Once Upon A Diamond (A sweet Regency Historical Romance) Read online

  Kate waved her hand in the air. His demeaning tone infuriated her. “Forget? How can I forget what happened? I was coerced into a marriage I never wanted in the first place.”

  Tristan’s hands dropped to his side like lead weights. A deep, aching pain flashed across his face, and then it was gone. Kate knew the minute her words were out she wished she’d never said them. Her hands rose to his chest. “Tristan, I…I didn’t mean it.”

  “You meant it or you wouldn’t have said it. But don’t worry your pretty head about it. I’ll have this marriage annulled as soon as possible. It was never a real marriage in the first place. Go back to your precious Papa. He’ll be returning to America and you’ll be free to go with him.”

  Kate parted her lips to speak.

  He sliced his hand through the air, his green eyes glittering in the moonlight. “No more. You’ve won.” He spun around and stalked down the pebbled path, away from the ball.

  Kate’s legs wouldn’t move. A heavy weight settled in her chest, making it hard to breathe. He had never loved her. He didn’t care for anything or anyone but that diamond. “But Tristan–”

  “Go,” he said over his shoulder. “Or so help me, I’ll dump you into your father’s arms myself if you aren’t out of here within three seconds.”

  Kate swallowed a sob and stumbled back into the ballroom.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Tristan stood outside the French doors staring at the gnarled bark of an old elm. The grooves seemed to parallel the crevices carved deep in his heart, scarred and barren. The sense of losing Kate was indescribable. He knew he should be focusing on the diamond, but right now it was impossible. Kate was gone.

  A cool breeze blew through his hair, and he let out a dry chuckle. He didn’t know how long he’d been out here. He shifted his gaze to one of the branches where a dove sat cooing, sending a signal to its partner which immediately flew by its side. He had heard that doves kept their partner for life. “Lucky bird,” he said dryly.

  Everything he wanted seemed to be slipping through his fingers. First the diamond, then Kate. He felt trapped in his own nightmare. It was pointless to deny the bleak future ahead of him. Had she ever loved him? He didn’t know anymore. What was love anyway?

  A sensation of intense loneliness swept over him. He would let her go. She would be free to marry another man worthy of all she had to give. The notion twisted his heart. Another man would be touching her, kissing her, loving her like he should have done the first night they were married. Hell’s teeth.

  “Can you believe it, Tristan? Of all the confounded things to show himself in public after what he’s done.”

  Tristan spun around, almost knocking Devin to the ground. “What the devil are you babbling about?”

  “Why are you out here? It took me long enough to find you. I would think that you of all people would be interested in scouring the room for that scoundrel. He’s been here for quite some time, I believe.”

  Tristan felt every muscle in his body tense. “Who?”

  Devin shot his thumb toward the ballroom. “Gaston. The cad had the audacity to show his face in public. Robert caught a glimpse of him, then lost the scoundrel in the crowd.”

  Tristan’s face darkened. The diamond was one thing, Kate was another. “Where’s Kate?”

  “What do you mean, where’s Kate? She supposed to be with you.”

  “Confound it! She dash well isn’t with me!”

  “She supposed to be with you. I thought that was the plan. No one’s seen her for over an hour.”

  Tristan felt as if a horse had kicked him in his chest.

  Devin frowned. “You think she’s with that scoundrel?”

  “I hope not.” Tristan stalked back to the ballroom, his heart pounding like thunder. What the devil had he done?

  Captain Gaston shoved Kate into his carriage, his pistol bulging beneath his black cloak. Fear overwhelmed her as she sank into the leather seat and the door slammed closed. Had anyone noticed her departure? Did Tristan even care?

  Escape. She had to escape.

  The captain let out a wicked laugh and stroked her knee. “Ah, Katherine, when we are together, you do seem to attract the most chivalrous of gentlemen.”

  Kate didn’t answer. She folded her arms over her chest to ward off the chill. Her silk dress provided little protection from the weather and Captain Gaston.

