Chapter 9
Nine
Two days later
Frederick arrived on a frigid day. Neel and Dinah had just returned from skating, the wooden shoes thrown over their shoulders as they came through the kitchen. The housekeeper met them in the hall.
“Lord Burstone has been shown to his room, my lord,” said Mrs. Hokum, her plump cheeks red, as if she’d also been outside. “Tea is being brought to the drawing room.”
“Thank you,” said Dinah, dropping the skates on a bench in the entry hall and handing off her mantle, bonnet, and gloves to a waiting maid. “We will be there shortly.”
They went to their bedchambers to change, and Cornelius found himself the first one in the drawing room. He poured himself a cup of tea and sat before the cheery fire, thinking about his wife.
It had been a splendid afternoon. The shallow pond had frozen easily, though there were already cracks along one edge.
But Mr. Franton had assured them he would continue to add water to keep the surface smooth enough until the actual pond froze over.
Dinah had enjoyed the exercise, and they’d found themselves teasing and laughing with one another.
Perhaps Jo was right. He should just tell Di and to the devil with the consequences.
This waiting, holding back, was not the way he conducted himself.
Frederick joined him, looking fit and in good cheer. “Good, you’re alone. I wanted to tell you what my father has me up to.”
Cornelius raised a brow and his cup. “Or a brandy?”
“Brandy, by all means.”
“You know I’ve been trying for decades to prove to the duke that I’m worthy to be his son.” He gave Neel a quick side-glance. “Though I gave up for those few years and kicked my heels a bit.”
“More than a bit,” added Neel, “but continue.”
“It doesn’t seem to matter what I do, either he’s not happy with my conduct, the results of some assignment, or I turn it into a hornet’s nest.” Burstone swiped a hand through his dark-blond hair. “He’s finally given me a reasonable task, though if I don’t succeed, he’ll ban me from the estate.”
“I’m interested,” said Cornelius, handing the marquess a glass of brandy and taking the other leather chair. “Why would he give you an easy task?”
Frederick shrugged. “Maybe he’s tired of proving his only living son is an imbecile. Anyway, do you remember the racehorse he wanted, the one the widow owns?”
“Didn’t she refuse to sell to him?”
“Yes, but now she’s sent out invitations for Christmas Day.
Some sort of challenge and the winner receives the prize.
I’m assuming that’s the horse. If I can bring home the beast, I’m in the old man’s good graces.
” Burstone looked like a boy who’d just caught the biggest fish. “I’ve always been excellent at games.”
“And by doing this, the relationship between the two of you will be sweet as honey?” Neel worried his friend could be sorely disappointed. Just because Frederick was lucky at the gaming tables didn’t mean this was a sure thing. “Just like that, the two of you will be a doting pair?”
“Pfft. Of course not. But he won’t hate me anymore. If we can maintain civility, I will pursue your sister when we’ve all returned to Town. If she’s willing.”
“Ah, a motivation for your madness,” said Neel. “I can’t guarantee she would be interested in you or any man. Some women enjoy the independence of being a widow. But you would have my blessing.”
Frederick nodded. “That’s enough for me.”
Dinner was a lively affair. Frederick shared inappropriate stories from their university days that Cornelius had never told Dinah. The laughter continued in the drawing room as the men drank brandy, and she sipped tea.
“Dinah,” prompted Neel, “tell Frederick about Percival’s Providence and his shop of curiosities.”
“Yes, my lady, please. May I see the quizzing glass?” he asked.
“Let me fetch it from the parlor. I believe that’s where I used it last.” But a maid appeared with fresh tea, and she was sent to collect it while Dinah relayed the story.
By the time the maid returned with the piece, Dinah had explained the meaning of the sapphires and how she had seen more clearly and vividly looking through them. “I don’t know if there’s something mystical about the glass or if I’ve only needed spectacles for too long but—”
“It’s a stunning piece,” said Burstone when the maid handed it to Dinah. She passed it to him for inspection.
“The beadwork along the edges is excellent,” he said, studying the work. “These gems are real. Is he a pawnbroker?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t think so. He traded a ring I was wearing for this.”
