One Dance with a Duke (Stud Club #1)(16)

By contrast, Mr. Bellamy had not ceased moving since Amelia entered the room. He’d prowled the floor so many times, she feared he would wear a groove in the parquet. When the doorbell rang, he dashed to answer it himself. The caller was an investigator, Amelia gathered through scraps of overheard conversation, charged with tracking down the footpads who’d murdered Leo.

“Some news?” the duke asked, when Bellamy reentered.

“No. Nothing we didn’t know already. He was beset in an alley, somewhere in Whitechapel. The motive appears to have been robbery. Some urchins nearby heard scuffling and shouts, but they were too frightened to investigate. It was a prostitute who found his body and called for a hack, but she’s since disappeared.”

“How did they know to bring him to you?”

“When she came upon him, he was still alive, barely. He apparently gave her my address. A fortunate thing, too, or who knows what might have happened to his body. Sold to medical students, most likely. I’m surprised the whore didn’t think of that. She was probably hoping for a reward, saving a nobleman’s life.”

“Or maybe she simply had a conscience and a good heart,” Amelia said.

Bellamy made a sound of skepticism. “Well, no matter how pure her intentions, they weren’t enough to save him. He died en route.”

“Were you there at home, when they brought him?”

“No.” He swore under his breath. “No, they had to send for me. Damn it, if only I’d been with him. This wouldn’t have happened.”

With a sudden, savage burst of strength, he crashed his fist down on a bookshelf. Amelia jumped in her seat. Lord Ashworth’s eyes popped open.

“Don’t you see?” Bellamy said. “This is my fault. I can’t make it right, but I will do what I can—bring Leo’s murderers to justice and see Lily well settled.”

“You are unlikely to accomplish either goal tonight,” the duke said.

Bellamy started in the duke’s direction. “You will offer for her, Morland. If I have to hold a knife to your bal—”

Amelia shot to her feet. “Please,” she said, blocking Bellamy’s path. “Please, if you care for Lily—”

“I do,” he cut in impatiently. “As I would my own sister, if I had one.”

“Then I beg you, allow her some time to grieve. Her brother has died. Whether he went violently or peacefully, expected or not—what matters is, he is gone from her life, and this is a tragedy. If you care for her, offer her comfort and understanding, not promises of vengeance or proposals of marriage.”

“Very well.” Bellamy released his breath. “I will speak no further of murder and retribution. But he”—he pointed toward the duke—“had better do his duty by Lily. If he wants to hold on to his share in Osiris, he has no choice.”

Morland put aside his book. “No choice? I am a duke. I always have a choice. And I do not respond favorably to threats.”

“Oh, I’m not threatening you,” Bellamy said. “I’m merely reminding you of the Stud Club code. Any member who fails to adhere to the Code of Good Breeding must surrender his interest in the horse.”

A thought occurred to Amelia. “But Leo’s dead. Doesn’t this horse pass to his heir, as the rest of his possessions do?”

Bellamy gave the duke a cold smile before turning to Amelia. “No, my lady. Leo designed the club very cleverly. Had his solicitor draw it all up. Osiris is held in trust, and any breeding rights are contingent on two conditions: possession of a token and adherence to the code. If His Grace fails to fulfill his obligations, he forfeits any rights to the horse.”

“That’s absurd,” Morland said.

Amelia thought the entire enterprise was absurd. She was heartily sick of hearing about this Stud Club and the vagaries of its code.

The duke continued, “This code of yours … in the coach, you said members must provide for the dependents of the deceased. I don’t recall any mention of marriage.”

“I don’t see how else you could provide for her. She will lose this house, and everything in it. Even with whatever income she may have, she cannot live independently. As much would be true for any well-bred gentlewoman, but when one takes into consideration her condition …” He shook his head. “There are no alternatives.”

“But of course there are!” Amelia cried, increasingly desperate to save Lily from this ill-conceived plan, which was proving to be nothing but a product of Mr. Bellamy’s guilty conscience and the Duke of Morland’s greed for horseflesh. “It will take time for the will to be executed. Lily is not in danger of being forced out onto the street tomorrow. And gentlewomen of means do live independently. I don’t see why Lily’s deafness should preclude it, if such is her desire. She could always engage the services of a companion. Some widow or unmarried lady of good breeding but little fortune, to provide her with companionship and assist her in managing the household. Such arrangements are made all the time.”

“A paid companion,” the duke said thoughtfully. His hazel eyes trained on Amelia. “That would solve matters nicely. If a suitable candidate presented herself.”

Cocking his head a fraction, he raised one eyebrow and continued to regard her with that intense, scrutinizing gaze. A meaningful gaze.