Once Upon A Diamond

by McCarthy, Teresa

  “Ride?” Tristan could barely contain his laughter. “I was wondering, Devin, does your cousin still steal horses?”

  Edward’s mouth dropped open in shock.

  “I don’t care if your friend got himself killed. I paid him right and tight, then that American chit had to ruin it all.”

  The angry growl came from inside the darkened carriage parked along the Thames.

  A gangly, bald-headed man shifted anxiously in his seat. “If ye want yer earl dead, it’ll cost ye double.”

  “You make it look like an accident this time. I can’t afford another mistake.”

  A sack of silver was thrown into the bald man’s lap. He snatched the bag and stuffed it inside his well-worn jacket.

  “Ye want him dead, that’s all I aim to know and all I want ta know.”

  “Yes, but I want him dead when I say so.”

  The bald man leaned forward, his shoulders blocking the door. “Ye want the chit dead, too? Two for the price of one, eh?”

  “No, don’t touch the gel. Not now.” A sinister snort emerged from the shadows. “I suppose you didn’t mind your partner’s death since it was you who inherited his belongings, including that nice satchel of silver he received last time we met. Silver he received for nothing but getting himself killed by his own knife.”

  “He was me partner. I ain’t about taken anything that weren’t mine. The way I see it, he owed me.” The bald man scoffed. “Owed me big, he did. I ain’t going nowhere, so ye let me know the time and the place when yer ready.”

  A white blanket of fog shrouded London, making travel slower than usual. Tristan sat across from Devin and Edward, gazing out the window of his carriage, contemplating the information he had recently been given at the club.

  News of Fletcher returning from India had sparked his attention and many others too. A few of the gentlemen at White’s had known of the man’s connection to the late earl’s death and the diamond. But it was when Manning, a gentleman who had a few drinks, mentioned he’d met Fletcher, accompanied by a young sailor, at one of the dockside taverns weeks ago, that sparked Tristan’s curiosity. Not even Whitehall had that information.

  Tristan’s suspicions seemed confirmed. Fletcher had indeed been in Town and perhaps the diamond had been as well. Yet where was Fletcher now?

  A host of questions swirled in his brain. Did Fletcher still have the diamond or had his talk been only for show? Had Fletcher wanted him killed? Was that the reason the intruder showed up at the inn? Or was the dead man a French spy? Could Fletcher have been working with the French sympathizers? Did an enemy of England know of Kate’s involvement at the inn?

  That sordid thought sent Tristan’s heart racing. He hoped by now that Andrews had some more information about Fletcher and the diamond. Too many questions were left unanswered.

  “Tristan,” Edward said, breaking into his thoughts. “Wasn’t that the same Harry Fletcher who wrote to us about father’s death? I heard a few of the men talking at the club. It’s seems I’m the only one who doesn’t know about his return. I was quite put out you know.”

  Tristan’s eyes narrowed slightly and a muscle jumped in his jaw. He distinctly recalled the dagger pressed against Kate’s neck. “I have never had any wish for you to involve yourself in the quest. But you might as well know that Fletcher sent me a letter a few weeks ago asking me to meet him at the Hunting Fox Inn.”

  Devin and Edward perked up at that information.

  “I went to the inn and waited,” Tristan continued, knowing that sooner or later these two men would discover some of the truth. Better it came from him. However, they didn’t know anything about the quest for the diamond being part of Whitehall, and he wasn’t about to tell them. “Fletcher never showed. Never heard from him since.” He paused, thinking that perhaps these two men could be in jeopardy too. “I was attacked by an intruder with a knife.”

  “A knife?” Edward cried. “Why the deuce didn’t you tell me?"

  Tristan winced at the thought of his brother involving himself in the dangers of the obsessive quest. Kate was enough to worry about. Now, he had a sneaking suspicion the incident at the inn had everything to do with the diamond.

  Who knows what evil lurked around the corner because of the gem’s political power? Its monetary wealth alone was enough for some to use murder as a means to get it. Neither thought sat well with him. Kate could be at a greater risk than he had ever dreamed.

  “Trist?” Edward persisted. “What the devil happened?”

