. I had been home twice in the months the boys were there. They had not been happy but they knew their duties and they did what their uncle, Richard, told them to do. None of us knew how hard at work he was at having Edward’s marriage to Elizabeth Woodville declared bigamous and thereby having Edward’s children declared illegitimate. Edward loyalists rose up in the streets against Richard. He had stolen the crown from young Edward. He had been named the princes’ Protector and if what he had done wasn’t bad enough…” He stopped to run both his palms over his face. “I went to visit them just a few hours after the declaration and they were already gone. They have never been found. I fear they are dead, and that their Protector is responsible, but I have no proof.”
He was surprised to find a droplet falling to his cheek. Even more when he heard her sniffle beside him and then wiped her eyes.
“Are you going to tell me they found their bodies in the future? If so—”
“No,” she said quickly, placing her hand on his leg. “No, I’m not going to tell you that.”
Not that he believed her…fully.
“I think we should call it a night.”
He gave her, and then the window a curious look. “But ’tis night.”
She smiled. “Yes. It’s just a figure of speech. It means, it’s late and we should end our visit. Come on.” She held her hand down to him.
He took it, wanting instead to pull her down into his arms. He was mad. He stood up and stared into her eyes. He didn’t want the night to end. He ran the back of his knuckles over her cheek. “You are fresh air to my weary soul.”
He wanted to kiss her. He ached to do it.
Someone knocked at the library door, interrupting his thoughts. It was Elia.
“Word has arrived that Richard lodges in Kirkham Abbey,” she said coming inside. “He will be here by morning.” She looked at Kestrel and smiled, then cut her gaze back to him. “I thought you would want to know.”
“I do. Thank you, Elia.” He tossed Kestrel a regretful gaze. “We were just calling it a night.”
Elia crinkled her brow, then smiled, getting it. Clever lady. “Walk with us back to Kestrel’s room.”
“Oh, dear. I’m afraid I cannot. Cook wishes for me to prepare a list of things he needs for the kitchen. Some of the guardsmen are going to Brompton and you said he could have a list drawn up.”
“Aye, I did.” Nicholas said and turned to give Kestrel a knowing look. As in, he knew she had something to do with Cook and his list.
He dismissed Elia to her task and walked Kestrel back to her room.
She was making changes everywhere she went, bringing a little piece of her future to the fifteenth century. People liked her. She’d even won over Cook.
But the king was different.
Chapter Ten
King Richard III arrived at Scarborough Castle with all pomp and circumstance.
Kes could tell by watching his entrance from the bridge wall, that he enjoyed lording over everyone. Even his wave was practiced and stiff as he greeted the villagers closest to the castle.
He rode on a majestic white stallion in trappings of purple. He wore his crown as he rode in with his private guardsmen of forty men around him. Kes was certain the crown made him more of a target. His men probably worked that much harder to keep him safe.
His procession, waving purple and yellow banners, moved over the bridge and through the outer gate. Everyone scurried to and fro, preparing this thing or that. Even Kes felt a little excited.
The only one who remained calm and together was Nicholas. Now, Kes knew better. For what boiled just beneath the surface of Nicholas’ cool veneer, was fury, leashed and controlled.
