Radiance (Diamonds of the First Water #3)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

R adiance knew she ought not to contact Edward, but she had to. Nothing had progressed in the investigation for weeks after she’d taken Mr. Minton some sweets and learned of an unnamed footman, who was not really anything of the sort and who could not possibly have been sent by the retired Lord Breadalbane.

That man, probably the forger, was still a frustrating mystery.

But eventually, the Dutch jewelers would come, and she didn’t want to miss the cutting of the Koh-i-Noor.

Would the Palace send her an invitation, or did they expect Edward to bring her?

And then there was the curious note, which had recently arrived from Mr. Neble, asking her to stop by his shop. She’d decided it was reason enough to send Edward a missive.

“Sarah, give this to a footman. Make sure it is taken directly to Mr. Lockwood.” She handed her maid the folded and sealed page.

“Yes, m’lady.”

All she could do was wait. Hopefully, he wasn’t too busy to read a missive brought to his door. Any number of things could interrupt the flow of her words to his eyes. Mrs. McSabby might set it down on his worktable, and he might neglect to read it. He might have it in his hand and then think of a passage he intended to write, set it down, and let Monty rest upon it all day.

She paced. Perhaps she should show up unannounced at his home as she had done in the past. When Bri entered the room, Radiance was relieved for the interruption in her endlessly circling thoughts.

Her younger sister plopped down on the sofa and gave a large sigh. “I am beyond dull today. Would you care to take a drive with me through St. James’s?”

“I cannot,” Radiance told her. “I am awaiting a response.”

Bri blinked her lovely blue eyes. “Can’t you wait just the same while in a carriage in the park?”

Radiance smiled at her words. “Yes, I could, but then I wouldn’t know if I had received an answer.”

“Surely, when you get home, the response will be the same whether you are here or not. Perhaps it will even arrive more swiftly if you are not pacing. In fact, you should ignore the very notion of a response, or pretend to, and then it will arrive, as likely as not.”

Radiance stared at Bri. Some of what she said sounded like sage advice and the rest, like utter nonsense. That was her sister in a walnut shell.

“Very well. Let us go riding, but I shall drive.” Bri was infamous for near misses, and Radiance wished to survive the escapade.

A smile as brilliant as her sister’s name broke out on her lovely face. “That is precisely what I wanted. It is so difficult to enjoy one’s surroundings and call out to friends when in charge of the horse.”

Radiance rolled her eyes. “When you’re driving, you are supposed to look where you are going.”

“I know. And that is why you are driving.”

They were soon out in the fickle sunshine on the single seat of her mother’s pony phaeton, and Radiance was ever so glad she’d gone. Bri was correct about friends. They were everywhere. Bri waved and called out and chatted if someone came close by. Radiance, too, saw many she knew from their coming-out parties and from being at the same dances. Diana was out riding with her mother, and they exchanged some pleasant words.

Radiance hadn’t relaxed and done anything so frivolous for a while.

It almost seemed fate when Lord Castille came by on his horse, looking extremely attractive due to his height and his seat.

“Good day, ladies. This is by far the most beautiful of carriages in all St. James’s Park, a bouquet holding the two most exquisite flowers imaginable.”

Bri laughed delightedly. “Well met, my lord. And we are happy you didn’t say we are like two diamonds of the first water in a brooch.”

“Or a ring or a bracelet,” Radiance chimed in. All three things had been said already since they’d set out. “And good day to you, my lord.”

“A fine one, it is,” he said, looking into her eyes. “Made all the better for seeing you.”

Her cheeks warmed. “Thank you,” she said softly. “It seems everyone is out.”

Lord Castille shrugged, showing off his shoulders. “I see only you and your sister.”

Radiance knew if Edward didn’t exist, John Castille would have already captured her heart. Lately, they had been having two dances at every ball, and she had let him escort her the past three weeks. People were growing used to seeing them together, and she found his company to be pleasant as well as attentive. Not once had he walked past her without noticing her presence, nor forgotten a promise he’d made.

