‘What could be worse?’ I ask.

‘They say that there was no child, but that you pretended to give birth to a son, a boy, and that you have assured your confederates that this is the king’s child and heir to the throne of England. You plan with treasonous Papists to put him on the throne of England and usurp the Tudors. What do you say to this, madam?’

My throat is very dry, I can feel myself searching for words, hunting for a persuasive reply, but nothing comes. If they want to, they can arrest me now, on this allegation alone. If they have a witness to say that I pretended to give birth, that I claimed it was the king’s child, then they have a witness to prove that I am guilty of treason and I shall join Katherine at Syon and we will die together, two disgraced queens on one scaffold.

‘I say it is untrue,’ I reply simply. ‘Whoever has told you this is a liar and a false witness. I know of no plot against the king, and I would be party to nothing against him. I am his sister and his faithful subject as he bid me to be.’

‘You deny that you have horses waiting to take you to France?’ he says in a sudden rush.

‘I deny it.’ As soon as the words are out of my mouth I realise this is a mistake, for they will know that we have horses waiting.

Sir Thomas smiles at me, he knows he has caught me. ‘You deny it?’ he asks again.

‘They are waiting for me,’ Dr Harst says, his voice trembling. ‘I have debts, as you know, I am ashamed to say that I have many debts. I thought if my debtors became too pressing that I should go quickly to Cleves and speak to my master for more money. I have had the horses waiting in case my debtors came for me.’

I look at him in absolute incredulity. I am amazed at the quickness of his lie; but they cannot know that. He bows. ‘I beg your pardon, Lady Anne. I should have told you. But I was ashamed.’

Sir Thomas glances at the two other councillors, they nod to him. It is an explanation, if not the one they would have preferred.

‘So,’ he says briskly. ‘Your two servants who made up this story against you have been arrested for slander and will be taken to the Tower. The king is determined that your reputation shall be unsullied.’

The shift is almost too much for me. It sounds as if I am to be released from suspicion, and at once I think it is a trick. ‘I am grateful to His Majesty for his fraternal care,’ I say carefully. ‘I count myself his most loyal subject.’

He nods. ‘Good. We will go now. The council will want to know that your name has been cleared.’

‘You are leaving?’ I ask. I know that they hope to catch me in a moment of relief. They do not know how deeply afraid I am. I don’t think I will ever celebrate my escape, for I will never trust it.