Abbott was getting red in the face. This is the welcome I get? This is how my daughter greets me?
Why, no. She will greet you at the ball, of course. Shell look as fine as fivepence in the diamonds, too. The real ones given to her in her mothers will. You did bring them, didnt you?
Abbott handed over a velvet pouch. Daniel let the jewels slide through his fingers once before smiling at the man hed left standing. Something about Daniels smile made Abbott natter about keeping them safe. Girls can be flighty, dont you know.
Not his sister, it seemed, not Corie. Excellent. Ill see you in a few days, then. He stood, knowing that his height alone would intimidate the smaller man. Oh, and youll keep away from Corie until the ball. I expect you to be proud father, nothing else. Do you understand?
Abbott understood he had no choice, and was furious. You know youre getting used goods. You saw it yourself back at that inn. What, did the Jezebel trap you, too?
Daniel kept his temper, but just barely, for Cories sake. She hated physical violence and he already had a black eye. He took a deep breath, thought of her naked, and smiled. With her loveliness. But you should be glad I am taking her off your hands if you feel that way about it.
Now a crafty look came over Abbotts beady eyes. Im not sure she couldnt do better, with Lady Royce backing her. A baronetcy, at least.
If Abbott thought hed get a better settlement, he hadnt met the familys solicitor. Daniel changed the subject. Are congratulations in order for you, too? We heard rumors of a match with a certain widow.
Abbott scowled. Some busybody said something to turn her away from me. The jade wont let me near her. You wouldnt know anything about that, would you?
My mother might, or Lady Royce. Neither of which was an outright faradiddle.
No matter. I still aim to get me a young wife and a son, so dont you go thinking youre getting any heiress. The wench was always a disappointment to me. He sneered at Daniel. Not even a knighthood. Well, you two deserve each other.
Let us shake on that, Daniel said, holding his hand out.
Abbott winced when they shook.
Sorry about that. Sometimes I dont know my own strength.
Daniel was sorrier he didnt hear any bones crunch; Corie hated violence.
The next arrivals were his cousins, Harry and Rex. While the ladies exclaimed over Rexs twin infants and Harrys wifes increasingly evident condition, Daniel related news from Oxford about the counterfeiters.
The government inspectors had, as expected, not found much, but Harrisons men, Harrys old spy network, were more successful. Having far fewer scruples than glorified bank clerks, they looked in windows, broke into houses, bribed informants. No one found Snelling, but they did discover one of his holdings was a wallpaper manufactory.
I thought the stuff was painted, Rex said.
The coverings put on earls walls are, most likely, Daniel answered with a laugh. We lesser folks buy printed wallpaper. Sometimes the details are hand-colored after the designs are printed out on rolling presses. Snellings wife does the artwork. Word is, she could have been an artist of note, like her brother, but Snelling decided a viscountess ought to stick to dabbling with her watercolors like a proper lady, not go into trade.
Harry whistled. So instead of showing her work at galleries and museums, she almost destroyed the British banking system.
Unfortunately, with all the government men asking questions and Chimkin closing his bank, Lady Snelling had warning. By the time the men got to the printing plant, the woman and the press foreman had blown it up. A great fire it was, too, according to the locals, what with all the stores of paper. Lady Snelling and her loveralso according to the nearby villagersfled together while the workers tried to save their lives and their jobs. The wooden presses were destroyed, but the metal engraving plates were not.
Weve got the evidence, on its way to London under guard, so the bunch of them are out of business. And I doubt theyll get far, with every port or road being watched.
Rex and Harry slapped his back, congratulating Daniel.
Shes a beauty, isnt she? And a true lady.
Both men laughed. Not the female, old son, although Miss Abbott is a prize indeed. But this new talent of yours is amazing, too. Does your lady mind your sensitive fingers?
Hell, no, Daniel said, then blushed, which had Englands brilliant former spymaster almost falling off his seat and the countrys most promising legal mind spilling his brandy laughing.
The females would be doing nothing but cooing over babies and making wedding plans for hours, so the earls two sons, one legitimate, one not, took Daniel out to see what he could do. They went to banks and art galleries and jewelers and gambling dens to test his touch. Neither of the others could tell a glass ruby from a real one, even when Daniel told them which was which. So they went to look at the new house, then to several pubs, to see who could tell if the wine was watered. As Rex told Daniel, he might as well stay gone, because Lady Royce was such a high stickler that Danield be lucky to be in the same room with his beloved before parsons noose was firmly around his neck.
So Daniel had to explain the circumstances of the betrothal, and some of Cories history, so theyd help keep a watch on her father. Later he had to explain it again to his uncle, the Earl of Royce, too. After all, the earl would know the truth as soon as the engagement was mentioned. Lies were sour notes in his head.
Reconciled with his beloved wife after a long separation, Lord Royce was happier and healthier than hed felt in decades. He wished such joy for Daniel, and pledged his support, even if it meant dealing with that reprobate Abbott. Well celebrate the engagement and worry about the wedding later, all right?
Knowing his uncle Royces reverence for honesty, Daniel was relieved. He was proud, too, when his uncle told him how pleased he was that Daniel finally found a use for the family gift. Between the banking establishments and the art world, Daniel had enough work to last a lifetime, without rashes.
And now he had the chance to bring more little Royce-Stamfields to life, the earl applauded, and who knew what ways they could find to serve their country and their fellow men?
Thinking of babies, Daniel went to find his goddaughter in the nursery. She and her twin brother were surrounded by women, so he stood outside the door, listening. They were all laughing and cooing and getting acquainted, Corie right in the middle, with one of the infants in her arms.
