Once Upon a Diamond (31 page)

Robert frowned as his eyes followed the earl’s glare.

Tristan could not believe Kate had gone against his
wishes. When she moved back with him, depending on how long he could handle the
separation, things would definitely change. Her week was almost up. Robert
would have to be told about this marriage soon.

He clenched his jaw. Very soon.

When the music stopped, Kate, unaware of the
repercussions of her dance, slipped from the baron’s arms and made her way
toward her father. Tristan caught her from behind and dug his hands gently, but
securely, into her shoulders.

“My dear wife,” he said as he swiftly pulled her into a
small alcove off the ballroom beneath one of the potted palms, “I thought  I
told you not to dance with
anyone
." 

“You thought,” she snapped, her eyes filled with
indignation. A group of young bucks passed the alcove and she lowered her
voice, “I am not your property. And at a ball, one dances.”

Clenching his teeth, Tristan led her back into the
ballroom, past the French doors into the gardens. Silence hung between them
like smoke from battle. “Property is debatable, sweetheart. But when I give you
an order, you will obey it.”

Kate’s jaw jutted forward. “I take orders only from me. Do
you understand that?” 

His green eyes had turned a furious black. She took a
hesitating step backward. The sounds of strings filled the night air, but it
did nothing to soften the face glaring back at her.

“I am your husband,” he said in an icy voice, his grasp
on her firm. “Or did you forget that little fact?”

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.
 

T
ristan
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.”

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.