Radiance (Diamonds of the First Water #3)

Chapter Thirty-Six

E dward wished he hadn’t come late, leaving him off-kilter and allowing Rathmond to have the seat beside Radiance. If she so much as flinched or the man’s legs seemed to move, Edward would reach across the table and throttle him.

Regardless, he had done what the royal couple had asked. He’d authenticated the stone to his satisfaction before it was once more ensconced in velvet and out of his reach.

Definitely smaller but far more beautiful, he hoped it would remain the genuine Koh-i-Noor for the rest of its existence.

Thinking the meeting had concluded, Edward was surprised when Mr. Garrard addressed him further.

“The Queen and the Prince Consort have instructed me to give the Koh-i-Nor to you for safekeeping.”

The gasps this time were even louder than when Mr. Voorzanger had unveiled the diamond, the loudest of which was from Edward.

“That’s preposterous,” he said.

“Indeed. It’s absurd,” said the Lord Chamberlain.

“Nonetheless,” the Crown Jeweler continued, “Mr. Lockwood is to keep it in his possession until Prince Albert and Queen Victoria return. That was their wish. It shall be a mere two days at the most. Possibly three. I shall send word in that time for you to bring it to the Palace.”

Edward swallowed. “Surely, the stone would be better kept here by a guard or at the Tower.”

“That’s what I suggested,” Mr. Garrard agreed, “but Prince Albert, advised by Mr. Hope, says you are to be trusted above all. You do not covet the gem, you are not a jeweler who wishes to make his own mark upon it for posterity, and you have the knowledge to know at all times that it is the true stone, the very one which I shall hand you in a moment.”

Edward nodded as if it were the sanest decision in the world, although he was almost lightheaded with the responsibility of it.

“Keep it safe, and you shall be hailed a hero,” the Crown Jeweler added. The implication of how he would be condemned should he fail was left unspoken.

“Very well,” Edward conceded, glancing at Radiance who appeared equally surprised with her gorgeous green eyes watching him. “I suppose no one will know I have it, in any case.”

“No one outside this room,” Garrard reminded him sharply.

Edward looked around at the others. A small number of honest men, he hoped. And Radiance, who now rose to her feet causing the rest of them to do the same.

In a few minutes, everyone dissipated like mist in the morning, including his red-headed lady-friend of late, who sadly was no longer his lady nor, it would seem by her quick exit, even his friend.

All at once, while he watched her pretty figure disappear, letting his gaze linger upon the last sway of her skirts through the doorway, Edward decided it was time to remedy the situation that was plaguing his heart, distracting him from his writing — and from most everything else in life.

He had almost missed the meeting because of his obsession. This constant desire for the lady had to be quelled by way of making her his wife .

After all, hadn’t he determined that Radiance Diamond was ideal for him?

Besides, there he was in the same room as the most famous diamond in the world, and all he could think about was hastening into the gallery just beyond, hoping to catch another glimpse of the most extraordinary Diamond in the world — the most beautiful, clever one, too.

He must correct the present course in order to ensure a better future. The only future he wanted. That very night, too, if he was able. Having begun to follow her social engagements as reported in The Times , he’d seen the list of those attending an exclusive ball. All he had to do was obtain a last-minute invitation.

How could he do that?

And even if he could, he had to convince Radiance to renege on any agreement she had made with Castille. Edward clenched his fists. Even the man’s name was annoying — so romantically foreign, despite being solidly British and from the ordinary countryside of West Surry, if Edward’s private research was correct. Albeit in a massive country manor with a sparkling silver spoon stuck up his arse.

“Why are you standing here scowling like a fiend when you are about to complete the most important service for the Crown that you could ever imagine?” Garrard was beside him, looking at the empty doorway, too, presumably to see at what Edward was staring.

“I was merely wool-gathering upon other matters.”

“This isn’t the time, Lockwood! When you showed up late, I thought I would have to send the Queen’s best after you.”

Edward couldn’t tell the Crown Jeweler that he’d lost track of time while drinking coffee and perusing the newspaper for information on his lady-love.

Lady-love! A much more accurate description than lady-friend , to be sure.

But he had to give Garrard all his attention at that moment. Dragging his gaze to the Crown Jeweler’s, he asked, “Why am I being put to such an outrageous, ill-conceived service? That is the question.”

From his pocket, Garrard withdrew the velvet pouch.

