‘She is stirring, my lord,’ I said, dropping down to lay my hand on the girl’s brow. I could see her eyelids fluttering and put my mouth to her ear. ‘Can you hear me, my lady? It is Jane.’ Her eyes flew open, full of alarm and she tried to rise but I firmly pushed her down. ‘No, no. You must stay still until we see if you are hurt. You have had a fall. Can you feel any pain?’ The hood of her cloak had fallen back and drips from the branches above were splashing on her face. Her hat was missing; I felt carefully around her head and neck to see if there was any blood and sighed with relief to discover that it was only water soaking her hair.

‘My shoulder hurts,’ she said, shrinking from my touch. I noticed that her arm was caught underneath her body and I eased it very gently clear. She cried out but not in agony. ‘That is better,’ she said. I saw her skirts move as she tested her legs. When she spoke again, her voice was hesitant but remarkably calm. ‘I – do not think anything is broken.’

I heard Jasper expel his breath in a long sigh. ‘Jesu be thanked,’ he murmured and stood up, turning to his men and re-assuming command. ‘Someone find Lady Margaret’s palfrey. Maredudd, go to the palace and tell them we are bringing her in. The Infirmarian can prepare a bed and she can rest overnight. Jane, you will stay with her. Can she walk, or should I carry her?’

‘Help me up, Jane,’ said Lady Margaret, gingerly raising herself but noticeably saving her right arm. With her left hand, slowly and carefully I hauled her to her feet and she immediately turned her back on Lord Jasper. ‘It is just my arm that hurts. I can walk, thank you.’

The earl dashed moisture from his face; it may have been tears, it may have been raindrops. Frowning despondently at her averted back, he said, ‘I will come with you to the palace, Margaret, to make sure they look after you.’

I supported her at her waist as she put her good arm around my shoulders. ‘That will not be necessary, my lord. Jane will take me.’ Her voice sounded hard and uncompromising, her raw resentment at the custody arrangement painfully evident.