Dangerous in Diamonds - Madeline Hunter [100]
“Is that all?” he asked, not turning to see Edwards.
A pause, too long. “It is enough.”
Enough, but not all. For the second time in a week he was expected to accept half an explanation when he knew it was incomplete. Once again, however, it might be best to swallow his curiosity.
Probably Daphne was hearing the rest in the next room. Presumably Lady Hawkeswell already knew it. It would all come out in the end.
“You cannot challenge her husband,” he repeated. “That is out of the question.”
“I cannot allow him to take her back.”
Castleford returned to the sofa. He made himself comfortable. “This is what is called a conundrum, Edwards. I am very glad I almost never face them myself. I leave it to you to solve it. For me to help in any way would make me complicit, as you rightly noted.”
“Of course, sir. I understand. I wanted to spare you that awkwardness, and I would have if you had allowed it.”
Castleford yawned and let the entire matter pass while a view out the window distracted him for a few minutes.
“I read an interesting journal article while I was gone, Edwards. I brought it back, because I remembered how you often find news of America interesting. Remind me to give it to you.”
“That was thoughtful of you, Your Grace. I think I have little ability to enjoy it now, however.”
“This writer commented on how that land is so vast, and the immigration so large, that most people have little knowledge of their neighbors’ pasts. Nor is there any sound way to confirm whatever history might be claimed.” He looked at Edwards. “Your tailor might have been a criminal in Scotland, he wrote. The wife of the boot maker might have another husband in France. Can you imagine such a thing? The entire country is probably populated by charlatans.”
Edwards had the good sense to say nothing, but his gaze deepened.
“I will be sure to put the journal on your desk. Now, come with me. I may as well get some work out of you, as long as you disobeyed my directions and returned to town without permission.”
He led Edwards out through the drawing room, where Miss Johnson wept into Daphne’s lap. He ignored Daphne’s beseeching look in his direction and went out and up the stairs to his apartment. He sent the valets away and brought Edwards to the dressing room.
“Turn your back. If you see this, I will have to kill you,” he said.
Edwards turned away. Castleford opened a hidden panel in the back of a wardrobe and removed a purse heavy with gold coins.
“I need you to take this to the bank for me, to be put in my account. Take one of the carriages. It looks like it might rain.”
Edwards weighed the purse in his hand. He looked first confused, then astonished.
“I advise that you obey me immediately, Edwards. You do not want me more annoyed with you, due to your recent tendency to argue.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” His face flushed. He struggled with high emotion again. “If I may say, sir, I will always remember with fondness—that is, Tuesdays will be special days my whole life, I think.”
“I can’t imagine why, seeing as how I worked you like a slave on Tuesdays. Now, be off with you, and take care of that purse. I don’t want you telling me there has been another disaster. One a week is plenty for a secretary, don’t you think?”
Edwards bowed and turned on his heel. Castleford watched him go and experienced a touch of nostalgia. Then he went over and closed the wardrobe’s door.
Godspeed, Mr. Edwards.
Daphne rocked slowly. Her body absorbed and released his phallus with its movements. She braced herself above him, hands on his chest, and he caressed her breasts and made the arousal coil in her even more.
It was too beautiful, she thought. The pleasure and the poignancy. Too intimate, almost painfully so. She could not separate the sensations from the heartache or the sense of raw closeness. She could only submit to all of it and hope this mood did not herald more aches to come.
He drew her down to him and held her face to a