The Queen of Diamonds

by Moore, Juliet

  "Of course. I understand." He was calm.

  Now she stared at him, waiting to see if his expression would change. If he was playing with her and would soon explode. But nothing like that happened. He was completely calm about it all. He meant what he said. He understood what she had to do and he wasn't upset.

  That was mature of him, no question. But was it normal behavior for a husband? Catherine couldn't imagine how he could make her feel less loved. He hadn't asked her any questions about it. Like whether Harrison was a complete gentleman, where she slept, or where Harrison was at that very moment. Marcus just didn't care.

  Catherine wanted to leave the room. She had been about to leave Africa under the impression her husband was dead. He wasn't dead, though. He was very much alive.

  And it didn't matter one whit.

  "Don't you realize that this illegal business you are involved in puts you in great danger?" she asked.

  "Yes, I suppose."

  "So if I were to stay here, I would either do this with you, putting myself in danger as well, or I will be alone. Again. Waiting for the day you finally decide you've made enough money and are ready to go home."

  "I hadn't completely thought it all through."

  "Of course you hadn't." She sat on the bed, emotionally exhausted. "This won't work, Marcus. I'm going back to England tomorrow."

  "Are you sure? What about our marriage?"

  "What marriage?"

  He shook his head. "We won't be able to get a divorce. The law will never allow it."

  "I am not planning on being a divorced woman." She met his questioning gaze. "I will be a widow."

  The understanding dawned on his face. "Of course! That makes perfect sense."

  "I'm glad you agree," she said with the roll of her eyes. "I'm not necessary to your plans anymore. Good-bye, Marcus. I hope you're happy."

  "I'll send money, Catherine."

  "I don't want ill-gotten gains. I want to be able to look at myself in the mirror and respect the person I see."

  "You'll have to get a job, won't you?" He had a pitying expression on his face, as though the thought was reprehensible.

  "Yes, but I'm not unhappy about that. I'm sure I can make the best of things. At least I can be of use to someone."

  Catherine took one last look at her husband, then shut the door behind her.

  * * *

  When Catherine returned to her room after pacing aimlessly through the local shops for an hour, Marcus was gone. In his place was Harrison, standing by the window and looking out onto the street.

  Harrison startled when she walked in, turning quickly. "I didn't see you come into the hotel," he said.

  "I came from the other side." She took a deep, calming breath and thought about how best to get through the night. She didn't even know how to begin to tell him about Marcus. Additionally, she didn't want to listen to him explain why he was staying in Africa while she returned to England alone.

  He wrung his hands and didn't meet her gaze. "I have something I need to talk to you about."

  "I know," she said. "There is something I need to tell you as well. May I go first?"

  "Please do," he said, sounding more than a little relieved.

  What had happened earlier with Marcus might actually have made things easier. Now Harrison could use that as his reason for leaving her. Perhaps if she went along with that polite fiction, she could walk away from him with her head held high. "Marcus is alive."

  His face fell before he could stop himself, but he quickly recovered and gave her a faltering smile. "Well, that's wonderful."

  "It's not wonderful at all. He and David concocted a plan to keep the diamonds for themselves. Marcus was never shot and, obviously, David never buried him. If I ever see that man again, I swear-"

  "How did you discover this?"

  "Marcus was here, in the hotel. I guess luck wasn't on his side when he decided to spend the night here." In spite of herself, she laughed. It might have been a little maniacal, but it was cathartic. "He wants to continue to steal diamonds. He thinks it's a genius plan. Especially now that he plans to do it as a ghost."

  "And how are you to fit into this plan?"

  Catherine shook her head. "He suggested we could work things out. He promised we'd become very wealthy with his plan."

  "You'd have to stay here in Africa."

  "Yes."

  "So what did you say?" Harrison asked, slowly approaching her.

  "I said no. I told him I was leaving, even if it's by myself." She reached out to him and held his face between her two hands. "I chose you."

  A range of emotions appeared on his face. "So you did. You also choose freedom."

  She kissed his cheek, then let him go. Then she crossed the room to look out the window, feeling emotionally torn apart from him. The extra physical space seemed fitting. "What did you wish to tell me?"

  "It's about your parents."

  "My parents?" Now that was unexpected. She stepped away from the window. "What is it? You found out something about them?"

  "I did." He held her gaze, even though his expression made it seem as though he wanted to look away. "That night you were attacked, I not only made inquiries as to where to sell the diamond. I also tried to speak to the woman your friend told you about."

  A sharp pain grew in her stomach. "I'm so sorry. I was foolish not to listen to you. Why didn't you tell me?"

  "I didn't tell you before I went because I wanted to surprise you. I didn't tell you afterwards because I knew how it would make you feel."

  To think that he had went to such lengths to spare her feelings… "But, wait. If you discovered something, didn't you think I'd want to know?"

  "Not at the time," he said. "You were dealing with a lot."

  "I don't understand…" Then it came to her. The only possible reason why he'd hold back information. "It's something bad, isn't it?"

  He nodded.

