Chapter of Before Amélia could catch her breath, the Duke had already taken her through the doors, they left in the same place on the Terrace where she had argued with Jack less than half an hour before,
The bus gardens were being put to good use that night, dropping her on the ground Quickly, he dismissed his mother with an open hand, You asked, and then he leaned back against a marble pillar, fidgeting with his tie, hell, how hot it is in here, Amelia staggered away, at the same time
Enraged and amused by the way he had lifted her up with so easily and to carry her out of the room she was not exactly a small Muler but as robust as the Duke was he was more and as he lifted her she would feel the dense muscles of his shoulders tensing
Under his hands oh Sime indeed had a powerful feat well and then Amelia knew she was sailing through uncharted waters with her shameless provocation however she was in the mood to take risks she had already lost briar and Jack and will probably lose any
Marriage prospects she might have left after fiercely crossing the ballroom and take the hand of his grace the girl had no reputation or fortune to protect by not having a little fun he was an enigmatic man and Powerful it had been intoxicating
To test the barriers of property like he had never used before without knowing the type of answer that would provoke of all the answers that I expected none other than that abductee from the ballroom Ah that those debutantes would laugh at her now and to think that I defended against those rumors of
Barbarity she said thoughtfully you defended me he made a rude sound in his throat I hope that have learned a lesson don’t test me again in the end I always come out ahead whether in cards
Or in negotiations in everything she laughed Oh that’s right Yes Spencer ran his hand through his hair because I have the kind of rationality that no one in your family seems to have and Could you tell me which
One, please, I’ll know when to leave Amélia looked at him, the light from the ballroom illuminated his aristocratic profile, almost sculpted with his curls and the marble behind him, he could be part of a Greco-Roman frieze. Beautiful as a Immortal and pale as death
Are you feeling good? he asked 400 pounds and he closed his eyes 400 pounds. If you leave me this instant you will have the bank note in the morning in a daze Amelia blinked and looked at
The pavement 400 pounds 400 pounds and all that What she needed to do was turn around and leave Jack’s debt pays off her summer Emri Arban restored Turn Deor’s luck in your favor Lady Amélia learn to leave Good heavens he was serious she allowed herself to have a brief ironic moment of
Self-deprecation noting that despite not being willing to pay 400 pounds for her favors the Duke was eager to pay the same amount to get rid of her terrible man Oh but his face had turned a very particular color in the hall his cheeks had turned scarlet with his
Anger but now his complexion was ashen she could hear the air dragging in and out of his lungs and was it a trick of the moonlight or was his hand shaking just a little as it rested on the railing if he was feeling sick just leave it. It would be
Like abandoning every principle your parents taught you Amelia would be selling your conscience and your lineage for 400 pounds and there were things you couldn’t put a price on she took a step towards him Honestly you seem to be feeling bad because you won’t let me bring you
Some I’m not perfectly fine he walked away from the marble pillar and crossed the Terrace taking deep breaths of the night air my only affliction is a little brat dressed in blue silk there’s no need to be rude I’m trying to help you I don’t need your help He
Passed his hand impatiently over his soaked forehead, wiping it with his sleeve I’m not feeling sick So why are you so pale Amelia Shaked her head Why would a man rather swallow a nail than accept help from a lady Hey, please, a Duke can’t do it buy scarves she opened the
Reticule that was attached to her wrist now without the coins it was so light that Amélia had almost forgotten its existence she loosened the strings and took out the only item that remained a handkerchief meticulously embroidered, she took a moment to admire the stitches she had finished
A few days before, her initials written in dark purple around the letters and in the empty spaces Amélia had tackled vines and in a lighter green some Ferns, a touch of Pure Whimsy had compelled her to add a little bee in black and gold floating
Near the top of the air was perhaps her best work so far and now that beloved handkerchief on which she had worked so hard would wipe the Noble forehead of her grace and what else would she be forced to give up on that
Terrace ? her brother her home and her last small conquest what was left she almost expected Napoleon to jump out of the cebes and demand her alliance Morlan a deep voice spoke rudely from the shadows Amelia jumped up Morlan it’s you then the voice spoke again harsh and serious to her satisfaction
Was definitely English the noise of the plants moving indicated that the stranger was approaching impetuously Amelia stopped next to the Duke and pressed His Handkerchief into his hand He looked from her to the piece of cloth and then to her again Amelia gave a
