Once Upon a Diamond (25 page)

Sniffing back her tears, she sat up and pulled out a
book of Shakespeare that Tristan had sent up from his library. In Massachusetts
her family had read by the fire for evening entertainment. Many of the readings
included excerpts from Shakespeare and the bible. One of Matthew’s favorites
was
The Taming of the Shrew
. She smiled to herself, knowing he’d enjoyed
the play at Drury Lane at her expense.

As a child he had teased her and called her a shrew. She
pretended that she didn’t like it, but she loved every minute of it.

Swallowing her pain, she fingered through the book. Her
eyes lit up when book had fallen open to a scene from the play.

She read the words out loud. “Fie, fie. Unknit that
threatening unkind brow, and dart not scornful glances from those eyes, to
wound thy lord...to wound thy lord...”

She couldn’t go on. She set the book down on the bed and
covered her face with her hands. “Oh, Matthew.”

“Thy king, thy governor."

Kate’s head jerked. “Matthew?” She threw her palms to
his burning face and gazed into his sunken blue eyes. He still burned with
fever, but he had spoken to her.

“Hurts,” he whispered hoarsely. “Must see Tristan.”

Kate reached for the laudanum. “Matthew, take this. It
will help.” She lifted the medicine to his lips, but he shook his head.

“Lancewood,” he mumbled.

Upset by his words, Kate put the laudanum down and
stared at her brother who had just exerted all his energy to call out for the
earl. Why did he want him? Tristan couldn’t do anything that she couldn’t do! Her
hands shook as she rang for the maid.

“You called, Miss Wilcox?” the maid whispered.

“Yes, please send his lordship up as soon as possible. Tell
him my brother has asked for him.”

A few minutes later Tristan appeared. “He called for
me?” 

Kate nodded.

“Does he still burn with fever?”

“Yes,” she said, her voice cool and clipped.

“Tristan,” her brother called. Then he glanced at his
sister. “Only him.” 

Tristan gestured for Kate to leave.

Kate pressed her lips together in anger. The two people
she loved most were throwing her out of the room. With a scowl, she picked up
her skirt and swept into the adjoining chambers, leaving the door slightly ajar.

A second later Tristan was striding toward her, his face
grim.

Her eyes narrowed. “What?” 

With a swift yank, he pulled the door closed. With a
groan, Kate fell onto the bed, throwing her face into her feather pillow.

His curiosity piqued, Tristan forced a smile as he sat
beside the ailing man and replaced a fresh cloth upon his head. “You are awake.
That’s good. Now, what’s this all about?” 

Matthew narrowed his eyes in concern. Sweat beaded about
his lips as he strained to talk. “Made a promise...”

Fifteen minutes later Tristan knocked on the adjoining
door, his heart heavy when he detected the pain in Kate’s eyes. “I gave him
some laudanum. He’ll sleep like a baby.” 

She lifted her chin. “Why did he need
you
?”

Guilt pricked Tristan’s conscience. “That’s between us. Right
now I must attend to some urgent business. Ring for the servants if you need
anything. I’ll return in a few hours.” 

He paused and glanced back at Matthew. The man’s words
ran over and over in his mind.
I promised my father she would be married. She
loves you. Please, marry her. Promise me.

“He loves you, Kate,” Tristan whispered.

Kate leaned against the doorframe, her face taut with
worry. “I know, and I love him. He’s always been strong for me. It’s hard to
see him like this. He has so much to live for.”

Tristan’s fingers curled into his palms. He assured
himself he was doing the proper thing. Yet he could not tell Kate of his
promise to Matthew…at least until the vicar arrived tomorrow.

For Matthew’s sake, Tristan hoped she’d hide her intense
rage and marry him. He couldn’t admit his feelings to her now. If he did, she
might believe he was marrying her out of pity.

His expression grew hard. Confound it. When he left
here, he would obtain a special license to marry. And in twenty-four hours, he
would most likely gain a bride and lose a brother-in-law.

T
he morning sun
filtered through the tall windows of the Lancewood bedchamber as Kate, clad in
her dressing gown with her blond hair hanging free to her waist, took in her
brother’s pale appearance. Her brows puckered with worry when she touched his
forehead. Though his color seemed improved, his fever had not yet broken.

“Kate.” Matthew’s voice was a ragged gasp.

She fought back her frown. “Are you in pain?”

“Wear white gown,” he whispered. “Please.”

“Now? In the morning?” she asked, squeezing her
brother’s hand. He wanted her to wear her gown, the fancy one with the French
lace? The one he bought for her last year? 

The fever must have taken a toll on him, and now he was
delirious. Yet it was rather odd that her gown had been sent to Tristan’s
townhouse late last night.

Was the duchess wanting her to go to a ball? But she
must know that Kate would refuse to leave her brother.

Still, Aunt Georgiana didn’t like it above half that
Kate was residing in a bachelor’s home. Kate pointed out that it was acceptable
as long as Tristan’s mother lived in the same house. Though Kate wasn’t about
to say that she had seen hide nor hair of the lady since Matthew’s confinement.

