“If he tries to pay you a visit, deny him. Or if you do somehow find yourself in his company, make sure your father is with you. Will you promise me?”
“I promise.” She went over it in her mind. No visiting with Ambrose Castern except with her father present.
And then Vincent had left without inviting her to a play or a concert or even dinner at his parents’ home. Disappointed, she ate another custard tart after he left, which cheered her a little.
At the week’s end, she was dressed and ready for a night out with Lord Redley. They were going to his widowed aunt’s home for dinner and dancing, and thus, she wouldn’t need a chaperone except for the carriage ride. Her parents allowed her to take Belinda for the short journey.
Reminding herself that she had prospects, and a good-looking one at that, Brilliance dressed in sapphire-blue velvet and put a smile on her face.
“I have a surprise for you, my lady,” Lord Redley said when they reached his aunt’s mansion on London’s outskirts.
Brilliance perked up. “Do you?”
As soon as they went through Lady Danson’s receiving line and entered the drawing room, she clapped her gloved hands.
“How wonderful of you, my lord.”
“What have I done?” he asked, taking two glasses of claret off a tray and handing her one.
“The surprise,” she said. “Unexpectedly seeing my good friend Lady Martine in your aunt’s home is quite a treat. I hope we are seated close at dinner.”
Upon seeing her, Martine hurried forward, and soon, they were discussing winter festivities.
“My parents are having a Christmas ball, but you must know that,” Brilliance said. “I think invitations have gone out.”
“Indeed they have, and I have received mine already and replied,” Martine said. “We must get together and discuss the latest cold-weather fashions soon. I shall need a new gown for the occasion.”
Brilliance spent more time speaking with her friend than her suitor, until Lord Redley said, “Your surprise is here.”
“I thought Lady Martine was my surprise.”
“In truth, I didn’t know anything about her, but my aunt seems to know everyone this Season. She is a patron of the pianist we saw in concert. I know how much you enjoyed his music, so I asked her to invite him tonight.”
As Brilliance realized whom he meant, a chill passed over her. Turning, she saw their hostess beside Ambrose Castern, who was accompanied by his wife, the lovely blonde woman from the theater box.
The other guests in the drawing room broke out in spontaneous applause when Lady Danson introduced him. Shocked by his sudden appearance, Brilliance refrained from clapping. Her first thought was that she ought to leave. She had promised Vincent she wouldn’t be in Mr. Castern’s company without her father. On the other hand, she was surrounded by other people and escorted by Lord Redley. She didn’t feel in the least threatened.
What she felt was angry. More so when Lady Danson invited them all to toast Mr. Castern’s latest successful run of concerts and his new composition, “An Enchanting Dream.”
After the cheers died down, Brilliance heard herself ask, “Have you spoken to the newspapers yet, Mr. Castern?”
His light-brown eyes flickered over her as did his wife’s cool blue ones.
“About what, dear lady? I don’t believe we have been introduced.”
“Oh, pardon my rudeness,” said Lord Redley’s aunt. “Before any more conversation about Mr. Castern’s fame in the papers or in person, let me bring our honored guest around the room to meet each of you personally.”
Brilliance could hardly wait, tapping her toe as the pianist and his wife went from person to person with Lady Danson making the presentation. Although a flurry of nerves was starting to make her stomach churn at the upcoming confrontation, while standing between Martine and Lord Redley, she felt perfectly safe.
And then he was before her, Vincent’s former friend and current nemesis.
Lord Redley’s aunt said, “This is Lady Martine. Her father is Lord Flowers. And this is Lady Brilliance, the youngest daughter of the Earl Diamond. And this is Lord Redley. He is my nephew.”
Brilliance saw the instant Mr. Castern realized who she was. His smile froze upon his face, giving him an oddly Jack-o’-lantern appearance. His wife also stared, mouth slightly open before she snapped it closed and looked to her husband for his next reaction.
“How good to meet you all. Your aunt has been very kind,” he said addressing Lord Redley.
“Lady Brilliance and I saw you recently in concert. Will you be playing for us after dinner?”
