Page 30 of Not His Usual Style (Diamonds of London #10)

Mayfair, London

England

The carriage-style clock on the mantel in the drawing room delicately chimed, indicating it was three-thirty in the afternoon.

That meant Montague would be married in less than two hours.

The thought of it had tears welling in Tori’s eyes, but then, that was no surprise, for she’d passed a nearly sleepless night.

After that coupling at the ball with him where they exchanged souls, feelings, emotions, and everything of the like except words that might have changed their reality, she had sobbed out her grief in that parlor for a bit before composing herself the best she could.

In the moments following, she found her father and implored him to escort her home, for she couldn’t bear to spend another minute at the ball where she would need to watch Montague do the pretty with Lady Sarah and pretend she was happy for him.

Once home, she fled to her bedroom, barely waited until her maid helped her out of the luxurious clothing then she threw herself onto her bed and tried to nurse her breaking heart. It was an impossible task, of course, but tears were the only solace she had available.

Now, she blinked away her tears as her father came into the room. There was work to be done, and they were headed for the London Docks where they would board their ship in a little while.

“Is the luggage in the coach?” As surreptitiously as she could, Tori wiped at the tears with her lace-edged handkerchief.

“It is.” Her father nodded. “Trunks and bags, it’s all packed and waiting for us.”

“Good. And the Marie Antionette necklace?”

“It is in a jewel box in my valise, which won’t leave my side for the whole of the journey.” Then he frowned as he peered more closely about her. “Are you quite well, poppet?”

“I don’t think so.” Her chin wobbled. Once more, she dabbed at the corners of her eyes with the handkerchief. “I’ve done a terrible thing, Papa.”

“Even worse than stealing a priceless diamond necklace from someone and then attempting to smuggle it out of the country?” Amusement threaded through his voice as he looked at her from over the rims of his spectacles.

“Yes, even worse than that.” She sniffled. “I’ve fallen in love with Greystone.”

“Are you certain?”

“Yes.” Tori nodded. Attempting a laugh, it failed miserably, which made the whole situation even more ridiculous.

“I met him five days ago, haven’t even spent a whole day with him, yet each time I’m in his company, I feel complete, I feel as if I’ve found the place in life where I’m supposed to be.

” She shook her head. “That’s insane, isn’t it?

To feel like that for someone I barely even know? ”

If he could talk sense into her, perhaps she would feel better about leaving England.

“I’m happy for you. Once love comes for you, you can’t hide from it, and there is no explaining how it happens. Or for whom.” As her father beamed, Tori’s spirits sank. “Have you told him of your feelings?”

“No.” Her mind went to the ball last night, how dancing with him had been so amazing and how she’d felt like a princess for the evening in the sparkling gold gown he’d bought her.

“We indulged in a dance then went to a quiet room for a chat.” She didn’t want to share what else she and Montague had exchanged, for she wished to hoard that to her heart. It was far too precious.

“Mmm, I’m certain talking wasn’t the only thing the two of you indulged in, but I’ll take your word for it.” With a sigh, he held her gaze. “I’m going to give you some advice. Whether you take it or not is your prerogative.”

“All right.” She nodded. “I’m in such a miasma of confusion and sadness, I will gladly listen to what you’ll say.”

“In cases like this, there is only one option.” With a smile, he laid a hand on her shoulder. “Tell him how you feel.”

Her heart squeezed. “He’ll be married soon, and besides, I can’t do that. He’s not mine. Those feelings, that connection, must be forgotten. Anything else will be forbidden once he speaks his vows to Lady Sarah.”

“Oh, poppet, there is so much you don’t know about the world.” He patted her cheek. “The earl can be yours. He just needs the proper motivation.”

“Ha.” Slowly, she shook her head. “He has had the motivation, yet he remains stubborn, remains loyal to the ideal of what he hoped his father might have been.” Then she frowned.

“And I’m leaving with you to return the necklace.

Doing the right thing is what you and Mama always taught me, so I can do no less now. ”

“You are quite marvelous, this is true. However, I can carry the necklace to France.”

She frowned. “What about me?”

“You’ll use the time to secure your man’s heart, of course.”

As if it was that easy. “What do you mean?”

“My girl, go to his home, tell him what’s on your mind, and if that doesn’t work, ask him to marry you instead.”

