Once Upon A Diamond (A sweet Regency Historical Romance)

by Teresa McCarthy

  Her father smiled and nodded. “Is something wrong, darlin’?"

  “No,” Kate said, suddenly feeling anxious. “I was thinking about the oak tree back home. Remember when we used to picnic under the cool shade in the heat of the summer?"

  “I remember,” he sighed and studied the people strolling about the park. “Soon we’ll be back at Wilcox Manor. England is all well and good, but it is nothing like America."

  Alarmed coursed through Kate. Her father was making plans for their return. She lightly touched his arm. “Papa, there is something important I need to tell you."

  “It sounds pretty serious, considering that determined look in your eye.”

  She avoided his gaze and glanced across the park, staring blankly at two people conversing on horseback. “You see, Papa, when Matthew was shot, I thought he was going to die.” She finally turned toward her father. “We thought you were dead."

  She averted his gaze once again and squinted in the direction of the advancing horses. “You remember when Matthew made that promise to you about seeing me wed. Well, when he was shot–”

  Kate’s mouth snapped shut when she caught sight of the two people on horseback. Her face stung as if she had been slapped.

  She could see the couple quite clearly now. Lady Helen was grabbing Tristan’s arm in an intimate embrace, and they were in full view of almost everyone in the park.

  Kate’s first impulse was to bolt between the two, horses and all. But she controlled her inclination and continued to glare with mounting rage. Her bubble of happiness had burst.

  Tristan sent those flowers, but they had meant nothing. He would never love her. Who was she fooling? Oh, he was fond of her perhaps. But love? He didn’t know the word existed. It was obvious he planned to carry on with her as his wife, but he also planned to continue his liaisons with questionable ladies of the ton.

  As if acutely aware of the little scene that Kate was so curiously watching, Robert switched his gaze back and forth between the earl and his daughter. He relaxed in his seat and smiled.

  Tristan could not believe the obnoxious women had found him again.

  “Lord Lancewood, I did so want to see you," Lady Helen said, batting her eyes like a sick owl.

  “Indeed," Tristan replied gravely.

  He felt her grip on his arm tighten. He could only hope that Kate had yet to arrive at the park. Looking at Lady Helen’s small form, it was hard to believe she could involve herself in a plot to kill him merely out of wounded pride. Though it didn’t seem wounded right now.

  “I had hoped to talk to you sooner,” she replied, fluttering her obnoxious lashes at him, “but everything happened so fast.”

  Tristan pursed his lips. What the devil was she talking about? He could have kicked himself for ever getting involved with the stupid chit last Season.

  “I can see you have not heard of my generous offer then."

  A chime went off in Tristan’s head. “I assure you, madam, I have not heard a word concerning anything." Anything but your insistent blabber.

  The lady leaned forward, as if trying to comfort a wounded soul. “Well, I’m sorry to tell you, but I am no longer in the running for a husband." She stared at him, eager for his response.

  Tristan shifted on his saddle and studied her face. Was she telling him that she had found some addlepated twit to marry her?

  “I am engaged to Viscount Rushting.”

  “Ah,” Tristan answered, swallowing a snort of laughter. If she were to be married to the old goat, then there would be no reason for her to make any attempt on his life. It must have been the baron who had solicited his murder. Relief swept through him.

  “I can see that you are happy for me, my lord. Indeed, I had hoped that you would not call the viscount out because of your deep affection for me."

  Tristan coughed. Call the old viscount out? Was she mad? Did she think for one minute that he would fight a duel over her with the man who was to be her husband? Quite unlikely. As a matter of fact, he might hold a funeral for him. The poor ninny. The thought of a deep affection for her almost made him curl up and laugh.

  “I’m truly happy for you, Lady Helen. In fact, I wish you all the best." He kissed her hand a fond farewell.

  Her eyes narrowed, obviously stung by his unemotional exit. However, she did recover enough to reach over and kiss him on the cheek, her eyes flashing him a wicked smile. “I take it you are still interested in the American chit as second choice?"

  “As a matter of fact, I am,” Tristan said with a hint of impatience.

  “Well, then, I suggest you go to her. She’s been observing us from under that huge oak.” The lady pointed across the park. “She’s probably relieved that I’m out of the running.” The lady let out a small chuckle before she said good-bye and departed.

  Tristan froze his gaze in the noted direction of the oak and sensed two dark pools of fury reflecting back at him. “Of all the confounded things...”

  His heart skipped a beat as he dug his heels into his horse and galloped across the park toward Kate.

  Kate’s knuckles turned white as she watched Tristan sit on his horse like a flattered oaf. It was all she could do to control her mounting rage and not blast through the two horses, burying them both in the ground.

  To think she thought he would love her in time. Who knew how many other ladies he had waiting for him? He had played her the fool again and again, and now, in front of her father.

  Her hands shook with anger as she grabbed the reins. “Hold on, Papa. We’re going for a ride."

