‘At New Hall there is a man who knows another man who says that there should be a petition against the king that should tell him his duties. That he cannot levy taxes without calling a parliament. That he must listen to his advisers in Parliament. That the duke should not rule over everything and scrape all the wealth into his own pocket. That orphans and widows should have the protection of the Crown, so that a man can die in peace and know that his estate will be well managed and not farmed by the duke for his own good.’

‘Are there many that think this?’ Her whisper was a thread of sound.

‘He says so.’

Her eyes were wide. ‘Does any say so in your father’s hearing?’

J shook his head. ‘Father is known as the duke’s man through and through. But there are many, even in the duke’s own service, who know that the mood of the country is turning against the duke. They blame him for everything that goes wrong, from this hot weather to the plague.’

‘What will become of us if the duke should fall?’ she asked.

J’s young face was determined. ‘We would survive,’ he said. ‘Even if the country never wanted another duke, it would always need gardeners. I should always find work and there will always be a home for you with me. But what would become of my father? He’s not just the duke’s gardener – he is his vassal. If the duke fails then I think father’s heart will break.’

May 1625

John met his master in Paris as he had been ordered. He waited for him in the black and white marble hall of the great house until the double doors swung open and the duke was framed in the bright Paris sunlight. He was wearing diamonds in his hat, on his finely embroidered doublet. His cape was hemmed with brilliants which John hoped very much were glass but feared were also diamonds. He sparkled in the spring sunshine like the new leaves on a silver birch tree.

‘My John!’ he exclaimed with delight. ‘And have you brought all my clothes? I am reduced to rags!’

John found he was beaming with delight at the sight of his master. ‘So I see, my lord. I was afraid that I would find you looking very poor and mean. I have brought everything and your coach and six horses is coming behind me.’

Buckingham grasped him by the shoulder. ‘I knew you would do it for me,’ he said. ‘I would trust no other. How are things at New Hall?’

‘Everything is well,’ John told him. ‘The garden is looking well, your water terrace is working and looks lovely. Your wife and mother are at New Hall and are both well.’