  She clamped her mouth shut as the vehicle jerked forward, rolling away from the festive hum of voices and music. A row of lamps flew by, along with the line of carriages parked along the street. She pulled at the curtains and was rewarded with a swift slap to her wrist.

  “Leave it,” Gaston snapped.

  She dropped her hands to her lap. “Where are you taking me? Someone will find us you know.”

  “Ah, still playing the tough little American?”

  He inched himself closer while the pungent scent of cologne made her gag. Her hands sweat beneath her white gloves as she jerked her head away from him. He shot his arm around her shoulder, pressing his hideous body against hers.

  “I take it your father has told you of my unlucky attempt on his life."

  Kate lifted her chin and turned to face him. “And I presume you shot my brother thinking it was the earl.”

  His mouth spread into a devilish sneer. “A pity. However, I wasn’t involved in your brother’s unfortunate accident. For if I were, I can assure you that I would have personally seen to it that the shot had pierced your precious earl’s heart. And yes, there would have been another shot for that interfering brother of yours."

  His hand moved up her arm in an ugly caress. Kate shivered in disgust. “But my dear Katherine, I believe we can make better use our time. We were interrupted the last time we were together.”

  Kate threw him a cold look when his hand moved up her leg. “I would die first.”

  “How fascinating. But after I’m done with you, you’ll not be fit for anyone but me.”

  Kate shivered at the glittering evil that flashed in his gaze. Sooner or later, she knew that the carriage would stop, then she would have to make her move.

  “There’s really no way out, Katherine.”

  His laugh sickened her.

  In defiance, she turned from him and pulled the curtain open to peer out the window. Dark shadows crept over the walks. The gas lamps were slowly fading.

  “Just off Seven Dials, my dear. One of the most disagreeable parts of the city. Gangs and cutthroats inhabit these streets, looking for vulnerable prey. Daytime in these parts is bad, but nighttime is inconceivable for a lady like you. Looking out the window is rather risky then, don’t you think?”

  The captain pressed his slimy lips to her neck and his sickening breath snaked down her spine. Kate refused to show any fear. She focused on the endless clopping of horses’ hooves echoing in her ears. The darkness of the place suited Gaston perfectly.

  She detested the idea of escaping into this criminal part of London at night, but what could be worse than the captain and what he would do to her?

  “Cold, my dear?” The captain’s hands crept down her neck. “Let’s make a little stop so you can get a bit warmer. I have a little place that no one knows about.”

  Kate felt a shudder and began to pray. She swallowed past the fear in her throat and looked away as the captain’s hands roamed her body. She would bide her time. It went against every grain in her body, but fighting him now would get her nowhere.

  “Relax, my dear. We’re almost to my new home. How would you like to take a little journey on the Thames and out to sea?”

  Kate jerked here head around to face him. “My father won’t rest until you’re dead.”

  The captain’s answer was the press of a cold pistol against her stomach. “Don’t fight me, Katherine.” He pressed his lips against the hollow of her neck. “It will go better for you if you do what I say.”

  Kate gritted her teeth. No, she couldn’t do this! “I won’t be your victim.”
r />   The slap to her face stunned her. “Don’t mock me like some virgin statue! You give that earl what he wants! You’ll do the same for me.”

  The sting of his blow rang in her brain. But she would not cry. This seemed to infuriate him more. With a curse, he dropped the pistol and slid to the edge of the seat to shake her. “You’re mine, Katherine. Mine.” His hands dug painfully into her shoulders.

  Outside the carriage a dog barked. She bit her lip to keep from crying when suddenly there was a high-pitched screech. Without warning, the vehicle halted to an abrupt stop. Kate flew forward. She braced her hands on the opposite seat. But the captain wasn’t as fortunate. He was thrown to the floor.

  It was the opportunity Kate needed. She raised her slippered foot, driving it hard into Gaston’s head. Without a second to lose, she leapt over the man, pushed against the carriage door, and pounced onto the walk like a mad animal, scurrying toward the darkness. Her slippers pounded the ground. She could hear Gaston’s curses echoing in her ears.

