Once Upon a Diamond (34 page)

Andrews now worked for the British government as a
covert agent. Tristan had seen to it that the retired Runner was officially
made part of the investigation. It seemed to be the logical thing to do,
especially since they both knew that Gaston was somehow involved.

“Any more tips on the diamond?”

“Well, my lord, I had the Brackshire residence searched
and have come up with nothing. Yet I still believe the captain was in
possession of the gem at some time while he was here in England. I also feel he
had an accomplice in some of his workings.” 

“I had the same feeling, Andrews, but the fact of the
matter is, if we do not find the diamond this week, the army will have to take
action and many innocent people will die.”

Tristan explained that he had involved Robert Wilcox in
the hunt for the diamond since Robert was the last man to see Gaston alive. Robert
was returning to the scene of Gaston’s death, trying to retrace the captain’s
last steps.

“Call me crazy, Andrews, but I still believe Gaston went
back to the Brackshire townhouse to retrieve something. Documents, secret
missives, maybe even the diamond.”

Andrew pondered the earl’s words. “Perhaps after your
wife escaped, the man felt cornered. Maybe he hadn’t planned to leave England
that night with a hostage, but fate dealt him a hand he could not ignore, and
then his plan went astray. One never knows with the criminal mind.”

Tristan’s face hardened as he tried to block the horrid
thoughts of what could have happened to Kate.

Andrews frowned and hurried on with his explanation. “Of
course, I believe we swept the place clean, my lord, but there are always nooks
and crannies to hide such small items. Could be you’re right. We could have
missed something. Can’t hurt to search the place again.”

Tristan mentioned that he also had men working in Seven
Dials, hoping the gem would turn up in some criminal infested hole. When the
two men exhausted their conversation about the diamond, Andrews informed Tristan
that he had found Peter and would bring the boy around the following day. Tristan
nodded, hoping to set the little hero up as a stable hand. Kate would be
relieved.  

Andrews’s stomach growled, but it seemed to Tristan that
the man eyed the maid more than the cakes. A plump little lady, she was about
thirty-five, ten to fifteen years younger than Andrews.

Andrews’s hungry eyes followed her out of the room. “Pretty
little thing,” he said with an inquiring look, glancing at the earl.

“Miss Burnes? She’s niece to my butler Perkins.”

“Ah, Perkins,” Andrews’s eyes twinkled as he stuffed one
of the cakes into his mouth. “I take it, you’ve heard about Douberry dying in
his sleep? It seems his cousin is the heir to the title. Douberry’s wife will
have a wretched time at the betting tables now, no more money and all, only a
small pittance of allowance. That is, if the baron left her anything in the
first place.”

“A pity,” Tristan replied with thoughts of his mother’s
clandestine gambling crossing his mind. When Tristan had approached his mother
on the subject, she had adamantly denied being involved in any such meetings. It
was a bitter argument, and Tristan refused to hand over any more pin money
until she confessed her problem and sought help.

“You never loved me,” she had cried. “You’re just like
your father.”

“Madam,” Tristan had said crisply, “I believe you have
it wrong. The fact is, you never loved me.” Her lips tightened, and for a
moment, Tristan thought she might break down in tears. His heart cracked a bit
because there was still that little boy inside him that loved her. “Forgive me,
Mother. That was uncalled for.”

She had said nothing and disappeared from the room.

Andrews picked up another cake, oblivious to the frown
on Tristan’s face. “I hear Lady Helen is to marry Viscount Rushting. So that
leaves us with no one left on your list. Unless you have another suspect, my
lord."

Tristan picked up his tea. “Gaston was killed, the baron
died in his sleep, and now Lady Helen is engaged. It seems all our suspects are
off the list, one way or another. However, there is the possibility some
uninformed soul still thinks I have the diamond and wants me dead.”

“Very unlikely, my lord." Andrews finished his cake
and took a swallow of his brandy. “I feel the baron was behind the attempted
murders. He was a vengeful man, and forgive me for saying so, he did think you
a cold-hearted scoundrel."

“I’ve been called worse, Andrews. Far worse than that as
a matter of fact."
Pompous windbag for one.
“Well, then, all we
must do is find the blasted diamond.”   

After Andrews departed, Tristan stared at the flames
snapping in the hearth. The case involving the attempts on his life was closed
as far as he was concerned. Only the diamond remained. The cursed gem had been
the bane of his existence, and now it had wedged itself between him and his
wife. But no more. It was time to end this game once and for all.

His wife.

His lips curled at the thought of Kate’s sweet body pressed
against his when they had sat in the duke’s phaeton. She had smelled of
lavender and spring, a combination so pure and enticing, it had made him forget
where he was.

Her lips had tasted like raspberries, tart, yet sweet. And
she was not immune to his touch. The very notion inflamed his senses.

He slapped the fireplace with his fist. There would be
no more procrastinating on her part. He would bring his wife home tonight.

Candles glittered beside the trays of food that sat at
the Ridgewater dining table. Although a pleasant aroma filled the air, Kate
cringed at her mother-in-law’s sour disposition. The lady had not said a word
to her the entire evening. And then there was Tristan. His gaze burned into her,
as if he were branding her like some sort of calf.

She curled one hand on her skirt. How dare he use his
tender passion on her in the park this afternoon when he held more affection
for that stupid diamond? And then there was Lady Helen. Kate didn’t know what
to believe about her.

Her other fist tightened on her fork as she picked up a
piece of beef and stuffed it past her lips. She was Tristan’s wife, not some
little amusement for the Season.

“Did you have a pleasant ride in the park today, Robert?”
the duke asked.

Robert sent a quick smile toward his daughter. “Rather
an enlightening experience, I should say.”

