The Missing Diamond: A Crown Jewels Regency Mystery (The Crown Jewels Regency Mysteries Book 1) by Lynn Morrison & Anne Radcliffe

Author:Lynn Morrison & Anne Radcliffe [Morrison, Lynn & Radcliffe, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Marketing Chair Press
Published: 2024-05-30T00:00:00+00:00

The footman came into the parlour bearing a note on his tray. Lady Tilbury motioned him forward, but it was toward Grace that he walked.

“For you, my lady.”

Grace’s hand did not shake as she reached for the note, but it was a near thing. She was accustomed to receiving quickly penned notes from Charity, but that could not be the case today. She half feared it was from the queen, demanding an explanation of her search efforts. But the handwriting inside was distinctly male.

“Well, who has sent you a message?” her mother asked. “What does it say?”

“It is from Lord Percy, Mama.”

“A love note?” Her mother gasped and clutched a hand to her breast. While Lady Tilbury would welcome such overtures from a high-ranking suitor, they would only be allowed with Lord Tilbury’s permission for a proper courtship.

“Of course not,” Grace rushed to reply, keeping her tone cool. She passed the note to her mother. “He thanked us for dinner and commented on the fine weather.”

Her mother skimmed the page and then glanced up, her eyes shining. “Have you gone mad? He did more than that, dear girl.”

“What do you mean?” Grace asked, looking flustered. Surely her mother had not caught onto their plan.

“He is the heir to a dukedom! Your father and I never dreamed you could aspire to such heights, but here he is, sending you such lovely notes. And surely you are not so naïve as to misunderstand his suggestion. He will be in the park this afternoon and would like to see you there.”

Grace feigned ignorance. “Are you sure, Mama? He made his preference for Charity clear.”

“Charity is not here. As sad as that is, we must all move on. Do not question me, young lady. I am wise in the ways of courtship. This is the first step and you must not make a hash of it. We shall go for a ride through the park and you will see that I am correct. I have been remiss in educating you about the stages of a proper courtship. This is an excellent opportunity to remedy my failing.”

Grace had obviously understood his subtext—it was barely hidden, after all—but had opted to let her mother raise it first. It would not do for Grace to seem too eager. She had made her intentions for the season clear to her parents — that she was keen to get to know her suitors before making any sort of commitment. If her mother feared her at risk of falling under the Duke of Northumberland’s spell and damaging her reputation in the process, she would never let Grace out of her sight.

With Elsie’s assistance, Grace dressed with care in a high-waisted walking dress with long sleeves in a deep emerald green. French lace lined the neck, protecting her modesty. A spencer jacket in the same shade completed the look. Before she left, Elsie passed her a pair of tan, kid-leather gloves.

Her mother nodded in approval of Grace’s choice of clothing, adding that the shade of green made Grace’s brown hair appear to be a richer colour.

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