Alexander gave a small formal bow. ‘I would lay down my life for her,’ he said simply. ‘And I love her so much that I would put her interests before mine. If they make peace, or if she falls in love with a man of her own age who could keep her safe, I will not stand in her way, nor even remind you of this conversation.’

A few days after Alexander Norman’s visit Hester, glancing out of the window, saw a stranger slip around the corner of the house and head for the kitchen door. She got up from the hearth, took off her rough hessian apron, and went to see what he wanted.

He was standing on the back doorstep. ‘Mrs John Tradescant?’ he asked.

The hair on the back of Hester’s neck prickled. ‘Yes,’ she said levelly. ‘And who is asking?’

He slipped in around the doorframe, so that he was in the kitchen. ‘Shut the door,’ he whispered.

Hester did not make a move to obey him. ‘There is a stout man in my employ within earshot,’ she said. ‘And half the neighbourhood would come running down the road if I called. You had better tell me your business, and swiftly.’

‘Not my business. The king’s.’

Hester felt dismay like a blow in the belly. Slowly, she shut the door. ‘Come in,’ she said, and led the way into the rarities room.

‘Can we be overheard?’ he asked, looking around but not seeing the hanging flags, the dangling birds’ skeletons, the whale’s head, the polished cases crammed with goods.

‘Only if I scream,’ Hester said with sour humour. ‘Now, what is it?’

The man put his hand inside his jacket and showed her a glint of gold. ‘Do you recognise this?’

It was one of the king’s favourite rings. Hester had seen it on his finger many times. ‘Yes.’

‘I am here by the orders of a lady – we need not say her name – who has brought to London the king’s Commission of Array. You know what that means.’

‘Not the least idea,’ Hester said unhelpfully.

‘It’s a summons. A summons to the king’s standard. It’ll be read aloud at Whitehall when our army is at the city gates. You have to play your part. Your husband is commanded to proclaim the king’s authority in Lambeth and order out the loyal men for His Majesty as soon as he is given the word.’

‘What lady?’ Hester asked flatly.

‘I said we need not say her name.’

‘If she’s asking me to risk my neck she can tell me her name,’ Hester persisted.