‘Exactly,’ said Mhairi. ‘It’s a foolish idea. Besides, how could you possibly convince Prince Oran to go along with it? Full moon – that’s the day of his council. It’s the day before we ride off to court.’

‘I’m doing it,’ Flidais said. ‘And you’ll support me, Mhairi, if you know what’s good for you. I will persuade him. He’s been a little kinder, these last few days. And of course he wants a son. His whole family are hoping for that. Lady Sochla hints about it all the time.’

Mhairi had gone white. A threat, that had been. Stay on my side or . . . what? You’ll lose your favoured position, or be packed off back to Cloud Hill? If Mhairi did know the truth, Flidais was foolish to threaten her. Should she choose to tell, Mhairi had the power to create utter chaos.

‘Flidais,’ said Mhairi, not even bothering with my lady, ‘if you do this, everyone will know.’

The words hung in silence for a moment, frightening in their implications.

‘Know what?’ asked Flidais in a shaky voice.

‘That you and the prince have lain together,’ said Mhairi. ‘That you’ve anticipated your wedding night. That’s no way to start a marriage to the king’s son.’

I breathed again. ‘Maybe not,’ I said, ‘but there’s a way of doing this and keeping it quiet. May I tell you?’

‘Of course. Mhairi, fetch the mead. Bring a cup for Mistress Blackthorn. And let us all sit down.’

We sat. Mhairi, now tight-lipped and silent, poured mead for the three of us.

‘Now tell us,’ said Flidais, ‘how can this be done?’

I set it out for her. First she must work on the prince in private, telling him the tale about Dreamer’s Pool, playing the part of a starry-eyed young bride desperate to give her new husband a boy. She must persuade him to try this at the next full moon, which was the night before they were to leave for court. She must ensure they took only one attendant each: Mhairi for her, Donagan for him. Yes, it might seem odd to the household that they would ride out at dusk. But we could invent a story to explain it. Prince Oran was known for his interest in the natural world, the fields and woods and lakes of the district and the wild creatures that lived there. Perhaps he might want to show his betrothed a white owl he’d glimpsed in the wood, or simply share with her the beauty of the landscape under the full moon. Or I, in my role as wise woman, might offer a special full moon blessing for the happy couple. The explanation would only be needed if someone happened to ask. Donagan could make the practical arrangements, such as having horses ready.