And she had willed herself to stop making comparisons beyond that.

“Tomorrow night,” he said, “my mother and I shall collect you. I am looking forward to another festive evening.”

“As am I,” she said. And she meant it. Their time together had been joyful interludes during which she stopped thinking about Edward — almost — and even felt her heart beginning to mend.

“A Christmas wedding would be wonderful,” Bri said with a dreamy tone wafting on the sweet mid-summer air.

Radiance’s smile froze upon her face. Her sister’s predictable unpredictability had often been the source of embarrassment. In no way was she ready for a marriage proposal from Lord Castille. How she wished she was, although she couldn’t deny a growing fondness for the tall man with the kind eyes.

To his credit, he didn’t choke as though his necktie were too tight. In fact, he winked at Radiance before responding, “Who doesn’t love Christmas nuptials? But either way, it’s a grand time of year.”

Phew ! Radiance thought he’d handled that well.

“I shan’t keep you two lovely flowers any longer,” he said. With a nod, he moved on.

Radiance rounded upon Bri. “Honestly, Sister, what were you thinking?”

“About what?” Bri asked, and her expression was as guileless as her mind.

“I know you mean well, but if you haven’t figured this out for yourself, then let me tell you. You must never put a man on the spot regarding marriage, nor an engagement for that matter, nor ever asking if they hold someone in high regard. It is simply not done.”

After a moment with a furrowed brow, Bri nodded. “I see. It could cause embarrassment, especially if the person did not intend marriage. Thank you for letting me know.”

Then after a pause, she added, “Wasn’t it jolly lucky, then, that the handsome Lord Castille seems to regard you very highly?”

It was impossible to be angry at Bri. She never intended to insult and rarely even noticed an offense.

As if Radiance’s day weren’t sufficiently on pins and needles, Bri jabbed her elbow into her ribs.

“ Ooph!” Radiance rounded on her. “What did you do that for?”

Bri pointed. “Isn’t that your geologist friend?”

Radiance’s head whipped around. Sure enough, Edward Lockwood was walking determinedly through the park, making his way amid the multitude of horseback riders and carriages.

“Mr. Lockwood,” she called out without hesitation, and then nearly clamped her hand over her mouth. Bri was a bad influence.

After glancing to see who had hailed him, he strode over with a satchel in one hand and books under his arm.

“How did you know where to find us?” Bri asked.

Whereas Radiance was momentarily flummoxed that the stars had aligned so perfectly as to deliver him to her side when either of them could be anywhere in London, her sister seemed to think it had happened by design.

“I beg your pardon?” he asked, craning his neck to look past Radiance to Bri, who leaned forward enthusiastically.

“Aren’t you here to speak with Ray?” Bri asked.

“Sister, I believe the man has come from a library or lecture hall, given the material he is holding.” She turned to Edward. “In any case, I am glad we have run into one another. Did you receive my missive?”

If he had and was in fact out for a stroll or had forgotten its contents already, she would be most disappointed.

“No, I have been at King’s College all day.”

At least he wasn’t dodging her, which would be a dastardly thing to do.

“A good thing we didn’t go to Hyde Park,” Bri said. “We would have missed you and Lord Castille and so many others. Sometimes these things work out for the best. Such as my spying someone who looks like my friend. Is that Lady Martine?”

Radiance ignored her and leaned toward Edward. “I wish to speak with you on a matter of some importance.”

“Do you?” He glanced at her younger sister who, far from being all ears, was peering in the opposite direction.

“That is Lady Martine! Such a pretty name, don’t you think?” Bri climbed out of the open carriage’s low side, even before she finished speaking.

“Where are you going?” Radiance asked, trying to grasp her sister’s sleeve. “You cannot simply wander off. Bri, come back!” Too late, her sister had trotted off the path and onto the grass to clasp hands with another young lady amidst shrieks of happy recognition.

Satisfied that there was a woman of a matronly age and demeanor talking with them, Radiance returned her attention to Edward.

