They had scarcely arrived at the inn when a horseman came riding into the yard.
Tt could be Buckingham,' said Richard; but to his amazement it was not. It was Anthony Lord Rivers.
Anthony came to Richard and bowed low. 'My lord Protector,' he said, 'I come with all speed to welcome you and to explain why I was unable to keep my appointment here with you. It seemed there would not be enough accommodation here for your followers and those of the King so we agreed that he should go on to Stony Stratford and that I would return and explain the position to you here.'
A neat explanation, thought Richard, but he did not believe it was true. The Woodvilles wanted to get the King to Westminster and crowned so that there would be no need for a Protector.
Richard made a pretence of accepting the explanation and invited Rivers to dine with him. Anthony declared that he would
US The Sun in Splendour
be honoured to do so and while they were talking the Duke of Buckingham arrived.
Richard received him with a show of pleasure. Rivers feigned to do the same but he was disturbed for Buckingham was an enemy of the Woodvilles even though he had married into the family—but perhaps it was because of that that he hated them.
Rivers, going back to the inn in which he was to spend the night, was uneasy.
Richard never betrayed his feelings so it was not easy to know whether he had been duped by the explanation that there had not been room in town, or not. The young King, however, was at Stony Stratford and as that was fourteen miles closer to London this seemed a wise move on the part of Rivers.
It was a friendly supper party. The three of them—Gloucester, Buckingham and Rivers appeared to be in agreement about all they discussed. Gloucester was perhaps a little silent, but then that was his way. Rivers would have been astonished if he had been otherwise. Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham talked enough for two men. Volatile and ebullient Buckingham made it a merry party so that Rivers' suspicions were completely lulled. Moreover Buckingham had never greatly interested himself in state affairs. Rivers regarded him as a dilettante, a lover of luxury, somewhat lazy. Until now in spite of his high rank, he had chosen to live in the country away from affairs. He had married Catherine Woodville, sister of the Queen, when he was very young and having been forced into a marriage for which he had had no desire had always been resentful towards the Woodvilles. Rivers knew that he was not friendlily disposed towards the family but he thought that he was too indifferent to state affairs to consider working against them and that this meeting must be, as Buckingham hinted, accidental.
They parted on the best of terms and Rivers went back to the inn which was a short distance from that one in which Gloucester and Buckingham were to spend the night, promising himself that he would be off early next morning before they arose.
After he had gone Buckingham went with Gloucester to his room. They looked at each other very seriously for a few moments and then Gloucester said: 'Well, what is it?'
'He will get the King to London before you,' said Buckingham.
'No, he will not,' replied Richard.
'My lord, the King lies at Stony Stratford. You may be sure that
Rivers plans to have him away before we get to him/
'It shall not be.'
'He will have sent messages to Stony Stratford without doubt.'
'I have stopped all messengers leaving the town.'
Buckingham smiled.
'So the King will stay at Stony Stratford until I arrive to conduct him to London/ went on Gloucester.
Buckingham nodded. 'You are wise. Lord Protector. I came here to join you, to offer my services. The Woodvilles are in charge ... at the moment. They plan to rule the country.'
'I know that well. They deliberately refrained from telling me of my brother's death although they knew that he had named me Protector of the Realm and the King's guardian.'
They are determined to get the boy crowned and then he will be surrounded by the Woodvilles who will proceed to rule. It must never be.'
'It shall never be,' said Richard.
He was regarding Buckingham quizzically. Buckingham was fierce in his condemnation of the Woodvilles. He was a considerable ally, representing one of the most noble fanulies in the land as he did. Richard was confident of his ability to conduct affairs in the way his brother would have wished them to go, but the more friends he had the better. Hastings had proved himself an ally; and now Buckingham.
His confidence was growing. Not that he needed support. Richard had always done what he considered right without too much consideration of the cost.
He now said: 'Firm action is needed, firm and immediate action/
'My lord,' said Buckingham, 'you will know what action to take/
Anthony had returned to his room in a mood bordering almost on complacency. Gloucester had been affable—rather unexpectedly so. He had never while the King was alive shown any great regard for the Woodvilles and Anthony knew he had made his brother aware that he considered the marriage of the King and Queen most unsuitable. As for Buckingham he behaved as one might expect a brother-in-law to—^but it was the first time he had.
Rivers smiled as he settled into his bed. Of course they realized, these two,* that he. Rivers, was of greater importance now than he had ever been. The King was devoted to him and anyone who wished for favour in the new reign would have first to consider Lord Rivers. The Queen too perhaps for he had taught Edward to revere his mother. He was certain that there were good times ahead for the whole Woodville clan.
He slept easily for he had drunk rather more deeply than usual in that affable company, but before retiring he had given instructions that he was to be awakened just before dawn. He must leave then and set out for Stony Stratford where young Edward would be waiting for him. And then ... off to London and the coronation.
When he awoke the first streaks of light were in the sky. He rose startled. He should have been awakened by now. Hearing a murmuring below and with a sudden feeling that all was not as it should be he went to the window and looked out. Soldiers appeared to be surrounding the inn.
Throwing a cloak about himself he went to the door. He was confronted by a guard.
'What means this?' he cried.
'You are under arrest, my lord.'
'What? This is nonsense. Under arrest. For what reason? Who has arrested me?'
He saw the badge of the Boar on the men's livery and he knew because the man replied: 'On the orders of the Lord Protector, my lord.'
Rivers stepped back into the room. What a fool I've been! he thought. How could I have been so duped? I should have stayed at Stony Stratford. I should at this moment be on my way to London with the King.
He dressed hurriedly and said that he wished to speak with the Duke of Gloucester. He sent for his most trusted squire and told him to go at once to the inn where the Duke had his headquarters and tell him that Lord Rivers desired to speak to him without delay.
'And get a message to my nephew. Lord Richard Grey, who is with the King. Tell him to leave at once with the King for London.'
'It is not possible, my lord. No one is allowed to leave the town. The Protector's men are posted on all roads.'
'It is too late then/ said Anthony. Then I must see the Duke.'
'I will go at once my lord and ask if he will see you.'
In a state of great mortification and extreme anxiety Rivers waited and in due course his messenger returned and said he was to conduct him to the Duke of Gloucester.
Richard regarded him sardonically.