Radiance (Diamonds of the First Water #3)

Chapter Thirty

W hat had the secretive meeting been about? Edward was brimming with curiosity. Radiance had been wrong, though. Any opportunity to see and speak with her was time well spent. He couldn’t deny he had been happy to run into her at the park as well.

What’s more, he missed their easy banter.

Regardless, he had to get back to work. As the day progressed and his resilience to remain focused strengthened, he managed some concentrated hours. Eventually, parched and irritable for no reason, he poured himself a cup of the cold coffee he’d neglected.

With Monty in his usual place on the table, Edward sat beside him and sighed.

“I am unsettled,” he told the cat before draining the cup.

He couldn’t help making a face at what he tasted. “And I am a fool for not drinking my coffee when it is piping hot.” He was a fool for more than that. His life had been turned upside down since meeting Lady Radiance. Yet instead of the turmoil making him long for his old existence, he wanted to follow where this new journey might lead. One with her.

But the danger still existed, and now she was interested in a viscount. His chances were growing slimmer by the day.

“What shall I do?” he asked Monty.

“Talking to the cat now, are you? Has it come to this?”

His sister’s entrance jarred him to standing. A second later, he recalled they’d had a dinner engagement for that evening.

“Dinner!” he exclaimed.

“You forgot,” Lillian said, her face falling.

“I didn’t.” The devil take him! He couldn’t lie to her. “Maybe I did, but I am glad you’re here.”

“Upon most any evening, you could come home and have a meal with me and Mother and Father, too. They would be equally glad for your company.”

“They haven’t invited me since the party,” he said, monstrously glad they hadn’t. A family meal at his parent’s residence lasted an interminable number of hours.

“That’s because they knew you would forget to come.”

“Hm.” He hadn’t realized he was getting a reputation for absentmindedness.

“I would not. That’s absurd.”

His sister raised both eyebrows, reminding him of a certain radiant gem.

“I wonder on what we shall dine,” Lillian said, taking a seat and stroking Monty under the chin.

“As do I,” he said.

She laughed, which he appreciated because he was being a terrible host.

“You ought to have some inkling,” she admonished. “What if your cook has made nothing at all?”

“Doubtless, there will be something. Tell me about your life at present while I set my things in order, and then we can go into the salon.”

“If you promise to listen to me while you do.”

“I always listen,” he said, then smiled at her very grown-up expression. She looked like their mother at her most exasperated. “I suppose I could do better.”

“Is that why you are no longer escorting Lady Radiance? I very much enjoyed her company.”

He stopped with one hand in the bag of gems. “I was never ... that is, we didn’t ... never mind.”

“People do not enjoy being forgotten or neglected, Brother.”

He continued to put everything away and ignored her. After all, it had nothing to do with him being forgetful and everything to do with Radiance’s safety. In fact, far from forgetting, he couldn’t get the lovely lady out of his mind.

Eventually, he decided to tell his sister the unfortunate news.

“Besides, the lady has formed an attachment since last the three of us were together.”

“It must be with that dapper Lord Castille,” Lillian surmised. “But how would you know that? Are you certain? Because I have heard nothing of this, nor have I read about it in the newspaper.”

“She told me so herself, which I believe is more reliable than gossip.”

His sister shook her head. “More’s the pity. I would have dearly liked her for a sister-in-law. If only you hadn’t dallied and spent more time gazing at rocks than at her.”

“Lillian,” he warned. “Let us wish her happiness and move on.”

Mrs. McSabby chose that moment to enter, of which he was exceedingly glad.

“Roast lamb tonight, Miss Lockwood, and Yorkshire pudding and peas with mint sauce, just the way you like.”

“Then you didn’t forget,” his sister said.

His housekeeper, traitor that she was, reared back.

“Your brother might not recall his own family, but as head of staff here, I would never forget when a guest is expected. That would be a dereliction of duty, miss.”

“Yet you let people into my house,” Edward grumbled, “without announcing them.”

“I am not people ,” Lillian said. “I’m your sister.”

“I wasn’t talking about you,” he assured her before turning back to his housekeeper, who seemed more like his mother some days. “In any case, I suppose you came in because dinner is ready.”

“It is, sir,” Mrs. McSabby said. They followed her into the small salon he used for dining, with a modest round table now set for two, although it could hold six at a pinch.

Edward was surprised how many times Lillian managed to bring up Radiance in the next two hours. She’d seen her at a ball. She’d admired her gown and wondered if it would be appropriate to pay a visit and ask for the name of her modiste. She had bumped into her on Oxford Street. And more than once, she mentioned Lord Castille in the same breath, as if Radiance and the viscount were always together.

It was sickening! He could barely eat the lamb. His own Lady Succulent Lambchop was lost to him.

Finally, after Lillian had enjoyed a large portion of trifle and sherry in the drawing room before the hearth, she was ready to depart. Edward packed her into their father’s carriage in which she had come and sent her home.

