“Sisters, please, don’t worry. If Alice doesn’t return soon, then I shall fetch her back for I cannot live without her. I merely gave her time to consider her place with me and with us. Moreover, I told her she needn’t worry any longer about her former husband’s brother.”
“But why did she leave?” Clarity asked. “Didn’t she know we would help her?”
Purity raised an eyebrow. “Haven’t you explained to her about the Diamonds?”
He knew what she meant, and if he hadn’t made it clear to Alice before, he certainly had when he saw her last. Even his older sisters’ husbands had learned that as much as their wives were now Hollidges and Foxfords, the men were equally members of the Diamond family. They looked after one another, from grandparents on down, whether a Diamond by blood or by marriage.
He’d been a tad harsh though and hoped Alice still understood how much he loved her.God help him if he’d put her off.For the first time, he wondered whether she might go farther away instead of coming back.What if she jarked it by ferry to the Continent?
“Now what is that distraught expression for?” Clarity asked.
“I told her how close we all are. She hasn’t had any experience with familial concern and caring like ours, as her parents were not supportive, and you know she has no brothers or sisters.”
Purity sighed. “She has four sisters now.”
“We must make it clear,” Clarity said, thumping her fist into her other palm. “We shall take the train to Reading station and tell her so.”
Adam knew they would do it, too. “I don’t think that’s wise. Alice needs time to get used to the notion and to decide to trust us.” All at once, he realized the utter truth of his own words.
“Even where I am concerned,” he added. “I know she loves me, but our courtship was quick and untested by strife. As soon as trouble came, she thought she had to deal with it as she has always done — by herself.”
He was feeling better already. Alice was smart, and she would come to believe what he’d told her after she’d mulled it over and let it sink in.
“What are you thinking?” Clarity asked, taking hold of his arm. “I can feel your spirit lightening.”
“Because you are all heart,” he said.
Purity crossed her arms. “And what am I? A pain in the neck, I suppose.”
“Not at all. You are the good sense that keeps us on track. And you are correct about appearances. Alice and I were going to throw a party at week’s end to finally welcome everyone into our new life as a couple, and I am going to do it anyway because I trust my wife will come to the correct conclusion.”
“Which is?” Purity asked.
“That’s it is better to be a Diamond than not.”
His sisters looked at one another. “Is that all?” Purity asked.
“No, although that is enough.” Adam linked his arms through each of his sister’s and took them into the drawing room.“Also, I hope Alice realizes she can depend upon me. That our marriage gives her strength, not weakness. That no one can use her against me or vice versa. If she understands all those things, then she’ll come back for the party. Don’t you think?”
“Yes!” Clarity said, sounding delighted. “She will. I’ll help plan it if there are any loose ends.”
“There are plenty to be tied up,” he assured her, tugging the bell-pull.
“And I’ll make sure Alice knows that you are still hosting it,” Purity said. “A pretty invitation from one sister to another, reminding her of her own newlywed party.”
“Thank you,” Adam said. “I don’t know what I would do without you.” He couldn’t imagine being Alice and having grown up alone. She could have used sisters like his.
“I hope when she returns, she will let you two boss her around.” He paused and smiled at them. “I mean,helpher — as you do me.”
Adam had been utterlycertain his wife would be back home by the night of the party. Yet there he stood in his fine twill suit, watching his family make sure all was in order before the first guests arrived. And still, no Alice.
So why did he feel so calm?
His mother was suddenly at his side, asking him nearly that same question.
“How can you be so serene when guests shall be descending upon us? I always feel a flutter of nervousness.”
“Do you?” he asked. “You always appear as if you have absolutely everything managed to your satisfaction.”
