# Nesta Mallathorpe — The Talleyrand Maxim character guide > Nesta Mallathorpe in The Talleyrand Maxim by J. S. Fletcher. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Nesta, Miss Mallathorpe, Miss Nesta Mallathorpe, Mallathorpe **First appearance:** 0000-i-death-brings-opportunity ## Snapshot Heiress to Normandale, she meets Pratt's quiet blackmail head-on with a bluntness that unsettles even him. ## Who they are Nesta inherits wealth, the mill, and a family already compromised by secrets she does not yet know. Where her brother was weak and her mother fearful, Nesta is direct and unflinching — she tells Pratt to his face that he is an enemy. Her refusal to be managed forces Pratt to show his hand, and her strength becomes the counterweight the plot must reckon with. ## Relationships ### [Linford Pratt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/characters/linford_pratt) _psychological_ Linford Pratt manipulates and obsesses over Nesta, using her as a pawn in his schemes. ### [Bartle Collingwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/characters/bartle_collingwood) _romantic_ Bartle Collingwood is Nesta's devoted suitor and eventual husband, with a loving and protective bond. ### [Charles Eldrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/characters/charles_eldrick) _professional_ Charles Eldrick acts as Nesta Mallathorpe's legal advisor and protector, with a paternal concern. ### [Esther Mawson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/characters/esther_mawson) _social_ Esther Mawson is a former servant to Nesta's family, with a history of loyalty and later guilt. ### [Linford Pratt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/characters/linford_pratt) _psychological_ Linford Pratt manipulates and obsesses over Nesta, using her as a pawn in his schemes. ### [Bartle Collingwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/characters/bartle_collingwood) _romantic_ Bartle Collingwood is Nesta's devoted suitor and eventual husband, with a loving and protective bond. ### [Linford Pratt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/characters/linford_pratt) _psychological_ Linford Pratt manipulates and obsesses over Nesta, using her as a pawn in his schemes. ### [Charles Eldrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/characters/charles_eldrick) _professional_ Charles Eldrick acts as Nesta Mallathorpe's legal advisor and protector, with a paternal concern. ### [Bartle Collingwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/characters/bartle_collingwood) _romantic_ Bartle Collingwood is Nesta's devoted suitor and eventual husband, with a loving and protective bond. ### [Esther Mawson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/characters/esther_mawson) _social_ Esther Mawson is a former servant to Nesta's family, with a history of loyalty and later guilt. ### [Charles Eldrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/characters/charles_eldrick) _professional_ Charles Eldrick acts as Nesta Mallathorpe's legal advisor and protector, with a paternal concern. ### [Esther Mawson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/characters/esther_mawson) _social_ Esther Mawson is a former servant to Nesta's family, with a history of loyalty and later guilt. ## In the story ### [I: Death Brings Opportunity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/i-death-brings-opportunity) Daughter of Mrs. Richard Mallathorpe, who shared the personal property with her brother after John Mallathorpe's death. ### [II: In Trust](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/ii-in-trust) Mentioned as a beneficiary under the will and as one who would lose if the will is produced. ### [IV: The Fortunate Possessors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/iv-the-fortunate-possessors) Greets Collingwood, recalls seeing him at a mock-trial; expresses boredom with idle life at Normandale; shows interest in Collingwood. ### [V: Point-Blank](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/v-point-blank) Mentioned as playing billiards with Harper; Mrs. Mallathorpe fears she would expose the truth if she knew. ### [VII: The Supreme Inducement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/vii-the-supreme-inducement) Seen by Pratt in town, her appearance becomes the 'supreme inducement' for him to pursue the stewardship. ### [Terms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/viii-terms) Mentioned as strong-willed; Mrs. Mallathorpe fears she would reveal the will if told. ### [Until Next Spring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/ix-until-next-spring) Hosts Collingwood's farewell visit, expresses concern about her brother Harper's idleness, and hints she would welcome Collingwood's return. ### [X: The Footbridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/x-the-footbridge) Grieving her brother's death; welcomes Collingwood's presence at Normandale Grange. ### [XI: The Prevalent Atmosphere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xi-the-prevalent-atmosphere) Briefly speaks with Collingwood, expresses vague doubts about her brother's death, and asks him to attend the inquest and report back. ### [XII: The Power of Attorney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xii-the-power-of-attorney) Shows relief and a flush when Collingwood announces he is not going to India. Later, she is angry and troubled after discovering that Pratt visited her mother and frightened her, and that her mother refuses to explain the matter. ### [XIII: The First Trick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xiii-the-first-trick) Nesta is furious upon learning of the power of attorney and insists that Pratt shall not visit her mother, suspecting coercion. ### [XIV: Cards on the Table](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xiv-cards-on-the-table) Confronts Pratt in his office, accusing him of blackmailing her mother. She is angry, indignant, and determined to uncover the truth, but is unsettled by Pratt's calm demeanor and veiled threats. ### [Pratt Offers a Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xv-pratt-offers-a-hand) Confronts Pratt about his blackmail of her mother, offers to buy him out, and ultimately rejects his offer of friendship. ### [XVI: A Headquarters Conference](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xvi-a-headquarters-conference) Shares full details of Pratt's blackmail and accusations; is relieved by Eldrick's reassurance and agrees to follow his advice. ### [The Direct Charge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xxi-the-direct-charge) Listens to Collingwood's account, expresses her desire to end the mystery and her mother's collusion with Pratt, even at the cost of her inheritance. ### [XXII: The Cat's Paw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xxii-the-cat-spaw) Nesta is mentioned as having visited Pratt, leading to a heated exchange. Pratt believes she will keep their conversation secret out of fear for her mother. ### [XXV: Dry Sherry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xxv-dry-sherry) Nesta is mentioned as planning to drive into Barford after lunch, which gives Pratt the opportunity to meet Mrs. Mallathorpe alone. ### [XXVI: The Telephone Message](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xxvi-the-telephone-message) Drives into town and is informed by Eldrick and Collingwood; joins them to go to Normandale Grange. ### [Restored to Energy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xxvii-restored-to-energy) Departed by carriage for Barford just before Esther's actions. ### [The Woman in Black](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xxviii-the-woman-in-black) Learns of the duplicate will and accepts the loss of the estate with relief; shares a romantic moment with Collingwood. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/characters/nesta_mallathorpe - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/characters