Desire Wears Diamonds by Renee Bernard Page B

feminine
company!”
    “Enough!” Michael crossed his arms. “Since
we’ve established that that wasn’t the diamond in question, let’s
shift back to the obvious question.”
    “All right,” Galen straightened his
shoulders and gave Blackwell a quelling look. They all respected
Michael’s dislike of society and shy nature but Galen knew him
better and suspected that Ashe had hit a nerve. “We’ve done with
the opening entertainment. Let’s hear it.”
    “Yes,” Ashe said as he retook his seat. “Is
the obvious question something along the lines of what are we going
to do now that we’re out of ideas about this blasted diamond?”
    “No.” Galen stood and went to the sideboard
to pour himself a cup of tea. “The diamond is probably under our
noses, much like a certain villain was. No, the real question is
why do you not have a week to wait, Rutherford?”
    Michael held his breath as the last of
Ashe’s playful demeanor evaporated instantly. Ashe leaned forward
on the cushions. “Something has happened with the Jackal.”
    “Not yet.” Michael held up his hands
defensively. “And I am not out of ideas.”
    “I’ll cling to the promise of that
‘yet’.”
    “Stop nagging the man!” Galen said over his
shoulder. “I mentioned it only because I wanted to be sure that all
was well. Rutherford has already earned our trust so stop hovering
like a rag lady over a rubbish bin.”
    Ashe waved him off. “What is yet to
happen within the week?”
    Michael sighed. “My first face to face
meeting with the Jackal if you must know.”
    “Hell! That’s something, isn’t it?” A new
quiet seized the room and the spring light through the windows that
moments before had seemed bright, now felt devoid of warmth.
    Michael nodded. “It is.”
    Galen set his tea down. “It’s faster than I
imagined it.”
    “It’s faster than I’d planned,” Michael
conceded. “But it’s also not what you’re imagining, your lordship.
No pistols at dawn.”
    Galen made a face. “I hate it when you
address me like that, but you’re doing it like a master tactician
to distract me. It won’t work, friend. You may as well tell us all
of it.”
    “It’s a dinner. I’m invited to a meal at his
home.”
    “You’ll not eat a bite without tasting your
death if he’s still got any more poisoners in his employ!” Ashe
barked. “You’ve lost your mind.”
    “I’m too large for him to carry my body from
his house undetected and you can dance at his hanging, gentlemen.”
Michael moved to pour himself a stiff drink. “I’m safe enough.”
    “Would you like one of us to stand by?”
Galen offered. “I could even acquire an invitation to join
you.”
    “No,” Michael said. “It’s exactly what I
wish to avoid. It’s not an ambush. It’s a first foray into finding
out where we stand.”
    “I hate this,” Ashe growled. “If it isn’t an
ambush, it should be.”
    Michael ignored him and stepped back to take
his leave. “If you find the “diamond in disguise”, please send word
to me right away. Otherwise, I’ll leave you gentlemen in
peace.”
    “In peace? Are you serious?” Ashe closed his
eyes and stretched out his legs, a grown man’s imitation of a pout.
“I need a stiff drink. And I’d be peaceful if I had an end to this
interminable waiting and—“
    “He’s gone, Blackwell.” Galen picked up his
cup and returned to his chair.
    “What?” Ashe sat up in astonishment. “I
didn’t hear the door!”
    “It’s Rutherford. When do you ever hear the
door when it’s Rutherford?” Galen smiled as he shook his head in
admiration. “The size of an elephant and the grace of a housecat.
It’s terrifying, really.”
    Ashe lowered his face into his hands, his
façade of control giving way. “Terrifying,” he echoed softly and
then went on in a tight whisper, “God, what isn’t? Welcome to my
world. Kill him, Rutherford, and let me sleep at night. Kill the
bastard.”
    Galen said nothing,