‘It is Goodwife Brocket, sir,’ Brown said hastily. ‘I came back with Josephine and we found her distraught in the kitchen. Forgive me waiting in your hallway, sir, but Josephine sent me out.’

‘Very well.’ I went to join the women. Agnes Brocket sat at the table, her coif removed, her head in her hands. Josephine sat beside her. Agnes looked up as I entered, wisps of nut-brown hair falling over her face.

‘What is amiss?’ I asked.

Josephine answered. ‘Mistress Brocket has had some upsetting family news, sir. I found her crying when Edward and I got back. She will be all right, I will take care of her.’

Agnes looked up. ‘Forgive me, I am but a silly woman – ’

‘Where is Martin?’

‘Gone into town, sir.’ Agnes made an effort to pull herself together, taking out a handkerchief and dabbing her eyes. ‘He’s not happy with the bread delivered by Master Dove, he has gone to complain. Please don’t tell him you saw me thus, Master Shardlake.’

‘I would like to know what is amiss, Agnes.’

She took a deep breath and turned to Josephine, who looked uncertain. Then she answered me quietly, ‘We have a son, sir. John. Our only child, and he is in deep trouble. Some business matters went wrong, and he is in the debtors’ prison in Leicester.’

‘I am sorry to hear that.’

She shook her head. ‘He was such a handsome, charming boy. He had such plans to rise in the world.’

I sat down opposite her. ‘Nothing so wrong in that.’

For the first time since I had known her, Agnes frowned. ‘Martin does not think so. He believes everyone should keep to their appointed place in the social order. He was always severe with John; I think that was why the boy left home early.’ She looked up quickly. ‘But I do not mean to speak ill of my husband, sir. Despite his severity he has always doted on John.’

‘How did your son end in prison, Agnes? Perhaps, as a lawyer, I may be able to assist you.’

She shook her head sadly. ‘It is too late for that, sir. John managed to persuade some investors in Leicester to lend him money to buy up some of the land belonging to the old monasteries. He planned to hold on to it until land prices rose.’

‘They lent money without security?’ I said in surprise.