His house seemed cavernously empty afterward, even though Monty was in an amiable mood, curled up on the drawing room sofa.

Edward didn’t feel like working, which was surprising. Thus, grabbing his coat and hat, he went out. Although he’d once lied to Chippens about a fictitious social club for geologists, once in a blue moon, Edward did enjoy the camaraderie of his fellow scientists at the Athenaeum Club.

They might not have card tables, scantily clad light-skirts, or the quantity of titled whelps eager to wager on every thought that came into their head as the well-known gentlemen’s clubs had. But his organization had an excellent chef and barman, a cozy dining area, multiple libraries in which members read journals and discussed them at length, and one in which they had to maintain silence.

He’d gained acceptance after being elected to the club by the esteemed William Buckland, whom Edward knew from the Ordnance Geological Survey of which they both were involved, directing geologists and surveyors to head out over the entire island of Britain.

Ensconced with his own kind, he relaxed, ordered a glass of claret, and wandered into the dining room. At that hour, many had finished eating and were simply relaxing. Mr. Sebastian Garrard was there, as he often was, with his brother.

“Join us,” the Crown Jeweler said, “or at least join me, as Robert was just going home to his wife.”

After the departure of the younger jeweler, Garrard asked, “What brings you out at this hour?”

“It’s not exactly late,” Edward pointed out as his wine glass was set before him.

“No, but I rarely see you here at any time of day. I understand you’re working on a book.”

“Indeed I am.”

Kindly, Garrard asked him questions for the next half hour, allowing him to discuss what was dear to his heart. While attempting to keep the debate of the religious aspects out of it and let others decide whether it was blasphemy to suggest an older earth than the Bible indicated, Edward concentrated only on what he could see with his own eyes, the stratigraphic record, as it were. And most particularly, he was interested in the forces that created so-called precious and semi-precious gems.

Surprisingly, after they had both switched to brandy, Garrard asked about Radiance. Edward noted a pang in the vicinity of his heart. He had the oddest notion that she was actually far dearer to him than his projects, even more so than his written opus.

“I understand she works alongside Mr. Bonwit,” the Crown Jeweler said.

“How did you find out?” Edward asked.

Mr. Garrard shrugged. “You know how small our community is.”

And Edward knew he wouldn’t learn more about how, but tongues were wagging.

“Bonwit says she’s rather skilled,” Mr. Garrard continued. “Have you seen her work?”

Edward gripped his glass more tightly. “Why, I’m not sure.” Perhaps he had seen her jewelry and simply hadn’t known it. He ought to have at least asked her to show him something. What a dolt!

“Then you cannot speak personally to her skill.”

What was Garrard getting at? “She has no intention of seeking employment,” he told the master jeweler. “Not that I know of, anyway.”

Garrard merely nodded. “Did you know I only returned from Amsterdam last week? I met with Mr. Coster. He is sending not one but two of his finest jewelers to my workshop. We’re inviting the Duke of Wellington to make the first cut.”’

Edward nearly choked on a sip of French brandy.

“But Wellington is eighty if he’s a day.”

“He is eighty-three, but that’s no matter. Many consider that India was the making of our ‘Iron Duke,’ and the Koh-i-Noor represents India. Besides, he cannot hurt it. The Dutch polishers will see to that. The Koh-i-Noor will be encased in lead with only a small plane visible, and the scaif will be positioned so Wellington can do only the most minute of polishing. And you shall be overseeing it, too.”

Edward startled, but Garrard didn’t notice.

“Will you both be at the next meeting to greet the polishers?” The Crown Jeweler was back to speaking about Radiance.

“I don’t know if the lady will attend,” Edward said truthfully.

“Really?” Garrard seemed surprised they weren’t joined at the hip. “Then at the initial cutting ceremony, surely. It’s set for the seventeenth of July. I imagine she would enjoy a first-hand view of the proceedings, even more than you. Your interest lies more in the rough than the cut gem, does it not?”

Edward nodded. It would be an historic occasion, and one which would leave the Koh-i-Noor vulnerable through the entire process.

While out riding with Lord Castille, Radiance had missed Mr. Neble’s mysterious jeweler, but the man had left his card. And his name — Peter Sully. Immediately, she sent word to his abode across the river in Clapham. His Netherford Road address indicated a residence of enterprising middle-class comfort. Not nearly in the league of Edward or Mr. Bonwit, yet neither was he dwelling amongst the poor.

Within hours, Mr. Sully had agreed to come to her home the following day for a consultation and bring with him an assortment of his best stones. The anticipation stopped her from eating. Would he bring the Queen’s sapphire and emerald?

With her sister Bri apprised of her need for privacy and their parents out, Radiance donned all her best jewelry, and even some of her mother’s. Mr. Sully needed to know she wasn’t wasting his time. Once they were sequestered in the drawing room, with Sarah seated at one end, Radiance could hardly wait to see what the jeweler had brought.

