“I see.” Only she didn’t.
“Will that be all, miss?”
Evelyn nodded. “Yes, carry on.”
After the valet disappeared into the room, she walked over to the door that she knew was locked. What secrets was he hiding in there?
The jewelers on St. James was one of the finest in all of London. When Rafe walked through the door, he wasn’t surprised to see a duke standing at one of the glass cases. He only wished it wasn’t that particular duke.
Due to the positioning of the door, and his limited sight because of the eye patch he wore, his brother had to turn almost completely around to see who was entering. “Rafe.”
“Sebastian.” He jerked his chin up. “Sorry. Keswick.”
Keswick shrugged. “Sebastian works. This is the very last place I expected to run into you.”
The clerk wasn’t about. Rafe considered leaving, but it had been a good many years since he’d felt the need to try to avoid the unpleasant, so he closed the door and walked over to the case. “Where’s the shopkeeper?”
“Retrieving a necklace that I had created especially for Mary. We’re hosting a ball in a couple of nights. Our first in London. She’s a trifle nervous about it. The one we held at Pembrook before Christmas went well, but you know how it is in London. Things are scrutinized a bit more closely.”
“She shouldn’t care what people think.”
“If not for our son, she probably wouldn’t. She married me, after all.” He turned his attention back to the jewelry case, which meant that he could no longer see Rafe. Rafe thought that perhaps he should move to the other side of him, but it was Sebastian’s choice to look where he wanted. “Did you get the invitation?” Sebastian asked quietly.
“To the Christmas affair? Yes, I sent my regrets.”
“To the ball we’re having this week.”
“I did. While I appreciate it, I won’t be able to attend that either.”
“It would mean a great deal to Mary if you would.”
“Yes, well—”
“And to me. To have us all in the residence, as we once were.”
Only Rafe wasn’t as he once had been, and because of that, he said, “I’m sorry, but business will keep me away.”
Sebastian merely nodded, and Rafe began studying the pieces in the case. He wanted to find something that matched the shade of Eve’s eyes, when he had risen over her and was gazing down on her face. Passion deepened the violet. He wanted to be able to show her what he saw when he looked into her eyes. It wasn’t like him to have such fanciful thoughts. As with the chocolate, giving her jewelry would be a mistake, would make her think that he cared for her in a way that he didn’t.
He was providing her with necessities. He didn’t need to provide her with frivolities. He should leave now, before he did something to make a fool of himself.
The curtains to the back room parted, and a man with a shiny pate ringed with white hair stepped out and smiled. “Good day, sir. I shall be with you in a moment. Here you are, Your Grace. I think your duchess is going to be most pleased with this.” He set a velvet box on the counter, and opened it to reveal a necklace with green stones interlaced with diamonds. A jolt went through Rafe at the realization that he and his brother were both seeking to acquire necklaces that matched a lady’s eyes.
“What do you think, Rafe?” Sebastian asked. “Will Mary like it?”
“I suspect she’d be pleased if you chained daisies together to put about her neck.”
The clerk drew himself up. “I daresay, she will not find another piece in all of London as much to her liking as this.”
“My brother’s a cynic, Mr. Cobb, so don’t take offense.”
Rafe grimaced as the clerk jerked around to look at him. “My apologies, my lord. I didn’t realize—”
“No apologies needed.”
“Lord Rafe is correct, though,” Sebastian said. “The duchess would be happy with daisies. But I know she will be happier with this.” Rafe thought if his brother still possessed two eyes he might have winked. “Add this to my account please.”
“Yes, Your Grace. Without delay.”
