“I do not mean to be harsh with my language,” Brilliance continued, “but you are a thief, after all. ‘An Enchanting Evening’ was composed by Lord Hewitt.”
“That’s nonsense,” said Lord Redley, speaking more harshly to her than he ever had. “You and I went to Cambridge Hall and watched him perform it.”
“We watched and listened, certainly, but what does that signify?” Brilliance asked. “We didn’t see him write it. Did we?”
Appearing exasperated, Lord Redley reminded her, “You loved every minute of the concert. That’s why I thought you would enjoy this evening. Instead, you are behaving like someone who ought to be locked up in Bedlam.”
Brilliance couldn’t help laughing at his dramatic delivery. But Martine didn’t join in, and quite obviously, she didn’t approve.
“I will leave with you,” she offered, holding Brilliance’s arm more firmly.
“Then I shall be two females short at my table,” Lady Danson complained.
“That is true,” Brilliance said, feeling a little sorry for their hostess. Her own mother would not appreciate an uneven number of guests, either. The seating would be a nightmare. “It would be easier if Mr. and Mrs. Castern left.”
“This is outrageous!” said Mr. Castern.
“Outrageous,” repeated Mrs. Castern, taking a hostile step forward. “Do you realize my husband has played for the Queen and her Prince Consort?”
“Sadly, your husband was playing Lord Hewitt’s music,” Brilliance shot back. Pulling her arm free from Martine’s grasp, she, too, took a step closer.
“What’s more, my sister solved a jewelry forgery for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert two years ago, and her husband was granted a barony because of it.” Then she looked at Lady Danson. “So you see, my family and the royal family are as close as this.” Brilliance clasped her hands together, holding them up like a cudgel.
Their hostess took a step back. Brilliance was exaggerating slightly, but she was rather fed up with having to defend herself.
“If you wish to hear the music from Mr. Castern’s concert, then you should send word to Lord Vincent Hewitt on King Street. While he is hesitant to perform in public, I assure you, he does not have stage fright.”
Then she crossed her arms and awaited the fall out of her lengthy diatribe.
Lady Danson remained speechless, Lord Redley shook his head, and Martine muttered, “Bri, we should go.” The rest ofthe guests around them started to discuss the issue, taking sides over who should remain.
Finally, when the awkwardness was at a boiling point, Mr. Castern spoke.
“I believe we shall take our leave, Lady Danson. I could not possibly play tonight, anyway. Perhaps another time.”
Lady Danson nodded. “I will be in touch. And I do so apologize for what has happened here tonight.”
In the end, the couple left swiftly without saying goodbye to anyone else. And then, as soon as the drawing-room door closed behind them, every eye turned toward Brilliance. Some faces were curious, others hostile.
She considered her older siblings, each of whom would have handled the situation differently. Clarity would have been loath to make anyone unhappy and thus probably have said nothing at all. Purity might have spoken out, but she would have left directly after having made the hostess uncomfortable. Adam would have invited Mr. Castern outside to speak privately upon the matter and maybe come to fisticuffs. And Ray ... she would have already been to the man’s house and somehow made him confess before he could come ruin the party.
Brilliance sighed. “I, too, am leaving.”
Lady Danson pursed her lips and lifted her chin. She was more than a little angry, and Brilliance felt sorry. After all, it wasn’t Lord Redley’s aunt’s fault that she’d been duped the way all of London had.
Leaning close, she whispered to Lady Danson, “Please do not worry. You shall find there are no recriminations from the Diamond family where you are concerned. I simply don’t want to be the recipient of quite so much resentment all evening. I imagine that is bad for one’s digestion.”
When Martine made to go with her, Brilliance stopped her friend. “Stay so our hostess doesn’t have such a hole at her table.”
After a brief hesitation, Martine nodded.
Addressing Lord Redley, Brilliance knew their brief association was at an end. Still, she hoped he would do the gentlemanly thing. “Will you loan me your carriage so my maid and I can go home? I shall send it back directly.”
“Of course. But ... you don’t really have to leave, do you?”
That surprised her. “How sweet of you, but I think it’s for the best.” Once more to her hostess, she added, “You really ought to contact Lord Hewitt to learn the truth.”
Then, head high, satisfied she had done her best on Vincent’s behalf, Brilliance left the party, offering the silent guests a little wave from the doorway and a smile. After all, she was a Diamond.
