Love's Fiery Jewel (57 page)

Staring at the youthful smiling face, Damien felt a
deep futility twist his vitals. "And Amethyst, what did
she have to say to your plan, Sheridan?"

"Amethyst?" Hesitating briefly, William directed a
cool glance into Damien's intense expression. His
response was slow and deliberate. "She smiled a bright
farewell to me from the rail of the ship as she sailed,
Straith. She was intensely relieved to be free of you at
last."

His eyes closing briefly at the pain William's words
inflicted, Damien felt a sinking sensation deep inside.
There was no longer any doubt in his mind that Sheridan
spoke the truth. Amethyst was gone...

"I'll be leaving now, Straith." William's casual tone
drew Damien's attention back from his dark wanderings
to strike the final blow. "I've completed my mission here. I didn't want you to live with uncertainty any longer. I
wanted you to know for sure that you've really lost her."

Taking only a moment longer to stare into the light
piercing eyes looking out at him from behind the rusted
door, William repeated coldly, his voice clear and
precise, "Amethyst is gone, Straith...she's gone.
You've lost her."

Struggling to clutch her cape tightly against the biting
December wind, Amethyst reached up to pay the
coachman. The hired carriage had been a luxury she
could ill afford, but she was still unaccustomed to the
penetrating Philadelphia cold after almost a full month in
the city, and did not think she would be able to withstand
the long walk to and from her destination from Widow
Graydon's Old Slate Roof House, where she had lodgings.
Shivering after only a few minutes in the piercing wind,
Amethyst hurried a few steps down the street to enter the
small shop near the corner.

Slightly apprehensive, Amethyst closed the door
behind her, hoping her expression did not convey the
trepidation inundating her spirit. But her return to
Philadelphia had been frought with unexpected difficulties that had worn slowly and efficiently at her
confidence until she had begun to wonder if indeed
Damien had turned his obeah against her from temporary
captivity in Jamaica. William had assured her that the
authorities would hold Damien no longer than three
weeks, allowing her at least that much time to contact
Mr. Helmswood and make arrangements for a situation
that would take her out of Damien's reach. But William's
welt thought-through plans were destined for failure.
Upon arriving in Philadelphia, Amethyst had taken
rooms in Oeller's Hotel, considering the expensive
lodgings only temporary until Mr. Helmswood could
recommend a better course of action. Having left Tillie to
unpack and care for Marian, she had headed immediately to Mr. Helmswood's offices, only to find that the
prominent attorney had been killed in a carriage accident
only a week before. Stunned by the setback in her plans,
Amethyst had returned to Oeller's in a state of desperate
confusion. The responsibility for Tillie and Marian
weighing heavily on her shoulders, Amethyst had spent
the following weeks perusing the Philadelphia papers for
situations available, only to find that her youth and
beauty, coupled with the responsibility of a young child,
was a severe detriment to finding suitable work. Her
money fast diminishing, Amethyst had moved her small
family to Widow Graydon's boarding house, which was
considerably less expensive, but the drain on her funds
was relentless. After a little over a month in the city,
Amethyst had barely enough to pay the next week's
lodgings. Desperate for funds, she had decided to sell the
jewelry Damien had given her. Angry with herself that
she was still indirectly dependent on Damien's support,
she approached the counter and the small man behind it
who eyed her appraisingly.

"You are Mr. Falworth, I presume," Amethyst began
hesitantly.

"Yes, I am he. May I help you, Miss? The slender,
balding man's nasal tone grated sharply on Amethyst's
nerves, as did his open appraisal of her attire.

Grateful that she had had the foresight to pack her
heavy winter outerwear for her intended trip back to
Philadelphia from Jamaica, Amethyst knew she presented an impressive appearance in the deep gray velvet
cape. With a graceful maneuver, Amethyst managed to
display the heavy otter lining matching the wide band of
the same fur trimming the hood of the luxurious
garment, realizing the astute proprietor was mentally
totaling the sum of her ensemble. She did not want him
to be suspicious when she presented the costly jewelry.

