Chapter Twenty-Seven
V incent knew she was disappointed. He was, too. They were at the beginning, or the middle of the beginning, perhaps the second movement, of something extraordinary.
“As soon as the trial is over, we can resume our courtship. Let time and distance cause people to forget you are involved in this.”
“That seems as though it may take quite a long time and too much distance for my liking,” Brilliance said. “But I suppose you are not dreadfully bothered.”
“You misunderstand me then.” He crossed to her in three strides and took her in the circle of his arms. “I want you in my life more than ever. You have been my champion, and I am humbly grateful. But I cannot let my problem with Ambrose harm you in any way.”
“What about his wife?”
Vincent swallowed. Did she know about Lydia?
“What about her?” he asked.
“He said if you take your music away, then they will be impoverished. Unlike us, they live upon his earnings.”
Vincent made a face. “He’s throwing the hatchet at you.”
She frowned. “I beg your pardon.”
“Pulling the longbow,” he tried again.
Still, she looked perplexed.
“Brilliance, he is lying. He may not be titled, but his family is not impoverished. Moreover, he married into money. His wife had a large dowry as the only daughter in a family heavily invested in railroads and shipping.”
She broke out into a lopsided smile. “I like hearing my name from your mouth.”
His groin tightened.
“I’m sorry,” she added. “I didn’t hear anything after you said ‘Brilliance.’”
She wasn’t listening to him anymore, and he didn’t care. Sick of the sound of his own voice, he drew her to him. Some part of his brain recalled that her maid was in the room. Another part, that the door was open.
Lowering his mouth to hers, he kissed her, hoping to impart how much he cared for her and how important she was to him. As their lips fused, he would vow his blood boiled in his veins and his heart began a vibrato beat. How could he heat up so swiftly and his body be instantly aroused? All from a rather innocent kiss.
Wishing they were alone so it could become less innocent, he raised his head, watching her delphinium-blue eyes flutter open.
“I don’t want distance,” she protested.
“Nor do I. But Ambrose will not go quietly. Now that he thinks there is something between us, he will tell each and every journalist that they should be questioning you and your morals. The best course of action is not to speak to any of them. Let me handle this.”
He could see she was not happy.
“Why did you come here today?” she asked.
He had come to make sure she knew he wanted to court her properly. That he intended to be her sole and exclusive escort. Mostly, he didn’t want her accepting any invitations from Lord Redley or his ilk.
But could he ask her to wait?
Dammit all! In point of fact, he was the one who could not wait. In that instant, he decided to drop the legal action altogether if it meant Ambrose would go away and he could be with Brilliance.
Looking into her eyes, his head filled with Brilliance’s floral fragrance and her warmth under his hands, for he was still holding her, Vincent had an epiphany. With absolute clarity, he knew he wanted nothing more than for them to be joined in matrimony if she were willing. Every note he had played in his life had led to this moment, this crescendo of feeling.
Ready to drop to his knees and ask her for her hand, he would tell her to forget what he had just said. He would not give her up even for an instant.
“I came to tell you —”
“Bri, dear,” her mother said, entering the room before he could step away from Brilliance, before he could even remove his hands from her.
The Countess Diamond gave him a long look, during which he took the opportunity to release her daughter and take a few steps back.
“I knew you were here,” Lady Diamond said, “from Mr. Dunley.”
“I came to ask Lady Brilliance to go to a ball at week’s end, the one at the Earl and Countess Spencer’s home. It is rumored that the Queen may honor them with her presence. It’s a masquerade, by the way.”
“But I thought you said ...” Brilliance began.
“I was wrong. Why should we alter our lives because of that scoundrel?”
He didn’t have to tell her he was going to immediately drop the charges of plagiarism. She would protest because of her kind heart. Instead, he would simply send word to Ambrose.
Brilliance seemed to glow. “I am so relieved. And I look forward to having you escort me at week’s end.”
Lady Diamond watched this entire exchange. “Mr. Dunley informed me that we had an earlier visit from Mr. Castern. Is there anything amiss?”
“Lord Hewitt was ever so impressive, Mother. Mr. Castern was in the process of becoming belligerent, and then Lord Hewitt arrived and tossed him out.”
“Splendid,” Lady Diamond said. “Is the tea still hot?”
Vincent collected Brilliance from her home. She appeared in the foyer dressed head-to-toe in gold fabric with a tall flourishing headpiece and shimmering golden ribbons woven through her dark hair. Over her eyes was a gold satin mask.
“I should have asked you in advance what your costume was for I nearly didn’t recognize you.” He was lying. He would know her anywhere, even with a linen sack over her head. “You are a flame, I assume.”
“Oh, gracious!” She looked instantly despondent. “I was a flame until Mother said it was in poor taste, given the penchant for ladies’ dresses catching fire. Father said there are almost three thousand deaths a year around the world. I cannot credit it, but if he says so, then it must be true. Therefore, I declare I am the Sun.” Then she shook her head. “But everyone will think I am a flame. Will you wait, my lord?”
“Wait?” He didn’t understand. “For what?”
“For me. Of course you will since you came to escort me. Give me five ... no, truthfully ten minutes.” Before he could answer, she hurried for the stairs, giving him a tantalizing view of her ankles and sweet gold slippers. On the landing, he heard her call out, “Mother!”