  Like a frightened fox running from the hunt, she felt trapped. Her gaze darted about the sinister streets with her heart hammering in her ears.

  Nowhere to hide!

  She could taste the fear in her throat.

  “Pssst, over here.”

  Kate spun around to face a narrow alley. In the shadows of a lamppost, she saw him. Two glittering eyes like a cat peering out of the darkness. The slap of angry feet sounded behind her, and she jumped toward the small body, taking her chances.

  “I seen the old boy chasing ya, miss. You’re safe in here."

  To Kate’s surprise, her chivalrous knight was a skinny street urchin, about nine-years-old. She panted as they squatted beneath a mound of trash. The odor almost suffocated her. A rat skittered across her slipper. She let out a gasp.

  To her shock, the boy’s dirty hand slapped across her mouth. “Shhh. He’s comin’.”

  Kate watched in mute horror as the captain raced by the alley, cursing like a man from hell. The moment the small hand let go of her mouth, she sucked in a deep breath of air and shuddered.

  “Follow me, Miss.”

  As the street urchin scampered down the alley, Kate had no choice but to do as he said.

  Later that evening, a grim-faced Tristan stood at the door to his drawing room. His search for Kate had left him devastated. The stricken look on the faces of Devin and the duke said it all. Kate was gone. Tristan called himself a fool a hundred times over for the way he had treated his wife.

  His wife.

  The words pierced his soul.

  He had searched the docks where Gaston had been seen earlier, but there was no sign of the captain or Kate. He had alerted Headquarters. They had men searching everywhere. They wanted the diamond and his help. Tristan wanted Kate.

  Robert and a few others were searching Gaston’s rooms at the Brackshire townhouse. But that did little to ease Tristan’s mind. Gaston had killed before, he would kill again.

  “Mother swooned as soon as she heard,” Devin said grimly. “Charlotte’s at home with her now.”

  Tristan bit back an oath. “It’s my fault.”

  He should have known Gaston was going to be at the ball. He should have known the man needed a hostage for safe passage out of England. He should have known that it was Gaston who had the diamond and was trying to blackmail England.

  The man was a Napoleon sympathizer. He was going to use the money to resurrect another enemy against the British. And he was using Kate as his pawn!

  To hell with Headquarters and their plans! He should have listened to his instincts, not to a bunch of men sitting behind a desk pushing an ink well. Why couldn’t Gaston have taken him as a hostage? But he knew why, and that made him physically ill.

  Wordlessly, he stalked across the Aubusson rug and grabbed the crystal decanter from the sideboard, splashing brandy into his glass. He turned and glared at the crackling fire.

  Kate’s pale face would haunt him till his dying day. If she died, it would be his fault. He had shooed her away like a pesky fly, but he would do anything for her if she returned. Anything. He would kneel down and beg her to stay if he had to. He would change his ways.

  “No word from my uncle either,” Devin said. “Edward’s waiting with Charlotte in hopes that she might show up there."

  Tristan let out a shuddering breath and closed his eyes. “I should have kept her chained to me during the ball.”

  Matthew staggered into the room, half-clothed, his shirt unbuttoned and hanging out of his breeches. “If you know anything about my sister, she doesn’t give up easy.” He fell onto the sofa, his face pale and sweating. “And don’t look at me like that! I’m not staying in bed while my sister’s still out there. Wherever she is, you can bet she’s plotting in that little head of hers, and heaven help the man who crosses her.”

  Tristan’s muscles clenched. Kate’s impulsiveness could get her killed. The diamond might be returned, but she would be gone. Gaston would use her in his game against England, and then kill her after he used her for his own pleasure. The hideous thought squeezed his chest so tight he couldn’t breathe.

  Tristan moved to the window and stared into the nighttime sky. Kate, his heart whispered. Where are you? Her name became a bleeding wound in his heart. He pressed a hand against the cool windowpane and drew in a frustrated sigh.

  No one saw the mist that formed in his eyes - no one but Matthew.

  Hours later, everyone but Matthew traveled to the Ridgewater mansion in hopes that if a ransom note were sent, it would be delivered to the duke’s.

