That infuriated Ragna. “So that she can raise him the way she raised you and Wigelm?” she said. “To be cruel and selfish and violent!”

To her surprise, Wynstan stood up. “Take your time,” he said. “Think about it. Let us know your decision in due course.” He went out.

Ragna knew she had to resist immediately and fiercely. “Cat,” she said. “Please go and ask if Queen Emma can see me as soon as possible.”

Cat left, and Ragna brooded. Had she been granted a false liberation? To be allowed to go only if she left her baby behind was no freedom at all. Surely Ethelred could not have meant that?

Ragna expected Cat to come back with a message saying when she could see Queen Emma, but when Cat returned she said breathlessly: “My lady, the queen is here.”

Emma walked in.

Ragna stood up and bowed, then Emma kissed her.

“I’ve just seen Bishop Wynstan,” Ragna said. “He says that if I don’t marry Wigelm they will take my baby from me.”

“Yes,” said Emma. “Gytha explained that to me.”

Ragna frowned. Gytha must have gone to see Emma at the same time as Wynstan spoke to Ragna. This was planned and coordinated. Ragna said: “Does the king know?”

“Yes,” Emma said again.

Emma’s face frightened Ragna. She looked worried, but not horrified or even shocked. What her face showed was pity. That was scary.

Ragna felt that she was losing control of her life again. “But the king freed me. What does that mean?”

“It means that you cannot be imprisoned, and the king will not force you to marry a man you loathe; but also you cannot take away the ealdorman’s son. His only son, I believe.”

“But then I’m not free after all!”

“You face a hard choice. I didn’t foresee this.” The queen went to the door. “I’m very sorry.” She left.

Ragna felt as if she were in a nightmare. For a moment she considered taking the first option, abandoning her child to be raised by Gytha. Anything to avoid marriage to the loathsome Wigelm. And after all, Alain was the product of a rape. But as soon as she looked at him, lying in his cot sleeping peacefully, she knew she could not do it, not if they made her marry five Wigelms.

Edgar walked in. She recognized him through her tears. She stood up, and he enfolded her in his arms. “Is it true?” he said to Ragna. “Everyone says you have to marry Wigelm or give up Alain!”

“It’s true,” Ragna said. Her tears soaked into the wool of his tunic.

“What are you going to do?” said Edgar.

Ragna did not answer.

“What are you going to do?” he repeated.

“I’m going to leave my baby,” she said.

“No, no, this won’t do!” Wynstan said angrily.

“It’s happening,” said Wigelm. “Edgar is helping her pack all her possessions. She’s going to leave the baby behind.”