‘Good.’ She gave a brisk nod, apparently satisfied. ‘Let us walk towards our horses. Jane and your squire should see us and come down. I really must get back to Raglan.’ We had walked several paces out of the shadows when she suddenly tucked her hand into the crook of my elbow and drew me to her. Then to my utter surprise I felt her lips on mine.

There was nothing casual or brief about her kiss, or the way she caressed my neck as she granted it. ‘Thank you, Jasper,’ she said, drawing back with apparent reluctance. ‘You have given me encouragement to pursue my plan. Send me word when you are with Marguerite and I will write with the latest news for you to collect there. And let us thank the angel Gabriel that our courier service still operates without incident.’

I was bewildered. There had been many times when, as a younger man, I might have fantasized about a kiss from Margaret such as the one she had just bestowed but now my feelings were mixed. Rather than being thrilled to the core, I was more concerned that Jane might have seen the incident. I even wondered if Margaret had intended that she should, although I could not fathom her motive.

Meanwhile she was casually chattering on as if nothing had happened. ‘I am very impressed with my Henry’s skill with the bow and Lord Herbert has all the young boys practising at the quintain as well, though as yet only on foot. On my return to Woking I think I will send Henry a pony. He is not tall but it is not too early for him to begin jousting at the ring, is it?’

‘Not if the pony is well trained.’ Ungallantly I pulled away from Margaret’s attached hand, left her beside her horse and went to meet Jane and Evan as they approached. I told Evan, ‘We will escort the ladies until we come near where their guards are waiting, but we cannot afford to let them see us. And Jane, I must speak with you before you go.’ Her gimlet gaze alarmed me.

‘Do not be long,’ Margaret called, seeing us move back within the churchyard, where Jane hissed, ‘I saw you kiss her,’ before I could open my mouth.

‘No, sweeting, she kissed me. I have no idea why.’

‘Because I was looking,’ Jane retorted. ‘She is jealous of our relationship. She does not want you but she wants you to want her.’

‘Jane, we love each other. Surely that is what matters. Margaret has changed and I am no longer the romantic youth that put her on a pedestal. It is you I love.’

‘I am glad, Jasper, but I am realistic and it often puzzles me that you do love me, when you mix with glamorous, powerful women like Lady Margaret, who dress in silk, read the works of Aristotle and can organize a spy network.’