“Because, as I told the others, you are trusted. Besides, you know how to handle yourself in a fix.” He reached out and patted Edward’s side, almost precisely where his wound had healed.

“How did you know about that?” he asked, shocked.

“The servants’ grapevine, of course. If your staff knows something personal about you, then everyone’s staff knows.” Garrard chuckled.

Edward didn’t see the humor in living under a microscope, the same he used to study rocks in even more detail than with his magnifying glasses.

“I am not Daniel Mendoza,” he muttered, although he did admire the fighter from Whitechapel, who a century earlier had used an almost scientific technique, knowing where to punch to do the most damage. Mendoza had become a professor in the art of self-defense and had written The Art of Boxing .

If Edward could get Radiance out of his head and into his bed, he, too, might finish his own blasted book.

“Maybe not Mendoza,” Garrard agreed, “but I’ve heard you attend a boxing club in Town.”

“More of the servants’ grapevine?” Edward asked.

Garrard simply shrugged. “In truth, no. I heard that from someone at the Athenaeum Club. Many of the members are on the scrawny side, wouldn’t you say?”

Garrard was correct in his estimation of the scientific community. It had more than its share of whey-faced spindles who looked as if a strong wind might send them tumbling into the Thames.

“Naturally,” the Crown Jeweler continued, “the fact that you cut a more muscular figure begets some talking and some jealousy.”

Edward had no idea he was the discussion of any such gossip.

“Thus, on the basis of a fight in India’s Port of Goa and my exercising my body, I am considered the best person to guard the Koh-i-Noor?”

“Hardly that. Prince Albert appreciates your other skills, which I’ve already mentioned. Your ability to protect yourself and how you defended Lady Radiance and retrieved the royal jewels from that thief are simply a bonus. Besides, nothing will happen to the diamond. After all, you and the lady have handled the forger already.”

So why did Edward have the impression something fishy was happening?

Before he could question further, Garrard thrust the velvet pouch toward him, and Edward had no choice but to raise his hand and take it.

“Very well. Two days, you say?”

“Maybe three at the most,” Garrard said. “I shall contact you.”

Edward had an idea. “I say, I don’t suppose you have an invitation to the ball at Marlborough House tonight.” Seeing how Garrard had a royal appointment, it was possible. Probable, in fact, and confirmed when the man smiled widely.

Outside, when Edward hailed a hackney, he wondered what the driver would think if the man knew the cargo he carried. Edward’s pocket seemed to have grown exceedingly heavy. He wouldn’t slide his hand into it, unreasonably fearing the Koh-i-Noor would be hot to the touch.

Knowing how preposterous his thoughts, yet he almost believed the diamond was sending out a beacon, as steady as a lighthouse, to let everyone know its location.

Regardless of his new charge, like an unexpected infant dropped on his doorstep, Edward intended to go to the ball that evening. With Garrard promising his name would be on the list, all Edward had to do was change his clothing and somehow pass interminable hours before the fashionable starting time of eight o’clock.

And then he would confront Radiance on her own territory, using reason to convince her of their suitability or coercion with another kiss if necessary.

His plan was a sound one. At least, that’s what he told himself over a glass of wine while he dressed, undressed, and dressed again. Things that he’d never paid attention to before, like his appearance, seemed of utmost importance. His hair, for one thing, wouldn’t behave. It insisted on flopping around, curling up in patches, and generally being unruly. His best necktie looked as though it had been tied by a monkey. And his shoes had street dust on them rather than a well-tended shine.

Never had he more regretted not employing a gentleman servant to assist him in his toilette. It took him hours before he deemed himself even halfway satisfactory, and still, he needed to determine a secure place for the diamond before he went out gallivanting like a troubadour lover.

However, after wandering around his home for another thirty minutes with the velvet pouch in his hand, Edward couldn’t begin to imagine what that place might be. The back of his armoire, under his bed, perhaps a box in the attic, he even considered digging a hole in the backyard like a blasted pirate. He knew one thing — putting the Koh-i-Noor anywhere in his work room amongst his other stones would be a disaster. It was the first place a thief would search.

Although, if their investigation had been correct, then the thief had already been caught. Therefore, he couldn’t imagine why he was expecting trouble to find him, nor anyone to know he had such a prize in his home.

In the end, he slid the pouch once again deep into his pocket. If he was not going to stay home and guard it, which he simply could not do — not with Radiance out there growing more attached to Castille — then the diamond would be safest kept upon his person.