"Yes, I do believe you'll be able to be of some help, Mr. Falworth. Mr. Wilbur Helmswood's office directed me to
you as a trustworthy person who would offer me an
honest price for the articles I wish to sell." Retrieving a
small bundle from her bag, Amethyst slowly opened a
soft cloth, catching in an unguarded moment the man's
obvious amazement at the jewelry inside. His eyes
moving quickly over the long strand of perfectly matched
pearls, the costly amethyst necklace and matching
earbobs, the miscellaneous diamond and amethyst
earbobs Damien had insisted on buying for her, the
heavy gold chains that were to be her casual daytime
jewelry, and the set of six diamond hair ornaments he had
purchased to match the sapphire gown she had been fated
not to wear for the previous year's Winter Ball at
Oeller's; Mr. Falworth touched his index finger to his
narrow lips in a thoughtful gesture. Turning, he reached
for his jeweler's glass, taking each piece into his hand to
examine it closely before speaking.

Apparently satisfied at last, Mr. Falworth's nasal tone
sounded hesitantly, "Well, the gems do seem to be of
good quality, Miss, but I'm truthfully uncertain how
quickly I'll be able to move articles of this value. Frankly,
I'm hesitant to purchase these items outright, but I will
agree to handle them for you on consignment."

Taken aback, Amethyst was hesitant. "I'm afraid I
don't understand exactly what you mean by that, Mr.
Falworth."

"I mean I will take the jewels, Miss, give you a receipt
for them, and offer them for sale. When and if they're
sold, I'll take a percentage of the amount as commission
on the sale, and give the remainder to you."

The street door of the shop opened and closed behind
her, but Amethyst was too engrossed in the unexpected
turn of events to pay it any mind. "But that means you
will hold the jewelry for an indefinite period without my
receiving any funds, sir. I'm afraid such an arrangement will not suit my situation. My needs are immediate. Isn't
there any way you can help me now?"

Suddenly realizing Mr. Falworth's attention had
strayed from her face to a point behind her, Amethyst
began turning in the same direction as a deep, familiar
voice met her ears.

"Ma cherie, I'm afraid there is much you have to learn
about striking a good bargain."

Her startled glance coming into contact with warm
dark eyes, Amethyst gasped. "Armand!" Uncertain
whether it was happiness or embarrassment that caused
the bright flush that flooded her face, Amethyst made a
valiant attempt to lead the conversation away from the
exchange she was certain he had overheard. "What a
surprise to see you here! Are you shopping for a bauble
for your latest ladyfriend, perhaps?"

"Cherie," Armand's sober expression effectively
dismissed her attempt at lightness, "I came here looking
for you."

"For me!" Startled, Amethyst replied unthinkingly,
"That's absurd, Armand! How could you possibly know I
was here?"

Touching her cheek in a light caress, Armand looked
directly into the bright lavender eyes turned up to his.
"The answer is quite simple, ma petite. I returned from
New York this morning and was informed that you had
returned to Philadelphia without Monsieur Straith."
Noting the manner in which Amethyst's gaze fell from
his at the mention of Damien Straith, Armand hesitated
for a moment before continuing. "After numerous
inquiries, I ascertained your lodgings and went directly
to see you. Your maid told me you had come here."

Her brows knitting in a small frown, Amethyst
muttered softly under her breath, "That Tillie! She has
no sense at all!"

"Quite the contrary, cherie. She simply recognized my deep concern and since she was also quite worried about
this mission on which you had embarked, she told
me..."

"...she told you why I came here." Shaking her head
in futile acceptance, Amethyst finished Armand's quiet
statement.

"You must not be angry with your Tillie, ma petite. It
is obvious she thinks highly of you and was concerned for
your welfare. But enough of this for now." Abruptly
turning to Mr. Falworth, Armand said pleasantly, "I'm
sorry, monsieur, but Mademoiselle Greer has changed
her mind and does not wish to sell her jewels at the
present time."

