Dangerous in Diamonds - Madeline Hunter [72]
The footman’s gaze rose from its discreet focus on the floor. She had surprised him. She hoped he would not ask for any proof that she had Lord Sebastian’s permission to use the carriage thus, because she did not. If Sebastian and Audrianna knew what was at stake, she was sure that they would not stand in her way, however.
“May I ask how many days, Mrs. Joyes? The coachman will want to know.”
“A week perhaps.”
His eyebrows rose slightly. “Will you be requiring an escort?”
She could probably use one, although it might only be awkward. “The coachman’s services will suffice.”
“I will ask the under butler, Mrs. Joyes.”
He left, and she returned to packing. If she were refused the carriage, she would just have to take the stagecoach.
She opened the dressing table’s drawer and paused when her gaze fell on the earrings that Castleford had given her.
She held them to her ears and bent to see them in the looking glass. What had he really thought as he looked at her wearing them, and nothing else? That she was the most expensive mistress he had never had? That she teased him because she was cruel or to obtain such gifts? That she had been a fool to give herself to Becksbridge for anything less?
He had not treated her as if he thought any of those things. Oh, he had a game of seduction afoot, that was undeniable, but twice now he had shown uncommon decency in how he played it.
His questions about her marriage echoed in her head. She was not convinced he would let it rest there, even if he thoroughly seduced her now. Not unless she was out of sight and, eventually, out of his mind. He was not known for any constancy, and a week should discourage him.
She went to her little writing table and dipped the pen. She did not write to Castleford. Instead she penned a note to Lord Sebastian and Audrianna, to leave in the drawer, asking them to put the ear bobs in safekeeping, should they return and chance upon them. Once she finished her journey, she would hand them back to their rightful owner.
Chapter Fifteen
Two days later, Castleford took pains in replotting the final chapter in “The Seduction of Daphne Joyes,” well aware that by now the story should be in its epilogue, at least.
He even went about town himself to do it.
He called at the jewelers again. Phillip all but kissed his feet as he left with another little box in his hands.
He stopped at a flower shop and personally chose the blooms to be delivered to his house.
He kept an appointment with a famed musician, bought him very expensive wine, and after some small talk offered him a ridiculous sum to play his violin that evening on the garden terrace.
Prior to going to Park Lane to call on Daphne and lure her away, he rode to Brooks’s. He needed to make quick use of their library to jot a note.
No sooner had he entered than three men sitting together near the window hailed him and called him over like old friends too long parted.
He recognized them as Sir Marcus Valmare, his son Cato Valmare, and Mr. Jeoffrey Drumblewhite. The last was a gentleman from Hampshire known to dabble in more trade than was truly acceptable. Commercial interests were a late development in his life, and there had been talk of severing his membership in the club because of it.
“Castleford, you look well.” Sir Marcus effused so loudly that he might be speaking to an old, deaf relative. A beefy, tall bear of a fellow, he owned a florid face and a good head of white hair that he kept long and wavy, as if to rub it in the noses of his balding contemporaries. “Doesn’t he look well, Drumblewhite?”
“Most well. Most well.” Drumblewhite was one of the balding ones, with a slight build and squinting eyes. He sounded like he spoke through his nose.
“Sit, sit,” Sir Marcus insisted. “It has been too long.”
It had been forever, but Castleford was in too good a mood to make a fine point of it. “I have something I must do. Perhaps another time.”
“Ohhh, siiittt, Your Grace. Pass a few minutes with an old friend,” Sir Marcus cajoled with a big