Radiance (Diamonds of the First Water #3)

Chapter Nineteen

S quaring her shoulders, Radiance crossed her arms. “Why did you find it necessary to locate my whereabouts?”

Mr. Rathmond tilted his head, taking so long to answer she grew wary, her skin prickling. “I want to ask you a question,” he said at last. “Why were you at the meeting?”

Radiance frowned. She certainly didn’t have to answer him. “You ought to have dropped your card at my home. If I wanted to speak with you, then I would have returned an invitation.”

“My mistake,” he said. “However, since I am here, perhaps you will do me the honor of a response.” Strangely, he managed to crowd her without moving an inch closer.

Disconcerted, she answered, simply to get him to leave. “I was there as Mr. Lockwood’s guest and with the full approval of Her Majesty.”

“Her Majesty ,” he repeated, giving the slightest shake of his head. “Can you imagine our little Queen is the ruler of India?”

Radiance wasn’t sure what to make of that. “I can easily imagine it, sir, because Queen Victoria is, indeed, the ruler of India.”

“ Hm. Why did the Queen want you in the meeting?”

Radiance was ready for his impudent question. “I have a good eye,” giving him no further explanation. “What is your part in ensuring the Koh-i-Noor is improved for the Queen?”

“Do you know who I am?” he countered.

She nearly laughed. It was the kind of question better asked by a titled man of importance, a duke, or even her own father.

“You are Mr. Rathmond, a gem dealer, and that is all I know.”

“Then allow me to enlighten you. I have traveled the world and met with heads of state. I have bought and sold many fortunes while not yet making my own, and I have procured the best for the best, or at least those who think they are.”

“Whatever do you mean?” she asked, a little flummoxed by his poetic way of speaking.

“The best gemstones for the best people. Royalty, nobility, patrons of the arts if the ‘art’ in question is jewelry.”

“How did you come to be at the meeting?” she asked for he hadn’t answered her question any better than she had answered his.

“I was invited because of my extensive knowledge of gemstones and also having seen the work of many jewelers around the globe.”

If that was the case, then she would respect his opinion. “Do you believe inviting the Dutch to recut the Koh-i-Noor is the correct decision?”

Mr. Rathmond stared a long moment in utter silence, making her fervently wish Miss Bonwit would reappear.

“Lady Radiance Diamond,” he whispered her name, and she shivered. “I am not sure that is the correct question we should be asking ourselves.”

Then he looked around himself, perhaps realizing they were alone.

Radiance was no shrinking violet. Nevertheless, having been told by her father from a young age to listen to the little voice inside her — one that was telling her she was in danger — she considered her options. Either run for the back door, the stairs, or the front. She moved toward the entrance.

Luckily, the door was still unlocked and yielded to her tugging its handle. In the next instant, she was on the street amongst the many passersby. Some held packages, baskets, and bags, or strolled along unencumbered. Those nearby gawked when she burst from Bonwit’s shop without her coat and gloves as if she didn’t know the rules of civility, charging out onto the sidewalk half dressed, impeding people, nearly treading upon someone’s toe.

“Lady Radiance,” Mr. Rathmond said directly behind her having followed closely, “did I upset you in some way? I only meant I wasn’t sure the famed and historic diamond should be cut at all, regardless be it by the Dutch or the British.”

“Of course, I merely needed some air. I’ve been cooped up for hours.”

“Doing what, may I ask?”

“Polishing a sapphire,” she said without thinking.

His face remained passive except for the smallest tick in the muscle of his jaw. “Do you seek to be a better lapidary than the Dutch?”

She raised her chin. “Maybe I already am, Mr. Rathmond. And now, I bid you good afternoon.” Walking around him, she entered the shop and locked the door behind her before drawing down the shade over the glass. Radiance wasn’t usually one to tremble, but her fingers had a definite shake as she did so.

“Maybe I am,” she repeated. What a ridiculous, prideful thing to say to a man who had seen the best! She had no idea why she’d said it, either.

Recalling the sapphire at her table, she hoped it had turned out as well as she’d imagined and climbed the stairs to tidy away her work. She was more than ready to go home.

Radiance rapped on Mr. Lockwood’s door two mornings later. Another day had passed with no word from him regarding the House of Neble, and she couldn’t contain her impatience. When would they meet with the jeweler?