Kate choked. Had her father seen Tristan kissing her? She
grabbed her wine and took a large swallow. She wished she had told her father
everything about her marriage. But now her entire life was getting too
complicated. She needed more time.

She heard a cough and shifted her gaze toward Tristan. The
flash of wicked amusement in his eyes sent her blood pumping with dread. He was
going to tell them everything!

“Have you heard the news?” the duchess broke in.

Devin sipped his wine. “Latest gossip about town,
Mother?" 

“Not gossip, dear,” Georgiana said with an excited smile.
“But I do feel it is my duty to keep my family informed about the latest items
of importance in the ton."

“What is it?” Charlotte asked.

The duchess practically beamed with pleasure. “Well, you
have all heard of Lady Helen, have you not?"

Kate clanked her fork against her plate.

The duchess turned toward Tristan. “And, my dear boy, I
believe you had an interest in the lady last Season?"

Startled, Tristan arched an amused brow Kate’s way, then
shifted his gaze back to the duchess. “Indeed, that is to say, yes, I have met
the lady, Your Grace.” 

Devin
let out a snort.

Met the lady? Kate jerked her chin up a notch. Ha!

The duchess sent her son a stifling stare. “La, it seems
that the lady is in no longer looking for a husband. Viscount Rushting has
proposed, and Lady Helen has accepted. They are to be married next week by
special license.” She picked up her glass of red wine and sipped. “A rather
short engagement if you ask me."

The duke laughed. “I presume she wants to spend the
gentleman's money as soon as possible."

The duchess threw her husband an icy glare, and the duke
slowly sank back into his chair.

Kate lifted a delicate brow. So Lady Helen was getting
married? Had that been what the woman confessed to Tristan in the park. He had
said the lady meant nothing to him.

But there was still the diamond that stood between them.
Could Tristan ever love her? 

The duchess motioned to the servant for the next course.
“For dessert, the cook has made us delightful French pastries. I hope you all enjoy
them."

Kate looked up and caught Tristan winking at her. Winking?
A blush stole across her face.

“Lady Lancewood,” Kate said, trying to keep her mind off
the mischief she detected in her husband’s eyes. “Have you been enjoying the
Season thus far?”

Tristan’s mother lowered her glass of wine. “It has not
been the best of London Seasons, but the weather has been most accommodating,
has it not?" 

“Yes, it has been beautiful,” Charlotte joined in.

Kate felt an embarrassing heat crawl up her neck at the
lady’s curt answer. Tristan’s mother was obviously fuming over Lady Helen’s
marriage to Viscount Rushting and not her son. However, the lady was going to
be in for an even bigger surprise when she discovered her firstborn was already
married to Kate! 

The
thought gave Kate little comfort. The sudden realization that the countess
would be living with Kate if she stayed married to Tristan turned her stomach.

Later
when everyone assembled in the drawing room, Kate knew something was about when
Devin moved to stand behind his mother. He only did that when he knew the lady
was going to swoon.

“A
toast," Tristan said, launching a smile her way.

Kate clutched her crystal glass in her hands when Tristan
raised his drink in her direction.

“To my wife."

The duchess gasped. “Your wife?”

Matthew peered at his sister. “
Who
is it to be?”

“It’s not the question of who it is to be,” Tristan
offered with pride as he turned a firm gaze toward Kate. “The question is, who
is it? For I was married a week ago."

“Goodness,
who the dev
–
I mean who is it?" the duchess asked,
her hands wringing against her skirt in excitement.

Tristan lifted his glass toward Kate. “To my wife. Katherine,
the new Countess of Lancewood.”

The duchess swooned into Devin’s arms.

Robert hugged his daughter. “I knew there was something
between you two. But I had no idea it had gone this far."

Far? Kate thought wryly. It was as if she weren’t
married to Tristan at all. They had not been alone as man and wife except for a
few kisses. She was furious. It was her right to tell her family about her
marriage, not Tristan’s.

Edward walked over to Tristan. “I believe our dear
mother handled the news quite poorly,” he whispered. “Must be shock. I fear
she’s left the premises."

Tristan’s lips thinned. “What else is new? I never
thought she would be happy for me. She never has."

“Son,” Robert said as he shook Tristan’s hand and smiled.
“You do know you’ve married a true gem. She’s independent, headstrong, and most
of all, full of life at every turn. She’ll love you with her whole heart and
soul.” Kate’s father laughed and gave Tristan a hardy slap on the back. “But
keep a keen eye on her." 

Tristan returned the laugh. “I’ll try."

Kate’s jaw was clenched so tight she thought she might
break a tooth. Tristan had not let her tell her own father. While everyone
congratulated her, she smiled, but her brown eyes blazed a path directly to her
husband.

Tristan glanced over his shoulder, and instead of anger,
she felt his green eyes devour her. Behind her smile, she gritted her teeth and
bided her time. Although she had to admit, she could not dismiss the tiny
fluttering inside her. But the gall of him, making the wedding announcement
without her! 

A minute later, no one had noticed her father's
departure until she started to search for him. “Where’s Papa?"

“Here I am.” Robert’s voice came from around the corner
as he descended the stairs. “I needed to retrieve part of your wedding gift. Since
the earl hasn’t asked for a dowry as of yet, I hoped this would do, at least
for part of it." 

Robert held out a small brown leather bag with a bright
red ribbon tied around the top. “It’s your husband’s now." 

Kate’s gaze lit with surprise as her father handed the
small gift to Tristan.

“It’s yours by right," Robert said.

Tristan passed the bag to Kate. “My wife shall open
it."

A hushed silence filled the room as Kate accepted the
gift and pulled the red ribbon from the pouch. All eyes were fixed upon her as
she her buried hand into the sack. Even the duchess had conveniently recovered
enough from her swoon to watch.