‘It was a name I heard when he was swearing me to secrecy two weeks ago. I didn’t think that everyone would know it so soon.’

‘She’s a fool. Edmund Waller and she were plotting together to seize London for the king. They were going to seize the Tower and arrest Parliament and the House of Lords was to gather behind them and royalists were to rise up.’

Hester’s face was pale. ‘And?’

‘And nothing. Everyone in the plot spoke about it from the assemblies to the taverns, and they were arrested this morning. Lady d’Aubigny has disappeared, no-one knows where yet; but Waller is arrested, and half a dozen others.’ He paused for a moment. ‘Who knows you’re here?’

‘The household. I said we were coming for a visit. I thought it might look worse if we went into hiding.’

He nodded. ‘You were right. But I am wondering if you should leave London.’

‘All of us?’

‘Just you. D’you have family somewhere outside the City? Somewhere you can go until this panic is over?’

She shook her head. ‘John said I was to go to Oatlands if I was in danger. He still has his house there. He is still gardener there.’

The housekeeper put her head around the door. ‘Dinner is on the table,’ she said.

‘I’m starving!’ Johnnie exclaimed, and he and Frances, who had been sitting in the windowseat looking at the street below, went to the dining room. Alexander took Hester’s cold hand.

‘Come and have something to eat,’ he said. ‘Nothing is going to happen in the next ten minutes. And I will send one of my clerks to Westminster to see what is happening.’

Hester ate nothing at dinner, and every time a cart went by in the street outside she found she was listening, waiting for the knock at the door.

‘What is the matter, Mother?’ Frances asked. ‘I can tell that something is wrong.’

Hester looked at Alexander.

‘You should tell them,’ he said. ‘They have a right to know.’

‘A royalist spy came in the night and took Father’s mare,’ Hester said.

Frances and Johnnie looked stunned at the news.

‘A royalist spy?’ Johnnie demanded.

‘What was he wearing?’ Frances asked.

‘Oh, why didn’t you wake me?’ Johnnie cried. ‘And I could have helped him!’

‘He was wearing a cape and …’ Hester’s voice quavered on a reluctant laugh. ‘And an absurd hat with feathers.’

‘Oh!’ Frances breathed. ‘What colours?’

‘What does that matter!’ Johnnie exclaimed. ‘Oh, Mother! Why didn’t you tell me? I could have guided him! I could have gone with him and been his page!’

‘I expect that’s why she didn’t tell you,’ Alexander said gently. ‘Your place is at home, guarding your mother and the Ark.’