“That won’t be necessary, Dunley. I cannot stay for tea.”
With the butler departed and Belinda back in her spot at the room’s far end, Brilliance took her seat, expecting Vincent to sit beside her. Instead, he paced.
“You promised me you wouldn’t meet with him.”
“I did, didn’t I?” she mused, but the odd circumstance of having Mr. Castern show up had proven too intriguing. “However, neither of my parents were home.”
At Vincent’s glowering look, she added, “But I had Belinda and Mr. Dunley. I was hardly alone.”
Her betrothed swore, seemingly to himself, while looking at the ceiling, down at the floor, then finally at her. And then he took a seat.
“Castern might have threatened you.”
“I believe he did, but what of it?” she asked. “As you can see, I am unharmed.”
“And you shall remain that way. I don’t want your name tarnished by his accusations, nor can I risk your safety.”
“What are you saying?”
“I do not want you speaking out against him again,” Vincent said.
She thought of the letters she had already sent out.
“And I think it unwise to have you come to court,” he continued.
“But then it will be your word against his. Because he is already considered a great composer, you will undoubtedly lose.”
He shrugged. “Your safety and good name are worth more than any piece of music.”
“What if we were to become engaged so he couldn’t suggest —”
She broke off when he started shaking his head.
“That would only make it worse. We would appear to be lovers before marriage. He will make sure his lawyer asks where you were in my home and who was with us.”
“Oh!” Brilliance didn’t think her parents would be too pleased about that. “Then what is the next step?”
“We must not see each other for a while, and you must stop accusing him of plagiarism at every turn.”
“Are you giving in and letting Mr. Castern win?” she asked softly, feeling ill in the pit of her stomach. He could not possibly love her if he was willing to give her up so easily.
“I will go to court with a clerk from Boosey & Co. as my witness. Perhaps that will be enough.”
She was almost afraid to ask. “And what about us?”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Vincent knew she was disappointed. He was, too. They were at the beginning, or the middle of the beginning, perhaps the second movement, of something extraordinary.
“As soon as the trial is over, we can resume our courtship. Let time and distance cause people to forget you are involved in this.”
“That seems as though it may take quite a long time and too much distance for my liking,” Brilliance said. “But I suppose you are not dreadfully bothered.”
“You misunderstand me then.” He crossed to her in three strides and took her in the circle of his arms. “I want you in my life more than ever. You have been my champion, and I am humbly grateful. But I cannot let my problem with Ambrose harm you in any way.”
“What about his wife?”
Vincent swallowed.Did she know about Lydia?
