When You Give a Duke a Diamond Read Online Free PDF

wish to discuss, Lucifer,” Juliette replied with strained politeness. “I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage.”
    “Oh, come, come. We are friends. We can be honest with each other.”
    She shook her head, cutting her gaze to the drawing-room doors. If she ran, could she make it in time? Even as the thought occurred to her, Gabriel—large and blond—stepped in front of the doors and crossed his arms.
    “I am being honest with you,” she said to Lucifer, panic rising in her throat now. “I don’t know you.” But even as she spoke she could see he didn’t believe her. She could see she was doomed.
    Lucifer raised a brow. “But I know you , and I know you have something of mine. Now, are you going to tell me about the diamonds, or am I going to have to find more creative methods of loosening your tongue?”
    ***
    Juliette tried to steady her hands, but when she set her tea cup on the tray on her bed, the china rattled. She was so tired, and yet every time she closed her eyes, her mind raced with what ifs and should haves.
    “Drink your tea, sweetie,” Lily said. She was seated on one side of Juliette’s bed, and Fallon was on the other. Juliette had sent Hollows to fetch them as soon as Lucifer and Gabriel had gone. The butler had wanted to fetch the magistrate, but Juliette refused. Lucifer had been rather explicit about what would happen if she went public about their so-called discussion.
    “She doesn’t need more tea.” Fallon rose hastily. “She’s had three cups. What she needs is three fingers of brandy.”
    Juliette shook her head. “No. What I need is sleep, but I’m too overwrought. I keep thinking about that man—Lucifer.”
    “And you’re certain Oliver didn’t send him?”
    “Oliver had no part in this. This Lucifer didn’t care about me. He kept hounding me about diamonds. I cannot understand why he should think I would have them.”
    “Are you certain you don’t want us to send for the magistrate?” Lily asked.
    “Yes! I told you no magistrate!”
    “But what if this Lucifer returns?” Fallon asked, pouring herself a splash of brandy from the decanter on the dainty table across from Juliette’s bed. “Are you certain you convinced him you don’t have the diamonds?”
    “I’m not certain of anything. I tried to keep my composure, to reason with him and explain, but when he threatened to pull out my fingernails, I broke down.”
    “Of course you did.” Lily hugged her. “That man was horrible and obviously has you mistaken with someone else.”
    Juliette shook her head. “No. He knew who I was, and he thought I stole his diamonds.”
    Fallon, who was an accomplished pickpocket, laughed. “You’ve never stolen anything in your life.”
    “That’s what I told him. But he kept insisting we were friends, and I could tell him the truth.” She shuddered. Juliette saw the look pass between Lily and Fallon, and shook her head. “No. Whatever you two just decided, no.”
    “I think you should stay home tonight,” Lily said. “I think we should all send our regrets to Prinny.”
    “No.” Juliette began to rise.
    “You are in no state to attend a ball,” Fallon argued, finishing her brandy. “You haven’t slept, and you’re upset. Let’s stay home tonight, and the three of us will travel to Somerville tomorrow. I know the countess will rally when she sees us.”
    “I cannot miss the ball.” Juliette stood, and her legs wobbled underneath her. She clenched her jaw and steadied herself.
    “It’s just a ball,” Lily argued, taking Juliette’s elbow. “There will be a hundred more.”
    Juliette shook her head. “Not like this one. The entire ton is expecting me to be there. They want to see what happens when Pelham and I are in the same room.”
    “You heard Lord Darlington yesterday,” Lily argued. “The duke is unlikely even to attend.”
    “And if he disappoints,” Juliette said, ringing for Rosie, “the beau monde will forgive him. If I disappoint,