Read Cicely's King Richard (Cicely Plantagenet Trilogy) for Free Online Page B

brothers.’
    Elizabeth remembered. ‘By then Gloucester was twenty-five, and in many ways more capable than his brothers put together. But he always, always supported your father. I know how Edward relied on him, and I suppose he was right to do so. I did not value Gloucester, however, because he proceeded to plead with your father to spare Clarence. That was the very last thing I wished to happen. Fortunately it was also the very last thing your father wanted. Gloucester was never told the truth, of course, and was left believing my marriage was true and Clarence a traitor.’ Elizabeth gave a short laugh. ‘Gloucester spoke well for his brother’s life. A most engaging man, your uncle, but your father stood his ground and Clarence was condemned.’
    The queen glanced at her jewelled fingers, and on resuming the story, her voice sank to the merest whisper. ‘That was really when Gloucester began to despise me. He had never liked me, nor I him, but now he realized that I was in some way responsible for George’s plight.’
    She got up and went to the window. ‘Your father hesitated for many days to sentence his brother Clarence to death, for it was a terrible thing to do, but in the end Clarence was secretly executed in the Tower. When Gloucester learned of it, he was shocked and distressed. Lady Eleanor Boteler was long dead by then, and as far as I knew there was no one else to speak of it. Your father and I could continue to play at man and wife, and that would be the end of it.’
    She turned for a moment. ‘I was wrong, though, because there were those in Eleanor’s family, the Talbots, who knew of it but had been persuaded or rewarded to remain silent. And Robert Stillington, a priest who all those years before had known of the pre-contract, perhaps even officiated, is still alive today. He is now the Bishop of Bath and Wells. I strongly suspect him of having informed Clarence, but that cannot be proved. If he did, it would explain something of Clarence’s behaviour. Now Edward IV is dead before his time, and the good bishop has spoken up to prevent a bastard from ascending the throne of England. He has gone to Gloucester, who has chosen to believe him and is to take the throne for himself.’
    Bess was immediately protective. ‘Mother, there is no chosen about it! If all that you have just said is the truth, we are illegitimate, and the Duke of Gloucester is the rightful king. Our uncle Clarence was attainted and his children barred. That only leaves Richard. Why should he discard his own son’s birthright for the sake of his brother’s illegitimate children? And if other whispers I have heard are true, Father was not legitimate either, but born of a brief dalliance between our grandmother and a mere archer!’
    ‘That is calumny! God’s blood, girl, you would say anything to help Gloucester’s cause! Cannot you at least pretend to think purely where he is concerned? Have you never heard the word consanguinity? That man has ruined us. He thinks nothing of maltreating his beloved brother’s widow and children, yet you harbour unclean thoughts of him.’
    Bess recoiled, pale-faced. ‘ He has not ruined us, Mother, you and your hated Woodvilles have done that. If I were Richard, I would do all I could to see them overthrown. His is the royal blood, not theirs! And you are not Father’s widow, are you? You are just another of his splay-legged bitches!’
    Cicely scrambled to her feet. ‘Bess!’
    Elizabeth went for her eldest daughter, meaning to hit her with as much force as could be mustered, but Bess ran to the door and out of the room.
    Cicely tried to follow, knowing her mother would interrogate her, but she was not quick enough. Elizabeth could still be nimble when she chose, and seized her second daughter’s arm.
    ‘What is this between Bess and Gloucester?’
    ‘I know nothing, Mother. There is nothing. How can there be when it is so long since Bess last saw the duke?’ Cicely faced her