If Edward wasn’t at home, it would not have been a wasted trip for she would go to Neble’s by herself, pry Sarah from the carriage, and at least take a look at the inventory of his shop.

Luckily, Mr. Lockwood’s housekeeper opened the door, looking far less surprised than the previous time.

“He’s in his workroom,” Mrs. McSabby said. “If you’ll follow me.”

Radiance did as invited and was promptly shown into Edward’s private study. His back was to the door, and he was bent over, examining something.

When he didn’t immediately turn around at their footsteps, the housekeeper said, “Mr. Lockwood, you have company.”

“I have no time for company,” he replied. “Send whoever it is away. Say that I’m out.”

The housekeeper looked at Radiance and shrugged.

“He’s out, m’lady.”

Radiance smiled. “I can see that you are in, Mr. Lockwood.”

Indeed, she could also see the fine shape of his buttocks and his thighs, for again, he wore no coat, but simply had his shirt tucked into his trousers and a waistcoat over it.

The view disappeared when he whirled around at the sound of her voice.

“The deuce!” he exclaimed. Then frowned. “Mrs. McSabby, I didn’t mean for you to say any such thing if the visitor is in the same room with me.”

“Yes, sir,” said the housekeeper. “Shall I send her away regardless?”

“No, thank you. That won’t be necessary.” His expression relaxed as he looked at Radiance. “But please bring us some coffee.”

“Yes, sir, but I think you left the last pot full.” She went to a table where the cat was stretched out. “Shoo, you moggie.”

Monty did not move a whisker. Mrs. McSabby picked up the silver decanter, tall like a chocolate pot. She gave it a little shake.

“As I suspected, you haven’t drunk a drop.”

“Then reheat it, please,” Edward said.

Radiance wrinkled her nose. It would taste even worse than fresh coffee, and she already didn’t love that.

“Please don’t go to any trouble on my account,” she said. “I don’t need anything at all.”

Edward sighed. “Very well. Leave it, then, Mrs. McSabby. If I want some, I’ll drink it cold.”

“You’ll forget, and I’ll be clearing that away and tossing it down the kitchen drain in another few hours,” the woman scoffed before she left.

Radiance had never heard a member of staff, not even a head of household, speak to her employer in such a tone. Ignoring the impudence, she went over to the cat and stroked its head. Monty seemed to like her, or at least, he didn’t show an ounce of animosity, which might not be the same thing as liking.

“Do you often forget to drink your coffee?” she asked Edward.

“I didn’t realize it, but I guess I do. I must exasperate my staff with my requests for such things as coffee and ...” He looked around.

Radiance spied a plate with a sandwich on it at the same time as he did.

“And sandwiches,” he added. “Although I don’t recall asking for one today. It must be from yesterday. I wondered why I was so hungry by dinner. Quite famished last night.”

Radiance nearly laughed. “There’s also a plate with sliced apple, bread, and cheese.”

“Ah, yes,” he said. “Now that is from today. My stomach was rumbling, having skipped breakfast.”

“I can see why Mrs. McSabby might balk at bringing you anything more.”

He shrugged. “What can I do for you, my lady? Perhaps a piece of cheese?”

The dried-out chunks were entirely unappealing, unlike the man who stood before her.

“No, I came because I was having trouble waiting any longer to hear from you.”

He cocked his head, making her insides melt. Edward Lockwood was attractive without knowing, which made him yet more so.

“Waiting to hear from me?” Absently, he popped a piece of cheese into his mouth, making a slight face of distaste before he chewed and swallowed.

Radiance wondered when he would realize his current state of undress and don his coat. Not soon, she hoped, unwilling to tell him it was slung over the back of a chair pushed against the wall.

“Yes,” she said. “I hoped you would send word.”

“Did you?” He appeared flummoxed. “Whatever for?”

Radiance had no answer except to wonder why he was toying with her. A small flame of anger flickered to life inside of her.

“Mr. Neble,” she reminded him, watching as understanding crossed his face.

It was plain to see he had forgotten his promise. His expression would be comical if she hadn’t been on tenterhooks awaiting a missive from him practically each hour.

“The deuce,” he said again.

Twice swearing before her — Radiance knew Purity would be appalled. And he was still in only shirt and waistcoat.

“How could you forget when we had a plan? All you had to do was tell me when you heard back from him. I am most disappointed.” Radiance crossed her arms. “However, now that I’m here, you can tell me his response in person.”