Robert shook his head and turned to look out of the window. ‘I wish to God I had been warned,’ he said moodily.

‘Will you scry for me again?’ John Dee asked. ‘So that we can see if your gift remains true?’

I looked at him in utter disbelief. ‘Are you seeking the advice of angels?’ I asked the Inquisitor’s chaplain. ‘You? Of all men?’

John Dee was not at all perturbed by the sharpness of my tone. ‘I do not change my beliefs. And we need guidance all the more, in these troubled times. But we must ask discreetly. There is always danger for those who seek knowledge. But if we could know that the queen will give birth to a healthy child we would be better able to plan for the future. If she is to be blessed with a son, then Princess Elizabeth should change her plans.’

‘And I should change mine,’ Lord Robert remarked wryly.

‘Anyway, I don’t know if I can do it,’ I said. ‘I have only seen the future just once, in all the time I was in Calais.’

‘Shall we try this evening?’ Lord Robert asked. ‘Will you try and see if it comes easily, Hannah? For old times’ sake?’

My gaze slid past him to John Dee. ‘No,’ I said flatly.

John Dee looked directly at me, his dark eyes meeting mine with honesty. ‘Hannah, I do not pretend that my ways are not dark and tortuous,’ he said simply. ‘But you for one should be glad that I was there at St Paul’s when you were arraigned to answer.’

‘I was glad that my innocence was recognised,’ I said staunchly. ‘And I don’t want to go in there again.’

‘You will not,’ he said simply. ‘My word on it.’

‘So will you scry for us?’ my lord pressed me.

I hesitated. ‘If you will ask a question for me,’ I bargained with them.

‘What is it?’ John Dee asked.

‘If my husband is alive or dead,’ I said. ‘It’s all I want to know. I don’t even ask the future, if I shall see him again. I would be happy just to know that he is alive.’

‘You love him so much?’ Lord Robert asked sceptically. ‘Your young man?’

‘I do,’ I said simply. ‘I cannot rest until I know that he is safe.’

‘I shall ask the angels and you shall scry for me,’ John Dee promised. ‘Tonight?’

‘When Danny is asleep,’ I said. ‘I couldn’t do it while I was listening for him.’

‘At eight o’clock?’ Lord Robert asked. ‘Here?’

John Dee glanced around. ‘I will ask the men to bring up my table and my books.’

Lord Robert noticed the smallness of the room and made an impatient noise. ‘She always does this,’ he said irritably. ‘She never puts my friends in the best chambers. She is sick with envy of them, I shall tell her . . .’

‘There is plenty of room,’ Dee said pacifically. ‘And she is bound to resent you coming with a great train when she will have wanted you to herself. Should you not go to her now?’