"Do I assume that Lovat was murdered in revenge for this?"
"It looks like it. God help them... who wouldn't? But I shall protect Stephen Garrick as long as it is necessary, and you may tell his father so. I have as much interest in keeping him safe from his enemies as he has. Please say no more. I don't know yet who is playing in this, or on which side. I would save Ryerson if I could, but it is beyond my ability now."
She hesitated only momentarily. "May I visit him, to offer the services of a friend?" she asked.
"I will arrange it this evening," he promised. "You should say all you wish to him then. Once the jury is in, I... I believe you may have no further opportunity."
She found without warning her voice was trembling. "I see. Thank you."
"Lady Vespasia!" He did not risk the impertinence of using her name without her title.
"Yes?" She had her composure again.
"I am truly sorry." The pain in his face was momentarily naked. She did not know why Ryerson's conviction should hurt him so much, or even whether he believed him guilty of more than foolishness, but she was certain beyond any hesitation at all that the emotion was deep and private, part of the man, not the calling.
She stood still, facing him on the quiet footpath in the shadow of St. Paul's. "There are some things we cannot do," she said softly. "No matter how intensely we desire it."
He was self-conscious, something she had never seen in him before.
"Come to the Newgate entrance at eight," he said, then he turned and went back into the courtroom.
EVEN NARRAWAY COULD CONTRIVE only a very brief visit for Vespasia. She had expected Ryerson to show signs of the strain he must be feeling, but in spite of her mental preparation for it, she was shocked when she saw him. She remembered him as a big man. The sense of his physical power had always been overwhelming, the most remarkable thing about him, more than the character in his face or the intelligence or the charm.
Now as he stood up at her entrance into the cell, he looked drained. His skin was pale and had a peculiar dry, papery look, and although he wore the same clothes she had seen him in last time, today they seemed too big for him.
"Vespasia... how good of you to come," he responded huskily, holding out one hand to greet her, then withdrawing it the moment before he touched her, as if suddenly conscious that she might not wish it.
She was stabbed by the terrible thought that the change in him was because he no longer believed in Ayesha Zakhari's innocence. He did not look like a martyr to a cause, more like a man whose dreams have been broken.
She forced herself to smile very slightly, just a warmth to her face.
"My dear Saville," she responded, "I shall owe favors to no end of people for the privilege." It was not true, but she knew that just for an instant it would make him feel better. "And I have only a few minutes before some miserable man, tied to his duty, will return to fetch me," she continued. "It occurred to me that there might be some service I could perform for you that perhaps you had not been able to ask of anyone else. If there is, then please tell me now, in case we do not have another opportunity to speak alone." It was a brutal truth, but there was no more time left for skirting around it. This was the time, here, this evening.
He controlled himself with a magnificent effort, and replied to her with total calm. Certain bequests to staff who had served him well were already attended to, but there were personal thanks he would like to have given, and an apology here or there. It was the latter which weighed upon him most heavily, and he was grateful to have her promise to do those things, should it prove necessary. He knew that she would do it graciously, with both the candor and the humility he wished.
The guard returned. She told him icily to wait, but he did so standing at the door.
"Is there anything else you need?" she asked Ryerson. "Anything personal that I may bring for you?"
The ghost of a smile flashed on his face, and vanished. "No, thank you. My valet has done that for me every day. I am