Shoulders maybe it was silly but it was just that he was one of the greatest men in England and she came from one of the greatest families in England at least historically and she couldn’t allow the Duke to be faced with an unknown challenge looking like he was dying of malaria not
When she was holding a perfectly clean handkerchief, Thank you, he said, wiping his forehead hastily and stuffing the handkerchief into the pocket of his suit, at the same time as not one but two men came out
Of the hedge and jumped over the Terrace railing, the Duke placed himself between her and The strangers were a chivalrous gesture, they didn’t regret the Scarf now. The Strangers stopped far from the semicircle of light in which they were, so Amélia couldn’t identify them, she saw only two silhouettes, one in the
Latest fashion and the other frightening, mla is Belami, the man dressed in the latest moda spoke and I know you ‘ve already met the short girl, he said, indicating the giant at his side, the Duke got tense, certainly we
Are long-time friends, we are not RH, there was no response from the giant shadow, we were waiting for you to make your escape, said Belami, but We can’t delay it anymore you need to come with us soon,
Go with you why we will tell you in the carriage tell me now and I must decide if I will join you in a carriage club matters said Belami he walked towards the light and Amélia looked at him Oh
Now she understood why she will find your A well-known name His face was also well-known and there was no mistaking it when it came to his meticulously groomed hairstyle He was that infamous troublemaker the leader of that group of young wastrels for whom Jack would give a
Liver to join the group for which he will lose 400 pounds in an attempt to keep up with them, Belami was also involved in that nonsense about the record, club matters, Morlan said, do you mean the stud’s club, Amélia barely managed to hold back a laugh, completely inappropriate for a lady?
Urgent meeting said Belami and now that you are 7 tenths away from becoming a member you are required to participate is the oziris the Duke asked his voice suddenly serious if something happened to the horse I the mountain named aort broke silence is the horse air Cliff died Amélia felt her stomach
Turn for the love of God, short said Belami there is a lady present ar Cliff she repeated dead as leopold chv the Marquis of ar Cliff that is the boy who had been raised a half day’s journey from
Castelo Bel Vale and attended school with his older brothers, the blond boy with fine features and good humor, universally admired and who had been kind to the point of dancing with her at her debutante ball not just once as the obligation of friendship dictated, but two whole sevens.
I’m sure he’s talking about Léo delami took a step forward, tapping his gold-tipped cane on the paving stones as he walked, I’m sorry Amélia put her hands to her mouth, poor Lily You know his sister a little, she nodded, the Duke seemed to remember his social duty
As the Only present who knew everyone Lady Amélia de orsai This is Mr. Julian Belami his voice seemed to get a little darker when he introduced the taller man and that RH ys caur Lord ashort under any other circumstances It would be a pleasure Amelia nodded
If I may ask how Lily is dealing with her grief she has not yet been informed of Léo’s passing said Belami and that is why we came to you mla as the remaining members of the stallion club we have an obligation to her do we Yes we have what kind of obligation
Imposed by those in the code The code of good bloodlines of the stallion club how their interest is purely in the horse and not in the spirit of brotherhood from the club I suppose you didn’t take
The time to familiarize yourself with it I’ve never even heard of that business said mla He looked at shorts you heard the taller man remained shrouded in shadows but Amélia You could see that he shook his head no there is a code Bela he told me impatiently and you
Are both subject to him the alternative is to give up your interest in the club entirely now come on you two we need to inform Lily of her brother’s death wait said Amelia I’m going with you no said the three men in unison They looked at each other as if surprised to
Agree to something yes she replied I will yes Lily’s parents are no longer alive and Leo was her last living relative right right said Belami unfortunately well you gentlemen can have your clubs chips and codes of honor but we ladies have Our Sisterhood and I will not allow
The three of them to trample on Lily’s feelings like an elephant Today she will find out that her only brother has passed away and that she is alone in the world she will need understanding, comfort and a shoulder
To cry on and I refuse to let you suffer this all alone While you empty-heads stand around arguing about the stupid details of your stupid Club there was a prolonged silence in which Amelia began to regret some of her words as an empty-head used to two