  Tristan looked up expectantly when Robert stepped into the drawing room.

  Robert shook his head and frowned. “I’m sorry I was gone so long. There was a lot of ground to cover. I take it Katherine hasn’t returned?”

  The only answer was the sound of the grandfather clock ticking away in the hall.

  Robert sighed and caught sight of the other gentlemen awaiting his news. “No sign of her at the Brackshire home either.” He glanced at Tristan. “I just left Matthew. My son will keep us informed if something should arise at your townhouse.”

  Handsome sat beneath the pianoforte and wailed. Frowning, Webster patted the whining mutt and pulled him into the hall.

  Tristan regarded the grim expression on Robert’s face. “What else?”

  “I found Gaston."

  “You what?” All the men shouted together.

  “I found him.” Robert seated himself in the wing chair, and Devin poured his uncle a drink. “For some reason Gaston went back to the Brackshire townhouse. He must have come in through the servants’ quarters. I spied the scoundrel just as he flew out the back door. He saw me and ran. I chased him across the street. Before I reached him, he was crushed by a moving carriage.” Robert tipped his drink to meet his lips. “Dead as an Egyptian mummy."

  “Dead?” Tristan repeated. The captain was dead. “What about Kate?"

  Robert rose and walked toward the flames. His shoulders slumped. “No sign of her.”

  Tristan watched in stony silence as the fire licked up the chimney. At that instant, he felt his spirit being sucked out of him, mingling with the rising flames. No, his mind screamed. She was not dead!

  “I checked the captain’s coach,” Robert went on, his voice cracking. “The driver had fled, but there was no sign of blood. God help us. He has to help us…”

  A chill black silence fell over the room. The knot of guilt grew tighter in Tristan’s chest. What the devil had he done?

  Shafts of bright sunlight broke through the deadening silence of the duke’s drawing room. No one had slept but the duke who had left the drawing room earlier to join his wife upstairs. Robert and Devin had rested on the sofa. Webster and Handsome had placed themselves as guards, stationing themselves on the stairs.

  There was a knock at the front hall. All heads turned as Webster hurriedly crossed the floor to open the door.

  “By Jupiter,” Robert shouted in surprise
as he hastened toward the man standing on the stoop. “Bartholomew Travis! What on earth brings you here, old friend? And at this ungodly hour?” Robert clapped the man in a bear hug and dragged him inside. “I thought you still in Boston.”

  Bartholomew had tears in his eyes as he stood back and stared at his friend. “So, it’s true. You’re alive! I came to London yesterday, hoping to join Matthew and Kate. Business matters, don’t you know. Had to do with your affairs. Captain Gaston, to be precise.”

  Robert scowled. “Yes, we know all about him. Come in. Come in.”

  Bartholomew gave a grim nod of acknowledgement. “I thought it best to come myself. It’s a long story, Robert. But at the hotel during dinner, I heard the story about the duke’s brother-in-law coming back from the dead. I had to come straight away to see for myself. I can only thank God that you’re alive. I’ve been out of Boston, living with my stepson Jake, don’t you know.”

  He let out a watery smile as he was introduced to the other men. But his face paled when he was apprised of Kate’s situation and Matthew’s shooting. “I had a terrible feeling wherever the captain was, there would be trouble. That’s why I came, you see. It’s a dreadful business. Dreadful.”

  Tristan was grateful for the man’s offer to help. For the entire night he had paced across the rug, never sleeping, never speaking, as if punishing himself for pushing Kate out of his life. Throughout the agonizing hours his mind had reviewed everything about the diamond’s disappearance. The blackmail letter, the murders, Gaston, and even Douberry.

  Somewhere, somehow, he knew he was missing a piece of important information that could help him. He turned back to the worried men. His green eyes were bloodshot and the stubble of a night’s beard added to his weary face.

  His hands curled into two angry fists. The pain of losing Kate was unbearable. But the harsh words he had said to her had eaten a hole through his heart.

  The maid eventually entered with a fresh pot of tea. The men took their drinks, staring at each other in thoughtful silence.