First, he showed her some drawings he’d made of tiaras. They were well drawn, as she expected, having seen his jewelry at the House of Neble. However, when he unfolded a piece of velvet, she was disappointed to see ordinary gemstones, a medium-sized diamond, two small sapphires, and a pretty ruby, as well as some matched sets of garnets and a half dozen pearls.

“I am sorry, Mr. Sully. While I think this design,” she pointed to a random sketch, “is precisely what I desire, these gems won’t do at all. I can find their ilk all up and down Bond Street or Oxford Street. There is nothing remarkable here.” Disappointment dripped from her voice as she added, “I guess you are not in the class of jewelers I had hoped.”

His features hardened. “I can get you something finer, but you would have to give me payment in advance before I make the tiara. Is there something you’ve seen in particular that you like?”

“I know you will think me vain, yet I have been to a ball in which the Queen wore a coronet.” She described the one she knew had already lost a genuine stone. “The way the gems were set and the size of them would be perfect for my tiara. Anything else, I fear, would look too small.”

Would she go too far if she were to sketch it out for him? Radiance didn’t want him to comprehend the extent of her knowledge. She waited, trying to be patient and keeping a look of expectancy upon her face. At the same time, she touched her mother’s ruby necklace, nestled above her own décolletage. Beneath it hung the single diamond pendant all the sisters received on their sixteenth birthday.

He watched the play of her fingers, as she knew he would. “I know of two gemstones you would especially like, but they are extremely costly.”

Two! Although her heart was beating fast, she waved her hand nonchalantly. “As I said before, that is of no consequence. When can I see them? Today?”

He startled at her enthusiasm, and she tried to temper it lest he become suspicious.

“I am eager,” she explained, “because there is an upcoming ball at which I wish to dazzle a certain nobleman — in two weeks. Can you create the piece by then? Otherwise, I have no use for it.”

His eyes widened. “For the right sum, yes, I could. If you bring a bank note — only from the Bank of England, mind you. None of the provincial banks — for this amount,” he wrote down an astonishing sum, “then I shall get you the best stones.”

Her father was going to be most displeased if she actually spent such a fortune on a tiara — or worse, lost it altogether. Mr. Sully could take the money and disappear to the Continent, living like a king for two years at the least.

“I am intrigued by what kind of gems could command such a cost,” she said. “I must see them at the time that I pay. If I don’t like what I see, then I don’t have to buy them. Do you agree?”

If he already had the stones in his possession, as she suspected, then this offer would work. If Mr. Sully had to purchase the expensive gems, then he was going to deny her conditions.

After a moment, however, he agreed. Her plan, which was more of a loose strategy with more holes than Belgian lace, seemed to be working.

“But I cannot bring the stones here,” he said. “You must go to them.”

Radiance shook her head. Not a fool, she had no intention of going to some quiet spot and getting her throat slit. After all, no one even knew that Mr. Sully worked for Mr. Neble.

“Hear me out, my lady. The gems are in a safe place, and I am unwilling to parade them around the streets.”

“Surely, coming here to Piccadilly is hardly parading them,” she protested.

“I can take no chances,” he insisted. “Have you heard of the jewelry exchanges in Houndsditch?”

In fact, she had. They were a legitimate place for jewelers to buy and sell gems, as well as all manner of gold and silver. But since Houndsditch was no place for a lady, she merely blinked at him.

“No. I have never heard of it.”

“If you want your tiara made with two spectacular stones that you cannot get elsewhere, stones cut by my own hand, mind you, then you must meet me in Houndsditch tomorrow.”

“Impossible. It would have to be the day after. I cannot get the bank note so quickly.” In truth, she needed time to contact Edward before she dared meet with Mr. Sully.

“Then I cannot help you.” He rose to his feet and looked around the room, taking in her parents’ good taste in furnishings. “ Tomorrow , my lady. Or the gemstones will go to someone else.”

She shot to her feet, unwilling to let the Queen’s jewels slip through her fingers.

“Very well. Tomorrow. Give me the address, and I will meet you there.”

Mr. Sully bowed as if he were the one bending to her wishes. “Perhaps you can get the money in coin.” He chuckled at his own jest since even if she had such at hand, the weight of the coins would be impossible for her to carry.

After writing the address beneath the large sum in a neat scrawl, the opposite of Edward’s wild one, Mr. Sully gave her further directions on finding the entrance, which she committed to memory.

Finally, he added, “Rap three times on the third door.” And he handed her the scrap of paper.

“Three times,” Radiance repeated, looking at the address. Then she sent him a wide-eyed look. “I cannot wait to have a tiara that is the envy of all my friends. They shall all demand to know its creator.”

He smiled, baring his teeth and reminding her of an unfriendly dog. She shivered.

“Perhaps, my lady, with your patronage, I shall be able to come out of the shadows and quit my employment at the House of Neble. That would be my fervent wish.”

Radiance nodded. “Then I shall see you tomorrow.”