For the space of a few heartbeats, Tori stared at him as his words tumbled over in her brain. “Do you truly think it will work?” Suddenly, hope bloomed in her chest, where it had been dormant for far too long.

“Obviously, I can’t tell the future, but I do know if you stay here or go to France, the future that you dream of will never happen.

” There was nothing but honesty in his expression.

“You will always regret not following your heart on this, and if what you share with the earl is so earth-shattering, it deserves a chance.”

“I’m not sure about that.” Yet her heartbeat quickened. “It’s unorthodox, this asking a man to marry a woman. Am I brave enough for that?”

“You are plenty brave; always have been. Believe in yourself.” He smiled at her.

“Whoever said that life needs to follow a set of undisclosed and arbitrary rules? Clearly, the earl is frightened of his true feelings or of following his heart. He is practically crying out for you to come in and rescue him, set him on the correct path.”

“He does seem to need a bit of nudging.” Then worry came in to steal her newfound hope. She frowned again. “Doing this will cause scandal for certain. He’ll detest that.”

“What if he does? At best, he’ll finally admit to his feelings. And what great story isn’t based on a bit of scandal?” He held her by the shoulders. “Stop dithering, poppet. Go. He makes you happy, and I’ll wager you do the same for him. Fight for the man, for the future you want.”

“And what of Lady Sarah?”

“Does she love him?”

“I don’t think so. From what he’s hinted at, she loves someone else and is currently carrying that man’s child.”

“Ah, then it’s fate. If you can change Greystone’s mind, then everyone will be free to make their own choices.” He bussed her cheek. “Good luck. I’ll see you in a month or so.”

A panicky, excited feeling chased through her insides. Was she going to do this? “What about your work and clients?”

He shrugged. “If there is anything urgent, my assistant can take care of it, and you can smooth out the details.” With his hand, he made a shooing gesture. “Happy hunting. I hope you find yourself engaged by this evening.”

“Oh, Papa, you are so sweet. I will try to catch you at the docks and tell you what happened, and if it’s not good news, I’ll accompany you to France.”

“I’ll wait to board for as long as I can.” His grin was encouraging. “For what it’s worth, I believe Greystone is a good match for you.”

Tori had just exited her room as the longcase clock in the second-floor corridor chimed the four o’clock hour.

She’d see her father off, and Montague’s nuptial ceremony would begin in an hour, so she needed to puzzle out what she would say as well as hire a cab to even take her to…

oh good heavens. She didn’t know where he lived. It never came up in conversation.

As panic rose in a heated wave, the butler met her at the landing.

“Miss Amherst, there is an Inspector Cordelle from Bow Street here. He is waiting in the drawing room, but he wishes to speak with you most urgently and says he won’t go away until that happens.”

The panic grew in intensity. “Oh, dear.” I’m going to be late.

Yet there was no recourse, for apparently the man wouldn’t leave until they had a conversation.

“Very well.” How could she properly talk with this inspector in the very room where she’d made so many lovely memories with Montague? “I suppose I have to attend to him.”

“Do you want tea brought in?”

“Goodness, no. Time is of the essence just now, and I don’t want to give him more reason to linger.

” Already, it would be cutting things close.

Then she turned about and entered the drawing room, where a tall, thin man stood at one of the windows.

“Thank you for coming, Inspector. How might I help?”

“Good afternoon, Miss Amherst. I wish to speak with you about the night of Lord Dawson’s rout, but I was told your father is not home?”

“That is correct. He’s on business at the moment.” It wasn’t exactly a lie, but it wasn’t the full truth either.

“Very well.” The tall, thin man gestured to a sofa. “Please sit, and we’ll start straightaway.”

She nodded. “I don’t know what I can do to help, for I don’t know all that much about what happened the night of the rout.”

“We are quite thorough at Bow Street, and are questioning all the guests that were present. I’ve been told that you started your time in the drawing room with the others?”

“I did, yes.” Every moment she tarried here was another second she wasn’t on her way to Montague’s home. Would all she’d ever wanted be lost due to this ridiculous man?

“What happened after that?”

Tori shrugged. “I wasn’t feeling well, so left the drawing room to seek out a ladies retiring room.”

He frowned. “But you were unable to find it?”

“That’s correct. So instead, because I was a bit lightheaded, I entered the library and laid down on one of the sofas, hoping I would stop feeling so poorly.

