Julia James - Diamonds are for Deception

Any worries Charlotte might have entertained about Sir Nigel’s reception of the news were instantly set at rest. His approval was evident.

Eyes alight with joy, he said, ‘Following the family tradition, eh? I can’t tell you how delighted I am… Charlotte, my dear…’ He held out both hands, long, thin, almost transparent hands, blotched with liver spots.

She took them gently in her strong young hands, and bent to kiss his cheek. His parchment-like skin smelled faintly of eau-de-Cologne.

Shaking hands with his grandson, he queried with undisguised eagerness, ‘How soon?’

‘As soon as possible,’ Simon assured him. ‘We would both prefer a church wedding, so I’m going to give Matthew a ring and see about an Archbishop’s Licence. Hopefully, we can arrange things for Wednesday or Thursday.’

‘You’ll be married at St Peter’s?’

‘I’d like to, though I haven’t yet had time to discuss this with my bride-to-be.’

Turning to Charlotte, he went on, ‘Our family have been tying the knot at the village church for generations. Grandfather was married there, so were my parents.’

‘That sounds lovely,’ she agreed.

Obviously relieved, the old man asked, ‘What about bridesmaids and a best man?’

‘Charlotte is going to ask her friend and flatmate, Miss Macfadyen, to be her bridesmaid, and, as neither of us have got a brother to act as best man, I thought I might ask—’

Sir Nigel looked up, his jaw tight. ‘Not—’

‘No, no…’ Simon said quickly. ‘I was thinking of Matthew’s son, James.’

‘Good choice,’ Sir Nigel approved.

‘If he can get the time off work, of course.’

‘What about Miss Macfadyen? Presumably she works?’

‘Yes, but as luck will have it, she has some holiday due, so I’ve suggested that we invite her down for a few days,’ Simon said.

‘An excellent idea!’

‘Now all we need is someone to give the bride away. It’s a great pity you’re not well enough.’

‘Who says I’m not? I’ll be only too happy to give Charlotte away if she has no objection, and doesn’t mind a wheelchair at her wedding.’

‘I’d be delighted,’ she told Sir Nigel truthfully. ‘So long as it won’t be too tiring for you.’

‘My dear, this news has given me a new lease of life, so I may as well use it to do something that will ensure me an enormous amount of pleasure.’

‘In that case it’s settled,’ Simon said.

Sir Nigel looked as pleased as Punch. ‘You’re having a honeymoon, of course?’

‘Eventually.’ Simon’s manner was deliberately casual. ‘But we’re in no hurry.’

‘Every new bride and groom should have a honeymoon. It’s part of the tradition.’

‘In the circumstances—’ Simon began.

‘I don’t want you to stay at home because of me,’ Sir Nigel broke in. ‘Couldn’t you have a short honeymoon now and a longer one when I’ve gone?’

‘If that’s what you want.’

‘It is,’ the old man said firmly.

‘Then we’ll fly to Paris or Rome for two or three nights. But obviously, before I can book anything, I’ll need to get the wedding arrangements in place. So if I go and phone Matthew now…’

Taking Charlotte’s hand, the old man asked, ‘Would you be kind enough to keep me company for a little while? I’d like to talk to you.’

A warning note in his voice, Simon queried, ‘Are you sure that’s wise at the moment?’

The two men exchanged glances.

‘Maybe I am being impatient,’ Sir Nigel agreed with a sigh.

‘You’re looking very tired,’ Simon pointed out gently, ‘and there’s no point in knocking yourself up before the wedding.’

‘Yes, I’m sure you’re right. God willing, there’ll be time for Charlotte and I to get to know one another after the pair of you are married. Now, give my warmest regards to Matthew, and do invite Miss Macfadyen to stay at the Hall…’

The nurse, who had just returned, said with frosty disapproval, ‘I really must insist, Sir Nigel, that you get some rest now.’

He raised his eyes to heaven, before agreeing with suspicious meekness. ‘Very well, Nurse.’

Releasing Charlotte’s hand, he told her, ‘You’ve made me very happy, my dear.’

Then to Simon, ‘Perhaps you’ll come up later and let me know how things are going?’

‘I’ll be up after lunch,’ Simon promised.

As they descended the stairs, reaction setting in, Charlotte said shakily, ‘He was so pleased . I thought at the very least he would be upset by the suddenness, the speed … After all, we’ve only known each other two days.’

‘Falling in love at first sight seems to run in the Farringdon family,’ Simon remarked.

So he did love her…

Her heart singing, she asked, ‘Is that what your grandfather meant when he talked about following the family tradition?’

‘Yes. My great-grandparents were married within a few weeks of getting to know each other—though Sophia, my great-grandmother, was Italian and spoke very little English—and Grandfather asked Grandmother to marry him less than six hours after meeting her.’

‘What about your parents?’

‘My father proposed to my mother three days after they met. He had to propose twice more before she accepted him, but the circumstances were different. She was a young widow and still in mourning for her husband, who had been killed by a terrorist bomb. Though my grandparents’ and great-grandparents’ marriages were long ones, and my parents’ marriage tragically short, they were all very happy.’

It seemed a good omen, and, her gladness overflowing, Charlotte slipped her hand into his.

Just for an instant, as if his mind was elsewhere, he failed to respond, then his fingers closed around hers and gave them a squeeze.

When they reached the sunny living-room, he suggested, ‘If you give me the phone number of your flat, I’ll have a quick word with Miss Macfadyen. Then you can fill her in on all the details while I talk to Matthew.’

She told him the number, and he tapped it in.

On the second ring the receiver was lifted and Sojo’s voice said laconically, ‘Hello?’

‘Miss Macfadyen, this is Simon Farringdon…’

‘Simon Farringdon…’ she echoed. Then sharply, ‘Is there something wrong? Where’s Charlotte?’

‘There’s nothing wrong; in fact everything’s fine, and Charlotte is here with me now. She tells me that you’re on holiday, so I’m ringing to invite you down to Farringdon Hall for a few days.’

‘Is this some kind of joke?’ Sojo demanded.

With a rueful glance at his companion, Simon denied, ‘Not at all. Charlotte and I would very much like your company.’

After a pause, Sojo said cautiously, ‘Well, if you really mean it, I suppose I could get a train down. When do you want me to come?’

‘If you have no plans for this afternoon?’

‘No.’

‘Then I’ll send a car for you. Say three o’clock… Now Charlotte has something to ask you, so I’ll leave her to explain.’

He handed over the receiver and went into the library, which also served as his office-cum-study.

Doing her utmost to curb her excitement, Charlotte said, ‘Sojo?’

‘What’s going on? Why do you want me to come down?’

‘Nothing’s going on , but quite a lot’s happened.’

‘Like what?’

‘Like Simon and I are going to be married.’

There was a stunned silence on the other end of the line, then Sojo laughed. ‘You’re kidding, of course.’

‘I’ve never been more serious.’

‘Honestly?’ Her voice squeaked a little.

‘Honestly.’

‘That ghost must have been quite something.’