To the Tower Born - Robin Maxwell Read Online Free PDF Page B

hug.
    “I’ve never heard it so quiet in here,” said Bessie.
    “Father and Jan are setting type for a new book. Enjoy the silence. It’s about to end.”
    “I nearly stopped at the bake house to bring you some bread, but I couldn’t wait to tell you—”
    The cowbell clanked again and both girls turned to witness the entrance of a surprising trio of royals. Surprising, as Richard of Gloucester—Bessie’s father’s only living brother—
    came so infrequently to London. She realized she had not laid eyes on her uncle Richard, his wife, Anne, or their nine-year-old son, Ned, for nearly four years. Of course Bessie knew they were arriving shortly to join the royal progress out to Wales, but the sight of them in Caxton’s shop was unexpected and somehow incongruous.
    Upon recognition, there were many exclamations and embraces. Bessie marveled loudly at how much Ned had grown, all the while thinking secretly that he looked too small and frail for a boy his age. She was reminded of her brothers, Edward and Dickon, the two princes—tall, leggy, golden lads exuding life.
    This pale, large-eyed child, Bessie thought, would never reach adulthood. The burning core that fueled a person’s body, in Ned’s frame burned with too feeble a glow to sustain life. Anne was petite and prettier than Bessie remembered. She was aging well. Perhaps birthing only one child had benefited her. Though, thought the princess, her mother the queen had borne nine and was no more worse for wear.
    It was Richard, though, who took Bessie most by storm.
    She’d stepped back to allow Nell her greetings and obeisances to the Gloucesters, who, like every other member of the royal family, held William Caxton as their friend. Bessie had never remembered Richard so darkly handsome. Brooding brown eyes.
    Luxuriant black hair worn long. A clean-shaven face made all of angles. And a slow smile revealing straight white teeth.
    “Does my father know you’re here?” Bessie said to Richard, suddenly worried that she was staring at him.
    “I’ve only just sent word to him,” Richard replied. “We arrived yesterday. We’re staying at your grandmother Cecily’s.” Bessie was aware that when he spoke to her his eyes never left hers. It was strangely discomfiting, but suddenly she realized that it was as much his height as his attention to her that caused her feeling. All the men of her family were tall. Her father was a very giant at six feet and four inches. Her mother’s brother, Lord Rivers, and her father’s brother, Uncle Clarence, when he was alive, were both large, well-made men.
    Compared with them, Richard was short. His arms and shoulders were, however, unnaturally muscular from fighting with sword and battle-ax from his twelfth year. So whilst his torso was powerful, his normal-size and -shaped legs appeared more spindly than they were.
    “Bessie dear,” said Anne with the sweet smile she was known for. “Will you tell your mother that the suit of clothing she had made for Ned fits him perfectly?”
    “I will, Aunt Anne.”
    “You’re looking so beautiful, Bessie,” Anne said. “I think in looks you’ve the best of both your parents, and your grandmother Cecily’s lovely manner.”
    Bessie kissed Anne’s cheek for the welcome compliment. She was a beautiful woman herself.
    “What can I show you, then?” Bessie heard Nell say to her uncle Richard.
    “Well, ’tis a gift for a boy,” he replied. “Your friend’s brother, Prince Edward.”
    “You’d best not let Edward hear you call him a boy, Uncle,” said Bessie. “Lately he fancies himself a man.”
    “Does a boy become a man at thirteen?” Ned piped in. He was a serious child. “That’s how old my cousin Edward is, is he not?”
    “I think it depends on the boy,” his mother answered. “We  haven’t seen young Edward in nearly four years. He may well be very manly at thirteen.” She regarded her husband warmly.
    “Your father had already fought in his first