” The lies tripped off her tongue with ease that should have been disturbing, but she didn’t give another thought to that either.

There were simply other things to worry about.

“I see.” The inspector’s expression was inscrutable, and Tori didn’t enjoy not knowing what he thought. “How is the Earl of Greystone involved?”

Oh, let me count the ways.

“In what?”

“The theft of a valuable diamond necklace from Lord Dawson’s study.”

She frowned. “He is not. As far as I know, but then if he was, why would he tell me?” She’d protect his name as much as she could, yet the minutes ticked by, and as they did, knots of anxiety pulled in her belly.”

The inspector narrowed his eyes. “Yet you’ve been seen in his company over the past few days. Surely, the two of you would have spoken about the events from the rout.”

Icy fingers of fear twisted down her spine. “How do you know that?”

“There are eagle-eyed observers around Town, Miss Amherst. Also, servants talk, and will give up critical information if enough coin is offered.”

Did her father know that? Perhaps they should sack the staff. That sort of betrayal couldn’t be tolerated. The panic in her chest grew more frantic. “Do you want the truth?”

“That is preferable.” From his perch in a nearby chair, he leaned closer, clearly thinking that she would admit to the theft.

Her heartbeat accelerated. “I’ve stupidly fallen in love with the earl.”

The inspector frowned. “Isn’t he due to marry soon?”

“Yes, in less than an hour, yet you’re here, bedeviling me with useless questions.” With a glance to the door, she sighed and then focused again on the inspector. “I need to get to him, to try to implore him to change his mind.”

Several seconds went by in silence. Then he spoke again. “I rather doubt that will happen. He’s an earl. He’s doing his duty by completing the nuptials his father arranged.”

I don’t accept that! “Stranger things have happened, Inspector, but I couldn’t bear wondering what could have been if I don’t try.”

He nodded. “While that is true, it has no bearing on the current interview. Where is your father?”

“I told you. He left earlier on business. Won’t be back in the country for a month.” Thank goodness for another truth.

“What happened to the necklace?”

She almost answered truthfully but caught herself. “How should I know? I’ve never seen it. No doubt Lord Dawson sold it or hid it to collect insurance money, if he acquired it through legal means”

“That is an interesting theory, but I suspect the necklace is in the wind.”

“It might be. Depending on the stones, it would fetch a king’s ransom.

That would go a long way for someone.” If she could send him off on a fool’s errand of poking into pawn shops, then he would leave her and her father alone.

Slowly, Tori rose to her feet. “If that will be all, Inspector? I truly need to crack on with my plans.”

“Very well.” He stood, but looked at her with concern and speculation. “If I may offer one suggestion?”

“Yes?” It was quite aggravating knowing that every moment prevented her from reaching her goal.

“If you are going to persuade the love of your life to leave off with his engagement at his nuptial ceremony, wear something more fetching than a typical day dress.” When he winked, she gawked. “When a woman is trying to entice a man away from his duty, she needs to at least look the part.”

“Oh.” She frowned as she glanced down at her boring day dress of navy cotton. “Perhaps you’re right.” More delays!

“And if you can change quickly, I’ll drive you to the earl’s home myself.”

That statement caused her jaw to drop. “Why would you do that?” A swath of hot guilt went through her from lying to him.

“Who can say?” He shrugged. “However, I know what it feels like to be in love, and quite desperate at that. I’m still madly in love with my wife, and if I can play a small part in your romance, why not? As long as you’ve told me the truth up until this point.”

“I have.” She nodded, but the heat in her cheeks blazed. It didn’t matter that her truth wasn’t the same as what the inspector wanted to hear. “Do you believe that I had nothing to do with the jewel theft?”

He grunted. “I wouldn’t say that. Frankly, I think you’re up to your neck in guilt, as is the earl, but since I can’t prove it and I have no direct evidence, there’s not much I can do.”

Well, there was that. It was a reprieve of sorts, and she didn’t take that lightly. “You’re a lovely man, Inspector.” With hurried steps, she gained the door. “Oh, and we need to stop by Hyde Park on the way.”

He frowned. “Whyever for?”

“I need to find a swan!” Then she rushed upstairs. Good Lord, all these delays might sink her chances! Will I be too late?

Only time would tell.