I refolded the letter and looked up to find Jasper standing before me, hand-in-hand with Harri. ‘I notice she still signs herself Countess of Richmond,’ I said. ‘I thought the king had recalled Richmond to the crown.’

‘But the title was granted to Margaret for life, or until Harri marries. I thought you took little interest in titles, Jane.’

I handed him the letter. ‘No I do not but Lady Margaret clearly does. Will she ever obtain custody of Harri?’

‘No because she would share it with her husband and fate may give her more than the two she has so far had. It is possible that Harri might become a tool in our enemy’s hands, so she will never get custody, not while I live and King Henry is on the throne.’ Jasper pushed the letter into the front of his doublet, which today was in shimmering azure blue with high collar and silver braid. Since taking his place as the uncrowned prince of West Wales he had begun dressing rather grandly and I had myself almost defied the sumptuary laws by employing the castle seamstress to make me some new summer kirtles in exquisitely patterned fabrics and bright colours. Not only that, gone was my eternal coif for now I wore more elaborate headdresses copied from the fashionable ladies of the town. Jasper had not made any comment but his glances told me that my efforts were appreciated.

‘When I have written my reply to Lady Margaret I shall come to you, as she suggests, for an account of Harri’s health to include with it,’ he went on. ‘It will have to be today, Jane. I haven’t yet told you, there came by the same courier a summons to a meeting of the Great Council, only this time it has been called by Queen Marguerite, in the name of her son, Prince Édouard, which can only mean that my brother is ill again.’

‘When will you go to the king?’ I asked, although I already knew the answer for he never delayed responding to his brother’s needs.

‘Tomorrow.’ Jasper made a face. ‘Clearly he needs me. But Geoffrey will be coming too so Edith and Rich can come to stay with you and Harri.’

* * *