Chapter Sixteen

A dam had heard every jest and barb about getting leg-shackled, stuck in the parson’s mousetrap, priest-linked, yoked, and noozed . He felt only delight that he had finally convinced Alice to become his wife.

If he had been among his randy friends in London, they would have said he would soon become like a butcher’s dog, lying beside something without touching it. An old saying that most certainly wouldn’t apply. Nor did he sleep like a cow with his back to his new bride. Another foolish saying.

He and Alice grinned whenever they glanced at one another, and they swived nearly as often as they grinned. Even he was getting sore.

Therefore, he hated to draw a thundercloud over his sunny lady, but he had to tell her.

“We have to go home.” It had been a week since the wedding day in St. Peter’s Church, Caversham. Each day after, she’d come up with something they had to do for the house before they left, a task which couldn’t wait.

But his life in London could no longer wait. For while he was not yet in charge of the Diamond estate, he had his own home to run, a sizable portfolio of investments to keep an eye upon, and certain chores his father had designated regarding all their holdings from the time he gained the age of eighteen. And he had been away longer than he’d planned.

Naturally, his parents would be delighted when he returned with a clever, beautiful wife, and therefore, neglecting some of the family responsibilities would undoubtedly be forgiven.

“We leave tomorrow,” he said, hating to sound as if he were in charge of her and hoping she didn’t serve him a dish of nails in response.

“Tomorrow?” Her voice rose. “So soon.”

He chuckled. “Alice, please don’t fight me. You know I had to return.”

“Perhaps I should stay here and join you later, after...”

“After?” he asked when she didn’t finish. Not that he cared about her answer, for he had no intention of leaving without her. Skittish woman that she was, he knew he could be old and gray and still waiting.

“I understand your nervousness about meeting my family, but they will love you.”

“You probably should write to them first,” she suggested. “We’ll post a letter in another week or so, and when we’re assured of its receipt, we shall go to London.”

“You are a minx.” He drew her close and kissed her soundly. That always got her to bend to his wishes or at least let him take her to bed. “I have already sent word. But you can write a letter introducing yourself if you wish while we’re on the train, and I’ll send it to their house by courier when we get home.”

“That’s hardly the same,” she said, putting her arms around him and returning the kiss.

“Alice, we must leave tomorrow.” He still wanted to have a private word with Mrs. Georgie and with Henry, but then his task there was finished for the time being. “Do you hear me, Wife ?”

Her cheeks pinkened whenever he said the word.

“Very well, Husband .”

And his shaft hardened whenever he heard that one. This married life was better than he could have imagined.

Alice was on tenterhooks from the moment they got on the London-bound train at Reading Station, across from The Great Western Hotel. An hour later, pulling into Paddington Station, her insides had turned to quivering jelly.

“You have come over all pale,” Adam said. “I promise, we’ll just go to my... our home and get you established as its mistress. When you’re comfortable —”

“In a few years,” she joked.

“Yes,” he agreed with hesitation, “in a few years, we’ll venture out of our den and visit my parents. Speaking of which, will you write to yours and tell them you have a new husband?”

“I suppose I ought to, although they didn’t particularly like my old one, not once they got to know him.”

Instead of making him jealous, he laughed. She relaxed. Adam Diamond was a diamond of the first water as much as any female. It must come from being the middle child, the only boy, the heir, having good looks, and being entirely self-assured.

And he loved her!

Because of that, Alice tried her best to shed her worries and leave them in the plush interior of their first-class carriage at Paddington Station. After a hansom cab ride of twenty minutes, Adam led her into her new home.

The three-story brick fa?ade that greeted her was in the most desirable situation facing Green Park. The entry gave way to a marble foyer with a staircase to the right and a door beside it, as well as double doors on the other side of the hall.

“Wife, this is our extremely capable butler, Mr. Lewis. Mr. Lewis, this is Lady Diamond, my wife. I am going to give her a brief tour and get out of our dusty traveling clothes.”

They went upstairs, leaving the butler with his lifted eyebrows after such a brief introduction.

“Mr. Lewis will get the footman to handle our trunks,” Adam promised and tossed open a door to an impeccable drawing room of manly burgundy and gray decor.

“Anything you don’t like about any part of the house, you may change. I want you to make it yours.”