Royals and the uninspired repetition of stupid but she wouldn’t apologize for the feeling and she wouldn’t be left behind she knew what it was like to lose a brother she knew very well what it
Was like to walk through that particular hell alone what she wouldn’t have given to have from your mother on the day they came to tell you about the river we are going in my carriage is ready and I have the best set
Of horses the Duke finally spoke my bays are disam mor set his jaw I have the best set Deal place umui there hasn’t even been one with those Pou Palas had completely the situation . she stopped for a moment It was obvious that
The guests’ attention would not escape that she and the Duke of Morland disappeared in the middle of the night but everything would be explained when Léo’s death became public knowledge and it wasn’t as if they were alone, okay Amélia shook her head head affirmatively Belami and Aort jumped
Off the railing with ease the boots hit the flower bed softly before turning around the hedge and disappearing the way they came Morlon continued past the railing One Long Leg at a time he directed Amelia to sit on the railing And then swinging her
Legs over to the other side she came down clumsily a fold of her dress got caught in the clasp of her slipper and this delayed a few seconds after she was free the Lady prepared herself to
Slide from the railing it was no more than a few inches from the The Duke stopped her if I may, he said, resting his hands on Amélia’s waist, everything is muddy on this side, Amélia nodded affirmatively and soon found herself in those powerful arms for the second time
That night, she was lifted without any effort from the railing, passing through the flowerbed. of flowers until she was gently deposited on the road to Cascalho this time, she was certainly reading much more than the truth into it all but she couldn’t help but imagine that this was an attempt to
Make up for her with a silent apology for her rude behavior in the salon for the dance Ah, thank you very much, she said, staggering a little when he let her go, I appreciate it. He responded by putting
A hand in the pocket of his suit where to keep the handkerchief for now we don’t need to talk about that you are fine yes together they followed the path that the other men took walking side by side
Morlan didn’t offer him his arm however he pointed to a frog in the they walked the way just as she would have stepped on him as they walked around the house and approached the paved driveway where the carriages and coachmen sat waiting he spoke once more what does you
Excuse your Initial mean he patted his pocket again oh Claire she said understanding what he wanted it means Claire Amélia Claire he nodded and continued walking Amélia slowed down you fool they passed by a bronze statue and Amélia wanted to bang her head against
It how foolish she was he had asked her a single question and she will answer three times Claire she imitated silently adopting the voice of a parrot it means Claire Amélia Claire she recognized and hated the dizzy feeling that had arisen in her belly infatuation couldn’t have
Happened at a worse time nothing good would come from that and from all the knights of London, that’s right, she hadn’t exaggerated at the ball when she said that he danced divinely and was undoubtedly handsome, nor when she confessed an unchaste desire to touch his curly, dark morla hair and it
Really made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end, all of that was true. he is orrendo she said silently to herself rude arrogant and insufferable he will refuse to release Jack from his debt he insulted her he removed her from a ballroom and then offered her money to
Leave Hey for God’s sake are you way of telling latv of her twin brother’s death You are a depraved and disturbed woman the CL CL cla of orsai it was just that there was something in those few unrehearsed moments when a stranger coming out of a hedge made them forget the debt
And the insults and act solely on instinct she had come to his side with her beloved handkerchief and he will place his body between her and the stranger she could not shake the feeling that they had formed an alliance not Dita and now acted as a team Morlan took his hand on his
Suit jacket again he kept making that gesture And every time he did it Amélia felt her knees weaken Oh my God they reached the carriage it was an impressive vehicle black as
The night shining with the coat of arms of the lime of Morlan carried by a a team of four black horses that matched perfectly, the Duke helped them enter, one of their hands finding the amé fingers while the other supported the back, Belami and Ashort were already accommodated in the seats facing
Backwards, so all that was left was for them to share what was facing forward, nothing. in that situation he should have been excited, his body fell against his as the carriage moved, how did it happen that air Cliff
Died asked the Duke, Thank you, Amelia said silently, moving away from him until she hugged the side of the seat, thank you for reminding me of the gravity of our situation and how my thoughts are inappropriate they were thieves said Belami he was beaten to death
