Free Dangerous in Diamonds by Madeline Hunter Page B

Albrighton in turn learned of it.”
    “Castleford told him. They were at one of Mr. Albrighton’s meetings regarding his inheritance early this morning. Since Castleford has found those conferences boring and no longer joins them, his presence today surprised Mr. Albrighton.” Verity spoke casually. She looked around, examining the room’s appointments. She strove to appear normal, but her blue eyes carried a lot of curiosity.
    Daphne hated lying to her friends. She could not confide about Becksbridge’s bequest, however, without telling far more than she had ever told anyone. None of it was a story for Verity’s ears.
    “I decided to take advantage of Audrianna’s offer to use her house, to enjoy a few diversions while I meet with some families who have expressed interest in contracting with The Rarest Blooms.” It was all true, just a bit out of order, and the reference to furthering her trade an inspired impulse.
    Verity looked at her blandly. She knew it was not the whole story, but, Daphne was sure, she would not pry to learn more.
    Verity fingered the lace that edged her gloves. “I did not realize you knew him. Castleford, that is. He was not at Celia’s wedding in the spring. He rarely attends weddings, since they are in the mornings and most mornings he is . . . well, his schedules are reported to be other than most people’s.”
    “We made each other’s acquaintance recently.”
    “You must have impressed him. He is planning a dinner party, and it is all because of you.”
    He was?
    “Celia mentioned it when she wrote. We are all to be invited. It will probably be in a fortnight or so.”
    “How kind of him.”
    “There is that side to him, but it is rarely seen and never predictable. Normally his every thought is selfish, and his rare activity is meddlesome. Despite that, I like him, perhaps because when he meddled in my direction it was one of those rare moments of kindness. Still, woe unto someone who piques his curiosity . That is what Hawkeswell says.” Verity mimicked her husband’s resonant voice, then dissolved into giggles.
    Daphne wished she found it as humorous as her friend did. Castleford did have a habit of periodically rising out of his stupor to meddle, normally to great success. In Verity’s case, he had made a rare effort to help the mill owner’s daughter gain some acceptance when she entered society on her earl’s arm. The meeting Castleford had attended this morning with Celia’s husband Jonathan was the result of another time where he meddled in something not at all his business.
    Unfortunately, this summer it appeared he was going to squander his brilliance on the curiosity named Daphne Joyes.
    Woe unto her, indeed.
    “I wonder if Audrianna and Lord Sebastian will return for the dinner,” Verity said.
    “I will write and advise she not make the journey. I may not even attend myself. It is not my intention to dally here very long.”
    “There would be no point in it at all if you did not attend. Castleford must have misunderstood the length of your visit.”
    Hardly.
    “Well, we must find a way to all enjoy a diversion together while you are here,” Verity said. “I will put my mind to it and consult with Celia. Town is quiet in summer, but we should be able to find something we can all do. A picnic, perhaps. Castleford would probably find that boring, however.”
    “There is no need to invite him, then. Is there?”
    Verity shrugged and donned her bonnet again. “I must go. If you find it too lonely here, you are welcome to stay with us. I don’t know why you did not write and ask to do so in the first place. You would not be an intrusion, Daphne. I know that you and Hawkeswell did not rub on well together at first, but he is very fond of you now. In fact, he asked for any news about you just two days ago.”
    Daphne saw her out. She wished she could believe that Hawkeswell would not mind a guest, but to say they had not rubbed on well together was being