Page 70 of The Duke's Bride in Disguise
Chapter Fifteen
The following morning, Raff made his way to the Houses of Parliament, to plead his case for the climbing boys. The poor lads had quite left his thoughts due to yesterday's drama, though this morning, he focused only on them. If truth be told, they were a rather welcome distraction from the tumult of his thoughts.
His case was rather simple, merely requiring the House of Lords to pass a motion to set up an investigative committee, though because so many of the House's members relied upon child labour for their own gain, Raff was nervous it would not pass.
"Kilbride—hold up."
The deep voice which had called out his name in the corridor outside the Chambers of the House, belonged to none other than the Duke of Bellmont. The duke cut a dashing figure in a dark green wool coat, worn above impeccable white breeches; though as he neared, Raff saw the faintest hint of stubble upon Bellmont's chin, and that his eyes were red from lack of sleep.
The Duke of Bellmont was a notorious hellion, and Raff assumed that he had been out carousing the night before. Why he had bothered to show up for a sitting of the House was beyond Raff; most members of the House rarely bothered to take up their seats, never mind show up after a long night's drinking.
"Bellmont," Raff gave the man a polite nod of greeting.
"I heard you're petitioning today," Bellmont said, as he fell into step with Raff, "For the investigative committee into child labour."
"I am," Raff admitted, slightly perplexed by Bellmont's interest. The man had snubbed Douglas McCasey when he had tried to engage the duke in Crockford's, why the sudden involvement now?
"Good," Belmont looked rather sober, "I've been speaking with a few people in White's and Boodle's—it should pass."
"You'vebeen speaking with people?" Raff asked, unable to hide his incredulity. The Duke of Belmont was not known for his bleeding heart—quite the opposite actually. He had a reputation for being cold and calculating, both at the gaming table and away from it. One would be hard pressed, Raff thought, to find a man who admitted to being Bellmont's friend.
"Yes," the duke looked rather uncomfortable, "Though don't go blabbing your mouth off about it. I have a reputation to uphold; I couldn't bear if word got out that I—"
Bellmont hesitated, then swiftly changed the subject; "Enough about this Kilbride, I shall see you inside."
A smile played on his lips as Raff watched as Bellmont stalked off ahead of him. He knew what the duke had wanted to say; Bellmont couldn't stand the idea of anyone thinking him softer hearted than the severe reputation he had so carefully cultivated portrayed him to be.
Was everyone hiding something?
