Bellamy wrote down the letters and symbols on a piece of paper and took his time analyzing the contents. Finally, he pushed the ring back towards her.
“Well?” Tony asked.
“It is not in code.”
Lucinda looked crestfallen.
“I think, but I am not totally sure, that it is a formula. I recognize the symbols of sulfur and chlorine. The rest is beyond my knowledge. I think you need someone skilled in the sciences. The Royal Society may have a suitable candidate, but once you show it to someone who understands it, it will no longer be a secret.” Bellamy went and put his papers into the fire. “Your secret, for now, remains secret. However, be warned. Anything that has those two elements together is not making a tonic for gout.”
“I may have a way of finding out without showing the ring to anyone. I will simply ask what the outcome may be if those two elements are put together. Just out of curiosity, of course.”
“Excellent idea. I am sure your brother Charles may know a few people.”
“Yes! He may even know himself. I will ask him tomorrow.”
Lucinda looked exhausted, so Tony sent her to bed and stayed up talking to Bellamy. Formulating a plan.
When at last as dawn was breaking he saw Bellamy out to the mews. Once in the saddle, Bellamy turned to him. “Ashton. Marry her. The rest will fall in place.” With that, he rode away. Tony shook his head as he returned inside. It felt strange for Bellamy, of all people, giving him relationship advice. He was probably right. He loved Lucinda, he had compromised her, he should marry her and sooner rather than later, but what if things did not fall into place? What then? In any case, he needed to concentrate on finding out what this formula was for. Only then,when they knew what they were dealing with, could he look after his heart and hers.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The Duke ofWarrington closed his eyes momentarily and rubbed his forehead when he told the Earl of Dunstan had arrived and was at this moment standing in his foyer. He instructed the butler to make him comfortable in the parlor while he finished up his current piece of correspondence to the king.
When he arrived at the parlor door, he saw that Dunstan was studying the painting above the fireplace. The one of the previous Duke of Warrington, his father.
“That,” he said in a causal tone, “was my father. In the prime of his life. He died about seven years after that was painted.”
“What kind of man was he?” Dunstan asked.
The duke raised a brow at the bold question. “He was a man of sense.”
“Hmm.”
“Hmm? What do you mean by that?”
“Only that the artist has given him a particular sparkle in the eye and a lift just here to the lips. I think your father had a great sense of humor.”
“I suppose he did.”
“I think your father loved his life, loved his wife, and loved his country.”
It was true, his father had been faithful to his mother and loved his king and country. No one would dispute that fact. “And you see all that in that portrait?”
“You would be surprised at what I can see just from studying a painting. But I digress. I am here about a different painting. I was hoping to present it to Miss Sterling myself, but she has been absent from the social events this week and I was worried she might be ill.”
“She is fine. I’m afraid my mother was called away. Suddenly. My sister and Miss Sterling went with her.”
“Oh, and when will they be returning?”
“She did not mention a date.”
“I must say I am disappointed. I brought this painting all the way here and now I will have to take it all the way back.” He indicated the draped painting sitting on an easel behind him.
“You may leave it here if you wish. I am sure that Miss Sterling will let you know when she will be resuming her social itinerary.”
“I wish to see her expression when she sees it.”
“Of course. I will make sure she does not peek until you are here to see it unveiled,” he said. “Now, if you will excuse me. I am very busy and must return to my work.”