  Tristan leaned his head back against the seat. “It wasn’t a random attack. I believe the intruder came for the diamond, which I didn’t have. He probably would have killed me if it weren’t for–” He hesitated. Hell and spitfire, he’d said enough.

  “For what?” Devin asked.

  Tristan chose his words carefully. “If it weren’t for the girl in the chambers next door."

  There was only silence as Edward pulled on his right earlobe in confusion.

  Devin tried to hide his twisted smile. “A girl?”

  “A female...a girl?” Edward’s eyes twinkled.

  Devin laughed. “What other kind of girls are there, Edward?”

  “Never mind,” Tristan said, shaking his head.

  Edward coughed. “I don’t think I can do that. Because for some strange reason, I can’t quite fathom my strong, able-bodied brother protected by a girl.”

  Devin slapped his knee in amusement. “A female! Gad this is rich!”

  Edward cast his brother another disbelieving look. “And you truly believe this has something to do with the diamond?”

  More than they ever knew, Tristan thought. He stretched his legs across the empty seat beside him and avoided their wide-eyed stares. “My man Andrews, the Runner I hired to look into the diamond after father died, is investigating Mr. Harry Fletcher and the gem. But after Mannings’ confession, I have to wonder if Fletcher is near London at all.”

  “Never mind Fletcher!” Devin proclaimed. “What about this girl?”

  Tristan frowned at the vivid memory of the Kate refusing to give in to the intruder’s demands.

  “Tristan?” Edward asked, quirking a brow.

  “There’s nothing more to tell, except that I’ll be traveling back to the country tomorrow.” He grinned. “In fact, I may even race Devin to Ridgewater.”

  Edward almost choked. “Forget Devin! Dash it all! What about the girl? Tell us. Who is she?”

  Tristan stared at his brother. “She’s the most courageous female I’ve ever had the privilege to meet.” Let them chew on that.

  “Courageous?” Edward laughed and locked eyes with Devin who was staring quite intently at his friend. “I believe the quest has finally driven my brother insane.”

  Tristan quirked his lips into a wry smile. Perhaps the diamond would send him to Bedlam after all.

  Many weeks had passed since Kate had arrived in England. She was feeling much better since her first day in England, and one reason was because of her cousin Charlotte, who never failed to cheer her. A cool breeze whipped through their hair as they strolled along the stone walkway in the gardens of Ridgewater Manor.

  “The maid had taken my father’s best brandy the previous evening and had quite a time of it,” Charlotte said, laughing. “I heard from my abigail that Webster turned cherry red at the sight of the girl dancing on the dining table. Can you imagine? And the maid only wearing her shift?”

  Kate’s eyes danced. “Oh, poor Webster.”

  “After removing the maid, Webster found one of the young footmen snoring beneath the table. Half-dressed, mind you.”

  “Dear me. I wished I could have been there.”

  “Webster has been quite put out all morning.”

  They were barely able to control their laughter as they strolled into the house. In the drawing room Kate raised her hands to her disarrayed chignon, pulled out her remaining tresses, and flung her head about until her golden hair spilled down her back in long, sh
immering waves.

  Charlotte fingered her own hair and frowned.

  Kate noticed her cousin’s expression. “You have beautiful hair, Charlotte. In fact, you are going to dazzle Mr. Edward Fullerton with your looks so much that he’ll be speechless."

  “I’m such a widgeon, Kate. Don’t mind me. But speaking of our neighbor, according to Mother, the two brothers returned home from London last night.”

  Kate felt her stomach turn. Tristan had returned?

  “Not only that,” Charlotte added, “my brother decided to return with them. He’s probably still sleeping. After that cold reception he gave you, I hope he pays dearly.”

  “Oh, that. I forgot all about it.”

  Kate lied. Every day during the past three weeks she recalled Devin’s quick exit. It had been mortifying. She moved toward the pianoforte, sliding her fingers up and down the ivory keys in a medley of scales.

  “You didn’t forget. But Devin will be green with envy when he sees you. You are not the scrawny girl who came here weeks ago. Cook has fattened you up in all the right places.”

