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"Claudia is confined to the house We’ve kept the pregnancy secret for now It only see, since we’re still uncertain whether she’ll keep the child"
Lily briefly wondered whether A the baby with another family, or the possibility of a stillbirth Both, she supposed "I thought you said you’re not often recruited into clandestine sche witheshire, but the stables were always his refuge Now he’s away fro wo So you see, a dinner party may not be the best idea"
"Of course I see"
"You’re disappointed" Aether and squeezed
"No, not at all," Lily lied brightly "It was only an idea, and a flawed one at that We’ll do it another tiht’s dinner is canceled"
And hope he doesn’t turn up dead by
She shut her eyes, and red dots swaht crimson shade as his blood
When A hand on her arm, Lily couldn’t help it The tears welled in her eyes and overflowed Soon she was sobbing on Amelia’s shoulder
"I’ the costerer delivered him to our doorstep before dawn He’d collapsed on the street, and he was bleeding, and for a moment …"
All the fears she’d battled in those predawn hours ca her with double force This ti to the comfort of her friend’s embrace as the tears fell
Once she’d mastered her emotion, Lily said, "For a moment, I was so certain he was dead Just like Leo"
Amelia pulled back Her own eyes were moist with sympathy as she offered a handkerchief "You poor dear Is he well now? Mr Bellamy, I mean"
"Yes" Lily wiped her eyes with the square of linen "It was only a s s, you know Wherever there’s fighting-- to find Leo’s killers But I fear he’s just going to get himself killed It’s been five o"
"He feels responsible That’s what he told us that night He was supposed to be with Leo, and he thinks he could have prevented the murder if he’d been there"
Lily sniffed "Does he think he has soret? Doesn’t he realize I’ve felt the sauilt, every day since Leo died? If only I’d asked him to stay home, I tell e instead of a hack If only I’d been with hihtly built one at that If I’d been in that alleyith Leo, I would have fought those th, fury, nails, teeth I would have done anything inmy own"
A little sob escaped her, and Amelia clasped her wrist
"And now," Lily went on, "it’s like I’ Julian wander into that same alleyway that clai at a slower pace I’ helplessly by as each step brings hier No matter how I call out to hi …"
Then thisShe’d held his senseless body in his arertips Atop it all, that desperate kiss … It er so real She refused to stand by and watch Julian stuht
In her lap, her hands curled into fists "Before Leo died, Julian lived to amuse and be amused He loved balls, the theater, his friends, and his clubs Somehow I have to force him back into that world, so he’ll re Since the dinner party won’t work tonight--"
"Wait," A "The dinner party ork We’ll make it work"
"Truly?" Her heart leapt "But what about the duke? What about Claudia?"
"Leave everything to h I warn you, the menu will be siracious of hosts"
"That doesn’t matter It’s probably for the best if he and Julian stay in separate rooms, anyhow" She squeezed her friend’s hand "I can’t tell you what this ive parties but have little opportunity What about other guests? Is there anyone you’d like me to invite?"
Lily paused "I know this may be difficult at such short notice," she said, "but do you by any chance knohere we ible bachelors?"
"What’s this?" A to a woo, a confirmed spinster with no suitors at all?"
"It’s just that I promised Julian If he would beI have no real intention ofat all, and no desire to inspire the hopes or attentions of gentle horrible, isn’t it?"
"Rather" Amelia’s eyes widened with amusement "Let me be certain I understand You’d like me to find some warm male bodies to fill chairs at the dinner table All of these ry or lonely enough to show up for dinner on a few hours’ notice?"
"Well …" Lily shrugged "Yes?"<ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>