Coming into the presence of Lady Margaret always seemed like a special event. She exuded an aura of dainty but dignified grandeur and walked forward to greet us on soft, slippered feet like a swan gliding over a calm lake. Arrayed in a gown of lustrous dark brown silk and brocade and amply adorned with jewellery of gold and costly gems, she greeted Harri with exclamations of such joy and delight that he appeared overwhelmed. Then she led us to seats of carved and polished oak set beside walls hung with bright-coloured tapestries showing scenes of royalty hunting in verdant landscapes. Harri sat quietly lacing and unlacing his fingers while she plied him with refreshments and information, telling him that she would be taking him to court very soon.

‘We do not know exactly when. King Henry is staying at the Bishop of London’s palace and says he wants to wait until Queen Marguerite comes from France before setting up court at Westminster. But I know he listens to you, Lord Jasper, and you really must try and persuade him otherwise, for now that the Yorkist regime has left there are many loyal Lancastrians returning to London and they all want to pay homage to their king and renew their allegiance. The Bishop’s Palace is simply not large enough.’

I gave her a doubtful look. ‘I will do my best when I visit him tomorrow but it is six years since I saw him and I do not know his state of mind. He has never liked London, Westminster in particular.’

Margaret nodded glumly. ‘I know and it will not help that Elizabeth Woodville has claimed sanctuary at Westminster Abbey with her daughters. Now that Edward has fled to Flanders, Heaven knows if or when she will ever emerge.’ She crossed herself and fingered the gold collar she wore at her neck, which had a crystal crucifix hanging from it. Margaret displayed a puzzling meld of wealth and piety. ‘Elizabeth is heavy with child so it will likely be born in the abbey precinct. How ironic if it should be a boy. The heir she has long prayed for and which now will have no throne.’

Harri found his voice at this stage. ‘What is she like, the commoner queen? The Herberts always said she was beautiful.’