Once Upon a Diamond (15 page)

She followed them to the edge of the lake. As they bent
down, she gave them a quick push from behind, one after another. There was more
splash in their words than the water. Tristan’s coal black hair glistened in
the sunlight, and her stomached turned as he glared at her, saying nothing, but
the threat in his eyes told her everything.

Devin whipped his head out of the water. “Blast it, Katherine.
Why the devil did you do that?” 

“Because I wanted to.” She laughed until the merciless
stare Tristan shot her way penetrated her facade, forcing her to rethink her
foolish action. She lifted her nose and grabbed Killer, quickly making her way
back to the two horses waiting beneath the towering oaks. Hopping onto a very
familiar tree stump, she mounted Devin’s magnificent stallion. They could bring
back her things.

“Katherine!” Devin glared as he stood on the edge of the
lake dripping in the sun. “Come back here!” 

Tristan’s face hardened into a mask of rage as he
realized his fate. Kate thought the day all too fitting. Her heart bubbled with
glee. She waved them a grand farewell and grabbed the reins of the other
stallion and the mare. “Have a good day, gentlemen.”

Her echoing laughter bounced off the trees, leaving the
two men staring in awe as the last bit of pink disappeared from sight.

C
lad in a gray
waistcoat and dark blue breeches, Tristan sat in the Lancewood library,
stretching his legs toward the hearth and sipping a glass of Madeira. A slow
smile spread over his face as he lifted one Hessian boot across the other.

The day had been an enlightening experience. All in
three weeks time the scrawny girl from the inn had become a dazzling,
twenty-year-old woman. He had been worrying about Kate for weeks, and here she
was, living in the lap of luxury with the Duke and Duchess of Ridgewater.  

Tristan glanced at the papers about the diamond and
decided to dismiss the quest for the evening, his mind only able to center on
Kate. If memory served him correctly, Devin had told him that she was from a
wealthy family. Her father, a rich shipping merchant, had been lost at sea. So,
what had she been doing traveling alone?

Tristan flinched at the nine rings from the grandfather
clock. He stood up, placed his glass upon the mahogany end table, and strode
toward the dining room.

As soon as he took a seat at the table, clapping footsteps
echoed down the hall. He lifted a surprise gaze as Edward flew into the room,
skidded to a halt, and sat down.

“Evening, Trist.”

“Running a bit late?” Tristan spread out his napkin,
hiding his grin.

“I’m on time. No need to get stuffy about it.”

“Mother having a tray sent up again?"

Edward frowned. “Thought you talked to her this morning."

“Haven’t seen her all day.”

“I told you she wanted to talk to you."

Tristan tried to disguise the annoyance. “Probably wants
more pin money."

“She does like to shop, you know.”

Tristan looked up as the butler passed the doorway. “Perkins,
have you seen my mother about?”

“Indeed, my lord. She seemed in quite a hurry to make it
to Town for the Season. Left straight away this afternoon.”

Tristan turned toward Edward. “Must have been in a
wretched hurry if she traveled to London without an extra allowance.” But in
actuality, Tristan was relieved to have missed another tense encounter.

“Would say so.” Edward stuffed a piece of roasted goose
in his mouth. “Mmmm. Rather tasty today. I believe Cook must have known that
Mother had taken her leave. You know how she abhors any type of fowl.” His
bright blue eyes gleamed with pleasure.

Tristan laughed. “I believe she hates Cook as well.”

Edward leaned back on his armrests and smiled. “Why, we
will have a feast tonight. Look, its peas in cream sauce. I do believe this is
going to be a splendid evening. And I won’t even speak of crop rotation and the
price of wheat.” 

Tristan
chuckled as he picked up his fork. “I imagine you may not want to go to London
after all. It looks like you’ll be served a good meal here every day. We may
live like kings if we stay."

Edward cleared his throat. “No. I have other ideas for
the Season."

Tristan raised a questioning brow. “Something, or
someone, particular in mind? Or did you suddenly recall your obligation to
Devin’s cousin?”

Edward peered up from his plate. “I’m not going to tell
you. And I’m not going to flip a coin like you do with Devin. I mean business
with this lady."

“Ah, so a lady now, is it?" Tristan sat back in his
chair. He hoped that it was not the same lady he had set his cap for during the
Season. “Perhaps I can help?”

