Margaret was beyond making any comment in return but I spoke for her. ‘Lady Margaret has always felt that she was carrying a boy. She does not believe in old wives’ tales.’

Mallt chuckled. ‘Old wives’ tales you call them, do you? Let us try it shall we? And then soon we will see whether the ring is right.’ She pulled a length of ribbon from the bosom of her gown and revealed a gold ring attached to it. Holding it over Margaret’s belly, she stilled it with her other hand and when she let it go it slowly began to sway to and fro. Mallt watched it for several heartbeats before making her pronouncement. ‘East-west. The ring says it is a girl.’

I saw Margaret’s eyes widen in protest and took her hand. Her fingers crushed mine and I shared her pain.

Mallt confined the ring once more to her bosom then asked gently, ‘Did you confess your sins before your lying-in, my lady? That always makes everything easier.’

Relieved as the pain subsided, Margaret managed to croak, ‘I did but it seems a long time ago. Should I do so again? Shall we send for the priest?’

Mallt looked shocked. ‘Oh no, my lady, that would never do. Childbirth is women’s work. Now that your labour has begun it is doubly bad luck to let a man enter the chamber. We women will all work together and with God and St Margaret’s help we will welcome a new life before morning.’

However, when I went out into the great hall to meet with Jasper at dawn I had nothing to report. My expression must have revealed my deep concern because before I could open my mouth he burst into speech. ‘Oh Jane! Is she still labouring? Is there no sign of the child yet?’

‘I fear not, my lord. She is brave but getting very tired and no wonder.’ As I spoke there came a muffled cry from the lying-in chamber, which crescendoed into a long, agonized moan, enough to tear at the hardest heart.

Jasper gasped. ‘Lord save her! Can she survive such pain?’

‘Have courage, my lord!’ I said, cutting short our discussion in order to return to my mistress.

The midwife had instructed me fetch the birthing chair, which had remained out of sight until the appropriate time so that Lady Margaret would not be disturbed by its curious shape. I bent and picked up the chair from where it had been tucked away in a corner near the door to the lying-in chamber, staggering a little as I found it heavier than I had expected.

Jasper stepped forward to steady me and rapped on the door for entry.

I whispered to him, ‘Keep praying, my lord, and do not despair. We are doing all we can.’