Lynne Connolly by Maiden Lane Page A

do.”
    She nodded but said nothing, waiting for me to explain, although I guessed that she knew already. The taut expression on her face told me as much.
    “He’s done it before. I saw him and supported him. He killed, Alicia, to prevent a situation worsening. The man was already condemned, we had evidence enough to hang him, but if he hanged, his family would have lost everything. Tried and convicted, his estate would have been forfeit to the Crown.”
    “I know how much trouble that family has caused,” Alicia said. “If they found out what he’d done, they’d make his life hell.”
    I nodded grimly. “That’s one reason he mustn’t ever be allowed to kill John. The other is that he’s Richard’s son. Is there a name for the murder of a son?”
    Alicia jerked a nod. “Filicide.” Her expression tightened and I realised she was concerned as I was, that Richard would take this step. In time the knowledge of what he’d done would eat at him and ultimately destroy him.
    I wouldn’t allow that. I couldn’t. “I don’t want Richard guilty of that. John knows I’m his weak spot, together with Helen. If anything happens to either of us, Richard won’t show mercy, he won’t hesitate. John set his sights on me last year, so I have no doubt he will try again, especially as I’m pregnant. That makes Richard weaker, in John’s eyes. He will begin in a seemingly civilised way, but if things go poorly for him, he’ll resort to violence or more direct methods.”
    Alicia reached for a pile of papers and slid one out from underneath. I had no idea how she knew where it was. She perused it carefully. “You already have two of our best footmen in your service. I suggest you go nowhere without them. Both of them. I’ll provide another for ordinary household use, if you wish.” She glanced up. “Best to tell him you’re taking precautions.”
    I nodded. That would help to ease Richard’s mind. Thompson’s employed domestics of a very high standard, as well as a box with the names of those prepared to undertake special duties. They included spying and, if necessary, physical assistance in more extreme cases. “Send another. For Richard. What better way to target me than to kill him or put him out of action for a while?”
    Alicia made a note. “Do you think Richard is likely to take matters into his own hands?”
    “His sense of justice has so far stopped him doing that. He prefers to see a criminal brought to justice. John is a criminal, he engaged in smuggling activities in the north and in Devonshire, and he abducted me. That’s enough to bring him to the gallows. But Richard knows that John will damage the family, perhaps tear it apart if he comes to court. Secrets will be exposed, secrets that will damage me. In his eyes, it all comes back to me.” I shrugged. “For my part, I don’t care, as long as Richard is happy. I’d spend the rest of my life in the country apart from society and I could be perfectly happy, but he could not. I want to ensure that Richard doesn’t kill his son. If it comes close, I’ll do it rather than see him suffer.”
    The clock on the wall ticked away and I counted the ticks. Ten until Alicia spoke. “You must not do that. I already have a close watch on John. If he shows any sign of coming near you, I’ll have him diverted.”
    I put down my half-consumed tea dish and stood. “Tell me first. That’s all I ask. I don’t want Richard to act without my knowledge. He’s liable to do something and try to shield me from harm. Especially now. He’s concerned about this pregnancy, and he doesn’t want me to know.”
    “His mother,” she said, her mouth flat with disapproval.
    “Indeed. Feeding him stories of horrendous pregnancies, notably her own. He sees me as immensely fragile right now.” I pirouetted, but had to grab the chair rail afterwards. “Do I look unhealthy to you?”
    A small smile flitted across her features. “You look blooming.”
    I wouldn’t have