Lydia Chimes smiled to their hosts and to the broad-shouldered young man, letting her hazel glance slide over him. When she turned her mouth up, Caroline’s mother looked like a young lady herself and had not a streak of gray in her red hair, a shade darker than her daughter’s.
“Why, yes,” her mother said. “If he and his family are known to you, then I am sure we would be delighted to meet him.”
“Good, good,” Lord Fenwick said. “Lady Chimes, this is Lord Diamond. His father is —”
“I know who his father is,” Caroline’s mother interrupted, and the change in her was as unexpected as it was swift. “And his mother, too.”
Caroline gawked at her harsh tone, having never heard the like in public and rarely in private, either. She glanced at her aunt for an explanation, but Aunt Cordelia merely shook her head. Apparently, she knew what this was about.
Lady Fenwick frowned, obviously not enjoying any discord at her ball. However, not catching the import of Lady Chimes’s words, Lord Fenwick continued, “Well, that’s fine, then. Lord Geoffrey was under the impression you were both unknown to him and sought me out to make an introduction.”
“We have no interest in making this man’s acquaintance,” her mother added with a voice as chilly as ice.
“Mother,” Caroline said softly, wishing she could recant Lady Chimes’s rudeness. She would not dare to gainsay her in front of others, even as she watched a puzzled expression cross over Lord Diamond’s face. At least now she knew his name.
“His mother, I shall not discuss, but his father is a dishonorable man,” Lady Chimes continued, “and thus, I can only assumehis sonis as well.”
“My lady, I assure you —” Lord Diamond began.
“You shall not assure me of anything, young man,” Caroline’s mother said before addressing their hosts again. “I have been dreading such an occurrence, of coming across a Diamond whilst at an event, ever since we moved back from Bath. And now it has happened, and me without my husband by my side for strength.”
Caroline managed to stop herself from rolling her eyes while her aunt raised an eyebrow of incredulity. After all, the fierce Lady Chimes was every bit as formidable as Lord Chimes. In some instances, more so.
“Frankly, Lord Fenwick, I’m dismayed this happened atyourball.” Then her mother turned to her. “Caroline, come along. We shall leave at once.”
“Please do not leave on my account,” Lord Diamond said, his tone now one of bewilderment.
Caroline felt bad for him, trying to make eye contact, hoping he realized she was as confounded as he was.
“Don’t leave uponanyaccount,” Lord Fenwick entreated. “You three ladies are most welcome to remain.”
Her mother lifted her chin and looked away.
“I shall be the one to leave, of course,” Lord Diamond said. “I wish I knew what this is about,” he told Lady Chimes’s shoulder.
Caroline could have died of mortification when her mother continued to ignore him.
Then he looked directly into Caroline’s eyes again, and something undeniable passed between them. She believed it was a promise that they would meet again.
Then he turned to their hosts. “While I am befuddled by this lady’s accusations, I will not remain and make her uncomfortable. Thank you for inviting me, my lord.”
With that, he nodded, bowed shallowly, again to her mother’s averted form, to Caroline’s aunt, and to her before he strode away.
Chapter Two
Geoffrey had never heard of the blasted Chimes family before, but now he intended to know everything he could. He’d done the only gentlemanly thing he could think of in the impossibly awkward situation. Nevertheless, he vowed to see Lady Caroline again.
Even if her mother guarded the castle door like a fire-breathing dragon. A red-headed one at that. Speaking of mothers, his own was no shrinking violet.
“Mother!” he called out as soon as he arrived at his parents’ townhouse on Hanover Square the following morning. If he wished, he would have inherited it and lived out his days there in later life, except he’d found a residence more in the thick of things on Piccadilly where he intended to raise a family.
Their butler, Mr. Fogerty, didn’t mind when he showed himself into the drawing room to wait.
“Geoffrey,” Lady Marianne Diamond greeted, sweeping in on her satin-slippered feet. “How wonderful of you to visit but how dreadfully naughty. It’s frightfully early. The sun is barely up,” she declared, even though it had gone half-past nine. “Fogerty, bring me a cup of chocolate as soon as you possibly can.”
“Yes, my lady. And for you, my lord?” he addressed Geoffrey, who hadn’t lived there for going on three years.
“Coffee,” Geoffrey said. “With cream. Thank you, Fogerty.”