Glancing back at Matthew, Kate managed a half-hearted
smile. If he wanted her to wear the gown, she would do as he wished. Perhaps
wearing it would bring back good memories of home and he would recover faster.

Trying to settle his nerves, Tristan paced restlessly
about the drawing room as he waited for the vicar to arrive.

Dressed in his black evening attire and snowy white
cravat, Tristan had been up for hours, wondering how he should tell Kate about
her brother’s plans. They had barely seen each other the past few days. She ate
in the bedchambers beside her brother, he, downstairs.

In fact, Kate had scarcely left the adjoining rooms
since Matthew had been shot. Tristan supposed it also had something to do with
his mother, who was now keeping to her chambers as well. What a devil of a
mess.

The wedding would be performed in Matthew’s bedchambers
so the man could be in attendance. It was an unusual request for a marriage
ceremony, but under the circumstances, the vicar had agreed. Matthew’s promise
to his father would then be fulfilled.

The drawing room doors opened and Tristan glanced up.

“Going somewhere?” Edward asked, his eyes dancing with
amusement as he surveyed Tristan’s neat attire.

“To a wedding.”

“Ah, a wedding?” Edward’s boots brushed across the rug. “Someone
I know?”

Tristan fell into the wing chair beside the hearth, his
hands steepled at the bridge of his nose. “I believe so.”

Edward stuffed his hands in the pockets of his waistcoat
and grinned. “Not, Devin. He would have told me.”

Tristan looked at his brother who had flung himself on
the sofa, looking quite confused. “No, not Devin.”

“A hint then?”

Tristan rose from his seat. His wedding day was supposed
to be one of joy and celebration. Though he wanted Kate as a wife, he was not
eager to force her. “I have a special license and you are to be one of the
witnesses. Now, can you comprehend?” 

Edward shot from his seat, glaring at Tristan as if he
had two heads. “You cannot be serious. Matthew’s on his deathbed. By Jove! It’s
not proper!”

“Proper?”
Tristan said with a wry chuckle. “Matthew
is
the very reason we are
going to be married today. The man insisted he wanted his sister to be my wife.
He made a promise to his father to have her wed before he died.”

“I see. And how does she feel about this?”

 “She doesn’t know.”

“So you haven’t told her.” Edward rubbed his fingers
across his temples. “Jupiter. She’ll have your head on a platter if you do this
to her.”

Tristan straightened his jacket, feeling the villain
every passing second. “I don’t have much choice. Her brother’s going to die. The
man made a promise to his father. And I made a promise to Matthew. You know as
well as I do that Kate has no wish for pity. She’s too independent. I don’t
know if she’d marry me after her brother’s death. And, well, hell, I want
her."

Edward glared back. “What a dandy reason. You want her. So
when is this glorious event going to take place?”

“A few minutes. As soon as the vicar arrives. I received
special permission to have the wedding here.”

Edward slapped the sofa with his fist. “Oh, ho! A few minutes?
Special permission indeed. You must have talked to the Archbishop himself!”

Tristan ignored his brother’s outburst. “After we’re
married, I’d rather you didn’t say a word to anyone, not even Mother. My future
wife can handle only so much.”

“I should say so," Edward shot back. “You better
hope Mother decides to stay in her room or she’ll box your ears for leaving her
out of this.”

Tristan shrugged. Right now, all that mattered was Kate.

Kate dressed in her white gown, sweeping her hair into a
crown of curls, anything to make Matthew happy, she told herself. She even went
as far as to splash a bit of lavender behind her ears. She gazed out the window
onto the busy London street and caught sight of the vicar walking toward the
townhouse. How kind of the man to come and offer prayers for her brother.

She glanced at Matthew. Twinkling blue eyes met hers and
she smiled back, believing his cheery disposition was worth all the trouble of
wearing her fancy gown in the middle of the afternoon. He seemed to be
improving.

“Do you mind if the vicar comes up for a few minutes?”
she asked.

Matthew glanced at Kate with an admiration that made her
heart swell with love. He drank a bit of water for her, then tried to speak. “Kate,
marry Tristan.”

Kate broke into a tremulous smile. Of all the insane
things to say. “Perhaps someday. But I don’t know.” She held his hand, wiping
his face with the wet rag. He was still hot.

“Let me give you some laudanum. It will ease the pain.”

Matthew vehemently shook his head. “No.”

She stared back in amazement. “Very well." 

The door creaked open, and she turned her head to see Tristan.

Her gaze narrowed as she appraised his black silk coat
and matching breeches. He held a bouquet of roses. She let out a giggle as she sprung
from her seat, fighting the overwhelming need to be close to him.

“Did my brother ask you to dress up as well? He does
have a sense of humor, even when he’s ill.” But Tristan’s cool green eyes made
her stiffen in alarm. He walked toward her, placing a gentle hand on her
shoulders as he handed her the flowers.

“What?” she asked anxiously, twisting toward Matthew who
exchanged glances with her and then Tristan. A sick sensation gripped the pit
of her stomach. “What are you two up to?” 

She smacked her lips in fear, feeling the bile rise to
her throat.

“Kate, your brother wants us to get married.” 

