‘No,’ he muttered. ‘Not now. The feast is in progress.’ He looked down at the tablecloths splattered with grease and wine, the platters now cleared. The servants were bringing in bowls of fruit, junkets of cream, plates of thin pastries, sugar-filled doucettes, and jellies formed in exquisite shapes of castles, swans and horses. Soon the banquet would be over. He looked at Sir John.

‘There’s no point in joining the festivities. It is best if we have no dealings with Sir Richard and other members of his household.’

The coroner, gazing longingly at the jugs of claret, was about to protest.

‘Sir John,’ Athelstan reminded him, ‘we have important business to attend to.’

Cranston sighed, nodded, and turned to the steward, asking him to take them to one of the duke’s private chambers. The man looked askance but Cranston insisted.

‘Yes, you will, sir,’ he repeated. ‘You will take us to one of the duke’s private chambers here in the palace. Then you will tell your master and Chief Justice Fortescue that we have important matters to relate, matters affecting the crown. You will ask that Sir Richard and his household also join us as soon as the festivities are over.’

Cranston made the man repeat the message as he reluctantly took them out of the main hall and up the wide, spacious stairs to one of the duke’s private chambers. Athelstan gazed around and nodded. Yes, this would do. A small fire had been lit in the hearth. The room, possibly used as a chancery by the duke, was dominated by a long table with chairs down either side and a high-backed, throne-like seat at the top. The steward left Cranston and Athelstan, who stood examining the exquisite hangings on the wall and a small cupboard full of manuscripts bound with the costliest leather and vellum. A servant brought them some wine and sugared pastries which Cranston immediately attacked. Another servant entered, a young page who announced in a high, shrill voice that the duke had received Sir John’s message and would be with him as soon as dignity and circumstances would allow.