Standing beside the carriage, he was windswept, his hat was askew, and his necktie was crooked. Yet her heart was dancing a fast waltz at the sight of him.

Having told herself it was only for the Queen’s sake, Radiance had sent him a note that day, even though he hadn’t contacted her before or since his lecture at the Royal Institution. A lecture she ought not to have attended, but she’d yearned to see him, plain and simple.

Moreover, it had soothed her craving. While she hadn’t intended to speak with him, she’d been glad to help with Monty.

Encountering him at Syon House had been a mixture of bitter and sweet. But she hadn’t let her heart rush away with false hope, despite her mother’s advice. Moreover, Lord Castille’s company that same evening, and in the weeks since, had somewhat eased her heartache. She was doing her best to give the amiable viscount a chance to win her over since other avenues had closed.

But here was one of the other avenues ... looking directly at her.

“You’re not talking, Lady Radiance. You’re staring,” Edward pointed out.

“I paid a second visit to Mr. Minton,” she blurted, hoping to impress him.

“I know. You are not the only one who has both ears and eyes open.”

Her cheeks warmed. “And do you know what he told me?”

“I do.”

Radiance detected a smug look on Edward’s otherwise attractive face.

“Then shouldn’t someone find this other footman? An imposter, I warrant, or a former employee who kept his livery or his insignia perhaps after having his employment terminated.”

“Thanks to your discussion with the Queen’s Mistress of the Robes, the Palace is combing over records to see if that is the case.”

She puffed out her cheeks and blew a breath of exasperation.

“We are no closer to solving this puzzle. Are we?” She had to ask. For all she knew, Edward had discovered the identity of the thief.

“You must simply let this slide from your thoughts and go about your former life.”

Shocked, Radiance lifted her head. “Why?”

He sighed. “You know why.”

Because he didn’t want to be near a woman who was infatuated with him.

“I know why, but I assure you that is all in the past.”

A deep frown appeared on Edward’s normally smooth forehead.

“Is it? How so?”

“I do not have to explain myself further.”

“Indeed, you do.”

“Fine and dandy!” She would not allow him to think her a desperate sap. “I have recently formed an attachment and am expecting a proposal of marriage by year’s end.”

Why not? She thoroughly enjoyed John Castille’s company.

The furrowed brow cleared immediately, and his glorious golden-brown eyes widened.

“I hadn’t heard. Then congratulations are in order, or nearly so, and at that time, I shall offer them to you and to your betrothed.”

Radiance didn’t like his easy acquiescence regarding her having a future fiancé.

“So, you see, you can relax and —”

Edward shook his head and interrupted. “You think he can protect you from stray bullets, do you?”

“I beg your pardon?” She’d had no idea he was still thinking of that silly scrape. “I suppose he can. He was a soldier.”

“Was he?” Edward’s tone was doubtful. “And if you continue in the investigation, has he agreed to guard you every moment of the day from a jewel thief who doesn’t want you to solve a crime?”

Radiance opened her mouth, then shut it again . Would any man do such a thing? Follow her around like a servant or a docile pup?

“I suppose he would if I asked. I hadn’t thought to do so.”

“Then how can you say the danger is all in the past? How am I supposed to relax my guard?”

She was confounded. “ Your guard? Do you mean you are concerned over my safety?”

He stared at her as if she were a thick-headed dunce.

“Is that not what we are discussing?” he demanded.

Oh dear!

She would have vowed they were having a discussion about how he didn’t return her deep affections and, thus, didn’t want her near him. She needed to reconsider everything.

“Yes, of course.”

“Then as I made clear before, it would be preferable if you simply left the investigating to me,” he said.

There wasn’t much she could do on her own at this juncture.

“At least, I would like to attend the next meeting regarding the Koh-i-Noor. That is partly what my note was about, which I sent to you earlier today.”

He sighed. “That is out of the question. No one shall invite you, and I will not bring you. And I must insist you cease sticking your nose into anything further to do with the forged stones. Will you heed me?” His gaze bore into hers.

