‘Yes, your brother’s death was very unfortunate. The plague I understand.’

Thomas knew that the true cause of Edmund’s demise was uncertain and looked uncomfortable as he spoke of it. ‘So William Herbert would have us believe,’ I responded. ‘And my royal brother’s commission of enquiry hit a Yorkist wall of silence. Another reason to strengthen our mutual defences. However, I am now at liberty to use my new house for its intended purpose – entertaining my friends and neighbours; or at least those I can trust.’

‘That is all very well but it lacks the feminine touch,’ Owen interjected. ‘I have never been one for exclusively male company. Why do you not invite that cousin of ours to join us? The one who is looking after Harri – Jane, is it not? She is a lovely girl and holds her own in conversation. Go on, lad, call her in.’

I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks. ‘I will not,’ I said. ‘You are the one for the ladies, Father. You call her if you want to.’

Owen made an impatient noise. ‘Bah! It is not an old man she wants it is you, you blind mole. Who would have thought that I could sire such a lame goose?’ He laid a gnarled hand on Lewys’s shoulder. ‘If you are not careful, Jasper, this skirt-lifting poet here will talk his way into her favour and you will regret it for the rest of your life – well, for a few months anyway!’

‘I have no intention of doing anything of the kind,’ protested Lewys, shrugging off my father’s hand.

‘Because you see as well as I do that she only has eyes for Jasper,’ Owen retorted with a chuckle. ‘Like me, Lewys, you woo where you know you can win.’

‘Perhaps the bard could pen a few lines on Lord Jasper’s behalf that might win the lady’s approval,’ suggested Thomas raising an eyebrow in my direction. ‘All females are susceptible to verse are they not?’

‘Stop this, all of you!’ I cried, relieved to see the hall door open to admit a posse of kitchen porters carrying an array of dishes, which they began to lay out on the table. ‘I am hungry, even if you are not. Come, my friends, take your places and let us talk of more important things. Which of you will join me at the hunt tomorrow for instance? The Pembroke parks are loaded with game.’