When J came in for his supper she sent him back out to the pump to wash his hands again. He came in wiping his palms on his smock, leaving muddy stains.

‘Look at you!’ Elizabeth exclaimed without heat.

‘It’s clean earth,’ he defended himself. ‘And I’ve never seen my father’s hands without grimy calluses.’

Elizabeth brought bread and meat broth to the table.

‘Chicken broth again?’ J asked without resentment.

‘Mutton,’ she said. ‘Mrs Giddings killed a sheep and sold me the lights and a leg. We’ll have a roast tomorrow.’

‘Where’s father?’

She let him break bread and take a spoonful of soup before she answered. ‘Gone to France after my lord Buckingham.’

He dropped his spoon back in his bowl. ‘Gone where?’ he asked incredulously.

‘I’d have thought you’d have heard.’

He shook his head. ‘I was over at the far side of the estate all day, with the game birds. I heard nothing.’

‘The duke sent for him, wanted him to take some clothes, and some playthings for the French princess.’

‘And he went?’

She met his angry glare. ‘Of course, J my boy. Of course he went.’

‘He runs after the duke as if he were a dog!’ J burst out.

Elizabeth shot a fierce look at him. ‘You remember your duty!’ she hissed.

J dropped his gaze to the table, and fought for control. ‘I miss him,’ he said quietly. ‘When he is not there then people look to me to tell them what to do. Because I am his son they assume that I know things, and I don’t know them. And the lads in the stable tease me when he is not there. They mock me behind my back and call me names. They say things about him and the duke which are not fit to be repeated.’

‘He won’t be long,’ Elizabeth said without conviction.

‘You cannot know that.’

‘I know he will come as soon as he can.’

‘You know he will come when the duke has finished with him, and not a moment sooner. Besides, he loves travelling, if he gets the chance he will be off around Europe again. Did he leave you with an address where we can reach him?’

‘No.’

‘Or money?’

‘No.’

J sighed heavily and spooned broth. When his bowl was empty he took the last piece of bread and wiped it carefully around, mopping up the gravy. ‘So at the end of the month I shall have to go to the almoner for his wages and he will swear they will be paid to him in Paris, and we will have to make do on my money until he returns.’

‘We can manage,’ Elizabeth said. ‘I have some put by, and he will make it up when he gets back.’