‘I know Henry will be safe with you, Jane,’ Margaret assured me, refusing as always to use the name Harri. ‘But I insist that you to write regular letters telling me of every new tooth and of course when he takes his first steps. Edith and I thought it might happen over Christmas but although he stands if you hold his hands he has not yet stepped out independently.’

Her eyes misted as she contemplated missing this important milestone in her son’s life so I hastened to reassure her that I would not only write but also attempt to draw him standing freely on his feet. ‘Although I am not the most talented artist, it must be said,’ I added with a grimace. ‘When I drew Lord Jasper’s peregrine, if you remember, you thought it looked more like a pigeon.’

I detected a moment of uncertainty at the mention of her brother-in-law, as if she was about to pass comment and thought better of it, so I took a chance. ‘He feels just as wretched as you at the separation, my lady. It is not his choice but I am certain he will be like a father to Harri. It would greatly ease his anguish if you were able to forgive him, or at least acknowledge the awkwardness of his position.’

For an instant I thought I had made a dreadful error in taking Lord Jasper’s part. She was after all a fourteen-year-old girl, not an experienced woman, aware of the Wheel of Fortune’s erratic turns.

At this moment Edith chose to intervene and spoke frankly, as only an older sister could. ‘Geoffrey believes Lord Jasper to be the best man ever to be granted the lordship of Pembroke and the best ambassador Wales could have in the English court. If anyone can teach a boy how to become a man of honour and worth it is he. Your Henry needs a role model to guide and advise him and, lacking his own father, his uncle is the perfect choice. It is the inevitable fate of a noblewoman to lose authority over her sons at a young age but at least you can be sure that Jasper will never let him forget who his mother is. Leave him with good grace, Margaret, and go and have more children with your new husband.’