“You are a generous husband .” At the word, his blue eyes darkened to midnight, and his arousal became apparent.

She had discovered the power of that single utterance the first day after their wedding, especially if she dropped her voice to a sultry whisper.

“Let me show you our bedroom,” Adam said. “We’ll meet the rest of the staff later. By then, Mr. Lewis will have told them all of your arrival, your name, and your beauty.”

Adam’s master bedroom was as attractive and nicely furnished as the rest of his home. He must have felt as though he were living in abject squalor at Stonely Grange. Moreover, his room smelled like his cologne, which he’d run out of while living away from London.

She stood in the middle of the spacious chamber, with the four-poster bed at one end with its dark blue and silver brocade canopy, and hugged herself. The blue curtains were silk, the patterned wool carpet was thick and soft under her shoes, and the mahogany high boy wardrobe and low chest of drawers were polished to a clear shine.

“How did I get here?” she wondered.

His low chuckle made her skin rise in goosebumps. A sizzle of fiery wanting darted through her when his arms came around her from behind.

“Now?” she asked, pretending not to be as filled with desire as he was. “We are dusty from the road, not to mention tired.”

“All the more reason to strip off these clothes and lay down in my big comfortable bed.”

“I thought we would have a small bed the rest of our lives.”

“I did say that, didn’t I?” He began undressing her while nuzzling her neck the way she loved. “We’ll try this one out. If you don’t find it entirely to your liking, we’ll drag it out in the back and burn it. Then we’ll send for your little doll’s bed.”

She laughed at the thought of such antics. But as soon as the cool air brushed her bare skin, she grew serious, helping him out of his traveling clothes with equal swiftness.

And then they slowed down. They had all the time they wanted with no one to interrupt. Adam took an eternity to touch and kiss every part of her body until Alice thought he was trying to drive her mad.

When he finally slid inside her, she grasped hold of his back and was soaring within a few strokes of his thick arousal. He answered with a quick and powerful release.

Relaxing together afterward, her pale hair on the pillow beside his dark mop, he brushed lazy fingers across her bare shoulder.

“I cannot wait to show off the prize I have brought back from Bath.”

Alice gasped. It was the last thing she wanted to hear.

“You have gone positively rigid, sweet lady,” he said. “Tell me why.”

“Recall you said I could stay in my den for a year if I wished.” She did not want to go into society, not in Mayfair. She would be recognized. People would talk, and Adam would know what kind of woman he had married.

“I don’t care in the least that you are a widow or previously married. And if anyone comes from Fairclough’s estate seeking debt money, I shall take care of it.”

“You won’t pay a single penny,” she vowed.

“I shall not. The law is the law, and I don’t believe you owe a penny, either. But let us enjoy life and face whatever comes together.”

She took in a long breath. He was correct. She couldn’t hide now that she was the newest Lady Diamond.

Thus, a week later , Alice was at a dinner party at his parents’ home on Piccadilly, being feted as the new Diamond bride. His parents were as welcoming as he’d said they would be. And his sisters spoke to her as if she were one of them. No one gave her a sideways glance nor chastised Adam for having a quiet, private wedding.

“Not Gretna Green, at least,” his father said, and his mother laughed.

“There was nothing wrong with our anvil wedding, was there, my love?”

“Nothing at all,” the earl agreed.

And whether they were disappointed in their son’s choice of a bride, she couldn’t tell. They seemed to be genuinely happy for them both.

Nearly as soon as she’d met his mother, the lovely red-headed countess had declared, “We must have a large celebration to let everyone know our son has taken an ideal bride.”

When it was brought up again by his eldest sister, Clarity — “Everyone loves a party, especially with newlyweds” — Alice reminded Adam on the way home that she was no longer equipped with a suitable wardrobe for her new life. She had even worn the same dress to meet the Diamonds that Lady Beasley had given her, as it was her finest.

“I have nothing suitable for balls and dinner parties.” Alice thought it as good an excuse as any to remain at home. What’s more, she would rather keep her simple governess clothing. He couldn’t take her around Town in those plain cotton gowns.

However, to her husband, this was no deterrent.

“That’s easy to remedy, and I think you’ll find it enjoyable, too,” he said.

