I point to the food.
“Come, you must be hungry.”
As she helps herself, I take my seat that overlooks the impressive garden outside. It’s large for London but a mere pinprick in the ones we are used to. It suits me, though. Londonalways has, because it allows me to be the man I choose to be and not the one my family expects.
Tiffany sits silently beside me, and I don’t make polite conversation. Why would I? I didn’t want her here. Once again, it was out of my control, and I have resigned myself to the fact that my life will never be under my control. When my father dies, Nico will take over. If not him, Simeon or Julius. I am so far down the ranks it’s laughable, meaning I will never be the master of my own destiny.
But I am in London and now I’m home; normal business will resume.
“This evening we have drinks to attend at my neighbor’s house.”
Tiffany says nothing, and I like that—a lot.
“His name is Malik Karim. He is not here often and is in town with his wife, Eliza. We will introduce you as my fiancée, kind of soft launch our engagement to society.”
“But–”
She attempts to speak, and I shake my head. “You will play along, Tiffany, because it’s in your best interests to.”
“How is it?”
“Because it’s the only way out of your nightmare. I wasn’t lying when I told you Morgan is your biggest threat. You see, you are the spark that will light the entire Diamond Dynasty.”
“I really don’t understand.”
She sounds weary, almost uninterested, and I’m surprised at that.
“When your father died, he left his fortune to his daughters. Morgan inherited nothing but a mere allowance, and yet had control over the estate until you fulfilled the terms of his will.”
“Go on.”
I have her attention now, which is a good thing because I will say this only once.
“You must be with child by the time you are twenty-five, and the same goes for your sisters. If that condition is not met, none of you will receive anything, and the fortune reverts to Morgan as the trustee.”
“I really hate that woman.”
She sounds almost petulant, causing me to snap, “Focus, Tiffany. Hate will get you nowhere. Careful planning and a cold heart will deliver the perfect revenge.”
Once again, she falls silent, and I add, “There are many questions that hang over that woman, but we will park them for later and discuss the three keys instead.”
“I don’t know what they unlock.”
“That’s not what I asked. I want to know where they are first because without them, we unlock nothing.”
“You were there when Sister Agatha Maria told me a woman collected them. It was probably Morgan dressed as the wicked witch from Snow White.”
Her attempt at humor rolls off me, and I snap, “This is not a joke.”
“I doubt you laugh much, Joseph.”
She’s right, and I shrug, my fingers closing around the stem of the wine glass as I stare over my domain outside.
“Laughter.”
I consider the luxury I have never been allowed.
“When was the last time you truly laughed, Tiffany? A moment in your life when there were no problems crowding your mind, and you had nothing to fear?”
