‘Yes, the king is very conscientious about his charitable responsibilities,’ I said. ‘The bishop is kept very busy.’ She was such a serious little soul. I supposed that marriage for a girl of any age was a serious matter and for one of only twelve, however well she disguised it, must surely be a daunting prospect. ‘Lamphey is a secluded palace and I am sure Lord Edmund will be much taken up with official business. I hope you will not be lonely. Will you take some ladies with you, to keep you company?’

‘Master Pole, my sister Edith’s betrothed, has arranged some companions to attend me and Edith herself will stay with us until after Christmas. My lord Edmund says the apartments at Lamphey are particularly comfortable. Also I am told that Wales is a land of music so I think we shall be cheerful and I will not be short of books, for there is a fine library. But thank you for your concern.’

‘If I may, I will visit you when I return to Wales. It is a pleasant ride from Lamphey to Pembroke and I hope you will also consider visiting me.’

Her smile was like a flame bursting from a dampened fire. ‘I will certainly do so, thank you. We are brother and sister now are we not? I hope we can be friends.’ She gestured at the cleared floor, where wedding guests were gathering for another dance. ‘I come from a large family and we are used to many merry celebrations. My lord Edmund says he hopes God will grant us many children.’ She shot me a sideways glance and her grey eyes sparkled with mischief. ‘I told him he should not make me blush.’

I took a deep breath to steady my heartbeat. She had showed me a flirtatious side that I had not suspected. She might have been young but she was not ignorant and she would be conscious of her duty to supply a Richmond dynasty. I could only pray it would be later rather than sooner. How I wished she had told him he should not make her rush.

I extended my hand and returned her smile. ‘I look forward to sharing some of those merry celebrations. And now, would you honour your new brother with the next dance, my lady of Richmond?’

10

Jasper

Pembroke Castle & Lamphey Palace

‘IF YOU ARE RIDING to Caldicot, my lord, you might assess the situation at Carmarthen on the way.’ Geoffrey Pole made this suggestion as we passed under the inner gate at Pembroke Castle and set out across the wide expanse of the outer court. Geoffrey and I were the same age and as a result of his Easter wedding to Margaret’s half-sister Edith we were now brothers-in-law and he was a frequent visitor and valued adviser. I appreciated his unassuming nature and quick wit and found his local connections very useful.