The Uncrowned Queen Read Online Free PDF Page B

been driven here by traitors. Traitors do not prosper. But in the future, you who are here with me today will want for nothing; neither shall your families.”
    The king turned back to Will Conyers. “Captain, I thank you for your help and for your courage. And for your fine crew.” Edward raised his voice so the men on the Norwich Lass could hear what he said. “You too, all of you, will have cause to be thankful for this voyage. Return home. And spread the news of our imminent return.”
    Edward slid the sword back into its sheath and stalked off toward the town, his men falling in behind him, a compact and purposeful group. Will Conyers shrugged as he watched Edward Plantagenet stride away. Lynn, where he came from, was a quiet place and the people of the small, prosperous town were unused to the tide of politics, but it was lapping high now, right to their very doors.
    The captain crossed himself and turned back to face the sea. Perhaps he’d let folks know where he’d been, perhaps not, though it would be harder to stop the crew talking. He was troubled. Would the new masters of England let him and his men lie safe in their beds if they heard he’d helped the former king?
    He stroked the precious cloak. Perhaps he could sell the knowledge he had? Then he discarded the thought. Dangerous to play both sides. Best lie low.
    Will shaded his eyes against the sun rising in the east and turned for one last glimpse of Edward Plantagenet. The king and his party had almost reached the town square, where they were attractingastonished glances from the townsfolk for their fine clothing and their grim looks.
    Where would they go? And who would aid them? Brave words were all very well, but this king would need his friends, and plenty of them. Twenty men couldn’t take back a kingdom. Could they?

CHAPTER FIVE
    Duchess Margaret of Burgundy was missing her husband, away on campaign again against the French, always the French. She was doing her very best to appear calm and happy, which was hard. Her flowers had appeared again this morning.
    Married for more than two years and still no pregnancy. This month she’d been so hopeful, for she’d been nearly three weeks late, but bloody sheets this morning had withered those hopes. It must be that she was barren. Charles had already proved himself capable of children, with a daughter, Mary, from one of his previous marriages. Swallowing hard to prevent self-pitying tears, the duchess tried to concentrate on what her friend, Lady Anne de Bohun, was saying.
    â€œâ€¦he died. There was nothing we could do. But he had a message for me from the king, your brother, Duchess. Have you heard anything more?”
    Margaret shook her head and signaled for her ladies to retreat a little so that she and Anne could speak privately.
    â€œAll I know is that England is in chaos. We had word from our ambassador in Westminster some weeks back that things were increasingly bad. Warwick is expected to land with his forces at any time.”
    Why was it that Edward had never appreciated the extent to which he’d alienated Earl Warwick when he married ElizabethWydeville in secret? Margaret wondered. It had all begun then, and the animosity had only deepened with the descent of the queen’s enormous and rapacious family onto the court. Edward had been a fool, led by lust, and now Margaret feared her brother would lose his kingdom for that mortal sin committed all those years ago.
    â€œAh, Lady Anne, I’ve felt so powerless at this distance. I had a letter from my brother a month ago, and even then he was quite certain he would engage with the earl and win. Duke Charles is away campaigning, as you know. Perhaps he will have more recent news when he returns.” Margaret shook her head sadly. One of Edward’s greatest qualities, and greatest weaknesses, was unfettered optimism: he believed everything would right itself in the end. Some called him