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“Surprises are foolish things. The pleasure is not enhanced, and the inconvenience is often considerable.”

—Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility

F rom the corners of his eyes, Peregrine watched the expressions of people who were busier watching him and Charity than they were the visiting delegation.

There was going to be a firestorm of gossip to rival their Vauxhall appearance tomorrow.

And down the line, he could see that her parents could barely hide their dismay.

The Royal Chamberlain rapped his wooden staff on the floor, shushing the crowd, and announced in a ringing tone, “His Imperial Majesty, Alexander the First, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias!”

Tsar Alexander strode into the room, tall and striking beneath the chandeliers' gleam, his pale blue uniform ablaze with medals. His eyes swept the chamber before alighting upon England’s ruling regent and queen, cooly assessing both people and the opulence of the room.

Charity and Peregrine bobbed their heads as he passed before them, and then turned their attention back to the door.

A second fanfare, more restrained, heralded the entrance of Frederick William III, the King of Prussia. Where the Tsar’s stride had been commanding, Frederick’s was more hesitant.

One by one the chamberlain proceeded, working his way through princes, military generals, political leaders, and aides.

Peregrine could almost hear Charity make note of each person’s appearance as they passed, particularly those with whom she would be expected to speak.

He, however, was paying less attention to the names and faces, and more to the unspoken language their bodies conveyed.

Tsar Alexander was making jealous comparisons between his possessions and England’s. The King of Prussia was trying to make himself look like he was the equal of Russia and England, but his posture showed the truth. And so on.

Charity was hoping someone would reveal their alliance with Marian Fitzroy practically the moment they presented themselves to the Crown. But if his mother was in hiding, it would never be so easy.

He watched the woman beside him as much as he observed the others. Charity kept her gaze forward, marking the Queen’s expression with each sovereign. Whom did Queen Charlotte respect? Who elicited faint frowns? She studied them to avoid looking in the direction of her parents at all.

And as the ladies of the courts began to filter in, his interest in watching anyone besides Charity began to wane. His attention drifted until Charity stiffened beside him, causing him to look up.

Pale blonde hair, twisted into an elaborate knot, and held in place with pearl encrusted combs. A young face. A familiar face .

Lark?

His sister walked past the pair of them, her head held high, with the ladies of the Russian court.

It was so unexpected, he was frozen stiff and didn’t notice the woman stepping out of line to approach them. Not until she was already upon them, with a false smile on her lips and the monster watching from behind her eyes.

“Peregrine, love, how well you’re looking!” Marian murmured, pressing a cold kiss to his unresisting cheek. “How fortunate we arrived in time to wish you a happy birthday.”

Dear Gentle Reader - do not despair! This story continues in Radiance and Revenge, book 3 of the Diamond of the Ton Regency Mysteries.

A royal threat. A dangerous love. A feud that refuses to die.

After enduring the court’s suspicion, Lord Peregrine Fitzroy has finally earned back his standing, and Charity’s heart. But the arrival of her family in London threatens to reopen old wounds and reignite a bitter feud that once made their love impossible.

Charity, Duchess Atholl, is ready to stand beside the man who was once her enemy.

Yet just as they begin to build a future together, foreign royals descend on London with secrets, schemes, and ties to a powerful adversary thought to be in hiding.

Determined to uncover who is harbouring their most dangerous enemy, the couple is drawn into a tangled web of espionage, revenge, and political sabotage. .

As whispers swirl of a plot to upend the royal succession, Peregrine and Charity must outwit an opponent who knows exactly how to strike where it hurts most. Loyalties will be tested. One misstep could cost them their love, their lives… or the crown itself.