Bucy did his usual trick of pausing long enough to make the King believe he was giving the matter much thought. How was he to tell the King that the truth was more likely to be the lack of the dowry promised by the old King to Don Pedro when he offered the child bride to cement their alliance? The non-payment from a French King broken by English demands had prompted Don Pedro to abandon Blanche de Bourbon for his lover. ‘Your grace, the ring is evidence enough that it was given, or... taken by someone. Ranulph de Hayle’s story sounds believable. He tells us Don Pedro commissioned him to find the boy. How Don Pedro knew there was a witness has not been explained. It might be that he wishes to lay blame on the King and that it was one of his couriers who commissioned him. The man seeks recompense. He sells his story to you and returns the ring to the royal family. Now he will ride back to Spain and tell Don Pedro, or the King’s agent, that Blackstone holds the boy witness. He will be paid again.’ He shrugged to emphasize that there was some doubt in what the routier had told them. ‘But...’ He sighed. ‘Blackstone. His presence yet again that none could anticipate.’

‘When he was not seen at Cocherel you and every other counsellor thought he had turned from our border back to Gascony. And yet now he has defeated our favoured claimant to Brittany and holds the witness to our cousin’s murder. You’re right. How does he appear yet again in our life? We have a nation to rebuild and yet Blackstone turns up time and again like the pestilence.

‘However,’ Charles continued, ‘if Fate smiles kindly on us and Ranulph de Hayle does as we expect and returns to Don Pedro, then he will advise him that the last time he knew of the boy’s presence it was with Thomas Blackstone. How will the treaty between Castile and the English Prince fare, knowing his Master of War holds the boy?’

‘It is a complication to be welcomed,’ said Bucy. ‘It makes Don Pedro suspicious of any help extended by the Prince.’

‘Exactly. A welcome outcome that is in our control. We must create the circumstances that will drive Don Pedro from his throne.’

‘Forgive me, highness, but whatever animosity you harbour towards Don Pedro, I urge you not to go to war. Do not be drawn into conflict or hope to entrap Blackstone. If he is involved in this matter, we have no way of knowing how, or where he will be in the future.’

Charles dabbed his nose. ‘He will go to Spain.’

Bucy could not hide his disbelief.