There is silence in the room. A log on the fire lets out a long sigh.

‘I have that girl’s life on my conscience,’ Sir John says. ‘And God will be my judge in the next world.’

Both murmur amen.

‘I let the horses go, and I put out the fire. Then I waited. I thought when Richard and John got back I could send one of them to Lincoln to raise some more men. I heard horses in the yard and I ran out. But it wasn’t them. Or rather, it was. It was Riven’s men. They dropped Richard in the muck and rode away laughing. He was screaming and kicking and there was blood in his eyes, and I knew straight away what they’d done.’

There is a long silence. Sir John pinches the bridge of his nose.

‘But what about the dead men outside?’ Thomas asks.

Sir John seems to brighten.

‘Them? Riven’s scouts. They were taunting us, shouting the foulest things. About the things they’d done to young Liz, and to Richard. Thank God for that crossbow. D’you remember Kit left it when he went? He said I’d need it before he did, or something. The boy was usually right, wasn’t he, Thomas? Anyway, I wounded one or two more over the course of the next day and by Christ I hope they died miserable deaths. Then they said they’d just wait. Starve us out. But their hearts weren’t in it. I think once they’d done that to Richard they knew they needn’t worry any more.’

It made sense, Katherine supposes. Once Riven heard he’d missed the chance to take Margaret Cornford in Wales, he must have changed tactics. He must have thought she’d never marry Richard if he was blind. She wants to ask why Riven had not simply killed Richard, but she cannot betray her knowledge. She wishes Thomas would ask, but perhaps he is too sensible to ask a father why his son hasn’t been killed, only blinded.

Sir John turns to address her.

‘I’m sorry you find us this way, my lady. I’m sorry my boy is the way he is now. He was a wonderful young man before this. A wonderful swordsman, wasn’t he, Thomas? And a fine huntsman. He had such a love of life. To know him was to love him. I know every father says that, but . . . Had you met him properly, I am sure you would have admired him. He was kind, too, of course, wasn’t he, Thomas? Hmmm?’

Thomas nods but cannot lift his gaze from the table.

‘Will he not join us?’ Katherine asks.

Sir John shakes his head. They are silent for a long time. Katherine is aware of Sir John’s gaze on her, but when she looks up he is smiling with tears in his eyes.