“He is perfect,” Brilliance said, staring after him.
Vincent leaned inside the carriage and set the satchels on the seat, noticing her quiet maid in one corner. Then he assisted his fiancée before he climbed in and settled on the luxuriously soft seat opposite. Vincent thought his own conveyance was comfortable, but the Diamonds’ town coach was a step above. However, they weren’t moving.
The two females looked at one another.
“Shall I?” Brilliance asked. “There is a speaking tube, you see.” She pulled the springy contraption from where it passed through the front of the carriage and up under the driver’s box. She offered the open end to him.
Taking it from her and leaning forward, Vincent spoke into it, feeling half a fool. “Driver, please take us to 15 Montagu Place, the home of Mr. Ambrose Castern.”
The carriage began with a lurch and moved into London’s constant traffic, crawling along steadily toward the north side of Montagu Square, a genteel neighborhood but not anywhere he imagined Lady Brilliance had ever gone before.
“You are amazing,” he told his future bride.
“Your butler told me what happened, but it was Father who rescued you.”
“I am speaking of how you have rescued my music.”
Brilliance’s pretty cheeks turned pink. “My mother and I paid a visit to your mother yesterday, and I was going to surprise you when you came to tea at one.”
“Of all that happened to me today, the worst was disappointing you and your mother by my absence.”
“Thus, she invited you to dine with us this evening.”
Vincent nodded. “I shall enjoy it if we manage to make Ambrose see reason.”
“I have no doubt we will do so.”
Within half an hour, they arrived at Mr. and Mrs. Castern’s home.
“Do you think he will see us?” Brilliance asked.
“That is a good question,” Vincent said. “Perhaps we should have brought your father, but I think you are just as formidable.”
“Me?” Brilliance had never thought of herself in that way, but then, she had never before been compelled to such a challenge. Because she loved Vincent Hewitt more than she had thought possible to love anyone, she would attempt any task, no matter how arduous.
“Yes, you.” He alighted and then turned back to reach for her hand.
“I suppose Belinda should accompany me.”
“Indubitably.”
Privately, Brilliance thought her perfect reputation was a lost cause, yet she wished to avoid any further improprieties, at least in front of the Casterns.
With Brilliance and Belinda behind him and one of the satchels of music once again tucked under his arm, Vincent lifted and released the door knocker.
“Ridiculous!” he muttered.
Brilliance peered around her future husband as he used the knocker twice more, with increasing vigor. Vincent was taking out his frustrations upon a brass fixture shaped like a musical symbol.
“A treble clef! Such foolishness,” he added, about to lift it for the fourth time when the door swung inward.
A young man in the garb of a butler tried to look imposing while staring up at Vincent.
“Tell Mr. Castern that the Viscount Hewitt and Lady Brilliance are here to see him.”
Brilliance smiled against his right suit coat shoulder. She had never heard him introduce himself thusly before. The title certainly worked its usual magic, as the young head of staff backed up a step.
“Please come in, my lord, and the ladies, too. I will tell him you are here. If you wish, you may wait in the drawing room.”