The earl’s coach came to collect Alice the following day, and Adam was correct. She enjoyed an outing with all the Diamond females, except Brilliance who was visiting a friend in Richmond. They took her to their favorite dressmaker on Oxford Street. Luckily, the establishment was not one which Alice had patronized in the past and to which she still owed money.

Soon, she had gowns befitting her new station. Regardless, she accepted none of the invitations that came to their home.

“You have a dress for every occasion,” he said over dinner two weeks later, “and some for events I cannot even imagine.”

She gasped. “Did I spend too much? When your mother or one of your sisters said I should buy something they thought looked good on me, I did as they suggested. I admit I was rather like a sheep under their tutelage, but I wouldn’t gainsay them for all the world. However, I didn’t intend to put a strain on our finances.”

He only laughed. “You did nothing of the sort. But I noticed they helped you to choose some dresses in which I would very much like to see you. Before I remove them, of course.”

She chuckled. They swived with enthusiasm nearly every night, and she couldn’t imagine having missed out on her passionate, talented husband and having gone the rest of her life without knowing such pleasure.

She shivered even thinking of his touch, his tongue, his firm buttocks...

“Your cheeks are becoming all rosy.”

“Because I love you, and I am happiest staying home alone with you.”

“Every evening?” he asked.

“Yes, every evening,” she insisted.

“Didn’t you enjoy the dinner with my family?”

She sighed. “Of course I did. They were kind and fun, and they love you so much that some of it spilled over to how they treated me.”

“Then I cannot understand your reticence. No one will care that you are the former Lady Fairclough. Two years have gone by, so you are well out of mourning.”

She would be recognized, and Adam would learn the truth about her. Alice had known it would happen, yet she had married him, anyway. Selfishly, thoughtlessly, but how could she go against her heart’s fondest desire to be with him?

She could only try to postpone the inevitable a little longer.

“We have barely exhausted the card games we know. Then we can fill our evenings with chess and charades and cribbage and—”

“I haven’t grown tired of doing any of those things with you,” Adam said. “But I want to show you off. I want everyone to know how proud I am that you accepted my proposal. Mostly, I want to dance with you. I love the happiness in your eyes when we waltz.”

“We can waltz right here,” she said, knowing she was running out of time. Adam wasn’t like Richard. He wanted to take her out because he loved being with her and truly wished to share their happiness with his friends and acquaintances.

Thus, she finally accepted an invitation. Dressed in her favorite new gown of sapphire-blue silk, she made her first public appearance as the new Lady Diamond.

Adam had chosen the event, a large party at his parents’ oldest friends’ home on Belgrave Square. Alice had never met Lord and Lady Fenwick, but most people in London knew of the elderly couple and had at least one kind word to say about the enchanting and enchanted pair.

“Good evening, young Diamond,” Lord Fenwick said, shaking Adam’s hand. “I hear you have been captured quite completely and no wonder.” His bushy white eyebrows rose. “Look at this lovely lady who did the catching. I suppose you walked into her net with a large smile.”

Lady Fenwick let her husband have his fun, and then she addressed Alice.

“Welcome to our home, Lady Diamond. We are so happy for both of you. I know your life hasn’t always been easy,” she added.

Alice stiffened, but their hostess continued, “But now you are in a good place with an excellent family and the finest of men. We’ve known your husband all his life, haven’t we dear?” She turned to Lord Fenwick.

His eyes were merry. “Indeed we have. Seen young Diamond swaddled and diapered and in leading strings, bawling like a brat. Helped him learn to fish and shoot, didn’t I?”

Adam happily agreed that he had. “Lord Fenwick has been a constant presence of advice and instruction.”

“As well as teasing and terrible jokes,” his wife said.

Lord Fenwick laughed. “All true.”

“In any case, my husband and I hope you have a long and happy marriage, just like ours.”

Alice had tears in her eyes when she thanked them and moved away so they could receive other guests.

“They are wonderful people,” she said to Adam, who was searching for guests he knew.

“I’ve always thought so,” he agreed. “I don’t know anyone who doesn’t.”

“They had knowledge of my previous marriage, it seems.”

“I believe Lady Fenwick was alluding to it, yes, but nothing more. They were genuinely glad for us, as everyone shall be.”

