She glanced at Hugo briefly before resuming her seat before the fireplace. She waited until Peter had sat on the chaise beside her, and considered her words carefully for several moments. She knew that what she was about to say would upset someone; she just wasn’t sure who. “My friend’s name is Harriett Ponsonby, but -” she held up a hand when Hugo shifted on his heels, clearly ready to spring into action. “There is something you need to know about her. Let me tell you before we decide what to do.” Her gaze met and held Hugo’s in silent warning for several moments. “If you ignore me, then you will not get Harriett to agree to anything you want. You can lock her up in the Tower, and won’t get the information she has been gathering.” “I’ve been to Padstow and know most of the locals. She isn’t familiar,” Hugo replied, searching his memory for a strange old woman who had a yen for gossip. “She won’t be,” Jemima replied, throwing Peter a careful look. Taking a deep breath, she dropped her bombshell.
