IN THE PARLIAMENTARY ROLL King Henry’s return to the throne was termed a ‘readeption’, the Latin word adeptus meaning ‘having attained’, and the first Parliament of the readeption was a busy one, most of the business being to reverse the damage done by the York regime over the previous nine years. The Act changing the Pembroke lands from Herbert back to me was one of the first to be passed but the Richmond lands were another matter. Lady Margaret’s best efforts at persuasion had cut no ice with Warwick, who insisted that Edmund’s former estates should remain with his son-in-law, the Duke of Clarence. Therefore, with no revenue attached, Harri’s custody attracted no contention and eventually it was left to the Regents to decide. I had only to hint to Warwick that I might challenge his declaration of war on Burgundy and he agreed that Harri should return to my care.

Having learned from Jane the arrangement she had made with Mistress Gardiner I paid another visit to The House of the Vine and asked William Vintner to draw up a betrothal contract, to be used in the event that all parties were in agreement after Elin’s stay with the Gardiners. ‘If the two families do eventually become united by marriage, then might be the time to take them into our confidence about my relationship to Meg, but that is for the future,’ I told him.

When I revealed the sum of the dowry I intended to settle on my daughter he gave a low whistle. ‘That amount would compensate a Merchant Venturer for several cargos lost at sea. I should think the Gardiners will snap her up.’

‘I hope it will make them aware of her worth, but ultimately it is up to Elin whether she wishes to marry the boy,’ I reminded him. ‘I am not one to barter my daughter’s life away without her consent.’

Consequently, when we left the house in Stepney Green to begin the journey to Pembroke, Elin was not with us. She had been thrilled by the Gardiners’ invitation to stay with them for Christmas and seemed unconcerned about missing the celebrations with her own family. Nothing was said to her about a possible betrothal. That would come later, if she proved willing.

‘I impressed on her the importance of being dutiful and polite towards Will’s parents and helping Mistress Gardiner with household duties but I am not sure whether the message sank in,’ Jane admitted as we rode towards the city at first light. ‘Philippa may find she has taken a whirlwind into her home.’ She then broached a subject that had been troubling me rather more than Elin’s behaviour. ‘Will the queen be here in time for Christmas? Surely she must be satisfied since King Henry has been crowned again. That was more than a month ago; she should know about it by now.’