Kate’s body tingled from his touch. “Is that all?” She stared
at the beautiful roses and sighed in relief. “Thank you for these. But you must
know that Matthew can be pushy at times. It must be his fever. But I believe he
is improving.”

“Kate, Matthew insisted on us marrying today.” 

“Today?” The reality of the situation slapped her in the
face. She shot Tristan a hostile glare. “That’s…that’s insane!”

“It was Matthew’s wish to see you married to me, here in
my bedchambers. He promised your father. If he died before you married, he will
not have done his duty.”

If he died before you married.

Kate dropped into the chair beside Matthew. No, Matthew
could not die. But what if he did? Would he die in peace? She looked at her
brother who had conveniently closed his eyes. Her heart sank like a stone in
water.
Tristan didn’t love her.

“Matthew,” she implored.

He finally opened his blue eyes and acknowledged Tristan’s
words with a simple nod.

Kate slumped. She could not believe what Matthew was
doing. So this was the reason he wanted her to dress in her fancy gown. For her
wedding day. But he wasn’t her father. She didn’t have to obey him. But how
could she say no to him while he lay dying on Tristan’s bed?

Silence filled the room.

Kate realized she would not be able to live with herself
if Matthew died unhappy. She stroked her palms along the arms of her chair and
worried her bottom lip.

“Very well, Matthew, if this is what you wish.” 

She raised an icy glare toward Tristan who could have
told her of his intentions last night after he had spoken with her brother. How
pitiful. Tristan felt guilty about the entire incident. He had even brought her
roses! And though he had asked her to marry him before, now, with that blasted
honor, he felt he must marry her.

She turned toward Edward as he entered the room followed
by the vicar. Tristan called the housekeeper Mrs. O’Hara to act as another
witness, conveying to her that she must keep the wedding a secret.

Kate’s eyes blurred as the vicar rushed through the
wedding ceremony. When it was over, Mrs. O’Hara offered her felicitations and retreated
from the room. The vicar did likewise and departed. It all seemed like a dream.

Edward kissed her on the cheek and shook his brother’s
hand. “I hope you two will be very happy.” Giving Matthew a pitied look, Edward
walked out, closing the door behind him.

Kate blinked. Her body was numb. Her soul ached for Tristan’s
love. She had married the man she loved, but he didn’t love her. She had done
something she vowed she would never do. Oh, he wanted her as a wife. He was
fulfilling one of his many quests, and she happened to be one of them.

Now, all he had to do was find that diamond and his life
would be complete. But not hers.

She vaguely heard Tristan say something. He pressed a chaste
kiss upon her forehead and departed.

Kate
pressed her hand over her wedding dress and stared at the roses resting on the
side table. Her throat grew thick with emotion. Drawing in a shuddering breath,
she lifted her gaze to the door where her husband had just departed. A
heaviness centered in her chest making it hard to breathe.
He didn’t love
her.

No
matter how much she fought the pain, hot, stinging tears slowly made their way
down her cheeks.

Cringing
with guilt, Tristan sought out Kate during the middle of the night. As he’d
assumed, she had fallen asleep in the chair beside her brother. Moonlight
streamed through the windows shining against her wedding gown that she still
wore. The upper part of her body was sprawled on the bed as she held tight to
Matthew’s hand.

His wife.
His
blood stirred at the thought.

He
had hoped to have supper with her, but his meeting in Whitehall had been urgent.
Things had gone from bad to worse.

A
letter demanding money for the return of the diamond had been delivered to Headquarters
that very afternoon. England was being blackmailed. But the British government
wasn’t about to pay a single guinea to any enemy of the Crown. But something
had to be done.

There
was to be another letter, listing the time and place for the exchange. Everyone’s
thoughts were focused on Napoleon sympathizers. But Lord Douberry and Gaston
were still suspects as were a few other gentlemen of the ton. Nothing was
certain.

Kate
let out a small sigh just as Tristan moved to gather her into his arms. His
heart ached for her. But he was aware she might never forgive him for the wedding
ceremony.

How
had his life become so complicated? 

His heart pounded in his ears as he strode into her room
and stripped her to her chemise. Her body was soft and white, a delicate
balance of vulnerability and spirit.

He swallowed tightly and tucked her into bed, kissing
her forehead. When would she be his? “Sweet dreams, sweetheart.” 

He closed the door behind him and strode to Matthew’s
bedside to keep vigil. Perhaps this man would live.

In the morning, Tristan wasn’t at all surprised to find
himself slouched in the wing chair again. He stretched his aching legs across
the end of Matthew’s bed and slowly turned his head to the footsteps clapping
down the hall.

It was the maid entering with the breakfast tray. “Anything
else, your lordship?” 

Tristan glanced to the adjoining bedchambers and guessed
that Kate would sleep all morning. “Keep Miss Wilcox’s breakfast for her
downstairs. She can ring for it later.”

“Very well, my lord.” The maid left, closing the door
behind her.

Tristan pondered the words,
Miss Wilcox
. Kate was
no longer Miss Wilcox, she was a countess now - the Countess of Lancewood. Lady
Lancewood. He hoped to keep the wedding quiet until Matthew’s situation passed
on, one way or another. At the moment, they didn’t need any more excitement.