The day dawned bright. Jane and I sat on the window seats. ‘Here is the matter, then,’ I began. ‘Everything depends on whether Edward stays and fights or takes flight. All I know so far is that Warwick has secured London for Lancaster and released King Henry from the Tower. I have men ready to support him, should Edward show signs of preparing for a battle; otherwise I will send them to garrison castles around the Welsh March that are presently held by Yorkists. But my prime objective is to go to Weobley, collect Harri and take him to his mother. Margaret deserves to get her son back and I consider it my duty to see it happen. She has been a crucial supporter of our cause and I am greatly in her debt.’

As I spoke I noticed Jane’s expression change from open interest to narrow-eyed antipathy. I had forgotten how quick she could be to react when it came to the mention of Margaret. ‘So you will leave us, the family you have not seen for years, to go and dance attendance on your honoured lady! Can you not spare us even one more day of your exalted company, my lord?’

‘Oh Jane – that hot temper of yours!’ I reached up to stroke her cheek but she brushed my hand away and averted her eyes. ‘I do not intend to leave you behind but hope you will all come with me. Lady Margaret will be in London. We will go there from Weobley and deliver Harri to her. It is summer and the weather is fine; would Elin and Sian not enjoy the journey and a visit to London?’

She frowned, still avoiding my gaze. ‘Perhaps they would but not to stay as unwelcome guests of Lady Margaret’s.’

‘That will not be necessary. I have a house in Stepney Green, which has been lived in by one of my former councillors, the Yorkist Thomas Vaughan. But he has fled London now and I have written to Geoffrey Pole to ask him to repossess it and hire some servants to prepare it for us. You will not even have to meet Margaret if you do not wish to.’ I reached for her chin and this time she let me turn her face to mine. ‘I love you, Jane, you must know that, but we are in the midst of restoring my brother’s throne. I must keep my army on alert, I must fetch Harri, I must go to my brother in London and I must liaise with Warwick. This is the only way I can devise for us to be together and for me to fulfil my obligations at the same time. Say you will come to London.’

She blinked tears away. ‘It is so good to have you back, my lord Jasper. Of course I will come to London.’

42

Jasper

Coldharbour Inn, London, Le Garlek, Stepney Green, & The Bishop’s Palace by St Paul’s