“Was the ring gold? Did it have a large stone?” he asked.
“No, it was a simple silver band with tiny diamonds set around it. It was of good quality but not a treasure by any means.”
“He’s not a pawnbroker then because he lost money on this transaction,” said Frederick. “The rubies. I know they represent love. So, do you think the jeweler was creating a love piece? Combining the meaning of both stones: the clarity of love, not being blinded by love, something of that nature?”
“Ah, Frederick, when did you become the philosophical sort?” quipped Cornelius. “But you have a point.”
“Mr. Peabody said that in ancient times, soldiers believed rubies gave them strength and protection. Some believed the stone made them invincible. The Romans thought the stone was warning them against danger if the gem lost its brilliance. During the Middle Ages, people wore rubies as a type of shield against evil or the plague.” Dinah paused. “I sound like an old tome.”
“No, this is interesting,” murmured Neel.
“I’m intrigued with the aspect of protection or warning.
” Had the piece protected Dinah by removing her mother’s ring and the negativity that went along with it?
He had to admit there had been a marked change in his wife since she’d found the glass.
Though he didn’t believe in magic or spells, thinking it all Banbury tales, he had to admit the jewelry had done more to bring back his Dinah than he’d been able to accomplish in almost two years.
She must be willing.
“Some people need a shield against intense ardor,” offered Frederick. “Or protection of the heart? That would go along with the alternate meaning of the ruby as a love stone.”
Dinah tipped her head, a finger tapping her lips. “Yes! Love can be confusing, and many don’t recognize it when it’s right in front of them. Or some fall in love too easily or are swayed by false charm.”
“So, we must learn to see what is authentic or true love and not be tricked by empty words and promises. The rubies assist in this by shielding the heart.” Cornelius slowly nodded. “I like this. The quizzing glass is a puzzle in itself.”
“Or we’ve turned it into one,” said Frederick. “But it’s been a wonderful diversion.”
“How about a game of Casino?” asked Neel.
“Splendid idea, and three can play,” agreed Frederick.
“I’ll get the cards.” Dinah rose and went to a side table to retrieve the deck and joined them at the card table. “I haven’t played this in ages. At most dinner parties, we play whist or Vingt-un. You may have to refresh my memory.”
Dinah mixed the cards and set them in the center for each to draw one.
The lowest draw was Frederick, so he dealt first, passing four cards face down to each player and six cards face up in the middle.
Dinah was to his left, so she began. She matched a four of clubs from her hand to a four of diamonds in the middle and captured that pile for her personal pile to be added at the end of the game.
Neel held a six of clubs, ace of hearts, two of diamonds, and a ten of diamonds. The middle now only held an eight of spades, a five of clubs, and a three of hearts. Neel placed his two on top of the eight in the middle. “Building ten,” he said, showing the ten matching from his hand.
Frederick shook his head and whistled softly. “I can’t match or build,” he said, adding a king of spades to the middle instead.
“Sure, lay down a card that has no value,” mumbled Neel, already thinking ahead to his next move. After another round, Frederick dealt out more cards. This time, Dinah couldn’t match but she added to Neel’s build with her own ten and captured another pile.
An hour later, they had gone through the deck of cards. Neel’s pile of cards to count was much smaller than his opponents. “I’m used to Burstone beating me, but my own wife?”
After counting the cards, it was determined Frederick was the winner. “A rematch tomorrow night,” demanded Neel with a grin. “We may even up the stakes and make a wager. Throw a shilling or two in the pot.”
“The more in the kitty, the luckier I am,” warned Frederick.
I’m the lucky one, Neel thought, watching his wife collect the cards.
And he was. For after they retired, he lay in bed, thinking of the day. A tattoo sounded lightly at the connecting door, and he smiled. “Come in.”
There was his beautiful wife, coming to him for the first time in their marriage.
She was dressed in a sheer night rail, the ties at her bosom left loose.
Her mass of sable waves spread over her shoulders as she walked toward him, a shy light in her eyes.
He had always taken the lead, and this new twist had him growing hard before she reached his bed.
Frederick could win coffers of gold for all Neel cared. He had Dinah. She was all the luck he needed.