  Hiding his grin, Robert glanced at his daughter’s taut features and held tight to his hat as the phaeton whipped through the park.

  A minute later Kate heard the sound of thundering hooves coming up behind her.

  “What the devil do you think are you doing?"

  Kate clenched the leather reins tighter at the sound of Tristan’s shout. She could not outrun him, so she pulled the horses to a slow trot, permitting him to ride beside her.

  She bit down on her teeth and stared at the horses in front of her. “What do you think I’m doing? I’m driving my father back to the townhouse.”

  “I see,” Tristan said and glanced over at Robert who was smiling as though he was rather enjoying the heated exchange.

  Tristan gestured for the man to switch places. Unbeknownst to Kate, Robert nodded and turned toward his daughter. “Katherine, would you mind changing seats?”

  Kate looked at him oddly and gave him the reins. “You would like to drive?”

  “No, darlin’.” To Kate’s horror, her father stepped out of the carriage. “I believe I would like to ride the earl’s fine horse.”

  Kate opened her mouth to protest, but within moments the trade had taken place.

  Robert sat triumphantly on the earl’s bay mare and rode ahead while Tristan held the reins to the duke’s phaeton, maneuvering the vehicle off the lanes and into a small opening between the trees, pulling it to a halt.

  “Kate, that woman means nothing to me.”

  Kate pressed her lips together and refused to speak.

  Tristan took hold of her chin and tipped her face toward his. “Must we always fight, sweetheart? There are other things I’d rather do with you, you know.” His emerald gaze darkened, and Kate felt the heat of his caress as if he had kissed her. She blushed.

  “I want you home with me. I want you as my wife, Kate, in every sense of the word.” His hand moved to her waist and he drew her to him. “Ah, sweetheart, I don’t think I can wait another day. This is pure torture.”

  Kate bit back a groan as his thigh brushed up against hers. Her determination to keep her distance was failing miserably.

  “Kate. Sweetheart.” The velvety whisper of his voice pulled her to him like a cat to cream, and all concerns about his love for her tumbled from her mind. His lips slanted against hers in a tender kiss, and she was shocked at her own response.

  She leaned into him, flattening her body against
his. “Tristan.”

  “The devil, Kate. Come home with me now.” His kiss was more demanding, sending a burning fire through her veins. His gentle hands began a search of her body. The turbulence of his desire swirled about her like a dazzling storm.

  He suddenly pulled back, his breathing harsh. “Come back with me. Please. Send a note to your father. This is insane. Devin knows. Edward knows. There’s no reason not to tell your father. I want you. You want me. Hell’s teeth. We’re married!”

  Kate blinked, still reeling from his touch. Her swollen lips and disheveled hair were only outward signs of what he had done to her. “I was going to tell him in the park,” she said softly, her mind slowly coming back to earth.

  He grimaced. “But then you saw me with Lady Helen.”

  She nodded as her heart began to frost over with doubt. He didn’t love her.

  “She means nothing to me. You must know that.”

  “What about the diamond? Does that mean nothing to you too?” She blurted out the words, trying to push away her pain. Tell me you love me. Tell me, Tristan.

  His face hardened and he pulled away. “You think I’m insane like the rest of the ton thinks, don’t you?”

  Kate stared at him. An icy chill spread between them, widening with each passing second. She couldn’t compete with a missing gem.

  Tell me you love me. A few words could take away her fears, but he didn’t say them.

  Instead, he spit out a curse and tightened his hold on the reins, sending the phaeton rolling out of Hyde Park and back to the duke’s townhouse.

  After dropping his wife off at the duke’s, Tristan threw his riding gloves on the hall table and slammed a hand against his thigh. “Blasted woman!”

  “My lord,” the butler replied, clearing his throat.

  Tristan glanced up. “Yes, Perkins?”

  “Andrews has been here over an hour.” The elderly man lowered his voice. “I believe he has finished off at least half of the brandy."

  Tristan’s lips twitched. His butler was an incessant watchdog. “An hour?”

  The elderly servant sent his master a distressed look. “Indeed.”

  “I see.” Tristan nodded. Andrews could down the entire decanter and still be standing, unlike his trusty butler.

  A moment later Tristan strode into the room after assuring Perkins that Andrews was the best Bow Street had to offer. “Andrews, I see you’ve made yourself at home.”

  Startled by the commanding voice, the Runner swung his feet off the nearby end table and quickly stood. “Good day to you, m’lord."

  Tristan nodded for the man to resume his position and rang for the maid. “Tea and cakes?"

  “No tea, but I would enjoy a bit of cake if you please.”

  Tristan seated himself in the wing chair, throwing one Hessian boot over the other.

  “May I say, my lord, I am extremely grateful you have taken me into your confidence.”

  “I could see no other way, Andrews. You can see that this quest means more than family honor. England is at stake here.”

  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?"