Death and the Black Pyramid by Deryn Lake Read Free Book Online

way of greeting. ‘Never around when they are needed. Come in, my dear, come in. And who is your friend?’
    â€˜Lady Sidmouth, may I present John Rawlings to you. John, this is Lady Sidmouth.’
    John bowed handsomely, then kissed the lady’s hand.
    â€˜My goodness,’ she said, ‘what an elegant young man. Pray follow me.’
    They did so, entering a large hallway and proceeding from there through a series of rooms until they came to one at the end of the house that overlooked the sea. John stared out of the large window to the undulating swell below him and remembered distant times that had been so full of joy.
    He turned round to see that Lady Sidmouth was ushering him towards a seat.
    â€˜Come and sit opposite me, Mr Rawlings. I wish to look at you.’
    She was one of the most extraordinary women that John had ever seen. She had very large upper lids which closed half her eye, revealing a pair of dark brown orbs beneath, which glinted like those of a harvest mouse. But this was not her most peculiar feature, for Lady Sidmouth appeared to have no lips at all. The Apothecary had never seen such a tiny and inverted mouth. When she spoke she did so without moving it and he peered to see if she had any teeth, and was rewarded with a glimpse of minute white seeds. To crown it all she had wispy brown hair which she had screwed up into a bun beneath a very ordinary work a day mob-cap.
    â€˜Well now, I think it is time for a little sherry, don’t you?’ And without waiting for a reply she rang a small bell that stood on a table. She turned her attention to Elizabeth. ‘And tell me, my dear, how are you getting on?’
    The Marchesa shot her an amused glance and said, ‘I am enceinte , in case you hadn’t noticed.’
    Lady Sidmouth did not turn a hair. Instead she asked, ‘And who is the father, may I ask?’
    â€˜I am,’ John answered. ‘And in case you are wondering I have repeatedly asked Elizabeth to marry me but she will have none of it.’
    â€˜Very wise too. My husband gave me ten children, ranging in ages from thirty to eleven, and then he died. Worn out I expect.’
    John looked at her with new interest. She might be a peculiar-looking little creature but she was as outspoken as the Marchesa herself.
    â€˜Very probably,’ he said, and smiled, at which Lady Sidmouth threw her apron over her face and laughed long and loud.
    A footman entered the room and seemed to take the situation entirely as normal. ‘You rang, my Lady?’ he said, remaining utterly straight-faced.
    â€˜Of course I did, Hopkins. Who else would have done it? Can you bring a decanter of the dry sherry and three glasses, please? Oh, and some of those sweet little biscuits that I like.’
    â€˜Very good, my Lady.’
    A memory was stirring in John’s mind, of a Robin Sidmouth he had once met in Bath. He turned to his hostess.
    â€˜Do you by any chance know a Robin Sidmouth? I met him once, some years ago.’
    â€˜Of course I know him. He’s my eldest son. He’s inherited the title now his father is dead.’
    John turned to Elizabeth, who said, ‘The Earl of Sidmouth. That’s Robin.’
    The Apothecary, who had always wondered about Robin’s doubtful sexuality, asked, ‘Is he married?’
    â€˜Of course,’ his mother snorted, ‘to a dull, lifeless girl called Maud. They’ve been wed two years and have had two children. Mind you he went kicking and screaming to the altar. I’ve always thought he was a Miss Molly myself.’
    John, remembering, said, ‘Who knows?’
    To which she replied, ‘Pish. I should have thought it perfectly obvious.’
    Lady Sidmouth poured out the sherry and handed round the plate of biscuits which Hopkins had placed before her. ‘You must excuse my wearing an apron,’ she said. ‘Fact is I’ve been in the kitchen making plum jam. Our fruit