I went on. ‘I hasten to add that although neither God nor the king has sanctioned our union, their mother and I have somehow maintained a relationship, despite a lengthy enforced separation. She and our girls are at present living only two miles away in Stepney Green.’ I fortified my courage with another gulp of the warm mead while allowing this news to sink in. ‘Secrecy runs in our family, as you know, Meg, and now I need you to keep this information to yourselves. I hope I can rely on you for this.’

‘Of course you can.’ Meg spoke for them both, it was clear. ‘We of all people can assure you of that. But tell us more of these nieces, Jasper, and of their mother. I would love to meet them.’

I shook my head and sighed. ‘I think that would not be wise. It would jeopardize both your position and mine if the children were told of their cousins. They are too young yet to be sworn to secrecy and I have never revealed to Jane that I have a living sister. I have been unable to gain permission to marry from my brother the king and circumstances are such now that it will not be possible. Without his permission marriage would offer no security and more likely result in scorn and ignominy. If Jane were of the nobility it might be different but she is the daughter of a Welsh farmer.’

‘Was our father not the son of a Welsh yeoman? Yet you were taken into royal favour eventually,’ Meg pointed out.

‘Yes, because Henry needed brothers who could fight his corner, which I still do. The king is a changed man. He has become reclusive and his mind and memory are not reliable. That is why the Earl of Warwick and I have undertaken to rule in his name. Of course this situation is only temporary. The future lies with his son Prince Édouard, who has been reared and influenced by Queen Marguerite. Who knows what will happen when they come to England for she is a strong and determined lady and not one it would be wise to offend.’

‘And your marriage to a commoner would offend her?’

I detected a note of reproach in Meg’s voice. ‘I do not know. It has not been tested but primarily I have a duty to my brother. He is vulnerable and he needs my advice and presence at court. Secondly, he was reared to believe in the king’s right to approve the marriages of his nobles and he would never condone my union with a commoner. Jane understands – at least I hope she does.’

‘I wonder if that is so …’ Meg’s murmured response was overridden by William’s surprisingly emphatic one.