"Armand! What are you saying? I must..."

Laying his finger lightly against her lips, Armand
effectively hushed her protest as he urged her gently
toward the doorway. "First we must talk. Then you may
do as you wish. Does that meet with your approval, ma
cherie? If nothing else, I may be able to help you with
your bargaining technique. I'm afraid it is sorely in need
of improvement."

Flushing lightly at his slight reproof, Amethyst was
unable to suppress the begrudging smile that tugged at
her lips. "And as sorely as it chafes to admit my
inadequacy, Armand, I'm afraid you're right. This past
month has severely strained my self-confidence."

"Ali, then you must come with me now, ma petite
Amethyst, for if there is one thing of which I am certain,
it is that my unfaltering devotion will give your
confidence the lift it needs."

"Oh, Armand!" Responding spontaneously to his
soft-spoken charm, Amethyst's smile broadened. "You're
outrageous!" Sliding her slender arm under his, she
moved into step beside him as she continued, her eyes
looking gratefully into his, "In any case, Armand, I will
appreciate your guidance."

His eyes flicking quickly across her lovely face,
Armand said quietly, "Oh, cherie, I..." Apparently
reconsidering his statement, Armand stopped abruptly.
Turning to give Mr. Falworth a brief salute, he turned
back once again to smile into her eyes before drawing her
with him to the door.

Carefully assisting her into the waiting carriage,
Armand sat opposite her before inquiring politely, "Shall
we return to your lodgings, Amethyst? Tillie will be an
adequate chaperone, and I would like to speak to you in a
place of privacy. Do you have any objections to my
presence in your rooms, ma petite?"

"Armand!" Startled by his question, Amethyst's
response was immediate. "Of course I don't! You've
always been a perfect gentleman."

"Oui, Cherie." Making no attempt to disguise his
rueful expression, Armand shook his head with a small
laugh, "But if I were to be completely honest, I would
have to say it was extremely difficult at times." His smile
suddenly broadening, Armand leaned forward to take her
two hands into his. "But now, cherie, I want to talk about
now. Now you are even more beautiful than when I last
saw you, and I had not truly believed that possible.
And the child, it is a girl, is it not? Your Tillie spoke of
Marian."

"You are in for a treat, Armand," Amethyst responded
brightly, her motherly pride sparkling in the lavender
eyes raised to his. "She's a beautiful little girl."

"If she resembles her mother, then there is no doubt
she is beautiful," Armand added, his heart warming at
Amethyst's glowing response.

Her smile dimming for a brief second, Amethyst
replied softly, "No, Armand, she doesn't resemble me,
but...but she is a lovely baby, you'll see."

Oblivious to the assessing glances turned in her direction, Amethyst quickly ascended the steps toward
her room, turning to shoot Armand a small smile as he
followed behind. "It was time I returned anyway,
Armand. Marian will soon be wanting her feeding, and
that is a task Tillie cannot perform for me, I'm afraid."
Flushing slightly at her own outspokenness, Amethyst
eagerly led Armand down the hall. Stopping to knock
lightly at the door, she had only to wait the briefest
moment before the key turned in the lock and the door
opened to reveal Tillie's relieved expression. Her eyes
moving quickly to the man behind her, Tillie stepped
back to allow Amethyst and Armand entrance.

"I see you're not surprised to see Monsieur Beauchamps, Tillie." Directing a dark look into Tillie's face,
Amethyst awaited her response as she slowly removed
her cape.

"No, Tillie not be surprised." The mulatto's answer
was direct. Turning her glance briefly in Armand's
direction, she said quietly, "This man come here and
Tillie see him worried for Amethyst Greer, just like Tillie.
Tillie tell you not to go alone to see that man, but
Amethyst not listen... Amethyst never listen to Tillie..."