  Catherine had to walk away from him. She had to move her feet because her mind was running in circles. It was as though she needed some sort of release and she couldn't find one. Now was not the time for more bad news.

  "I don't want to upset you, Catherine. I've been a coward keeping this to myself for so long."

  "Just tell me," she said.

  "Your parents died about a month before you arrived here. There is so much disease and sickness in the diamond fields. I've heard of men getting just a tiny cut on the arm, which begins an infection that eventually takes over the entire body. The woman I spoke to didn't have all the details about when and where, but your parents died of a similar infection before you even got to Kimberly."

  Catherine suddenly remembered to breathe. For some reason, the act of holding back her tears made her throat hurt. "So I've lost my parents, too."

  "You lost your parents years ago."

  She wanted to slap him for his response, right across his slightly stubbled cheek. But she knew he was right, and she also knew she had been fantasizing about a scenario that likely would never happen anyway. Her parents weren't going to be in her life, alive or dead.

  Harrison reached out for her.

  Oh, how she wanted to collapse into his arms and take refuge there. Sadly, with everything else that had happened, she couldn't allow herself to create yet another false reality. Harrison wouldn't be joining her in the next phase of her life, and it would be better if she got used it from that moment on. Since she was already at her lowest, it might be the easier time to accept the truth.

  When she didn't go running to him, he moved closer. "Catherine, everything is going to be wonderful. You'll see."

  She shook her head and tried to keep the bitterness out of her voice when she responded to him. "How can you say that? I've lost everyone. My parents, Marcus, and by this time tomorrow, you."

  "Why are you planning on losing me tomorrow?"

  "My ship is leaving. And you, I assume, will be staying here."

  He gave her a confused frown. "Why would I
do that? You can't get rid of me that easily."

  "You're coming with me?" Her eyes stretched to their limit as though blinking would make him change his mind or disappear. "Did you buy tickets?"

  "Of course. I bought second-class passage for the two of us. I thought perhaps your encounter with Marcus might have changed something for you, but I've been planning to go with you ever since his untimely death."

  Catherine hurried forward and grabbed his arms. His muscles flexed beneath her hands. "But you didn't pack everything when we left Kimberly?"

  "At that time, I thought I'd be returning alone. I didn't want to, but that's what I assumed." He wrapped his arms around her back. "Fortunately, I have some friends remaining. They can mail me anything I left behind."

  Kissing him all over, or at least every part she could reach, she said, "You've made me a very happy woman."

  Harrison broke their embrace to pick her up, putting one arm behind her knees and the other behind her upper back. He carried her to the bed. "And I will make you even happier in just a moment."

  "I like the sound of that," she said.

  All that night, he made good on his word.

  * * *

  These docks were busy like the ones in Liverpool had been. It brought back so many memories. If only they were happy ones.

  Today, she would begin a lifetime of happy memories and it was all thanks to the man walking beside her. The porter had already taken their baggage, meager as it was. She gazed at the large ship ahead of her with unbridled anticipation and picked up her pace.

  It happened in an instant.

  One moment, they were moving through the crowd together and the next Harrison had let go of her. She quickly turned to find him, not wanting to be separated for even a second.

  Catherine darted around the people who'd already filled the space behind her. Then she stopped dead in her tracks. She'd found him.

  He was being restrained by two very large men. Next to those men was Trenton.

  "Let go of him," she cried out, running to them. "What are you doing?"

  Trenton moved to the side of the dock, gesturing his men to follow. It was then that she realized he'd brought even more than the two currently holding Harrison. Harrison was vastly outnumbered.

  Catherine followed them, having little choice. She could see he struggled against his captors, but it was useless.

  With an overly sympathetic expression on his face, Trenton said, "I know Watson's alive. I know all about the plan the three of them cooked up."

  "Three of them? Harrison had nothing to do with it."

  Trenton laughed. "Now why would I believe that?"

  "Because it is the truth! What would Harrison gain from colluding with them?"

  "I notice that he's the one leaving with the prize."

  She sighed. "I assure you that neither David nor my husband think I'm the prize."

  "Nevertheless, Harrison Foster will be arrested and put on trial."

  "You can't do this! I will fight any charges you put up against him. I will make sure the proper authorities know what kind of a man you are."

  The men holding Harrison both chuckled rudely.

  Trenton said, "And where will you live while this is going on? How will you support yourself?"

  She bit down hard on her lip. "I still have a claim. I'm sure I can find something."

  "I hardly think that is likely," he said. "How will you ensure your safety?"

  "Is that a threat?"

  With a resigned expression, Harrison said, "There's nothing you can do, Catherine. Just get on the ship."

  "What? And leave you?"

  "Yes. I know how things work out here. How the trials usually go. You won't be able to affect the ultimate outcome." His face was a picture of sorrow. "Please go. Send me a letter when you arrive."

  "No, you don't understand." Her eyes burned. She thought of Trenton standing right there, but she didn't look at him. She didn't care what he thought. "I love you, Harrison."

