Suddenly she turned from him to the Queen Mother.
‘He calls me a witch, my Lady.’ She swept a pointing finger round the other persons in the room. ‘Well, ask them what I am.’
But Luke was already on his knees at the Queen’s chair.
‘I implore Your Majesty,’ he said. ‘Do not hold her from your son. She is a great physician. I was a cripple once, dragging on crutches, and she cured me. Please, please, Madame, let her go in.’
The Queen looked from his earnest face across to Giles.
‘It is true, every word,’ said the King’s Finder. ‘Believe him, Your Majesty, and let her do what she can. Minutes are precious now.’
Doctor Seymour bustled forward, opening his mouth to say something. But the Queen had risen from her chair. She held a hand up to silence him.
‘Enough!’ she said gently. ‘The woman shall go in.’
Alone, Agnes passed into the King’s bedroom. And as she closed the door behind her, Doctor Seymour took his wallet from a table and sneaked quietly down the stairs.