I hesitated, uncertain what to do. A few seconds later I heard my brother’s voice again, raised in triumph. ‘Got you! You are a naughty girl, Margaret Richmond. What made you think I would let you read your book when I am here to play with you? Anyway, what are you reading? Whoops, it is heavy. Ah. The Romance of the Rose. Now why would you need to read about romance when it stands here in front of you, yours for the taking?’

From the tone of his voice I suspected that Edmund was slightly tipsy but obviously not sufficiently to offend Margaret because the infectious giggle I had first heard erupted once again. ‘Be careful! It is borrowed from the bishop’s library, although I am not sure a priest should be reading such a work. There, I will put it down on the bench and you have my full attention. Mind you don’t sit on it!’

Now I knew that Edmund had drunk freely, possibly of the strong Rennish wine I had provided as a wedding present, for there was a coaxing note in his next words and I heard a slapping sound, as if he had sat down and patted his thigh. ‘You could sit on my knee and whisper words of love in my ear.’

There was a rustle of silk as Margaret evidently complied and asked teasingly, ‘Which ear shall I speak to first, my lord? This one – or this one?’

‘Oh, my lovely lady, never mind my ears …’ Edmund said and for several long seconds there was silence.

At this point I decided it was time for me to leave. Whether I liked it or not my brother and his wife had every right to behave as they wished, having reason to believe they were alone together in their own private garden. Whatever might be the outcome of this encounter, it was none of my business. I made the sign of the cross to dismiss the evil demon that sat on my shoulder, tempting me to announce myself and spoil their fun, but it was not without a sense of foreboding that I turned on my heel and crept from the shadows back into the sunshine. Anyway I would be seeing them shortly at Caldicot.

11

Jasper

Caldicot Castle, Monmouthshire

ALL HAD BEEN QUIET at Carmarthen when I passed through the town on my way to Caldicot to complete the arrangements for the hunting party. The gatehouse mansion had been renovated and I now considered it offered enough luxury to satisfy the most discerning taste. I intended to lodge the two married couples there: Margaret and Edmund and Geoffrey and Edith, while my father and I would take chambers in the East Tower, which flanked the other end of the Great Hall, where we would gather each evening after hunting to eat some of the product of our exertions and be entertained.