  "I love you more than my life, Catherine." His gaze was steadfast. "Which is why you must go. Do this for me. Allow me the satisfaction of knowing you're safe. It's the one thing I've been striving for this whole time."

  "But what if I can help free you?"

  He shook his head. "You can't. I'm sorry to agree with the bastard, but everything Trenton said is true. You won't have a place to live, a way to support yourself, and you will be in constant danger from his men."

  Fat tears rolled down her cheeks. "Surely there is some way."

  "There isn't." He looked away. "Please, go. Now."

  Then the men pulled him away.

  Trenton blocked him from her view. "Get out of here before I arrest you too."

  She believed him and so, tears streaming down her face, she ran.

  Chapter Fourteen

  One year later

  Angelica's wedding breakfast was well attended and her father had spared no expense. Catherine was talked into attending with Susan, even though she hadn't come to like parties any more in the year and a half since Angelica came out. In the end, Catherine went because isolating herself didn't hurt anyone but herself.

  It was high time she returned to society, so the wedding came at an ideal time.

  As she and Susan searched the room for the bride, Catherine saw many familiar faces. It was inevitable that she'd have a little difficulty keeping the painful memories at bay. After all, she'd once been a hopeful bride, so she couldn't help but view the day with cynicism colored by her experiences. Furthermore, it reminded her of the love she'd lost.

  Her trip back to England had been one of the hardest things she'd ever lived through. It had been day after day of the same misery. There was the depression from losing everyone she'd ever cared about, hopelessness born from her luck constantly turning against her, and seasickness from the fitting, rough waters. She'd spent days in her cabin at a time, barely eating or surfacing for fresh air. She allowed herself to wallow in the darkest pit of her soul for most of those days. It was the only way she knew how to react to everything that had happened.

  Somehow, it worked. Letting herself slip so low made her realize she had to make a conscious effort to be happy. And that she might hope to find Harrison again one day, but she couldn't rely on it, and it was time to look out for Catherine.

  She found work with a widow who was in her late forties and looking for a companion to brighten her days. Accepting the position was the best thing Catherine could have done for herself. Mrs. Connor was certainly not looking for a lady's companion who would make her days bleaker by moaning about things she could never change, so Catherine had to find peace in her new situation. With time-and to her complete and utter surprise-she found a modicum of happiness.

  That didn't mean that she didn't live frugally and put every extra farthing in a fund she might be able to one day use to return to Harrison. Despite all of the growing up she'd had to do that year, she still thought of him every day and pictured his face at night as she fell asleep.

  Catherine crossed the room by her cousin's side. Angelica was standing just ahead, accepting the well wishes due to her on that day. Helen, also married, was with her. They were still bosom friends it seemed.

  Susan beamed. "Congratulations, Angelica. You look beautiful."

  "Thank you so much." Angelica turned to Catherine and put on a sad face. "It was so kind of you to come. I know how embarrassing it must be to face everyone after all your failures and having to adapt to a lower station."

  Helen made an exaggerated pout. "Oh yes, and how everyone here knows you must work for a living."

  Catherine looked at the two women, certainly not girls any longer, and laughed loudly. Loudly enough to garner the attention of people standing nearby. "You are so right, Angelica. I should have merely stayed here in town, doing the same thing every day, never having any excitement, the only thing to look forward to being the annual church bazaar."

  Susan's eyes went wide.

&n
bsp; "Actually, Angelica," she continued boldly, "I have no shame at all about my adventure. I attempted something few people will, and I can't tell you how much fun I had. Mrs. Connor certainly loves to hear my stories about those days and I do love to tell them. My husband, God rest his soul, was an excellent partner to have and things might have gone differently if he hadn't caught the dengue fever. I may not have returned a wealthy woman, but I am rich in experience."

  Susan lightly touched her arm. "Shall we have something to eat now?"

  "And yes, you are right, Helen, that I must work for a living. What of it? I have food to eat and a lovely place to live. I dare say Mrs. Connor's estate is one of the largest in the county. I have my freedom as well. I need not ask a husband for permission when I am in want of a new dress."

  This made Helen blanch. The rumors of her marriage were true, it seemed.

  "But thank you so much for asking," she said and turned her back to them. Perhaps isolation was a better course for her after all. If being in polite society meant she'd have to revert back to the girl she once was, she'd rather be alone.

  Catherine had only taken two steps away from them when she had the peculiar feeling of being watched. She scanned the room, then gasped. It was only the second time in her life that she thought she was seeing a ghost.

  Harrison. There he stood only a few feet away, dressed in a formal way that he couldn't quite pull off. He was watching her, waiting for her to notice him.

  She rushed forward at once, nearly tripping over the rug.

  Could it really be him?

  Then, before she could even react, he turned around and walked towards the back of the house. He ducked behind a plant screen and was out of sight.

  Catherine hurried after him, caring not for what Susan, Angelica, or anyone else thought of her behavior. She followed the path he'd taken and went down a short, dark hallway. At the end was a door.

  She burst through the door and found herself on the terrace, blinking against an onslaught of bright sunlight. Harrison wasn't standing there as she'd expected. There was no one there at all.