‘It is hard.’ His voice was full of pain, even in his own ears. ‘But I have made my choice and I must serve him.’

‘Keep us all in service to the Lord our God,’ Josiah Hurte prayed again, and this time Jane Hurte, still watching John’s strained face, said: ‘Amen.’

The two young people were allowed out to walk together. Jane had some deliveries which had to be made, and J was to go with her to help with the basket. John thought that the sight of J carrying the basket as if it were made of glass and holding Jane by the arm as if she were a posy of flowers, mincing down the London street, was one he would never forget.

One of the apprentices walked behind them, bearing a stout stick.

‘She has to be accompanied now,’ Mrs Hurte said. ‘There are so many beggars and many of them sickly. She cannot go out alone any more.’

‘J will take care of her,’ John said reassuringly. ‘See how he holds her arm! And see him with that basket!’

‘He’s a taking young man,’ Josiah Hurte remarked pleasantly. ‘We like him.’

‘He’s very much in love with your daughter,’ John said. ‘Are you in favour of a match?’

The mercer hesitated. ‘Would he remain in the service of the duke?’

‘I have some rented fields, and some land I bought on the advice of my old master, the earl. I have the fee for a Whitehall granary –’

‘You are a garneter?’ Josiah interrupted, surprised.

John had the grace to look embarrassed. ‘It is a sinecure. I don’t do the work but I have the pay for doing it.’

Josiah nodded. His daughter’s future father-in-law was benefiting from the very system he condemned: places and work given to men who knew nothing about the trade, who had no intention of learning, who subcontracted the task and kept the inflated pay.

‘But our main work is in the duke’s gardens,’ John continued smoothly. ‘The planning and planting of his gardens and the collection in his cabinet of rarities. J has served his apprenticeship under me and will follow me into the place at my death.’

‘I would be unhappy at Jane joining the duke’s household,’ the man said frankly. ‘His reputation is bad.’

‘With women?’ Tradescant shook his head. ‘My lord duke can have the pick of every lady at court. He does not trouble his servants.’ He felt the pain beneath his ribs as he spoke. ‘He is a man very well loved. He does not need to buy his pleasure from his servants.’

‘Could she practise her religion in your house, as she wishes?’

‘Providing that she gives no offence to others,’ John said. ‘My wife is of a Puritanical bent, her father was vicar at Meopham. And you know J shares your convictions.’

‘But you do not?’