While he spoke, Henry nodded. “How will we mend the holes this place now represents?
“Show the people that you care for them, even the lowest born,” Nicholas told him. “They have had an untrustworthy king for almost two years. Give them something new. Earn their loyalty.”
They all had dinner together and Nicholas was surprised and grateful that Henry seemed to like him. He figured he had Lizzie to thank. “I told him everything about you,” she said at dinner, sitting close to him, “and how much my father and my family loved you.”
He pulled her in under one arm and kissed the top of her head. “Thank you, Lizzie. I am in your debt.”
“Nonsense, Brother. I just want you to be happy.”
“And I want the same for you.”
“I am. Henry is very kind and attentive. I’m happy to say that he has won my heart.”
He looked at her and quirked his mouth. “Who would have ever thought our hearts could be won?”
They smiled at each other and then laughed.
“We must come to Scarborough as Richard did and live with you and Kes for a month or two.”
“We would enjoy that.” He smiled and she squeezed his arm and gave his shoulder a quick kiss.
He looked at Kestrel sitting on the other side of him, speaking to Charlie. He smiled and she caught a glimpse of it. She stopped talking and turned to him. She looked as breathless at the sight of him as he was of her.
“Let’s leave here soon,” she purred, moving closer to him. “I want to be alone with you.”
He lifted his hand. “Sire?”
Henry Tudor looked his way. “My wife and I wish to retire. It has been a trying time.”
“Ah, yes. Of course,” he said with a knowing smile while Lizzie giggled behind him. “You may go.”
He took his wife’s hand and left the hall with her. He’d paid for two small rooms at the town inn. The other for Elia. Nicholas had a tent, but he thought his wife would prefer sleeping in a bed. They walked together in the twilight.
“’Tis difficult to believe that Richard, the last Yorkist king, is dead and that I had much to do with it.”
“You simply did not fight for him—”
“I led him onto the field.”
“Nicholas.” She stopped walking and turned to him. “Do you think he was a good king?”
“I do not think he was a goodman. How then could he be a good king?”
“Right. It is not your fault he died. It’s his fault.” She smiled and he felt as if he were falling in love with her all over again. It happened often. He no longer fought it. In fact, he thrilled in it.
“Will Henry be any better?” he asked her. After all, she likely knew.
“He will do more for England than Richard in restoring the country’s economical, er, financial… England will no longer be poor.” She laughed softly. “I can’t think right when you’re looking at me.”
“I cannot stop looking at you. How about Elizabeth? Will she be happy?”
She nodded. “Henry loved her very much. It’s written that he locked himself in his room and wept wh—”
He stopped and looked at her. “When she died?”
“Yes.”
“How? How does she die? Does Henry have anything to do with it?”