In the street in a vite hat It seems like it was a random attack my God it was too dark for Amelia to discern the expression of anyone in the carriage she then deduced that it was too dark for see hers then she allowed herself to cry hot, silent tears
That wasn’t right waterlow the war was over it had come to an end young, beautiful men at the height of their vitality should stop dying just a few weeks before she spied Léo at the theater he had taken a box with some friends they were noisy and inconvenient
In the way that only Léo’s friends could be because Léo always forgave everything everyone loved him so much Amélia shuddered beaten to death by thieves if something like that could happen to Léo it could easily have been Jack it could have been I said Belami my God it should have
Been I had agreed to go out with him today but I gave up his deep voice failed what a damn waste if I had been there I could have prevented it or you too would have died better me than him Leo had a title responsibilities a sister to protect He swore violently
What’s going to happen to Lil now is all my fault the boxing match was my idea in the first place and I gave up I gave up to spend the night with that whore carnelia delami leaned forward hiding her face in her hands Amelia assumed he she was referring to Lady
Carnelia and gotov , a woman surrounded by scandal and definitely married . good for Lily Amélia wanted to gather all the information she could for once the quality of being invisible to men had worked in her favor the Duke cleared his throat you said it was a
Random attack very random it’s random it could have been anyone no it could have been me the phrase came from the taciturn giant sitting in front of Amélia I can’t die why would you say something like that Amélia asked abandoning her intention to remain silent it was such a
Shocking statement to make and something in the grave harshness of the voice He indicated that he didn’t speak arrogantly because I tried several times. Hey, you see, I spoke on each occasion and she had no answer for that. Ask your friend Morlan, he continued, I’m a disgrace to bring down at
Her side, the Duke tensed up, it was clear that the two men had a history of enmity that’s enough Senr Belami raised his head rubbing his eyes with the palm of his hand we don’t have time for
That Leo is gone it’s about Lily we need to discuss how Leo died without an heir the Zar Cliff title and her properties including the town mansion will pass to some distant cousin she probably has some kind of dowry due to her but considering her condition
Lily can’t live independently in the town no she couldn’t Amelia silently agreed Poor Lily Amelia needed to get one way to help her and what do you propose senr belami the man looked from aort to mla milord your grace one of you needs to marry her
Marry her Spencer blinked You just said that one of us must marry her yes sighing deeply Spencer put a hand to his temple without offense to the deceased or to Lily chv his mysterious condition was just that this situation would require a fair amount
Of discussion and he had already spent His education quota for the entire evening what the Duke wanted to do was coming home, drinking two fingers of brandy and prostrating himself on the library floor, right on the carpet, the floor was Relentless Oak and he was not an acetic monk. After all, until the
Damn clamor in his head went away in the morning he would take Juno for a walk slow probably going half the way to Dover and returning she was restless in the city unusual with the crowds and the noise a long ride through the countryside straighten them both out then
He would take care of the mare himself she was touchy with the London grooms and they could never make a deal good job after all that Maybe dinner before going after a game of cards that was what I wanted to do but as it happened so often what Spencer wanted and what
They required of him were completely different things the Stud Club code says that on the occasion of the Unexpected Death of a member The Brotherhood is obliged by honor to take care of its dependents once her brother has passed away Lily will need a protector she needs to get
Married so why don’t you marry her asked short you clearly know her Well, you weren’t friends with Cliff, very close friends, yes, that’s exactly the reason I couldn’t marry her Lady Lily chv She’s the sister of a marquis, once Léo commented to me that she’s 1st in line for
The crown, I I’m Belami pressed a closed fist against the seat I’m nobody Well at that point Spencer completely agreed with him he despised the vain rivista air of what he’d hear at the tables Belami had arrived from nowhere three years earlier despite the man’s vague origins even to the biggest of
Snobs invited him to every party and every card game just for the entertainment he provided was a mime with almost supernatural abilities Spencer had once watched Du at a doorstep while Belami regaled an audience with his indecent imitations of Byron and Lady Caroline LAMB
Thought the man was a pathetic clown but the young people of the town idolized him, they imitated the mime, they imitated his style of dress, his way of walking and his witty remarks, some went so far as to Spencer had no interest