  Kate burst out laughing. “You’re embarrassing me, Charlotte.” But Kate knew she had indeed changed from the sickly girl that had arrived at Ridgewater Manor weeks ago.

  “Since I am feeling much stronger, I was wondering if your father would mind if I tried that beautiful black stallion in the stables? I would love to ride him.”

  Charlotte’s brow furrowed. “I’m taking your word for it that you’re a good rider. The horse might be one of Devin’s, but he won’t mind, since he has to be extra nice to you now. You will have to take an escort, of course. A stable boy perhaps. Mother would swoon if you went riding by yourself.”

  Charlotte laughed. “Let me tell you, you never want to see Mother swoon."

  Kate looked up from the keys, recalling the only time she ever swooned. It was that night at the inn with the dead intruder at her feet. The incident still plagued her. “Aunt Georgiana swoons?”

  “Swoons.” Charlotte nodded. “As in faints, crumples, passes out, loses consciousness.” She threw her hand to her forehead and fell backwards against the sofa.

  Kate bent over, laughing. “No?”

  Charlotte lifted her head and smiled. “Simply wait and see. She’s quite the actress.”

  “I can’t imagine your mother doing such a thing. She seems so elegant. So refined.”

  Charlotte laughed. “Kate, swooning is the art of the most accomplished lady. Why, let us practice,” she said in a snooty voice, feigning another dead faint onto the sofa, causing Kate to laugh until her shoulders shook.

  They turned at the sound of footsteps coming down the hall.

  “Charlotte, heard you were entertaining our cousin, Katherine.” Devin stopped, frozen in his tracks, his mouth agape as he caught sight of Kate. His gaze slowly traveled over her person, from the wavy, blond tresses that graced her back to the soft satin slippers that touched the floor.

  He dropped his gaze to the playful curve framing her berry-colored lips. It was obvious he couldn’t move a muscle except for his eyes that were becoming black with desire.

  A smile formed on Charlotte’s lips. “Are you going to stand there like a wide mouth codfish or are you going to say hello to our guest?”

  Devin snapped his mouth shut and strode across the room. “Forgive me. I thought our cousin was strolling about the gardens. I must have missed her.” He greeted Kate, lifting her hand and kissing it ever so lightly. “But this is a delight. Good morning.”

  Devin turned to Charlotte, awaiting the introductions. Kate smiled, noting the amusement dancing in Charlotte’s eyes. So Devin had not recognized her. He thought her Charlotte’s friend. How delightful. When Charlotte said nothing, Kate took her cue.

  “Good morning...Cousin,” she replied coolly.

  Devin’s amber eyes widened as he slowly turned his head back to her, finally realizing whose hand he held. A deep flush tinged his cheeks. “Ah, Katherine? I see that you have recovered from your trip.”

  “Quite recovered, thank you.”

  Kate bit her bottom lip, trying to hold back her laughter. But when she caught a sidelong glimpse of Charlotte’s cheerful gloating, she knew her lip would suffer terribly. Devin was a rather handsome man, but at the moment he was growing from pink to pale.

  Charlotte interrupted the awkward meeting and grabbed Kate’s hand. “You will have to excuse us, brother, dear. Katherine and I must speak to Mother about our departure to London. The Season has already begun and we are rushed to be on our way.”

  Charlotte led Kate through the open doors. Kate turned to Devin, her dark lashes batting up and down. “So nice to see you again, Lord Roxdon.”

  Mute, Devin nodded and watched the two ladies retreat up the winding staircase, but not before Kate’s sweet lavender scent marched its way past his nose.

  After the ladies disappeared, Devin slapped his hand against his forehead and fell into a wing chair. He stared like an idiot at the empty fireplace, the heat rising to his head.

  “King George,” he muttered, vividly recalling the sickly looking chit three weeks ago. What had happened to her?

  “Nice to see you again, Lord Roxdon.” The nasal-voiced words sent Devin’s head jerking up in surprise. His gaze narrowed on the most absurd thing he had ever seen in his life - a red parrot perched on the windowsill.

  “What the blazes!”