Unfortunately, Adam was incorrect. The party was large and spilled over into every public room in the Fenwick’s large home. Adam took her to the dance floor as soon as the musicians signaled the first dance. She relaxed as they moved together easily. Yet she could see heads turning when people realized who she was, back from obscurity.

When they walked toward Adam’s friends to whom he wished to make introductions, fans raised and heads leaned together as they passed. Alice was certain guests were whispering about her.

The whispers would reach her husband’s ears, eventually.

While Adam remained by her side nearly every moment, and all the people she met were kind, there was a few minutes when he was diverted by his father and a member of parliament. Alice remained talking with his sister, Purity, and her husband, Lord Foxford.

“We’re leaving early,” Purity said. “We’ve stayed the perfect amount of time so as not to insult Lord and Lady Fenwick, but our youngest is having nightmares. We like to be there if he awakens.”

“Some people think we’re a little over-indulgent with our children,” Lord Foxford said. “But we don’t give a rat’s arse for their opinion.”

Alice laughed at his words, although Purity frowned slightly.

“Come along, Foxy,” she said before addressing Alice once more. “I will see you at Mother’s luncheon at the end of the week, won’t I?”

“Yes,” Alice said, thrilled to be included, truly as if she were one of the Diamond sisters. “I am looking forward to Gunter’s. It’s been a long time since I was there.”

“I don’t like to leave you standing here,” Purity fussed. “Where is that brother of mine?”

Alice shrugged. “He’ll return any moment. Please, go, look after your children.”

Conveniently, Lord and Lady Foxford also lived on Belgrave Square, which was how Lord Foxford was able to gain an introduction to Purity at another of the Fenwicks’ parties.

The dutiful parents disappeared into the throng, and Alice took a moment to look around her. There wasn’t anything to be afraid of. She was an upstanding woman, married to a good man. No one had cause to drag up the past or say anything untoward.

“Lady Fairclough,” came the voice of the last man she wanted to see, his low tone close in her ear like a lover.

She whirled around to see Richard’s younger brother, the current Lord Fairclough. With her heart beating hard in her chest, so she was sure he could hear it, Alice tried to gather her wits.

“I am no longer that,” she reminded him. Thank God, she added to herself.

“I must admit, I am surprised to see you back in London, out in public as if you hadn’t a care in the world.”

She wished that were the case, that she was nothing more than a carefree newlywed, enjoying a party amongst her husband’s friends.

“What do you want?”

His eyes flickered coldly over her face. “I want what I have always wanted. For you to pay your and your husband’s debts.”

“ You are the new Lord Fairclough.”

“I did not inherit his wife,” he said with a sneer, “for which I am eternally grateful, but somehow, I inherited Richard’s debts. And he had vowels a plenty.”

“Vowels?” she echoed. What was he saying?

“IOUs, of course.”

She didn’t want to know the language of her dead husband’s seedy world.

“After you sold our London home and everything from my country estate, I consider the debt paid.” Alice thought that was a brave statement, said boldly, but his nostrils flared and his dark eyes narrowed.

Slowly reaching out, Gerald grasped her upper arm tightly, wrapping his fingers and squeezing tightly in a grip she knew too well. The brothers looked very much alike, and he even clutched her arm in a similar fashion to her late husband when he was displeased. It was disconcerting at best to be standing beside him, but she refused to yank her arm away and make a scene.

Still, familiar fear infused her, and Alice glanced around to see if anyone noticed with whom she spoke.

“You couldn’t wait for my brother to die,” Gerald spat out bitingly, getting to the crux of the matter. Two years ago, he had accused her instantly of becoming a merry widow.

“He didn’t merely die. Richard killed himself with drink, don’t forget.”

“Unlikely. My brother’s death is on your hands. And if he drank too much, it was because you drove him to it.”

That accusation would not stand. Alice kept her voice firm despite trembling inside.

“I had nothing to do with it for the little I saw my husband. I was of no use to him once he’d spent every cent we had, including everything I brought to the marriage.”

“So now my brother was an alcoholic and a spendthrift? I suppose next you’ll accuse him of being a wife beater.”

She looked down at his fingers still wrapped tightly around her arm.

“Take your hand off my wife,” Adam’s voice was soft yet steely harsh.