Darcy Darlington and the Diamond of Desire by Maya Rodale

Darcy darlington and the diamond of desire

Chapter Twelve ~ In which our heroine obtains her prize.

The diamonds were sent over the afternoon of the ball accompanied by a note signed by Percy that read, “I hope these work.”

For one night only, Darcy had a chance to wear the reportedly magical Diamond of Desire, so that Tristan Cole might finally fall in love with her. And then in the morning, was to return them to Felicia Weatherby and hope that Tristan did not transfer his affections to her.

When the clock struck eight, Darcy was ready. She wore her old ball gown of pale pink silk, to which her maid had thoughtfully added some subtle floral embroidery. Darcy would have liked a new dress to go with the diamonds, but she had been too busy this past week to have one made. The neckline of her gown was low, revealing a large expanse of her décolletage, shoulders, and neck. Not that anyone would notice any of those things with the diamonds as a distraction.

That desperately sought after ornament was truly beautiful. Dozens, or perhaps hundreds, of small diamonds were set in gold and linked together in a leaf-shaped design. The centerpiece, and what Darcy guessed was the Diamond of Desire, was a large pendant consisting of a round diamond, flanked by small, bright pink sapphires. It rested between the swell of her breasts.

Darcy joined her mother in the receiving line, for guests were beginning to arrive.

“That’s a nice necklace, darling,” her mother said. Before she could ask any further questions, guests began to arrive. “Oh, Lady Palmerston, I am so delighted that you are joining us this evening!”

And on and on the introductions went….

Hester Banbury arrived, and they greeted each other loudly and with excitement, prompting her father to mutter, “you’d think they hadn’t just spent the week together.”

“Is that the necklace?” Hester asked in a hushed whisper.

“Yes. All mine--for one night only.”

“Do you know yet if it works?”

“No. Tristan has not yet arrived.”

Percy Hartshorne chose that moment to make his entrance, with Felicia on his arm. They did not look entirely at ease with one another, but seemed to be friendly and on good terms. Some of the guests displayed woefully poor manners. Others were ruled by their curiosity and allowed themselves to be introduced. Darcy and Hester immediately set about introducing them to the other guests. More than a few people received them well.

Darcy wandered through the crowd, searching for Tristan.

After taking three turns about the room, she finally encountered him near the entrance to the card room. He looked so dashing and handsome in his cavalry uniform. His hair was slightly mussed, and when he saw her, he smiled.

And then he noticed the diamonds. His gaze settled upon them. His smile faded, slightly.

“Hello, Tristan,” she said finally.

“Hello, Darcy. You look absolutely stunning tonight.”

“I see you were admiring my new necklace.”

Tristan grinned, and then she realized maybe he wasn’t really looking at it after all, but at her cleavage instead. Since when did men care about jewelry anyway?

“Once again, you have succeeded,” he said, clearly quite proud of her accomplishments. Oh, golly, she loved him.

“Darcy, do you think we could speak privately for a moment?”

“Of course,” Darcy said, mostly excited. She was also tremendously nervous. This could be the moment she had waited for.

They walked in silence until they entered the conservatory. There was no light other than that provided by the moon. Hothouse flowers scented the air with their sweet fragrance.

She stood before him, wanting him more than ever, and feeling more unsure than ever before.

She had wanted this moment for so long, imagined it more times than she could count, and thought that if she died without kissing him, her life would be incomplete. But now that the moment was approaching, she was so nervous. She wanted it still, of that there was no doubt.

But if Tristan kissed her now, she would always assume it was because of some cursed diamond and not because of any genuine desire for her. Though beggars could not be choosers, this was not the kiss she wanted. Darcy reached up and clasped the diamond between her gloved fingertips, as if she could dim its effect, and control its dark magic.

Tristan’s fingers enclosed around hers. Oh, golly, she knew she should yank off the damned necklace. But she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

He took a step closer, so he could look closer at the gem. His fingertips grazed her breasts—a second or two longer than any accidental contact.

“Darcy, there’s been something I’ve been meaning to tell you,” he murmured.

She tilted her head back slightly to look up at him. He was so damned tall, and she had never really noticed before, because she had never stood this close to him before. It was heavenly.

Tristan kissed her then, softly at first, and then a little more urgently. He pulled her up against him. There was nothing to do but melt against him and surrender to this kiss she had waited so long for.

Darcy reached up but not to embrace him—not yet, anyway. As she kissed him, she fumbled with the clasp on the necklace for just a second. She felt it slide down her back, and she heard the clink as it hit the stone floor.

And Tristan kept kissing her.

THE END.

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