I jumped to my feet and found I was trembling. ‘My lord?’

‘He was taken by the French who suspected him as a spy, but they are holding him with other English soldiers,’ he told me. ‘I daresay I can arrange for him to be exchanged for other prisoners of war, or ransomed, or something.’

‘He is safe?’ I asked.

He nodded.

‘Safe?’ I asked incredulously.

He nodded again.

‘Not sick, nor injured?’

‘See for yourself,’ he said, handing over the three scrawled lines on the sheet of paper. ‘Held in the castle. If you were to write to him I could get it sent on.’

‘Thank you,’ I said. I read and re-read the letter. It said nothing more than he had already told me but somehow in words of black ink on travel-stained paper it seemed more true. ‘Thank God.’

‘Thank God indeed,’ said my lord with a smile.

Impulsively I took his hand. ‘And thank you, my lord,’ I said fervently. ‘You are kind to take the trouble for me. I know it. I am grateful.’

Gently he drew me in, put a warm hand on my waist. ‘Sweetheart, you know I would do anything in my power to make you happy.’

I hesitated. His hand was light, I could feel the heat of his palm through the fabric of my gown. I felt myself lean towards him. He stole a quick glance up and down the empty gallery and then his mouth came down towards mine. He hesitated, he was such a practised seducer that he knew the power of delay to increase desire. Then he bent a little lower and he kissed me, tenderly and then with increasing passion until my arms were around his neck and he had me pressed against a wall, my head tipped back, my eyes closed, quite given up to the delicious sensation of his touch.

‘Lord Robert,’ I whispered.

‘I’m for bed. Come with me, sweetheart-mine.’

I did not hesitate. ‘I am sorry my lord, no.’

‘You are sorry, my lord, no?’ he repeated comically. ‘What d’you mean, Mistress Boy?’

‘I shall not lie with you,’ I said steadily.

‘Why not? Don’t tell me it is not your desire; for I shan’t believe you. I can taste it on your lips. You want me as much as I want you. And that is a good deal, tonight.’

‘It is my desire,’ I admitted. ‘And if I were not a married woman I would be glad to be your lover.’

‘Oh, Hannah, a husband such a long way away and safely in prison need not concern you. A word from you to me, and he can stay there until there is a general amnesty. For all I care he can stay there forever. Come to bed with me, now.’

Steadfastly I shook my head. ‘No, my lord. I am sorry.’

‘Not sorry enough,’ he said crossly. ‘What ails you, child?’

‘It is not that he might catch me,’ I said. ‘It is that I do not want to betray him.’