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'Have we received any word from the contingent sent into Scotland to investigate his claims?'

'Not yet, ma'am. The last communication indicated the soldiers should reach their destination later today The necessary equipment has also been despatched, as per your instructions, and should reach them within a day or two.' Sir Henry hesitated before continuing further. 'If I might be so bold, Your Majesty, General Doulton is less than happy at your intervention in this matter.'

'The general's unhappiness is not our concern. Where is his so-called Baroness?'

'I believe she is resting in her quarters, ma'am?

'Good. We have long wanted to visit that part of the castle.

Have the general meet us there?

Nyssa was returning to her room with the journal when she saw James standing outside on a balcony in the rain. As she approached Nyssa could see a thin stream of blood trickling from his nostrils. She tapped on a glass panel in the balcony doors. James spun round, hurriedly wiping the blood from his face.

'Are you alright?' Nyssa asked.

James opened the doors and stepped inside. His clothes were soaked through and he was shivering. Nyssa took him by the hand and led him to her bedchamber. 'What were you doing out there? You'll catch your death of cold standing in the rain like that.'

'I can't explain it,' James stuttered through chattering teeth. 'Sometimes I... I just don't feel I belong here.'

'At Windsor Castle?' Nyssa asked, tugging on the bell-pull in her room to summon Mary. 'Or do you mean that you feel out of place everywhere?'

'Yes! That's it,' he replied, his eyes coming alive.' I feel that I'd rather die than stay here any more. I have to get back...'

Mary appeared and seemed surprised to find Nyssa entertaining a gentleman in her room. She was even more surprised by Nyssa's request. 'But he should be having a bath in his own chambers, miss, if you don't mind my saying so. It isn't proper that he –‘

‘I don't care about what's proper, Mary. This young man needs our help and we are going to give it. Now, please, prepare a hot bath for him and fetch some dry clothes for when he has finished.'

'If you say so, miss.' the maid agreed reluctantly.

'If it will make you any happier, he can undress and bathe behind that screen. That way some decorum is maintained!'

'That would be for the best, miss.'

'And not a word of this to anyone else - is that clear?'

Mary just bobbed in a curtsy and went to fetch the hot water. Nyssa went back to James, who was still shivering near a window. 'You were saying you have to get back, James - to where are you trying to return?'

'The spirit world. I went there once, when I was just a boy.

It was wondrous, a place of great joy and happiness. I met all those from my family who had died and passed over to the Other Side. I never wanted to come back...’ His words broke down.

'What was it like - this spirit world?'

'It's impossible to describe. I haven't got the words, not as would do it justice.'

'Please try.'

James nodded. Imagine a place more beautiful than you've ever seen, a home you never knew you had - that's what it was like, like being home - only better. You felt like you belonged. It was, well, heavenly. But you didn't play the harp or float on clouds or anything of those things preachers talk about. I felt loved and wanted, like I'd never known before.' He fell silent again, his face enraptured by the recollections.

'What happened?'

‘I was pulled back to this world. My brothers thought they were rescuing me, they thought I was drowning. Somehow they pulled me back to this life. When they did, I could still hear the voices in my head - the voices of all those from the spirit world. When I met someone new, I found myself speaking with the voices of their dead.'

'Some would consider that a blessing.' Nyssa suggested.

'It's cursed my life. Ever since that day I've been punished for what I can do. My mother and the local doctor had me committed to an asylum in Glasgow.' James pulled