# Richard Mallathorpe — The Talleyrand Maxim character guide > Richard Mallathorpe in The Talleyrand Maxim by J. S. Fletcher. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mrs. Richard Mallathorpe, Mrs. Mallathorpe **First appearance:** 0000-i-death-brings-opportunity ## Snapshot The widowed mistress of Normandale Grange, who learns that a hidden will could ruin her children and pays dearly to bury it. ## Who they are Mrs. Mallathorpe has quietly run the estate and mill while her son Harper drifted, and she knows exactly how much is at stake when Pratt reveals what he holds. She cannot confide in her weak son or her upright daughter, so she must deal with Pratt alone — veiled visits, sleepless nights, and money she can move without anyone noticing. Her desperate bargain is the secret that binds the whole Mallathorpe story together. ## In the story ### [I: Death Brings Opportunity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/i-death-brings-opportunity) Mentioned as the widow of John Mallathorpe's deceased younger brother, who with her two children inherited the estate after John's death intestate. ### [II: In Trust](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/ii-in-trust) Mentioned as Mrs. Mallathorpe, a beneficiary under the will. ### [IV: The Fortunate Possessors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/iv-the-fortunate-possessors) Mrs. Mallathorpe, a capable and energetic woman; explains the letter from Antony Bartle as a request about local books; manages family affairs. ### [V: Point-Blank](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/v-point-blank) Receives Pratt's visit, learns of the will's existence, and is pressured into considering Pratt's scheme. ### [VI: The Unexpected](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/vi-the-unexpected) Mrs. Mallathorpe is referenced as the target of the blackmail scheme, who is to be offered the will for ten thousand pounds. ### [VII: The Supreme Inducement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/vii-the-supreme-inducement) Mentioned as the person Pratt expects to call on him regarding the will and the stewardship. ### [Terms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/viii-terms) Mrs. Mallathorpe is the central figure in this chapter, negotiating with Pratt and concealing the secret from her children. ### [X: The Footbridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/x-the-footbridge) Mentioned as being prostrate with grief; the woodman claims he warned her about the bridge on Friday. ### [XI: The Prevalent Atmosphere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xi-the-prevalent-atmosphere) Mentioned as being very ill and under doctor's care, having scarcely spoken since her son's death. ### [XII: The Power of Attorney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xii-the-power-of-attorney) Mrs. Mallathorpe is recovering from the shock of her son's death but becomes ill and frightened after a private meeting with Pratt, and refuses to tell Nesta what was discussed. ### [XIII: The First Trick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xiii-the-first-trick) Mrs. Mallathorpe is the one who signed the power of attorney, but her motives and awareness are questioned by the others. ### [XIV: Cards on the Table](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xiv-cards-on-the-table) Referenced as the target of Pratt's blackmail. Pratt claims to know a secret about her that could ruin her life, and describes her actions to secure the footbridge before Harper's death. ### [Pratt Offers a Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xv-pratt-offers-a-hand) Referenced as the author of the incriminating letter and the target of Pratt's blackmail, though not present in the scene. ### [XVI: A Headquarters Conference](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xvi-a-headquarters-conference) Mentioned as the target of Pratt's accusations; Eldrick suggests she may have a different explanation for the footbridge incident. ### [The Direct Charge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xxi-the-direct-charge) Discussed as being in Pratt's power and possibly colluding with him through Esther Mawson. ### [XXII: The Cat's Paw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xxii-the-cat-spaw) Mrs. Mallathorpe is referenced as being under Pratt's control, which Pratt uses to manipulate Nesta. ### [XXV: Dry Sherry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xxv-dry-sherry) Mrs. Mallathorpe is mentioned as having confided in Esther Mawson, and Pratt intends to see her to obtain her signature on documents before fleeing. ### [Restored to Energy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xxvii-restored-to-energy) Blackmailed by Esther Mawson; paid with banknotes and rings, then burned the documents and ordered Esther's capture. ### [The Woman in Black](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xxviii-the-woman-in-black) Burns the original will but is confronted with the duplicate; struggles with the loss of the estate. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/characters/richard_mallathorpe - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/characters