Brilliance seemed to glow. “I am so relieved. And I look forward to having you escort me at week’s end.”
Lady Diamond watched this entire exchange. “Mr. Dunley informed me that we had an earlier visit from Mr. Castern. Is there anything amiss?”
“Lord Hewitt was ever so impressive, Mother. Mr. Castern was in the process of becoming belligerent, and then Lord Hewitt arrived and tossed him out.”
“Splendid,” Lady Diamond said. “Is the tea still hot?”
Vincent collected Brilliancefrom her home. She appeared in the foyer dressed head-to-toe in gold fabric with a tall flourishing headpiece and shimmering golden ribbons woven through her dark hair. Over her eyes was a gold satin mask.
“I should have asked you in advance what your costume was for I nearly didn’t recognize you.” He was lying. He would know her anywhere, even with a linen sack over her head. “You are a flame, I assume.”
“Oh, gracious!” She looked instantly despondent. “Iwasa flame until Mother said it was in poor taste, given the penchant for ladies’ dresses catching fire. Father said there are almost three thousand deaths a year around the world. I cannot credit it, but if he says so, then it must be true. Therefore, I declare I am the Sun.” Then she shook her head. “But everyone will think I am a flame. Will you wait, my lord?”
“Wait?” He didn’t understand. “For what?”
“For me. Of course you will since you came to escort me. Give me five ... no, truthfullytenminutes.” Before he could answer, she hurried for the stairs, giving him a tantalizing view of her ankles and sweet gold slippers. On the landing, he heard her call out, “Mother!”
Mr. Dunley nodded to him, neither particularly friendly, nor unfriendly, and then he left for the interior of the house and his other duties. Vincent folded his arms and strolled the foyer, back and forth. He took a moment to examine his appearance in the front hall looking glass. Tightly curled white wig, borrowed from a barrister friend, black velvet knee-length coat with brass buttons down its front and across the wide sleeves, a white lawn shirt with a plain high neck, black knee-length breeches, white hose, and black shoes with gold buckles.Perfectly ridiculous!
Another door opened along the hall, and the earl appeared.
“Who are you?” he asked.
“I am Lord Hewitt, my lord,” he said with a shallow bow. “Without my spectacles,” he added, then wished he hadn’t said anything so asinine.
“Are you? Good to see you.” And Lord Diamond stuck out his hand for a firm shake. “Fancy dress, I see.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“I hate costumes. Always uncomfortable, but my wife loved attending a fancy-dress ball. Undoubtedly, we would be going tonight if Brilliance weren’t. My countess wouldn’t want to outshine our daughter.”
Vincent didn’t know how to respond, as he would surely insult either one or the other of the ladies. He merely smiled.
Lord Diamond laughed. “You are a smart chap, except for that wig which probably itches like the devil.”
“It does,” Vincent confessed. “And my shoes are pinching.”
The earl laughed. “I bet they are. Where is Bri?”
“She went back upstairs to change.”
“Then you have time for a glass of brandy. Maybe two.” Lord Diamond turned and walked away.
Vincent trailed after him, soon finding himself ensconced in the man’s study.
“Have a seat.” The earl poured them each a glass and raised his in a toast. “To your health.”
“If I cared about my health, my lord, I would remove this infernal scratchy wig and these overly tight shoes.”
“But you love my daughter, so you will not only bear the pain but even dance in those shoes, thereby increasing it.”
“Yes, my lord.” A split second later, Vincent realized what he’d agreed to. “I mean ...” He ended with a sigh.
“That’s all right. I’ve been through this with three other chaps.” The earl took a long draught of his liquid. “That is good stuff. French gold.”
Vincent wasn’t ready to leave the topic of the woman he loved. “I haven’t told Lady Brilliance yet how I feel, but now that I know you know, I suppose I have your leave to declare my affection and ask for her hand.”
“You do.”