Edward snorted. “Ha. I know how you would help me.”

Tristan smiled. “I’m only after one thing.”

“And I know that one thing,” Edward said, clanking his
fork against his plate. “But someday, you’ll be after the ladies, too, and it
won’t be mine. You’re searching for that deuced diamond. You certainly cannot be
serious about anything else. Father believed that diamond would bring some kind
of luck to our family, and we would be doomed if it wasn’t returned. Was he
right do you think? Do you think the same?”

  In grim silence, Tristan sat back and stared at his
brother.

“Is that why you search endlessly for that cursed gem? Dash
it, Trist, whatever your reason, I won’t have you trifling with my lady’s
affections like that deuced diamond or the other women you’re accustomed to. Do
you understand?” 

 Tristan resumed his eating, wishing the diamond had
never been part of his life. “Quite a speech, Edward. However, you don’t
understand. This is something I must do.”

Edward frowned. “Forgive me. I should not have said
anything at all.”

Tristan’s face softened. He loved Edward and had no
intention of including him in the quest. There was a danger that lingered in
the air, one that was made more evident the night at the inn. And now Kate
could be involved as well if the enemy knew her whereabouts. It made him all
the more determined to keep her in his sights.

“And as long as you’re not after my lady, you have
nothing to worry about.”

Edward choked on his goose. “Your lady? When did this
come about?”

“About three weeks ago,” Tristan answered calmly.

“Three weeks ago? Where the blazes were you three weeks
ago?” 

“The Hunting Fox Inn.”

Edward’s brows shot up. “That girl?”

“Indeed, and I would rather you kept it to yourself.”

A smile twisted Edward’s lips. “Robbing the cradle?”

“No. The female in question is Devin’s cousin, Miss Katherine
Wilcox. She’s twenty-years-old.” 

Edward’s expression turned from surprise to complete
shock. “Thunderation! The homely chit from America?"

“She is not a homely chit.”

“But what about Devin’s description? I thought that
female was the same one who maimed you years ago.”

A smile spread over Tristan’s face. “For one thing, that
is the same female, and for another thing, Devin is going to be a problem.”

“Devin?” Edward replied, clearly aghast.

“Yes. It seems our good and faithful friend has set his
eyes on his cousin as well.”

Tristan felt an awakening of his soul. The missing
diamond was a hefty quest. Yet he decided to begin another quest. He would seek
Miss Katherine Wilcox’s hand in marriage. She was different from any other lady
he knew.

He assured himself that he could handle both quests at
once. He would eventually find that diamond and everything would eventually
fall into place.

Edward’s chest rumbled with hysterical laughter. “I
fancy this is a fight to the finish then?”

“It is not a fight,” Tristan said, waving the dessert
tray away. “Enough about me, tell me about your lady? Who is she?"

“Lady Charlotte,” Edward said with pride, picking a tart
from the platter.

Tristan stared at Edward in astonishment. “I take it
Devin has no notions of your intentions? Or His Grace, for that matter?

“Not yet. However, by the end of the Season, they shall
warm to the idea.”

“Warm to the idea? Devin will be a raving lunatic. He
thinks of Charlotte as a baby.”

Edward lifted his gaze and grinned. “Raving lunatic is
correct. But why should I worry? It seems to me that Devin will have his hands
full trying to woo this American chit. You, dear brother, are the one to worry.
You have just made my life all the more easier. Devin will not give up.”

“Have you no faith in me?”

“Faith is not the question here,” Edward said. “It’s the
facts that concern me.”

“And pray tell, what are the facts?”

Edward shrugged, stuffing his hands into the pockets of
his waistcoat. “Isn’t it obvious? My competition isn’t living with my
lady...yours is.”

Kate lifted her eyes to the duke’s London residence
located in the luxurious neighborhood of Grosvenor Square. Though it was not a
vast estate like Ridgewater Manor, the multi-story brick townhouse was just as
exquisite.

An abundance of immense windows faced the cobblestone
street, ornamented by two stone sphinxes guarding the front door, giving the
appearance of a very fashionable home. Horses neighed, carriages rattled, and
people bustled about the street, reminding her of Boston.  

Her spirits would have lifted at the sight of the
wonderful mansion and its grand façade if the ride to Town hadn’t been so
nerve-wracking.

