‘Why, what have you heard?’ I asked. Strictly speaking, since Edmund had been sent to Wales, being a royal castle Carmarthen was no longer my responsibility and I had not intended to stop there on my journey to Caldicot Castle, where last-minute preparations had to be made for the hunting party I was planning for the end of May – its precise date timed to coincide with Margaret’s thirteenth birthday.

As always, Pembroke’s outer court was busy. Geoffrey dodged around a courier’s horse being led off to the stables before replying. ‘If you remember, while he was Protector the Duke of York made himself Constable of Carmarthen Castle. Well, the appointment has never been reversed, and now York has instructed his ally, William Herbert of Raglan, to claim the castle on his behalf. Old Gruffydd ap Nicholas swears he will take it himself rather than see Herbert’s men in there, which leaves the present deputy constable in a cleft stick. He does not know who is his master, whether to defend the castle for the king or surrender it and if so, to whom.’

I cogitated, pursing my lips before replying. ‘Strictly speaking it is Lord Edmund’s responsibility to exert royal authority and secure Carmarthen for the king, but as yet he has no army at his command.’

Geoffrey sucked his teeth. ‘Even if Lord Edmund were to issue an array I do not think he would have much success recruiting men. He does not have the support in South Wales that you do.’

An involuntary oath escaped me. ‘Jesu what a mess! If I raise a force to defend Carmarthen, York would be within his rights to accuse me of treason, considering his name is still on the statute roll as constable.’

We had reached the south wall of the outer court and the site of my half-built new mansion nestling in the lee of the South Tower, and close to the Great Gatehouse. If Pembroke was to be my main home I needed somewhere more sheltered and comfortable in which to bring up the family I hoped to have. Previous earls had occupied the Solar Tower in the inner court, which was exposed to every wind that blew off the Pembroke estuary.

I wanted to pick Geoffrey’s brains on the subject of local craftsmen for work on the interior, after the roof was on. But Geoffrey was still talking about Carmarthen, his voice lowered to a confidential level. ‘Perhaps I could suggest to Gruffydd privately that he move his men into Carmarthen before Herbert arrives. He will be only too keen to do so and then at least you would know that the castle was secure for Lancaster.’

It was my turn to scowl. ‘Herbert will not stomach that surely! There will be war – or at least a siege.’