‘Yes, your majesty.’

Her pale face was as attractive and composed as ever. In her stance I discerned a new relaxation, a new authority. Gently, she said, ‘I am sorry that your efforts to help me ended – badly. I know now who had the Lamentation. And what happened to you – and your poor servant.’

I wondered, did she know that I had lied to the King for her? I could not tell from looking at her, and I must not ask. ‘The book has been returned to you?’

‘Yes. By the Protector.’ I discerned a little bite in her voice at mention of the man who had taken the position she had hoped for. She added, ‘I plan to publish it later this year.’

I looked at her, surprised. ‘Is that – safe, your majesty?’

‘Quite safe, now. Master Cecil has offered to write a preface. He thinks, like me, that the Lamentation of a Sinner may help some suffering souls to salvation. He remains a good friend.’

‘I am glad. He is a young man of great talent.’

‘And you shall have a copy, signed by me.’

‘I – thank you.’

She came a step closer. ‘But I say again, I know what the search for it cost you.’ Her hazel eyes looked into mine and I thought suddenly, yes, she knows I told the King a lie: that I had been responsible for the decision to search for the book rather than telling him it was missing. Along with her uncle, whom I remembered Paget was to question the next day, and who must also have taken a share of the responsibility.

She said, ‘I will be grateful to you, unto death.’

‘Thank you, your majesty.’ There was an awkward pause, then I asked, ‘How fares Lord Parr?’

‘He has gone back to the country,’ she answered sadly. ‘To die, I fear. His great service to me last year was too much for him, ill as he is.’

‘I am sorry to hear it.’

She looked at me earnestly. ‘If he was ever rough with you, it was only through love for me.’

I smiled. ‘I always understood that.’

She moved over to the chess set. The pieces were laid out for a new game, and I wondered for a moment whether she might ask me to play. But she only picked up a pawn and set it down again. ‘It is because I owe you so much that I have sent for you.’ She smiled. ‘To offer you some employment, if you wish to take it.’

I did not reply. Not politics – I would say no to that, even to her.