Death and the Black Pyramid by Deryn Lake

dear?’
    â€˜In Greek Street, Ma’am. At Madame Sophie’s. She is French and came over with the Huguenots. Or at least her family did.’
    Elizabeth gave a deep sigh. ‘I obviously miss much by keeping myself away from the capital.’
    â€˜I can lend her to you,’ said Lady Sidmouth, somewhat patronizingly.
    â€˜I don’t think that will be possible, Lady Sidmouth,’ Jemima answered, sweet but firm. ‘Madame Sophie is expecting me back in two weeks and I have a great deal of work to do here.’ She turned to John. ‘It was nice to see you again, Mr Rawlings.’
    â€˜And you, Miss Lovell.’ He lowered his voice to a whisper. ‘May I have a word with you in private?’
    â€˜Yes, by all means. When and where?’
    But he never got the chance to answer her. Elizabeth was at his side, dark hair gleaming and eyes lit from within.
    â€˜Come along, my dear,’ she said. ‘We really must be getting back.’
    â€˜I’ve a question to put to Miss Lovell first. I was going to ask her in private but as we are so short of time I will have to forgo that.’
    Jemima stood her ground. ‘Ask me then, Sir.’
    â€˜It’s this: Had you met anyone on the coach before you started your journey?’
    â€˜Yes,’ she answered, somewhat surprisingly. ‘I knew the actress, Paulina Gower. She buys hats from Madame Sophie. We had met before.’
    â€˜And that was all?’
    Jemima lowered her eyes. ‘Yes, that was all. The rest were complete strangers to me.’
    Why did John get the strong impression that the girl was lying?
    Going back in the carriage John knew a moment of intense happiness as he thought that just for once he had the better of Elizabeth. This was followed by instant shame that he should be so childish. Yet nothing could take away his delight that she had actually appeared jealous of Jemima Lovell, who admittedly was an attractive young creature. He glanced across at the Marchesa and impulsively took her hand. She turned to him and smiled and in that instant he suddenly feared for her. She looked tired and it occurred to John that this pregnancy, coming so late in her life, was going to be a great ordeal, culminating in a labour that surely would not be easy for her.
    â€˜My darling,’ he said, ‘you must retire to bed as soon as we get back.’
    â€˜Nonsense,’ Elizabeth answered roundly. ‘It is the height of the day. I shall dine as usual. Indeed I am quite hungry.’
    â€˜Promise me that you will retire early then.’
    â€˜My God, John. You are not going to turn into a grandmother are you? I really could not abide being nursemaided. I warn you that I shall continue to live my life as usual until the last possible moment.’
    The Apothecary gave a rueful smile. ‘And when will that be? When you go into travail I suppose.’
    She smiled and squeezed his fingers. ‘Maybe a week before,’ she answered. And John knew that even if he remained with her for the rest of his life she would eventually be capable of winning every point.

Six
    John woke early the next morning. Beside him Elizabeth slept quietly, her dark hair spread over the pillow, one hand curling up delicately, like a water lily. She was turned away from him and did not stir as he rose and crossed to the window, drawing the curtains back slightly to look out over the early daylight vista. Below him the river Exe wound its serpentine way through the valley and looking to his right he could see the city of Exeter dominated by its great cathedral. Standing there silently John knew that he must go there today and seek out the Constable, that he could not let the matter of the murder of William Gorringe drop as any other citizen would. That all his years of working with Sir John Fielding and Joe Jago had altered his thinking indelibly. With a sigh at his own folly, John went into the dressing room and put on