  The obstinate bird dared to stare directly at him and flap its wings, as if taunting him. “Nice to see you again, Lord Roxdon. Nice to see you again, Lord Roxdon.”

  Devin shot from the chair, ready to strangle the blasted bird, but Webster stepped into the room just in time. “May I be of service, my lord?” Webster said, holding back his smile.

  Devin glared at his butler. “What is that doing here?”

  “It belongs to your cousin, my lord.”

  “My cousin?” Devin sank back into his chair and frowned.

  Webster’s black tails flapped in the air as he walked in front of him. “My lord, His Grace would like a word with you in the study.”

  Devin groaned as he stared at his butler’s black shoes. “Of course. Is that not why I returned?” He lifted a wary gaze and swallowed. “Is it true, Webster?”

  The butler nodded. “All of it.” The words were given as much as a reprimand as a fact.

  “How long has he been barred from her room?” Devin was referring to his father being the recipient of his mother’s well-known habit of door locking when she was mad. All day and all night!

  “As long as your stay in London. I must say, I did warn you when you left without seeing His Grace. It has been weeks, my lord. Intensely long weeks for him, I daresay.”

  “The devil!” Devin stomped from the room, clenching his teeth. “Women! There’s a vile conspiracy to turn me inside out, Webster. Vile, I say.”

  Webster straightened a pillow that had fallen to the floor. A smile crossed his face as his lordship’s words reverberated down the hall. There hadn’t been this much excitement since the duchess swooned at Prinny’s feet after his royal hand had pinched her behind.

  Chapter Eight

  Hours after her awkward meeting with Devin, Kate strolled toward the stables with her flute case strapped across her shoulders. She wore a pink riding skirt and matching jacket. Her hair was piled in curls beneath a white and pink striped riding hat decorated with a dark pink plume, all gifts from her dear Aunt Georgiana. It seemed the lady did adore pink, Kate thought with a smile.

  Kate rested her hand against her case. She was grateful she had thought to bring her instrument to England. It had been packed in her trunks at the last minute.

  Once inside the stables, she greeted the groom and pointed to a majestic black stallion in the far stall. “That horse, if you please.”

  “But Miss, he’s a mean one, he is,” the groom insisted, twitching nervously as he pointed to a dappled gray horse in the next stall. “This mare would suit you better. A gen
tle horse for a gentle lady like yourself."

  Kate hid her smile. Gentle lady? She doubted Tristan would say the same. She fingered toward the sleek, black beast. “That horse, if you please, sir.”

  The groom frowned. “Yes, Miss, but Ned here can ride with you. ’Twould be no trouble.”

  Kate eyed the young groom standing nervously near the haystack.

  “No trouble at all, Miss Wilcox.”

  Kate gave him her best smile. “I wish to be alone, if you don’t mind, Ned. You can understand that, can’t you? At the moment, I, um, have womanly concerns.” That should scare him, she thought, immediately feeling sorry for the man.

  He reddened. “C-certainly, Miss.”

  The head groom tried to intervene, saying he would go with her, but Kate would have none of it. She needed to be alone. She needed to think.

  A minute later she was saddled on the magnificent stallion, gritting her teeth in pure delight as she bolted toward the fields. She laughed, recalling the look of utter amazement on the elder groom’s face when she had mounted the horse. It had been the same groom from ten years ago. The poor, dear man.

  She finally came upon a familiar cluster of ancient oaks that surrounded a small lake. It was the same place she had encountered Devin and Tristan years ago.

  She drew the stallion toward the water, dismounted, and looked up at the magnificent horse with a frown. The animal seemed a bit larger than she had remembered back in the stables. A reassuring smile came to her lips as she eyed a large boulder that could later be used for a step. It wasn’t a tree stump, but it would do.

  Slipping her flute case off her back, she sat on a flat rock near the lake and pulled off her hat, shaking out her hair. It was a warm spring day with robins singing in the trees and the fresh bouquet of a recent rain lingering in the air.

  Sighing, she closed her eyes and tilted her face toward the sun as a light breeze caressed her face. The warm rays lifted her spirits, seeping into her bones and her mind.