Later his aunt Royce privately declared Miss Abbott just what he needed, which was high praise indeed. The countess never heeded gossip, and never liked mealymouthed females who did not fight for their rights. She liked Miss Corisande Abbott very well. That was why she was moving Cories room closer to her own, to protect the dear girls reputation.
And if that manCories fatherdared to make trouble, Lady Royce would comb his hair with a foot-stool.
Between the cousins, the bank business, and the babies, Daniel and Corie had no time alone. That vast empty house on Layton Square was looking better and better in his eyes. Family was all well and good, and he was glad they approved of his choice of bride, but he wished theyd go home soon, so he could get on with his courtship. Hell, with the wedding. One taste of Cories lips, of her enchanting body, left him wanting more, and soon. He never had been a patient man. Besides, Rex and Harry kept laughing at him, so he took them on at Gentleman Jacksons Boxing Parlour. Rex was the finest marksman, Harry could defeat anyone in a fencing match, but Daniel could box.
So they were all in the females black books, with their black eyes and swollen lips and empurpled jaws, just in time for Susannas come-out ball.
Chapter Thirty-one
T
he receiving line for the affair could have filled a small ballroom on its own. The earl and the countess stood at the head of the line, of course. It was their home, after all. Then came Daniels family, since Lady Cora was throwing the party in her daughters honor and had issued the invitations. Daniel insisted on having Corie at his side, what with her father coming, so Susanna claimed she could have Barnaby Choate at hers. Rex and Amanda, Harry, and Simone also joined the welcoming party, to show their support and greet old friends and accept congratulations on their own good news. Lord Trowbridge hovered nearby, and Lord Morgan and Miss Reynolds sat on chairs just inside the entry.
Squire Abbott was one of the first to arrive. Daniel could feel Corie tense beside him, then start trembling. He quickly touched her, behind her skirts. Startled, she turned to him, away from her glowering parent. When Abbott would have taken her hand to pull her aside, Daniel stepped forward.
She was gorgeous, in a blue gown selected, his mother swore, to match Daniels eyes. It matched Lady Coras eyes, too, and Susannas, and those of all the other men on the receiving line except Barnaby, whose eyes were brown. Everyone commented on what a handsome family they were.
Daniel thought Corie was the most beautiful of all, especially with her hair done in curls trailing blue ribbons, and diamonds at her throat. Real diamonds. She touched them, in anxiety.
Lovely, arent they? Daniel prompted his prospective father-in-law. But not as lovely as your daughter.
The man made a
hrumph
ing sound. I would speak with you, girl.
We cannot leave the receiving line, Daniel said, including himself in whatever conversation Abbott wanted with Corie. My mother would flay us alive, then toss us to Lady Royce.
Later, the squire grumbled, ready to pass to the next in line.
Corie stopped him. Are you happy for me, Father?
Is this what you want? Abbott did not look at the loving family closing ranks around Corie, the elegant house, the renowned guests. He just looked at Daniel, the largest man there, the one whose neckcloth was askew from playing with the babies and who had dog hair on his coat and a bruise on his cheek that no cosmetics could cover. This shabrag of a poor relation to an earl?
Before Daniel could protest, or his mother, or the earl, Corie spoke out, clearly, loudly, with no tremor: Yes. This is what I want. Daniel Stamfield is the man I want to wed.
Then I am happy for you, I suppose.
Daniel raised his hand to scratch the back of his neck, but he took Cories hand instead and brought it to his lips. He kissed her fingers, glove and all, then held his hand out to Abbott. Again, he shook the older mans hand, a bit too hard. Sorry. He scratched his neck again.
After what seemed like hours, Lady Cora ordered the hired orchestra to begin the dancing. Lady Royce stayed behind to welcome latecomers, but the rest joined the hordes in the ballroom. By numbers alone, Susannas ball was a success, with few invitations not accepted. No one wanted to miss the latest Stamfield set-to. Surely there would be one.
Daniel led off the cotillion with his sister. The earl followed with Corie, setting his seal of approval on the match. Daniel heard whispers and sighs, but he was concentrating on his steps, on Corie behind him, on Abbotts location, on Trowbridge dancing with his mother, the viscounts first dance out of mourning. So what if he was a few months early?
Harrys wife, Simone, added her mite to the next mornings
on-dit
columns, gracefully tripping down the line, or as gracefully as she could, with her babe due to be born soon.
Lord Morgan and Miss Reynolds even took their turn on the polished wood floor. He wheezed a bit at the end, but seemed pleased with himself and his partner. The two younger men, Haversmith and Choate, danced with less-favored young misses, and without any prompting from Lady Cora that Daniel could see. They were good lads, both of them.
Then it was time for his dance with Corie, a waltz. Either Susanna had finally been given permission to dance the suggestive steps, or she did not care anymore, for she took Barny Choate by the arm and led him to the floor. They must have had a lot of practice, for they performed admirably. Choate was a better dancer than Daniel. Hell, everyone was a better dancer than Daniel, but he held the world in his arms, the world and the sun and the moon and everything good. He kept waltzing, watching Cories eyes smile at him, even when the music stopped.
It was time for the announcements.
Past time, if you ask me, he heard one starchy matron comment. If he held her any closer, wed have to throw a bucket of water on them, like we do with the cats in season.
The family gathered in front of the raised orchestra stage, and someone dragged Abbott forward while servants wove through the crowds with trays of champagne glasses. First Lord Royce welcomed everyone to his home, to help rejoice on this festive occasion, his nieces presentation. They all sipped a toast to Susanna, who blushed adorably.
Then the earl bowed toward Cories father.
