‘I never thought there would come a day when I would be able to raise a toast to the brother of an English king on Welsh soil!’ bellowed the elderly Gruffydd, white-headed now but even at the end of an energetic joust and mounted on his prancing charger, he was still able to raise his cup and make his voice echo around the vast outer ward. Having eaten and drunk his way through seven days of feasting and argument, passed judgement on a dozen bards and broken several lances on less expert jousters, the ‘old rascal’ was finally conceding victory to his host, whose team had scored two more points than his.

‘I speak for all the Welsh clans represented here when I thank Lord Jasper for opening his gates and his purse to us and achieving the impossible – that is to say peace between chieftains who have been feuding for years. May the devil take those who have slunk away without swearing but those of us here can all return to our lordships secure in the knowledge of who will stand firmly beside us against our enemies. But before we go, let us drink to Lord Jasper – a true leader of men. As long as he holds the king’s castles in South West Wales, we know our lands are safe. May God support his cause!’

Gruffydd’s two sons, Owain and Thomas, led the cheering that followed this speech and I watched Lord Jasper remove his helm and acknowledge the shouts with raised sword and pride-flushed cheeks. Seeing him receive this acclaim, like a knight from my mother’s illuminated book of romances, stirred feelings of admiration in me that had lately been lying dormant and lit a fresh spark of courage.

‘A clear conscience makes a cold bedfellow,’ he had said when Owen first revealed the existence of his Myfanwy. Did that mean he now regretted putting honour before inclination? If I made a new effort to break through his stifling sense of obligation to his royal brother, would he abandon his scruples of betraying the king and admit that he longed for the warmth of human flesh and the joy of love and companionship? I resolved to take a cue from the bold Myfanwy and try again. But I told myself that if I was rejected this time I would no longer remain at Pembroke to care for Lady Margaret’s son and feign indifference to the man I loved. I would go home to Tŷ Cerrig and run my father’s house and look after my stepmother and her children.

20

Jasper

Pembroke Castle