being charged with contempt of court. So must Peverell Erskine, Fenton and Sabella Pole, Maxim and Louisa Furnival, Dr. Hargrave, Sergeant Evan, and Randolph Carlyon."
"But that's everyone." Hester was horrified. Suddenly hope was being snatched away again."What about us? That's unjust. Can't they testify for us too?"
"No, a witness can be called by only one side. But I shall have an opportunity to cross-examine them," Rathbone replied. "It will not be as easy as if they were my witnesses. But it is not everyone. We can call Felicia Carlyon - although I am not sure if I will. I have not subpoenaed her, but if she is there I may call her at the last moment - when she has had an opportunity to hear the other testimony."
"She won't tell us anything," Hester said furiously."Even if she could. And I don't suppose she knows. But if she did, can you imagine her standing up in court and admitting that any member of her family committed incest and sodomy, let alone her heroic son, the general!"
"Not willingly." Rathbone's face was grim, but there was a faint, cold light in his eyes. "But it is my art, my dear, to make people admit what they do not wish to, and had not intended to."
"You had better be damnably good at it," Monk said angrily.
"I am." Rathbone met his eyes and for a moment they stared at each other in silence.
"And Edith," Hester said urgently. "You can call Edith. She will help all she can."
"What does she know?" Monk swung around to her. "Willingness won't help if she doesn't know anything."
Hester ignored him. "And Miss Buchan. She knows."
"A servant." Rathbone bit his lip. "A very elderly woman with a hot temper and a family loyalty. . . If she turns against them they won't forgive her. She will be thrown out without a roof over her head or food to eat, and too old to work anymore. Not an enviable position."
Hester felt hopelessness wash over her anger. A black defeat threatened to crush her.
"Then what can we do? "
"Find some more evidence," Rathbone replied. "Find out who else is involved."
Monk thought for a few moments, his hands knotted hard in his lap.
"That should be possible: either they came to the house or the child was taken to them. The servants will know who called. The footmen ought to know where the boy went." His face pinched with anger. "Poor little devil!" He looked at Rathbone critically."But even if you prove other men used him, will that prove that his father did, and that Alexandra knew it?"
"You give me the evidence," Rathbone replied. "Everything you get, whether you think it is relevant or not. I'll decide how to use it."
Monk rose to his feet, scraping back his chair, his whole body hard with anger.
"Then we have no time to lose. God knows there is little enough."
"And I shall go to try and persuade Alexandra Carlyon to allow us to use the truth," Rathbone said with a tight little smile. "Without her consent we have nothing."
"Oliver." Hester was aghast.
He turned to her, touching her very gently.
"Don't worry, my dear. You have done superbly. You have discovered the truth. Now leave me to do my part."
She met his eyes, dark and brilliant, took a deep breath and let it out slowly, forcing herself to relax.
"Of course. I'm sorry. Go and see Alexandra. I shall go and tell Callandra. She will be as appalled as we are."
* * * * *
Alexandra Carlyon turned from the place where she had been standing, staring up at the small square of light of the cell window. She was surprised to see Rathbone.
The door swung shut with a hollow sound of metal on metal, and they were alone.
"You are wasting your time, Mr. Rathbone," she said huskily. "I cannot tell you anything more."
"You don't need to, Mrs. Carlyon," he said very gently. "I know why you killed your husband - and God help me, had I been in your place I might have done the same."
She stared at him uncomprehendingly.
"To save your son from further unnatural abuse ..."
What little color there was left fled from her face. Her eyes were wide, so hollow as to seem black in the dim light.
"You - know ..." She sank onto the cot. "You can't. Please . . ."
He sat on the bottom of the cot, facing her.
"My dear, I understand that you were prepared to go to the gallows rather than expose your son