In the man’s hair or fashion and had nothing but contempt for the man’s low mood . boy but he was very interested in something Belami the bronze token that made him a member of the stud club
Will have to be Morlan said to sh I’m not going to marry her you’d hit the jackpot if you married her said Belami she’s a Lovely and intelligent lady I’m sure she is but the last thing I would do with a woman I admire is marry her Spencer couldn’t resist
Ah now you have found decency Where did you come from I wonder maybe I found you lying around on the battlefield Maybe so the man replied impassively and I know that you I didn’t find there Spencer looked with menace it was typical of the bastard to give a low blow like that
When he was young there was nothing Spencer wanted more than to follow his father’s example and buy a rank in the army but when his father passed away the boy became The Duke’s Heir will suddenly gain titles duties and responsibilities he would be risking hundreds of lives in battle
Not only his own Goodbye visions of Glory Why can’t you marry her ashort Belinda go you It’s a Lord isn’t it I’ve just inherited a barony consisting of a useless charn in Devon
Shir and a house that burned to the ground 14 years ago I had to sell my patent just to pay off the debts, excuse me, said Lady Amelia, I’m sorry to interrupt, excuse me, Spencer would be
Very grateful. a change in the direction of the conversation was more than welcome I knew your name was known she continued talking to short then mentioned your rank by any chance you are lieutenant colonel sorry maur yes and yes I met your brother I thought so he said about you
In his letters always punctuating your courage you were her voice weakened you were with him in waterlow no not at the end he served in a different Battalion but I can tell you that he was a loving man and an excellent officer admired by his subordinates and respected by his superiors
A blessing for your family and the country Thank you Lady Amélia seemed satisfied but to Spencer’s ears the speech was empty, unconvincing, rehearsed as if the short had already said those words countless times, it was probably true, perhaps for that night’s task to warn a
Young lady of her brother’s Unexpected Death was nothing more than routine would explain this Gravity in his appearance Spencer didn’t remember seeing him so solemn on any other occasion not that they had spent a lot of time talking in Eon it was difficult to talk while throwing punches Where
Is the body Lady Amélia asked suddenly from there in my house bam replied my men are watching until he can be taken to the mortuary Lily will want to see him no milid she won’t
She will I guarantee it no matter what the injuries are I a Her voice failed I would give anything for the chance to say goodbye to Rio I think it would be easier to accept her death at that moment Spencer became
Acutely aware of Lady Amia of Orsai in the absence of a better word her horses turned to the left leading the carriage around of an abrupt corner and she glided towards him soft and warm the smell of lavender more intense than before as the Lady
Straightened herself something wet fell on the expanse of skin between his sleeve and glove she was in tears weeping in the silence more Absolutely too proud to ask for Her Scarf back after having given it to Spencer in the Gardens she put her hand to her side bso her precise and happy stitches
Secretly decorated the satin fabric it was her fault for not having it Maise didn’t even want the object in the first place of conversation ag perversely the Duke didn’t want to give it back it’s decided So he said belam
Morlan will marry her I refuse said Spencer you can’t refuse but I just did that’s the code of the Belami Stallion Club leaned forward neither me nor short are acceptable suitors As you just heard if you hadn’t so methodically reduced
The number of members in the last few weeks maybe there would be other candidates But you did it and now it corresponds to seven tenths of the club and the weight of responsibility It’s up to you I don’t
Understand said Lady Amélia how a man can be seven tenths of a club It’s the chips a thousand Lady replied Belami see Léo bought an exceptional stallion a few years ago Osiris was one of the best racehorses in England he is too old to race but is still valuable
As a stud several gentlemen were requesting the favor of breeding rights and Léo designed the stallion club scheme as a joke if you know Léo you know he loved a good joke Ah yes she felt it when my brother and he were children They stole
The clapper from the church bell just so they could both sleep late on Sunday morning Belami smiled Oh and that’s Lé’s face which one of his brothers was Lord belv or Jack when she didn’t
Respond immediately the man added or heavens I’m sorry it wasn’t the one who passed away in Belgium no it wasn’t R none of those actually it was Michael my brother who is a naval officer now my God how many of you are Spencer if he regretted the question instantly, what possessed him to
