“Stamford may be the weakest link,” Charlie said. “He was not at the club last eve, and Edgecombe, Thorne, and Bollinger seem to think he has developed cold feet. They whispered amongst themselves that one of Stamford’s clients, a rising opera singer, died a few days ago.”
“Because of the Devil’s Bliss?” Livy asked with a shudder.
Charlie nodded. “Edgecombe, Thorne, and Bollinger did not admit it, of course. Greed is the North Star of their moral compass, and they’ve convinced themselves that it is not the drug that is the killer, but some ‘unfortunate predisposition’ possessed by their dead clients.”
“They are blaming the victims?” Glory said in appalled tones.
“Rather convenient for them,” Fiona remarked. “Should we approach Stamford?”
“We could, but he will likely not tell us much.” Charlie looked at Livy.
Before leaving this morning, Ben had given Livy a brief summary of what he’d learned, and she shared it now with the group.
“When I, um, was with Hadleigh last night,” Livy said, fighting back a blush, “he told me that the Horsemen are afraid of Fong and treat him like some all-knowing deity. Longmere’s death served as a warning, and I doubt Stamford would dare to betray Fong.”
Fi tilted her head. “Was Hadleigh able to discover how the supply of Devil’s Bliss is delivered to the group?”
“There hasn’t been a delivery since he’s been back in the fold.” Livy chewed on her lip, her worry for Ben surfacing. “He says he has not yet won the men’s trust. They are tolerating him because he knows too much, but they are keeping their secrets.”
A knock interrupted them. It was Hawker.
Charlie tilted her head. “Yes, what is it?”
“A guest has arrived, my lady.” The butler’s gaze shifted to Livy. “Mrs. Beatrice Murray.”
“I hope the others will not think me rude for requesting a moment alone with you,” Aunt Bea said.
“My friends are not easily offended,” Livy assured her. “Why don’t you tell me what is on your mind, Aunt Bea?”
She could tell something was bothering her aunt-in-name-only. Aunt Bea shared Ben’s exceptional looks, hers being a fair and feminine version. She was tall, willowy, and elegantly attired in a mauve carriage dress that was a perfect foil for her white-gold hair and lavender eyes that, at present, were shadowed with concern. Her smile had an edge of tautness, as did the delicate pink scar that curved over her right cheek.
“You were always perceptive, even as a little girl,” Aunt Bea said ruefully. “I shan’t shilly-shally: I am concerned about my brother and hope you can help.”
Perhaps Livy oughtn’t have been surprised but, like Ben, Aunt Bea was private by nature. What could bring her to ask for help…and from Livy, no less?
Does she know about me and Ben? Livy thought with a frisson of worry.
She and Ben had planned to keep their relationship under wraps until Fong was captured. Even then, Ben was concerned about how others might react…in particular, her papa. Livy had reassured him that her family adored him and, even if they were surprised at first, they would come around. She hadn’t considered how Ben’s family—namely Aunt Bea—might take to the news.
She was very fond of Aunt Bea and hoped the other would support the match. It would take some getting used to, but she thought it would be lovely to have Aunt Bea as a sister-in-law.
Thus, Livy asked with care, “How can I help?”
“I know you and Hadleigh share a special bond. Ever since that time he came to your aid.” Aunt Bea’s smile was wistful. “He told me once that rescuing you was the one good deed he’d done in his life.”
Livy had to defend him. “Hadleigh is a good man with a brave and noble heart.”
“That is why he likes you so much. You are more of a loyal sister to him than I ever was,” Aunt Bea said somberly. “I have not supported my younger brother as I ought to have.”
Livy felt her cheeks burn. Of course, she couldn’t tell Aunt Bea that her feelings for Ben were far from sisterly. At the same time, she heard the regret in Bea’s voice and recalled what Ben had said about the distance between him and his sister. How he’d caused it by his foolish and reckless pursuit of vengeance on Bea’s behalf.
“Hadleigh does not blame you,” Livy said, wanting to help heal the breach. “On the contrary, he holds himself responsible for the estrangement.”
Aunt Bea looked startled. “He has spoken to you about our relationship?”
Botheration. Livy wanted to kick herself for giving too much away.
“Um, not exactly. But I know Hadleigh, and he is a man of honor who tends to take responsibility for things,” she said awkwardly.
Bea studied her with lavender eyes that were a little too perceptive.
“You understand him well,” Bea said at length, “and that is the reason why I came to you. When I arrived in town yesterday, I saw Mrs. Garrity. Out of concern, she told me the recent gossip about Hadleigh. Even if she hadn’t told me, I would have seen it: it is in all the scandal rags.”
“You cannot believe everything you read and hear,” Livy said quickly.
How she wished she could tell Aunt Bea the truth behind Ben’s behavior. But doing so would compromise his mission. And she knew for a fact that he would not want his sister involved in that dangerous business.
“I saw Hadleigh with my own eyes when I paid a call upon him this morning,” Aunt Bea said flatly. “He looked like he hadn’t slept all night. And there were signs that he…he has reverted to some of his old behaviors. You are too young to understand, Livy, but while my brother has good intentions, his actions have not always reflected that.”
Livy could hardly tell Aunt Bea that Ben looked tired because he’d been up most of the night making
