‘Because our grandmother, the woman who should be protecting us, is constantly doing things that put us in jeopardy. She steals things that do not belong to her and sells them without a thought to the consequences. If it did not bother her that the diamonds were false, it is because she was the one who took them.’
‘Or perhaps it is because they were false when she received them, on her wedding day. And false for Great-Grandmother as well,’ Charity said, unperturbed. ‘Either she does not know that they are paste, or she has always known and has grown used to the idea. It does not matter, either way.’
‘It matters immensely,’ Hope snapped. ‘It matters because we will be lying if we give false stones to Miles Comstock and present them as real.’
‘We are not going to give him anything,’ Charity said. ‘They are already his. And it is quite possible that his auditor will know even less about diamonds than we do. He will open the case to see that all the spaces are filled, write it in his ledger, then lock them away again.’
‘But when they are worn, everyone will discover they are false,’ Hope said, horrified.
‘No one has noticed as yet,’ Charity reminded her.
‘Because our grandmother is such a persuasive liar,’ Hope said with disgust.
‘Or ignorant of the truth,’ Charity reminded her. ‘It is possible, you know.’
‘But unlikely,’ Hope said.
‘You, on the other hand, will definitely know. You are also a terrible liar,’ Charity declared. ‘This is why you are convinced that disaster is imminent. Because, as you have proven in the past twenty-four hours, you are physically incapable of keeping a secret.’
‘Even if I can persuade Mr Drake to make another offer, I will have to rusticate until the wedding,’ she said, closing her eyes in resignation. ‘I cannot face anyone in this condition.’
‘Fallen from grace?’ Charity threw her hand across her face and collapsed on the bed in a mock swoon. She sat up immediately, as composed as ever. ‘Stop being so dramatic and look in the mirror.’
‘I do not wish to,’ Hope replied.
‘You cannot avoid it indefinitely. Look at yourself.’
Hope allowed one more moment of hesitation, then turned suddenly, in case the expression was something elusive that might hide if she took the time to prepare her expression.
She stared into the mirror, then stepped closer for a better look. The family was right. Something had changed, but what? Her hair was styled in the same way it had been yesterday. Her gown was not new. She had never needed rouge or powder, nor did she need it today. And then she saw it.
As Charity had reminded her, when it came to words, she had never been good at dissembling. But that did not mean that she went about with a Friday face when things were difficult. Problems were no easier to bear if one kept a pleasant smile, but one was spared the inconvenience of nosy strangers wondering what the matter was.
But today, it seemed she could no longer control her expression. The frown of confusion staring back at her was too real, as was the look of surprise. She had expected to find a brand of infamy. Instead, it was as if her emotions had been laid bare for all to see.
‘I should probably marry Mr Drake,’ she said and watched the radiant smile that followed the announcement. Though strangers might not guess what she had been doing last night, there was no hiding the fact that she was in love.
‘At least you are no longer talking about becoming the next Countess of Comstock. You would be the last girl in the world I’d choose if I needed someone to walk about London in a paste tiara.’
‘That is probably true.’ It was also strangely cheering to free herself of the plan. ‘But I must still meet with Mr Strickland to explain about the diamonds.’
‘Or you could return to Berkshire and avoid him,’ her sister said. ‘You never need meet Miles Strickland at all, you know. There is no law that says we have to associate with family, if we do not wish to.’
‘That is true,’ Hope said, turning back to face her sister. It had never occurred to her that it would be possible to avoid a meeting. But if she withdrew from society, he might not bother to seek her out.
‘If he does not marry immediately, we might be long gone from both his houses before he even thinks to ask about the diamonds, much less look at them,’ Charity added.
‘It is not as if he will be wearing a necklace and earbobs to Parliament,’ Hope said, feeling not just better about the future, but almost happy.
‘Then it is settled,’ Charity said with a nod. ‘If you cannot keep mum about it, you will avoid Miles Strickland and give up on the idea of becoming his Countess. If you marry, it must be to a man who solves your problems instead of adding to them and who can protect you from your excessively virtuous nature. And I could not suggest a better husband for you than Gregory Drake.’
* * *
Gregory’s smile faded once he was out of sight of the Comstock town house. The Dowager had promised a week to set things right. While Lady Comstock might not plead his case for him, he did not think she would be working actively against him during that time.
But though she had allowed him a sennight, Hope Strickland had given him but a single day. There had to be something he could do to stretch that, so her temper might cool sufficiently to hear his apology. Before he had understood the magnitude of her problem, he had convinced her of his ability to work miracles. If ever one was needed, it was today. It might take a handful of diamonds to earn him more time and the three-carat stone to set things right between them.
He began his search at the jeweller that had provided the leather case for the Comstock parure. After speaking to the proprietor, he went to another more dubious shop. From there, he went to a place so obscure that it had no name on the window and no number on the door. He left, satisfied, a short time later.