Ask why on earth he cared, the longer Lady Amélia took to answer, the more the accusatory silence spread in the carriage, terrible Morlan, terrible, he was capable of having a real polite conversation, just not in any moment before during or for long hours after
A dance finally she replied We were six now there are only five I am the only woman she stopped for a moment Waiting to hear the next rude question that would be thrown her way when none appeared she said please continue Senor Belami certain Léo had 10
Tokens made of bronze and distributed them to his close friends the possession of a token allowed a man to send mares to breed with the But according to the Club’s code tokens could never be sold, bought or given, they could only be won in luck at cards Amélia said cards
Dice any type of bet the set of crumpled bronze tokens became the most coveted currency in London everyone wanted a little bit of Osiris of course but more than that they wanted to be part of the Club The fraternity the camaraderie there is a certain distinction now among gentlemen in our midst
In claiming to be a member of the stud’s club are not all clubs that manage to be so exclusive to the point of allowing only 10 members and winning a chip means that luck or cleverness or both were with you Belami threw a mordis look in Spencer’s direction and then mla appeared
And ruined all the fun he already got seven of the 10 chips now the last three belong to me, shor and Léo of course the seat cushion readjusted itself while Lady Amélia turned towards Spencer But why would he do that would he mind answering the lady your grace
Questioned bami isn’t it obvious Spencer looked out the window of the Carriage I want a horse but oo Senor Belami said that just one token is enough to secure the rights to use him in reproduction why insist on having them all why was there so much avarice Spencer heard the accusation
In her voice she blamed her avarice on her brother’s debt when it comes to Osiris I’m not interested in using him in reproduction I want to have I don’t like sharing delami He shook his head there Lady Amélia your grace has no interest in Brotherhood friendship or in preserving his image
As a reference in London society he only cares about the animal involved I’m going to say something Morlan You can until you don’t like it but you’ll have to share it you’ll only get my chip by going over my dead body the stallion club was Léo’s creation and I won’t allow
You to destroy his legacy But you want me to have a fight with his sister, don’t you? yes, Belami, I grunted in frustration, what I want to say is that I don’t want that, as I would like there to be someone
Other than you, but there isn’t, Lady Amélia made a strange inarticulate sound, he she was passing discouragement frustration fun at least she wasn’t crying anymore Belami clearly couldn’t translate the reaction any better than Spencer tilting his head he watched them both
Carefully That’s unless you’re already engaged we interrupted something on the terrace just now Oh no And her he spoke quickly with a laugh Whatever it was You interrupted it was anything but that then your grace honor compels you to ask for Lily’s hand in marriage excuse me said
Lady Amelia but exactly what is honorable about deciding the future of a woman without not even ask your opinion if Lily wanted to get married She would have done it years ago we are not living in the Dark Ages Gentlemen a lady’s consent is generally a prerequisite before
Any marriage plan yes but even in these Modern Times Sometimes circumstances such as death or impending poverty can make the decision for the lady, I cannot speak for Lily, Senr Belami, but I can tell you, having faced such circumstances myself, that they have never
Made decisions for me, so Spencer thought to himself, Lady Amélia had already received from marriage and had refused he was wondering if her singleness was a condition she had arrived at by choice or by lack of alternatives curse
Why was he thinking about her why did he feel this need to know everything about that impertinent bossy woman and nothing pretty but he was thinking oh the Duke didn’t want to get involved in anything as clumsy or risky as asking a question he just wanted a reference a
Complete codex of all things about Amélia Claire from orsai a family tree of his family up to The Invaders Normans a catalog of all the books he has ever read a topographic map indicating the precise location of each of his freckles we arrived said to short the carriage stopped
In front of the mansion ar Cliff while they waited for the valet to open the door delami leaned forward and spoke directly to Spencer Lily may be deaf but she’s not stupid she reads lips and speaks with diction as aristocratic as yours look at her when she talks that’s all it takes don’t
Raise your voice Don’t even speak in simple terms as if the girl were an aunt elderly grandmother don’t treat her as anything less than an intellectual and social equal Why are you lecturing me Spencer shivering because before this night is over you will have a private meeting
With her you will propose to Lily morla Oh come on or by God I will challenge you
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