Without a marriage contract he had no legal say in what name I chose. He shot me a sharp glance, aware that his persistence in calling me Jane rather than Sian still rankled. He repeated the name. ‘Elin. What do you think, little girl?’ he held the baby up to face him, supporting her swathed head in his large, calloused hand. She blinked once or twice and then fell asleep. ‘She appears unconcerned. So Elin it is.’

‘Elin means bright and shining,’ I told him. ‘I thought it appropriate. You cannot see it for the swaddling but she has red hair.’

Jasper smiled at that. ‘She is definitely mine then,’ he said.

‘Myfanwy has agreed to be a godmother.’ I glanced across the chamber to where Owen’s mistress was still clearing up after the delivery. ‘Also Edith, if she can get here for the baptism. Who would you like as godfather?’

He frowned, considering carefully. ‘I would say my father but he may not be here to guide her as she becomes an adult. So Geoffrey I think if Edith is godmother. I will send to Haverford immediately. As long as the winds remain calm they should be able to cross the haven.’

‘Well, Elin is a healthy little thing. I think we can wait a day or so,’ I said. ‘But not too long or Myfanwy will be giving birth herself.’

I was up and churched before Myfanwy retired to the same chamber but she, poor thing, laboured long and hard to bring her lusty baby boy into the world. I held her hand and felt my fingers crushed painfully together as she struggled not to cry out in her pain. ‘Just scream,’ I advised. ‘No one will hear you and if they do, it is too bad.’ But she would not and I believed her ordeal was made worse because of it.