Mr. Dunley nodded to him, neither particularly friendly, nor unfriendly, and then he left for the interior of the house and his other duties. Vincent folded his arms and strolled the foyer, back and forth. He took a moment to examine his appearance in the front hall looking glass. Tightly curled white wig, borrowed from a barrister friend, black velvet knee-length coat with brass buttons down its front and across the wide sleeves, a white lawn shirt with a plain high neck, black knee-length breeches, white hose, and black shoes with gold buckles. Perfectly ridiculous!
Another door opened along the hall, and the earl appeared.
“Who are you?” he asked.
“I am Lord Hewitt, my lord,” he said with a shallow bow. “Without my spectacles,” he added, then wished he hadn’t said anything so asinine.
“Are you? Good to see you.” And Lord Diamond stuck out his hand for a firm shake. “Fancy dress, I see.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“I hate costumes. Always uncomfortable, but my wife loved attending a fancy-dress ball. Undoubtedly, we would be going tonight if Brilliance weren’t. My countess wouldn’t want to outshine our daughter.”
Vincent didn’t know how to respond, as he would surely insult either one or the other of the ladies. He merely smiled.
Lord Diamond laughed. “You are a smart chap, except for that wig which probably itches like the devil.”
“It does,” Vincent confessed. “And my shoes are pinching.”
The earl laughed. “I bet they are. Where is Bri?”
“She went back upstairs to change.”
“Then you have time for a glass of brandy. Maybe two.” Lord Diamond turned and walked away.
Vincent trailed after him, soon finding himself ensconced in the man’s study.
“Have a seat.” The earl poured them each a glass and raised his in a toast. “To your health.”
“If I cared about my health, my lord, I would remove this infernal scratchy wig and these overly tight shoes.”
“But you love my daughter, so you will not only bear the pain but even dance in those shoes, thereby increasing it.”
“Yes, my lord.” A split second later, Vincent realized what he’d agreed to. “I mean ...” He ended with a sigh.
“That’s all right. I’ve been through this with three other chaps.” The earl took a long draught of his liquid. “That is good stuff. French gold.”
Vincent wasn’t ready to leave the topic of the woman he loved. “I haven’t told Lady Brilliance yet how I feel, but now that I know you know, I suppose I have your leave to declare my affection and ask for her hand.”
“You do.”
He wanted to say something reassuring so the earl would believe in his good intentions. “I was going to wait to speak with you after the legal matter was finished, but I have decided to drop the case.”
“The devil you say!” Lord Diamond exclaimed. “Why would you do that?”
“Ambrose Castern threatened your daughter’s reputation. I believe he will say anything to discredit her and throw doubt upon her testimony.”
“Is that so?”
Vincent nodded. “I am sorry I even brought her into this mess.”
“Brilliance is not the kind of person who lets herself be persuaded to do something she doesn’t wish to do. She is all heart and little head,” he mused. “I mean that in the best possible way. My youngest is a treasure. And she helped you because she believes in you.”
Vincent felt his heart twinge. He wasn’t even worthy of her. He had hurt her when she’d given him the gift of his music printed by the finest publisher in London. And now she might be hurt again unless he made Ambrose stop his threats.
“I have already sent Castern a message that I am not going to sue him.”
“Then my daughter is in good hands and has let her heart lead her to the right man. But if you hurt her,” the earl said calmly, not raising his voice, “I will destroy you.”
Vincent almost missed it. When he realized the import of the nobleman’s words, he looked directly into Lord Diamond’s eyes.
“I understand, and you need not worry about that, my lord.”
“Good. She should be ready soon. I hope you have an amusing evening.”
Realizing he had been dismissed, Vincent drained his glass and took his leave of Brilliance’s father.
In short order, Brilliance appeared at the top of the stairs wearing purple and gold silk pantaloons with a matching tunic and turban.
“Wearing one of my mother’s old costumes,” she said, “so I shall not offend anyone.”
Vincent thought her a colorful jewel. “You are a Persian lady, is that right?”
“Yes.” She clapped her hands. “My costume must be spot on for you to guess on the first try. I didn’t want to be one of those ancient queens or historical people because one can never tell who they are.” Then she looked him up and down and frowned.
“I confess,” he said, “I am one of those historical people. Would you care to speculate upon my identity?”
He turned in a circle.
“I have no idea,” Brilliance said solemnly. “Someone from the seventeenth century, I would warrant.”
“Indeed, you are correct. In my carriage, I have some sheet music with my character’s name written largely across it at one end and the name of one of his pieces. ‘Canon triplex a 6 vocibus’ written on the other end.” He stuck out one leg and, with a wave of his hand, gave an exaggerated bow. “I am Johann Sebastian Bach, dressed as he was famously painted in a portrait by Elias Gottlob Haussmann in 1746.”
“Bravo, my lord. But I fear you may have to display that sheet music more than once lest everyone assumes by your wig that you are a barrister ready to plead your case before the Lord Chancellor.”
Vincent laughed. “Either way, we shall have a good time. Is your maid ready for the carriage ride?”
“Belinda,” she called out, and the maid appeared, as all good staff did — instantly, silently, and ready to leave. She was even holding her lady’s black mantle, which she draped over Brilliance’s shoulders.
They departed in his carriage for the spectacle at Spencer House on St James’s Place. Brilliance looked so relaxed and happy, matching his own inner peace now that Lord Diamond had granted his blessing. Vincent thought if there was an opportune moment when they could be alone that evening, he would ask her to marry him.