Julia James - Diamonds are for Deception - The Carlotta Diamond / The Texan's Diamond Bride / From Dirt to Diamonds

‘Oh? In what way?’ Simon asked interestedly.

As though wondering if she was hogging the conversation, Sojo glanced at her friend.

But, only too happy that the liking appeared to be mutual, and the pair were getting on so well, Charlotte was content to sit back and listen.

Seeing this, Sojo continued, ‘Mark, the latest, was totally boring. He had only one thing on his mind, and hands like Velcro.’

His face straight, Simon commented, ‘A very descriptive phrase. What about the previous one?’

‘He didn’t live in the real world. Mind you, with a name like Tarquin, who could blame him? Thank you…’

When she and Charlotte had both accepted a cup of tea and a plate, Simon drew the table closer so they could help themselves. Then, his tawny eyes sparkling with laughter, Simon remarked, ‘I can quite see why you’ve gone off men.’

‘Not all men.’ An inveterate flirt, she fluttered her new false eyelashes at him shamelessly.

‘I’m flattered,’ he assured her gravely. ‘Though I’d rather like to know why I’m an exception.’

‘Well, for one thing you’re obviously good for Charlotte. I’ve never seen her look so happy…’

Just for a split-second he appeared to be disconcerted, then his expression cleared, and, one eyebrow raised, he queried, ‘And?’

‘And I wondered, if I said pretty please , if you would show me round the Hall some time?’

‘I’d be delighted.’

‘Providing, of course, that you’re not too busy running the Bell-Farringdon business empire?’

So Sojo had been checking up, Charlotte thought, and hoped Simon wouldn’t mind.

But he was answering calmly, ‘From now until the wedding’s over I’m leaving Michael Forrester, my right-hand man, to deal with everything and taking a complete break.’

‘Wonder of wonders! A top businessman who’s willing to delegate.’

‘I admit to having been a workaholic in the past, but no longer. From now on I intend to work much shorter hours. I want time to relax and have fun, time to spend with my wife and family.’

Sojo gave Charlotte a speaking glance. Didn’t I tell you a man of his class would want a family to inherit things? Aloud, she remarked, ‘That sounds too good to be true.’

‘Not a bit of it. I’ve started as I mean to go on… Now, if you’ve finished your tea I’d be pleased to give you the Grand Tour. That is, if Charlotte doesn’t have any objections?’

‘Of course not,’ Charlotte said. ‘In fact I’d love to come with you.’

‘Then we’ll leave the Long Gallery until last, and I’ll point out the more interesting portraits.’

Apparently stunned by the height and grandeur of the Great Chamber, and the beauty of the house itself, Sojo followed in awed silence while Simon provided a wealth of interesting historical details.

Finally, he remarked, ‘Well, that’s about it; apart from the Long Gallery, which is on your right, you’ve seen all the rooms of any interest.’

Sounding disappointed, Sojo asked, ‘Don’t you have a haunted room?’

‘Not really.’

‘But surely you have a ghost?’ she persisted hopefully.

‘Not one you need worry about,’ he said smoothly.

‘Oh, I’m not worried. Just fascinated.’ She gave an excited wriggle. ‘There’s nothing I enjoy more than a nice spooky ghost.’

Simon laughed. ‘Sorry to disappoint you, but it isn’t the kind that wanders about moaning and rattling its chains.’

‘What does it do?’ Then, aware she must have appeared flippant, she said quickly, ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that like it sounded. What I meant to ask is, what kind of ghost is it? Someone who was walled up? An ancestor who died in battle?’

He shook his head. ‘Nothing so exciting, I’m afraid. If it exists at all, it’s just the spirit of a young girl…’

As they turned into the Long Gallery, he invited ironically, ‘Come and meet the ancestors.’

Gazing at the portraits in amazement, Sojo asked, ‘Do all these belong to the Farringdon family?’

‘Most of them are of the bloodline, the others are in-laws.’

As they paused in front of the portrait of a handsome, dark-haired man with a short, pointed beard, a luxuriant moustache and a rakish air, Sojo commented, ‘Now, he looks as though he could have been a bit of a lad.’

‘That’s a pretty fair assessment.’ Turning to Charlotte, Simon asked, ‘Can you guess who he is?’

‘Sir Roger Farringdon?’

‘Got it in one.’

‘Better known as the queen’s favourite,’ Charlotte added.

‘Why was that?’ Sojo asked innocently.

When Simon had explained, they strolled on while he named various people and gave brief details of their role in the family.

‘Who’s that?’ Sojo enquired, pointing to a picture of a beautiful young girl with high cheekbones and a passionate mouth. Her black hair was taken up into an elaborate chignon, and she was wearing a gold brocade evening gown and a magnificent teardrop diamond around her swan-like neck.

‘That’s Carlotta Bell-Farringdon,’ Simon answered.

‘I must say that’s some rock she’s wearing…if it’s real?’

‘Oh, yes, it’s real enough.’

As Sojo’s eyes widened, he explained, ‘The diamond was given to her by her lover, who was the descendant of a doge known as the Lion of Venice. It’s come to be called the Carlotta Stone.’

‘Did she and her lover marry?’

‘Unfortunately they weren’t able to. He already had a wife.’

‘So she died an old maid pining for him?’

‘Not at all. Shortly after the portrait was painted she married the Duke of Cessina.’

As they neared the end of the gallery, indicating three portraits by Samuel Launston, he said, ‘That’s Sophia and Joshua, my great-grandparents, and the young man next to them is Grandfather when he was twenty-one.’

‘I would have known,’ Charlotte said. ‘Other than getting older, Sir Nigel hasn’t altered all that much. He’s still a nice-looking man.’

‘Now, that’s strange…’ Leaning forward, Sojo was studying the portrait intently.

‘Strange in what way?’ Simon queried.

‘The young girl there, the delicate-looking one…she’s very like Charlotte.’

His expression impassive, Simon said nothing.

Returning her gaze to the picture, Sojo pursued, ‘She has the same-shaped eyes… And look at her ears… See what I mean? Small and neat, hardly any lobes? Just like Charlotte’s.’

She turned to Charlotte and, only half joking, asked, ‘You were adopted, weren’t you? So it’s possible you’re related to the girl in this picture in some way.’

Feeling uncomfortable, Charlotte said crisply, ‘The very idea’s ridiculous.’

Sojo sighed. ‘As I’ve said before, you have no sense of the dramatic.’

‘You’re very good at spotting a likeness.’ Simon observed admiringly.

‘A trained eye. Ever since I was able to hold a pencil I’ve sketched people. I spent a year at art school, hoping to become an artist, but it didn’t work out… So who is she?’

Glancing at Charlotte, Simon asked, ‘Who do you think she is?’

Gazing at the small, heart-shaped face, its childish beauty framed by a cloud of dark, silky hair, she ventured, ‘Mara?’

He nodded. As they moved on, turning to Sojo, he explained, ‘Grandfather had twin sisters. Mara was the younger one. She died when she was seven.’

‘And she’s your ghost?’ Sojo guessed shrewdly.

‘In a manner of speaking.’

‘Does she still haunt the place?’

‘No, I don’t believe she does. Though perhaps her spirit lingered for a while. Who knows?’

‘Sounds fascinating. Tell me more.’