Page 55 of Unseen

“I did. She is a good woman, married far below her station but her family had lost everything. I tend to find such cases tug at my heartstrings.” His mouth shifted into a crooked smile. “Although you, at least, chose well.”

I scoffed, shaking my head. “Chose. What an interesting word that is.”

“Indeed. Speaking of choice.” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small blue velvet box. “We did not have time in the register there, but I feel the vows are not sealed until there is a ring, wouldn’t you agree?”

I raised an eyebrow, and took the box from his hand. “I suppose it depends on the ring.” I flipped the box open, and my heart skipped a beat. Or perhaps even several. I had never in my life seen a diamond that size before. I stared at it, my mouth agape, as it sparkled and glimmered in the muted London light.

“Is it too garish, beloved?” Azriel leaned forward to take the ring from the box, gently sliding his hand around mine to place the ring on my left hand. “I did think that for the queen of my heart, only the best would do. And since this is the biggest diamond my mother’s family had, it seemed only fitting that it be yours.”

“This was your mother’s?”

Azriel shook his head. “My grandmother’s. I asked for it, the last time I was in Spain.”

“The last time…” I trailed off, my head whirring with too many questions. “But, why would you ask for this when-”

“Because I hoped, Evie.” His eyes darkened. “I hoped, and I prayed. And by a miracle, my prayers were answered.”

I stared at him, the cage growing tighter and tighter around me. “You hoped… for me?”

“All these years, Evie.” He clutched my hand in his, pressing it to his lips. “I am yours. Your servant. Always.”

I raised my hand to run it over his head, a gentle action, in return for all those he had now given me. The love and tenderness I so desperately longed for. But then I recalled what had occurred merely an hour ago, in that very carriage, on the way to our wedding.

Azriel was no more my servant than the Parish priest. Simply more games, more deceit, more playing the part to get what he wanted. Now I was his wife, he would show me no mercy, of that I was certain.

A pretty ring changed nothing.

I shoved him away from me with a heavy sigh. “You say such things, and yet you do not understand them.”

“Perhaps I do not. But it is such fun to pretend.” The satisfied smirk on his face returned, and I knew I was looking at the real Azriel Caine.

My husband.

16

MY GHOST

Returning to the house as Mrs Caine once more was almost surreal. The servants did not know where to look, or how to be. Were congratulations in order? Should they seek out a bottle of champagne? I do not think any of us truly knew what to do, especially in the face of Azriel’s swagger.

He, of course, was triumphant.

He had won.

The enormous diamond glittered on my hand, and it burned like a brand. The more I looked at it, the more garish it seemed, and I knew for certain that Azriel meant it as an insult to his father. The ring Acton had given had been a small, demure band, set with a few diamonds. This was a ring that would make Queen Victoria herself envious.

“Madam,” Mary said gently, taking off my shawl and shaking the rain droplets from it. “May I offer my congratulations?”

“You certainly may,” Azriel replied loudly, shrugging off his coat and handing it to the man who came rushing from the side passage. “Have someone go down to the market andfetch roses. Two dozen.” He cast me a side glance. “Red ones?”

I shook my head. “Pink.”

He grinned. “Of course. Pink roses, for my beautiful lady wife."

“Certainly, sir.” The man gave a stiff nod, taking Azriel’s hat and disappearing as quickly as he had arrived.

“Does madam require anything more?” Mary asked haltingly.

“No, thank you, Mary.” I removed my bonnet, and handed it to her along with the pins. “I am rather tired. I might go and rest for a while.” I hesitated, and turned to Azriel. “As long as you do not object, husband.”

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