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A, we … argued In the end, I extracted a proreed to escort ave hiain and considering taking a husband, but in truth, I just want to keep Julian out of harm’s way And I didn’t want to delay, so I told hiht"

"I see," said Amelia

Not yet, she didn’t

Lily bit her lip "Here is the lie I told hi a dinner party"

"A dinner party? Tonight?" Now Amelia looked to the clock "Oh, dear Already half two"

Lily grabbed her friend’s hands "I know it’s a tremendous imposition, and here you are in such a delicate state But believeless than the truest fear for Julian’s life would drive rand, and I’d help you however I could with supplies, kitchen staff …"

"Menus and servants are no probleuests, on this short notice …" The corner of Amelia’s mouth twisted "And then there’s Spencer to contend with He abhors parties of every sort"

"Perhaps if you explain to him what’s at stake"

"Tell him he must host a party to save Julian Bellaive ument ork There’s no love lost between Spencer and Mr Bellamy"

Lily’s heart sank "Is there no way to convince hi Spencer" Amelia’s brow made a flirtatious quirk "But it’s not only hirew serious, and she drew her chair closer to speak in confidence "I’m sorry, Lily I wish I could help you, I truly do But there are more obstacles here than the late hour and my husband’s reluctance This isn’t to be repeated, you understand"

Lily nodded, encouraging her to continue She focused intently on her friend’s lips "Slowly, if you please"

"We’re not alone here in Town Do you recall last summer, ere all at Briarbank and h she were heeding a call from somewhere behind her

Lily looked over A woman stood in the door It was Claudia Dumarque, the Duke of Morland’s cousin and ward Claudia was a rather strange girl--a fractious mix of rebellion and sensitivity--but Lily attributed the aardness to her age She was fifteen, or at least she had been the past suether at Airl had turned sixteen by now Regardless, she was very young

And she was pregnant Hugely so

Lily’sto A of her dress billowed and stretched as she walked Her ti

"I didn’t realize you were entertaining a guest," the girl said, stopping before the for my …" She paused when her eyes met Lily’s A self-conscious shost I’ a blush work up her throat She’d been staring at the poor girl like so that crawled out from a crack in the plaster

To Amelia, Claudia said, "You hadn’t told her?"

"Not yet," Alance in Lily’s direction

At last, Lily recovered herself "It’s so good to see you, Claudia" She eirl as best she could around her ht kiss on her cheek "I hope you’re well?"

Stupid question What possible answer could the girl give? Pregnant and un entirely well

"As well as can be expected, I suppose"

"Will you join us for soestured toward the chairs

"No, thank you I’ for my book, but I must have left it upstairs If you’ll excuse me, Lady Lily" She nodded in lieu of a curtsy anda hand in the universal gesture for wait

Lily resuether they ascended the grand staircase, Claudia with one hand on the railing and the other araze away, Lily busied herself pouring yet ain

After a minute, Amelia dropped into the chair opposite "So," she said

"So …?" Lily proth of emotion was evident Unfortunately, it also made her speech difficult to follow Her story was a rapid strea in several directions as it flowed fro her friend said, she gathered that Claudia had been seduced by one of her tutors Her pregnancy was to blae behavior at Briarbank that suirl had hidden her condition from everyone

At last, Amelia’s words slowed "We are in Town to be close to specialists, but not for one easily, but Claudia has had episodes of bleeding and pain At least here we’re closer to the best physicians"

"My goodness," Lily said, trying to absorb it all "What a difficult situation"