My best beloved I kiss your lips.

I pray that our courier will deliver this safely. I write it on the eve of leaving Pembroke for Raglan. Yes, I am entering the lion’s den and so are all the children.

William Herbert came to Pembroke three days ago with a large armed force and a terrifying battery of guns. His arrival caused great consternation in both town and castle. On the second day his herald approached the walls to offer terms. As you instructed, Constable Skydmore was intending to surrender the castle without conditions but I asked for time to prepare the children. When I told Harri that he would be going to a new home he begged me to go with him. I said I would have to ask his new guardian.

When the herald returned next day the constable asked if I might speak personally with Lord Herbert and I was escorted to his tent in the siege camp across the river. Instead of the rough-mannered, tough-talking soldier I had expected, I found a gentleman who listened politely to my proposal that I be allowed to accompany Harri to his new home and bring his present nursery companions with him. I explained that I had been his nurse and governess all his life and that separation from us would cause serious problems in the young boy’s behaviour and his health, a matter of paramount importance to his mother. I do not know whether Lord Herbert has ever encountered Lady M but the mere mention of her name gave him pause. After some thought he said it would be up to his wife to decide whether her household could accommodate four extra youngsters and their nurse.

I now have agreed to go with all the children to Raglan and then see if Lady Herbert approves a longer-term arrangement. If she does, I fear it will mean that any future meetings between you and me may not be easy – perhaps impossible – but I am doing what I feel I must and rest assured that I will always do my utmost to keep all the children safe. I remain forever,

Your very loving friend.

I hoped against hope that Jane would write again, although I knew it would be next to impossible to send a missive from a Yorkist castle to a hunted Lancastrian outlaw. I had written a brief note in reply but I doubted it would reach her. Meanwhile the man who I believed had killed my brother now had custody of my lover, nephew, half-brother and daughters and was hunting me. The demon of despair haunted me during this time and only a burning ambition to destroy the Yorkist usurper and restore King Henry to his rightful throne kept it at bay.