sure it would be and when he had finished his translation he intended to go again to Cologne and then possibly set up a press in Bruges.
'I will remember that,' Edward told him, 'and I hope that when we are in a happier state in England you will visit the Court there.'
Caxton said that it would be an honour to do so, for although he had lived long abroad and had been made most welcome in the Duchess's Court he did often long for his native land.
The weeks passed quickly and during them Edward worked indefatigably building up arms and men in preparation for crossing the Channel. By March he had accumulated a force of some twelve thousand men and with Richard of Gloucester and Earl Rivers he set sail from Flushing. The weather was against him and it was ten days before he reached Cromer. Some of his men landed to test the state of opinion in that area and discovered that it was solidly in Warwick's control; he sailed on northwards and finally landed at Ravenspur.
It was not as easy as he had thought for what the people dreaded more than anything was civil war. They had favoured Edward but Edward had been driven out of the country. True, they knew Henry was weak, but Warwick was behind him and Warwick had that aura of greatness which they respected.
But as Edward came to York he found there were plenty to rally to his banner and he began the march south. He was near Banbury when he heard that Clarence was not far off and shortly afterwards Clarence sent a messenger on in advance to tell Edward that he wanted to speak with him.
Edward was pleased for there was a conciliatory note in the message and he believed that his brother was fast regretting his action in turning against him.
Edward was thoughtful. Could it really be that George was looking for a reconciliation? It was too good to be true. If it were so he would forgive him with all his heart. Not that he would ever trust him again. When he came to think of it he had never really trusted Clarence. But if he and his brother were friends again, if Clarence brought his men to fight for him, this would be a tremendous blow to Warwick.
Yes, certainly he would welcome Clarence. Let them meet without delay.
Outwardly it was an affectionate meeting. Clarence looked at
Edward shamefacedly and would have knelt, but Edward laid a hand on his arm and said: 'George, so you want us to be friends again?'
'I have been most unhappy,' said Clarence. 'It was all so unnatural. 1 was under the influence of Warwick and I want to escape from that influence now.'
'We have both been under the influence of that man—you so far as to go against your own brother and marry his daughter.'
'I regret all I have done . . . except my marriage to Isabel. She is a good creature and I love her dearly.'
Edward nodded, thinking: She is a great heiress and you also love her lands and money dearly.
Clarence went on: 'I no longer wish to stand with Warwick. I want to be back where I belong. Our sister Margaret has written to me most affectingly. I have suffered much.'
'I too suffered from your desertion,' Edward reminded him.
'And can you forgive me?'
'Yes,' said Edward.
'By God, together we will fight this traitor Warwick. We'll have his head where they put our father's.'
'It was not Warwick who put our father's head on the walls of York and stuck a paper crown on it, George. That was our enemies . . . our mutual enemies. But yes, we are going to defeat Warwick.'
'I will bring him to you in chains.'
'Your father-in-law, your one-time friend! I want him to be treated with respect if we have the good fortune to capture him. I can never forget how he taught me, how he showed me how to fight and win a crown. Sometimes I think I am more hurt that he should take his friendship from me than my crown. I would always treat him with honour. He had his reasons you know for doing what he did. Warwick would always have his reasons. He is my enemy now but he is one I honour.'
Clarence thought what a fool his brother was. But there was a hard side to Edward, he knew; he could be ruthless but where his affections were concerned he was soft. He had married Elizabeth Woodville; he was ready to forgive the man who had taken his crown from him and his own brother who had deceived him. No wonder he had lost his throne! He would lose it again and if Henry were driven out there was one who would stand in to take it: George, Duke of Clarence.
Well, there was reconciliation between the brothers and as Edward had predicted Clarence's desertion of Warwick and return to Edward had the desired effect. Edward marched without hindrance into London.
Warwick was in Coventry when he heard of Clarence's defection. There was even more bitterness to come for Louis had signed a truce with the Duke of Burgundy and so was making terms with Warwick's enemy. Clarence he despised. He had never trusted him but his greatest hope had lain with the French King. Margaret of Anjou had left France and with the Prince of Wales and Anne and Warwick's Countess was about to land in England. He, Warwick, was heading for some climax. Meanwhile Edward had reached London. His spirits rose as he saw the grey stone walls of the Tower and he assured himself that Elizabeth was not far away.
First he went to St Paul's to give thanks for his return. Then he must see Henry who was at the Bishop of London's palace close by. Warwick had ordered that he should be taken there and put in the charge of Archbishop Neville and that Neville should let him ride through the streets in an attempt to arouse people's enthusiasm for him.
This was difficult for the people could not feel very much for the poor pathetic creature. There was nothing kingly about him. And when the Archbishop thought of Edward soon to arrive—so handsome with that special charm which had taken the people by storm in his youth and was still there—it seemed to him that the wisest thing was to take Henry back to the palace.
When Edward arrived and Henry was brought, Henry blinked up at him and said: 'Cousin, you are welcome. My life will be safe in your hands.'
'I mean you no harm,' said Edward. 'You shall go back to your prayers and your books.'
Thank you, thank you. It is what I have always wanted.'
'And now,' said Edward, 'to the Sanctuary.'
Elizabeth was there with her beautiful hair hanging about her shoulders as he liked it best. They looked at each other for a few seconds before they gave themselves up to a fervent embrace.
It was an emotional moment and even Elizabeth felt the tears in her eyes. He was back, as she always knew he would be.
'You have been my brave Queen,' he murmured.
'I am so happy that you are back. It all seems behind me now. It
does not matter, if you are to stay with me for ever.'
'As long as God will let me/ he said.
'Edward, we have lived here in Sanctuary all these months. We could not have survived but for our good friends.'
'They shall be rewarded. All will be well now. I am going to be victorious.'
Jacquetta came to him and was warmly embraced. He would never believe the stories that she was a witch and had captured him for her daughter through witchcraft. He was fond of Jacquetta and he knew that she would have been a great help and comfort to Elizabeth during his enforced absence.
'You have not seen your son,' cried Elizabeth.
'My son . . . the boy I have always wanted! Bring him to me. I long to see him.'
'He is Edward . . . after you.'
'It is a good name.'
He gazed at the child in wonder. His beloved son—a perfect healthy boy to delight any father's heart, most of all a king who must be assured of the succession.
He took him in his arms and tenderly kissed his brow. The baby opened its eyes and regarded him solemnly for a moment before closing them again while the little girls were clambering round him. He handed the baby to Elizabeth and embraced his daughters all together so that one should not feel favoured more than the other.