‘It is only water, Harri,’ I assured him, smiling. ‘But thank you for calling my gown beautiful.’ It was brown with darker brown collar and cuffs and a black belt with a pretty silver and speckled-agate buckle. I thought it not beautiful, like his mother’s unfailingly were, but smart and serviceable. I impulsively emulated my daughter and gave him a hug. ‘Now drink some ale and then you can all play an indoor game as you used to in wet weather – and do not let these rascals of ours beat you.’

When rain stopped and the sun had dried the sandy area in the garden, which Davy grandly called his practice ground, Jasper and I wandered out to watch as the two boys squared up, wielding stout staves cut from peeled ash stems. I had insisted that they wear gloves and protective coifs, being unwilling to send Harri back to Lady Margaret with grazed knuckles or a split scalp.

Jasper said nothing in front of the boys but murmured to me as the bout started, ‘The staves are quite light and smooth, Jane. It is more a question of tactics than heavy hitting. Anyway I expect Harri has had a few cuts and bruises in the past.’

‘No doubt,’ I retorted, ‘but I have no wish to give Lady Margaret any excuse for calling me a careless hostess. I daresay she is very protective of Harri now she has him back after all this time. I know I would be. It surprises me that she even let you bring him out of London.’

‘I have her husband to thank for that. Sir Henry spoke up in favour of the idea before she could think of an excuse to refuse.’ He fiddled thoughtfully with his beard, a habit I had noticed him displaying more and more lately as the pressure of his responsibilities increased. ‘I shall have to give some thought to Harri’s future. Look at him with Davy. He needs the company and rivalry of other boys to spar with. However much I detested the Herberts, they gave him companions of his own age and instruction in the use of arms as well as academic studies. He cannot develop knightly skills in the household of a childless couple. I fear Margaret would turn him into a cleric.’

‘Book learning has its points, though. I think you should ask him what he would like himself. He is old enough to know his own skills and preferences.’

Jasper chewed his lip, pondering. ‘Yes, I believe I will. This is a good opportunity to let him express his opinion without worrying about hurting his mother’s feelings. He is just as protective of her as she is of him. He is so anxious to please her that he does not realize she loves him unconditionally. Whatever he expresses as his wish, I believe she will respect.’