Page 41 of Murder at Madame Chambon's
Lily ran the tip of her tongue over her top lip.“Lord Bellingham, nothing would give me greater pleasure than to secure Miss Tarot’s happiness.And yours, for that matter.”Running a hand over her darned, threadbare skirts, she said, “I must be the most fortunate woman in London… yet, had my father, Lord Lambton, not acknowledged me, my fate would have been very different.”She hesitated, then asked, “Do you understand me?”
And, because Lord Bellingham could not be ignorant of the sensational tale of Lily’s past, he nodded, and let her go on.
“Yes, because Lord Lambton accepted me, so did society.Recently, I learned something about Miss Tarot’s background.Something not evensheknows.And, thinking that you and she had only just met, and therefore that you would not be considering marriage at this stage, I hoped I could just … let it be.”
“Let it be?”Lord Bellingham repeated.“Lady Bradden, you are speaking in riddles.What would Evelina not know about her past thatyoudo?”
Lily put her hands to her muffler, which was making her feel stifled and over-heated.She swallowed, feeling more and more on the back foot as his eyes bored into hers, though his expression was more quizzical than accusing now.
Then, in a burst of bravery, she said, “Lord Bellingham, Miss Tarot’s parents are not the respectable people the world thinks them.”
His eyes narrowed, and he looked about to speak but she had to continue.“My motivations were pure, Lord Bellingham!The scrutiny Miss Tarot will face as the bride of a man of status and influence could ruin her.However, a less notable union would enable her to slip quietly—and, I would hope, happily — into obscurity.”
When he simply stared at Lily as if she had set out to blight his life, she said impatiently, “Lord Bellingham, you have the power to ruin her—”
“I also have the power to make her feel the most loved and cherished woman in the world—”
“And would you want to do that—andcouldyou do that—if it was proved that Miss Tarot is really the daughter of Madame Chambon, the brothel keeper of London’s most notorious pleasure house?”
Chapter19
Lily watched him deflate with shock.
She’s seen this reaction before when, as London’s most sensationalist spiritualist, she’d supposedly conjured the dead from the ‘other side’ during the seances organized by Mr.Montpelier.
Lily had hated trading on other people’s hopes and misery, and she hated it now.
But the truth was needed to orient Lord Bellingham.
If he truly loved Evelina Tarot, he would survive this.
If his love was built on shaky foundations, then it was better that he let her go now.
“I don’t believe you.”
Lily smiled for what else could he say?Lord Bellingham was defending his true love in the only way he knew how.
“Then perhaps you should go to Madame Chambon’s and learn the truth for yourself,” she said.
Archie, emerging through the doors of the editorial office, stepped onto the pavement beside them.“I can take you right now.”
“Madame Chambon’s?”Lord Bellingham recoiled.“I can’t step over the threshold of that den of iniquity!What would—”
“What would Miss Tarot think of you, if she were to find out?”Lily supplied for him in a gentler tone.“Miss Tarot has never heard of Madame Chambon’s.I told you, earlier.She has no idea who her parents really are.She truly believes her father has settled a fortune on her and that her mother is from respectable Norfolk stock.”
The young man’s eyes were wild.He raked his hand through his dark hair.“Madame Chambon is Evelina’s mother?But… how?Is Evelina afoundling?Adopted?For she surely cannot be the natural born child of a creature so steeped in sin and vice.”
Lily turned at Archie’s loud exhalation.“Then jest as well you found out now, m’lord.Else you could never a’ looked at the poor girlie the same way.”He straightened his cap and nodded as if he were about to leave.“Guess you won’t be needin’ to come to Madame Chambon’s after all, since the visit would be… academic, as they say in your circles.You’ll jest have to let her down, gently, won’t you?She’ll be disappointed but, lucky she has money and looks.She’ll find her way in the world, and me Lady Bradden will help her, I’ve no doubt, jest as m’lady helps so many unfortunates born wivout the right markers wot makes ‘em respectable.”
“No!”
Lily frowned.“No, what, Lord Bellingham?Is there something else you wished to know?”She paused, giving him time to collect his thoughts, then said, more gently, “I don’t know everything, but I’ll answer as best I can.”
He made his decision quickly, flinging back his head while he covered his face briefly with his hands before saying, with a clear attempt at calm, “I’ll come with you to the… brothel.I can’t be recognized, but I need to hear the truth for myself.If what you say is true, then I’ll need to speak to Madame.”
Lily’s admiration grew.Maybe he did love Evelina more than her money.
“Archie can run upstairs and find you something to wear that’ll disguise the fact you’re a gentleman,” she said, waving the photographer away.“That’ll help.But there is something else, Lord Bellingham,” she added as Archie left to do her bidding.
