“Whilst I am at Cumnor,” I continued, “you will send me money and will arrange safe passage for me to Holland. I want false papers and a place to live.”

I saw Robert’s eyes widen. His Adam’s apple jumped as he swallowed.

“I know it can be done,” I said calmly. “Anything is possible if you wish it enough and can afford the price.”

“Yes...” I could see he was thinking hard, and quickly. “It is possible. But...”

“I don’t want to know the difficulties,” I said. “I want you to arrange it. You owe me that.” I took a breath. “And of course, you will need to procure a body.”

Now he stared at me as though I were indeed insane. “Come, Robert,” I said. “Do you think I do not know how your retainers are little better than a band of thugs? How they brawl and maim and even kill, and you spend a fortune to buy them out of gaol and bribe judges and settle their affairs to avoid difficult questions asked? It would not be hard for Richard Varney or John Butler or any number of them to provide you with the body of a woman of the right age, height and colouring to match mine.”

Robert was looking a little sick. I was not sure whether he was repulsed at the thought that I knew all about his sins or that I had the indelicacy to mention them.

“I do not scruple to talk of it,” I said cheerfully, “since both you and I know they are varlets and murderers.”

He ran an agitated hand through his hair. “Even if they were,” he said, “we cannot pass off some pox-ridden trull from the back streets of London as Lady Dudley. You think that if we dress her in your clothes and claim she died of a fever, people will be taken in?” He shook his head. “You are dreaming.”

“Not so.” I sat forward, eager to make him see how it could be achieved. “I have it all planned,” I said. “Of course, we will need some help, but not much. The fewer people who know the better it will be. We can choose a day when the whole household is away—at a market or a fair, perhaps. I could feign illness but insist they go without me.” I dismissed the detail with a wave of my hand. “Your man brings the body in secret. That is why I think Cumnor Place serves us best. It is remote and lonely. Even better, I have learned that there is an outer stair to the tower there that is perfect for our purpose. A man could enter and leave the building unseen.”

“It is utter madness.” Robert spoke violently. “I should not encourage you in such intemperate ideas!”

“If you do not have the stomach for it,” I said, “I will achieve it alone. This is my future we speak of, as well as yours. How do you think it feels to be locked away in idleness day after day whilst my husband dances attendance on the Queen? When men speak of him as her favourite?” I said the word as though it were poisoned. “I have pride, Robert, and I have a desire to live the life I want as much as you do. I wish to be rid of you as much as you wish to be rid of me!”