I ushered her quickly inside.

‘How did you find me? I hope you have not been asking for me around the town. They do not know my story here and that is how I want it to stay.’

Myfanwy gave me a scornful look. ‘Do you think I would not realize that? Funnily enough I recognized your basket from the Pembroke days. It is very distinctive and it was on the arm of a red-faced woman. I followed her home from the market. Am I not clever?’

‘You are indeed.’ I gave her a grateful hug, my emotions in turmoil. ‘But why have you come here after all this time?’

‘Because you have my son of course! He is still with you I take it? How is he?’

‘Of course he is with me! Did you think I would abandon him as you did?’

‘I did not abandon him. I left him with the person who would best bring him up. I quickly realized, if you did not, that I am not suited for motherhood. May I sit down? I feel quite weary.’ She sank onto the window seat with a sigh and looked candidly at me, her gaze absorbing my serviceable holland dress, my apron.

A rush of guilt swamped the anger, which until that moment I had not known I felt. I was forgetting that refreshment was the first duty of a host. ‘I will have some ale brought. Would you like me to send for Davy too? He is down on the harbour beach annoying the fishermen.’

‘No, not yet. I need to talk with you first, Sian.’ Myfanwy gave me a smile of entreaty. My Welsh name spoken now in her deep melodious voice inspired a sudden rush of nostalgia for our lost friendship, further banishing the tension the day’s events had been arousing in me.

I found Eithne in the storeroom, unpacking her purchases from the distinctive basket. ‘I have a visitor, Eithne. Did you not hear the knocking at the door?’

‘I did but I thought Huw would go.’

Gone were the days of Pembroke Castle, when the servants had bowed and bobbed to acknowledge orders from the earl’s mistress. I told her to find Huw and send him to fetch Davy, after she had brought us some ale. When I returned to the hall Myfanwy had not moved and was staring out of the window watching the cogs and hulks queuing in the bay for their turn to unload on the high tide. ‘This must be a prosperous town,’ she remarked.

‘Jasper certainly thought it worth protecting,’ I responded. ‘He spent a fortune on its defences.’

‘It did not protect him though, did it. Where is he now?’

‘If I knew I would not tell you, Myfanwy.’ I sat down beside her on the cushioned seat in the oriel. ‘What did you want to talk to me about?’