It wasn’t so much the bumpy road that caused her stomach
to turn as much as it was Devin who had kept his eyes attached to her person
almost the entire ride. Returning to Wilcox Manor was one option she didn’t
have for at least another month.

She berated herself for her melancholy mood and walked
purposefully up the steps. She was still inspecting the sphinxes when she
stumbled and literally fell into Devin’s arms.

“Katherine, are you hurt?” The marquess’s words were a
sweet caress against her ear and heat seeped into her face. Her cousin was
going to be harder to control than she had thought.

“No, no. I’m quite all right.” She pushed herself away
and forced a smile. “Stupid of me. I was staring at your stone guards here. But
I believe I can stand on my own two feet now.” 

“Of course, forgive me.” With a frown, Devin emptied his
hands. She nodded, straightened her cloak and scurried ahead.   

Charlotte glanced back at Kate and grinned. “I see Devin
is still vying for your affection. Never seen him act that way, you know. He’s
very well-known among the ladies here.”

“Charlotte, please.” Kate dismissed the teasing comment
and proceeded into the townhouse. Her gaze lifted to the top of the banister
where a small wooden dragon’s head proudly sat as a lookout, as if watching her
every move.

“Good afternoon, ladies.” Webster bowed, hurrying past
them, the birdcage swinging in his hand.

Kate smiled to herself. Webster had been in the second
carriage with Handsome and looked as if he had been at war with France. His
coat was askew, one button was missing, and his meticulously polished shoes
were scuffed.     

Handsome barked, rushing forward, jumping on the back of
Webster, almost knocking the elderly man down. “I say!”

“Handsome,” Kate cried out. “Stop that this instant!” 

The dog moved away and whimpered.

Webster raised his bushy brows in disgust as he brushed
his pants with a couple of firm whacks. “Beast,” he mumbled.

“It’s divine, simply divine.” The parrot flapped its
wings.

The butler’s lips spread into a thin line of defeat.

Kate tried to suppress her giggle. “Webster, I cannot
tell you how much I appreciate you taking Handsome and Mr. Divine in the
carriage. I know they will always be safe with you.”

“Yes, well, the beast seems to be hungry.” Webster
scowled as he took the dog by its collar, leading Handsome down the hall and
holding the birdcage in his other arm.

Kate let out a small laugh. “Oh, Charlotte, I do believe
your butler has a soft heart where my animals are concerned.”

Charlotte’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “He doesn’t
have to like them. He simply has to feed them. Poor, dear Webster.”

“Good day, Lady Charlotte.”

“Mrs. Pennyweather,” Charlotte cried, taking the plump
lady’s hands in hers. “Kate, this is our housekeeper Mrs. Pennyweather. Mrs.
Pennyweather, this is Miss Katherine Wilcox, my cousin.”

Greetings were exchanged, and the housekeeper beamed
with pleasure. “The dressmaker delivered your new clothes yesterday. I took the
liberty of having the chambermaids unpack them for you in your rooms. Heaven be
praised, you two ladies will be the belles of the balls. They are some of the
most beautiful gowns I’ve ever seen.” 

Moments later Kate was ushered into a sumptuous room,
and after a soothing bath, she dressed in a pale blue muslin gown for the
evening meal. A soft tap at the door startled her.

“Come in.”

Charlotte stepped into the room. “It’s only me. Who did
you think it was, my brother?” 

Kate frowned. “Have a care, Charlotte. He could be
listening.”

Charlotte shrugged as she headed for Kate’s wardrobe. “Did
you inspect your new gowns? Mother says that Madame Riveaux is the best dressmaker
in all of London. After all that pinning, tucking, and measuring at the last
minute, I thought you would faint. But I’m certain it was all worth it. My
gowns are gorgeous.” 

Charlotte’s eyes were bursting with excitement as she
opened the door to the large wardrobe. “Ooooh, I daresay, these are fit for a
queen.” 

Kate’s jaw dropped. Rows of silk and lace stared back at
her. A palette of pastels and whites filled her gaze. These were some of the
most beautiful clothes she had ever seen.

“Charlotte, I cannot accept all this.”

“But you must. Mother won’t take no for an answer. Besides,
she’s the cream of High Society. She will not have her niece dressed in
anything but the finest.” Charlotte raised a delicate brown brow. “You are
going to have to accept it. Like it or not."