‘I need to be here. I need to know what they are doing.’ We were standing outside the Council Chamber, in the courtyard that seemed to attract every blast of cold air. I shivered, thinking that, despite my reluctance, we would have to go to my old rooms in Westminster after all. Edmund was almost asleep on his feet. Jasper had already succumbed in Joan Asteley’s arms, head heavy on her shoulder. I smoothed Edmund’s hair as he clung to my hand. ‘It’s wicked,’ Alice muttered, as anxious as I, ‘that a good man’s freedom should be so circumscribed. I say we should go.’ I could feel her eyes on my face. ‘But we must find shelter soon.’ ‘And it won’t make any difference to the Lords’ decision-making whether we are here or not.’ On the surface Owen was far more sanguine than I as he lifted Edmund up into his arms. ‘They’ll do what they will in their own good time, but you can’t travel, Katherine. We stay at Westminster.’ I did not think he was sanguine at all, simply more intent on soothing me.
