“He thought Mother might like to meet him. But he also said he wants Lord Hewitt to sing for his supper. And to tell you the truth, I don’t believe Lord Hewitt can sing at all.”
“It’s a saying, Bri. You remember, from ‘Little Tommy Tucker’? Did Father mention Mother’s piano?”
“Yes.”
“There, you see? Father probably wants to hear Lord Hewitt play something to make certain for himself that he is truly a composer and not a charlatan.”
“A charlatan! As if I would take up with such a person.” Then she shook her head. “I am greatly relieved about the singing, but I am not at all sure Lord Hewitt will play for his supper, either.”
Vincent hadn’t feltnervous going to a dinner party since ... Come to think of it, he couldn’t remember ever being nervous. After all, why would someone in his position of life have a reason to feel anxious, even at the prospect of dining with an earl? It wouldn’t be his first, nor his last. He had even dined with a duke.
And in the House of Lords, he rubbed shoulders with all his peers.
And yet, this was different.
The Earl Diamond was legendary as was his family, his father and his father before him, and so on. They were always on the right side of history, in favor with the royal family, and generally looked at as altruistic, shining examples ofnoblesse oblige.
His own family seemed almost shabby in comparison.
“Ridiculous!” he muttered to himself as he dressed.
This dinner was no different from any other meal he’d had in someone’s home. Except, of course, as far as he knew, he was the only guest and would be dining with the parents of the lady who had enthralled him for months. He had been ready to ask for her hand before the debacle.
And now?
She was helping him sort out the disaster she had created. But still, he appreciated it. And more than that, he still found her to be the most intriguing of females. No one since Lydia had made him want to spend huge amounts of time in her company, merely talking, listening, and learning about her.
No one else made him feel quite so hot and protective at the same time, either. Brilliance was like a piece of intricate music he wanted to play over and over, sussing out all her nuances.
And so, despite worrying that her parents might have the wrong idea — for he was no longer ready to jump into marriage or even an engagement with such an impulsive creature as Brilliance Diamond — he couldn’t deny he was still firmly intrigued by her.
Wearing a black suit of worsted wool, he arrived at the Diamond home on Piccadilly and lifted his hand to the brass knocker. The door opened before he could take hold of it.
“Good evening, Lord Hewitt. Please come this way.”
He followed the butler into a drawing room that reminded him of his parents’ own elegant yet comfortable parlor.
Lord Diamond rose to his feet, as did Lady Diamond and her daughter a moment later.
“Good evening, my lord,” Brilliance said, stepping forward so eagerly, Vincent thought she was going to hug him. Instead, she held out her hand, which he took, bowed over, and released, feeling her give his own a little squeeze before she let her arm drop.Encouragement, perhaps.
She looked lovely as usual in the palest lavender, wearing a velvet gown since the evenings had turned chilly. It set off her thick dark hair, which he longed to see completely loose.
“You have met my father,” she said.
He bowed to Lord Diamond.
“Allow me to introduce you to Lady Diamond,” she continued. “Mother, may I present Lord Hewitt?”
Her mother had similar facial features, but the resemblance stopped there. Her vivid red hair was swept up and decorated with a strand of pearls and emeralds that matched her rich green eyes.
“My husband and I are so pleased you accepted our invitation, my lord.” Her hand went out to him, which he hastened to take. “I hear you are as talented as you are good looking.”
“Mother,” Brilliance retorted.
In her gown of royal purple, the countess was like a showypizzicatopiece, whereas her youngest daughter ... Vincent thought Brilliance’s manner and words were more like a smootharpeggio.
The ladies took their seats once again, and he was offered one next to Brilliance.