Radiance might have if he hadn’t put it so rudely.

“I suppose I won’t heed you,” she said, lifting her chin.

“Is your soon-to-be fiancé the man I have lately seen accompanying you? Or the one who brought you to my lecture?”

She recalled her brother’s kind sponsorship of a visit to the Royal Institution.

“Possibly not,” she said vaguely. Let him think she had more than one suitor. “I am speaking of Lord Castille.”

“He wouldn’t have been able to accompany you to the meeting anyway,” Edward said, his voice as hard as steel. “He would have been useless and have to wait outside.”

“In the path of the bullets,” she added tightly.

“Yes,” he agreed without a modicum of humor. “As your personal shield.” His tone was plainly irritated.

Before he stopped speaking to her all together, she had better get to the heart of the matter.

“Having come to this utter standstill, what will we tell Her Majesty and His Royal Highness?”

That was a bloody good question. And Edward wished he had an answer. He also wished he hadn’t learned of Radiance’s attachment to Castille. It felt as though he’d been kicked in the stomach. And strangely, it was more painful than the knife slice he’d endured half a year earlier in a dark and lonely place in British Ceylon.

“Perhaps there is still time to come up with an answer.” Any answer , he thought to himself.

She didn’t appear satisfied, but he didn’t want to drag her back into danger by discussing the forged jewels any longer. Seeing her out and about, enjoying a summer day with her sister — not to mention looking so breathtakingly lovely he wanted to shield his eyes — Edward was determined to keep her safely away from anything nefarious that had happened in the past.

“I believe the best I can do is to ensure the Koh-i-Noor doesn’t suffer the same fate.”

Not only would it sting to be outsmarted, but the recriminations would be numerous and terrible.

“That hardly seems a satisfactory response,” Radiance said. “On a possibly unrelated matter, I have received an invitation from Mr. Neble. He wishes to speak with me again.”

She had his full attention, as usual.

“Does he? Whatever for?”

“I haven’t the foggiest notion, but I mentioned it in my note to you.”

Edward didn’t think it could be unrelated as she believed.

“Are you going?” he asked.

“Yes, of course.”

“Is your beau going, too?” he shot back, then wished he hadn’t.

“I ... I didn’t ask him. I will take Sarah, of course.”

Edward didn’t hesitate.

“I shall accompany you.” He meant to ask or to offer, but it came out as a fait accompli .

She stiffened. “I don’t think that is necessary. After all, it is a jewelry shop.”

“Nevertheless, I shall.” Edward had gone down the path now and couldn’t withdraw, even if he wanted to, and he didn’t.

“Mr. Neble didn’t invite you ,” Radiance said, and he detected her stubborn streak, which he was starting to think was about a furlong wide.

“Regardless, perhaps there will be a clue that you’ll miss, and I might catch,” he offered.

“Unlikely, sir, but I can see your mind is made up. I will meet you there.”

He hadn’t expected her easy acquiescence nor going separately. In fact, Edward had hoped he could collect Radiance and her maid.

“Very well,” he said. “But I caution you not to go inside without me.”

Her right eyebrow raised, and Edward wondered if he’d gone too far. Then he reminded her, “And you didn’t tell me when.”

“Tomorrow at two o’clock.”

“What is happening tomorrow?” Lady Brilliance asked, having returned more quietly than she had departed.

“Eavesdropping is not a virtue,” Radiance snapped.

Edward cringed at her tone. When her sister’s face fell to an expression of dejection, Radiance relented.

“My apologies, dear one. But it is nothing that concerns you, merely more of my interest in gems. Forgive my abruptness.”

Already a smile was growing once again upon Lady Brilliance’s face. “You are forgiven. Shall we continue, and then I would much welcome a stop at Gunter’s.”

Radiance glanced again at Edward who nodded.

“Good day, ladies.” And he disappeared into the throng in the opposite direction to which they were going.