So Philippa was impressed rather than alarmed by Jasper’s status, which boded well but rather than pursue that line I steered the talk on a more pertinent course. ‘I am no matchmaker but perhaps we should take steps to test this relationship further; Elin and Will have but recently met and have spent only short periods of time together. We leave for Pembroke at the end of the month, as you know. Would you think it presumption if I suggested that we give their friendship a more rigorous test? We would not want Will to miss his schooling in order to take him to Pembroke but …’ I hesitated.

‘If you mean would I welcome Elin as a guest while you are away, then I would say yes, of course,’ Philippa cut in, looking pleased. ‘I would love the chance to mother a daughter, especially one who may become just that.’

I took a deep breath, wondering if I would be doing the best for Elin by handing her over to another woman? I consoled myself with the reminder that this was only to be for a short time. Besides I had developed respect and admiration for the Gardiner family over the weeks I had known them and could not imagine that they would treat her with anything but kindness. I also thought that Sian might benefit from not being constantly in the shadow of her elder sister. I had a panicky recollection of Lady Margaret putting her baby son into Jasper’s arms and then not seeing him again for nine years but told myself firmly that the situation was hardly similar.

‘I must talk to Elin about it first, before anything is made final,’ I said. ‘Although I think I do not need to tell you that I believe she will be thrilled and excited at the prospect.’

‘I do hope so.’ Philippa lifted her cup to make a toast. ‘And I must consult my husband of course, but let us drink to a closer relationship, Jane!’

I touched my horn cup of mulled wine to hers and we both took a sip, eyes smiling at each other across the rim.

At the other end of the hall there was a clatter of ninepins falling and a shout went up from two excited voices. Swivelling to look we saw Will linking elbows with Elin and swinging her around in a victory dance. ‘Oh well done, partner!’ he carolled. ‘We won!’

It seemed a good omen for the future.

47

Jasper

Windsor Castle