“His Grace is very displeased, sir. It’s been some time, sir, and you’ve not reported to him. Nor have you produced any diamonds. He’s done his part of the bargain, Mr. Eston; he is most impatient to see that you perform your part.”
“There have been a few mitigating factors, Simons, or has His Grace forgotten the death of his wife?”
Simons had the good sense to look a little embarrassed.
“I understand that you’ve been to Scotland. Is that another mitigating factor, sir?”
He didn’t answer that comment. “His Grace is going to have to be patient, Simons.”
Simons allowed himself a small smile. “Patience is not one of His Grace’s better qualities. You must give me your cooperation, Mr. Eston. I implore you.”
“And if I don’t?”
“The Duke of Herridge is not a man to take lightly, Mr. Eston. He is capable of a great many actions.”
“I’m not worried about what your duke can do to me, Simons.”
“Then are you concerned about what he can do to Lady Sarah?”
Douglas stilled. “What could he do?” he asked.
“You have been out of England for some time, Mr. Eston. Have you heard of the Matrimonial Causes Act?”
Douglas shook his head.
“What His Grace has made happen, he can ensure is undone. If you will not cooperate with the agreement, if you will not furnish the diamonds as quickly as hewants them, he will ensure your marriage ends.”
“You’re jesting,” Douglas said, even though it was all too obvious that Simons wasn’t. “Wouldn’t that require Sarah’s cooperation?”
Simons’ look was pitying. “Do you think she would refuse to cooperate if commanded by her father?”
Unfortunately, Douglas wasn’t all that certain what Sarah was feeling. Passion was one thing, but was that enough to keep her linked to him? Was it enough to turn her back on her past, her upbringing?
“She would have to prove your adultery, Mr. Eston, but trust me, a number of women could be persuaded to come forward with tearful renditions of how you misled them. While it’s true there are a number of other conditions, please be assured that His Grace could provide them.”
“He would do that? Wouldn’t divorce ruin Sarah’s reputation?”
Simons smiled. “Do you think he cares, Mr. Eston? Sarah had one duty, to marry for money. She failed in that.”
“Tell him he’ll have his diamonds in less than a week.”
Simons bowed carefully and respectfully.
“I hope, Mr. Eston, that nothing interferes with your delivery of the diamonds. His Grace, as I said, is not a patient man.”
Simons melted away, the perfect servant.
Douglas unclenched his fists and turned to the furnace. The structure looked a little like a pyramid, broad at the bottom and tapering to a triangular top. The large base would provide for a deep firebox; the blaze must be equal to that a blacksmith would use to forge iron. He’d experimented for months before determiningexactly the right range of temperature to cure the diamonds. Even that process had taken a considerable amount of time.
He’d not lied to the Duke of Herridge about making the diamonds larger. However, he’d not correctly gauged the duke’s impatience or desperation. The man wanted results, and he wanted them immediately, and he didn’t seem the type to listen to rational discourse on the subject.
As for the other, could he actually persuade Sarah to divorce him? Would she? Could the Duke of Herridge actually destroy his marriage?
Douglas had walked into the lion’s den himself, convincing himself that the lion was no more fearsome than a tabby cat. Unfortunately, the Duke of Herridge was a lion in truth. If Douglas was devoured, the only person who should be blamed was himself, for not knowing enough about the ruthlessness of the nobility.
“Well, was your journey to Scotland successful?” Alano asked from behind him.
Douglas turned.
