Page 19 of Again, Scoundrel

“Don’t let me delay you, then.”

Alistair cleared his throat. “What I mean to say is that I have escorted my mother to the exhibits this morning, and she is right now in the room where your cousin just headed, agog at the Indian diamond. And I, like you, would prefer to be here rather than there.”

Violet felt a small twinge in her heart at the notion that he’d been watching her. But then she realized it was Catherine whose movements he’d tracked, not hers.

Of course, he noted Catherine. She’s the beautiful daughter of an earl. And I’m… me.

The thought bothered her, even though she knew it shouldn’t.

“So, you dislike diamonds,” she said. “Is there anything you do like, Lord Alistair?”

“A great many things, Miss Goodwin. And I don’t dislike diamonds in general. Only that diamond.”

“I see.”

“It’s likely you do not.”

Violet glared at him for a moment, ready to retort, but there was something flinty and hard in his eyes that made her swallow her reply. She changed the subject instead.

“Do you see that,” she asked, pointing to a cylindrical machine on display. “It’s a kymograph. Invented just a few years ago, it can measure the pressure of your blood and the contractions of your body. Isn’t that fascinating?”

“What would one do with such information?” Alistair asked.

“The measurements are important during treatment. That cannula,” she showed him the small, hollow tube, “is connected to a drum filled with mercury. One end of the tube is placed in the artery and the other floats on top of the mercury, recording the movement of the blood.”

“And what does that tell you?”

“How fast the blood is moving, and so likely the heart as well. It would tell you about a patient’s level of pain perhaps or of excitement. It peaks, you see,” she pointed at the pen, “when there is excitement.”

Alistair coughed into his hand, and Violet glanced up at him, seeing a familiar twinkle of humor pass through his eyes.

“What did I say?” she asked.

Alistair shook his head. “Nothing of importance.”

“It was something. I saw your reaction.” She stared at him for another moment and then narrowed her eyes. “Lord Alistair Crawford, are you laughing at me?”

“I am not, Miss Goodwin. I give you my word.”

She looked at him again warily, but his face was sincere.

“Go on,” he said. “Please. Tell me more.”

“I should check on Catherine.” Violet glanced down the long hallway to where the diamond exhibit was. “I am her companion, after all.”

“There is no need. My mother is there. Nothing untoward will happen with the Marchioness in attendance, I promise. Stay with me.”

Violet felt her heart lurch at his request. But then she ruthlessly pushed away any foolish thoughts that it was her company he desired. He didn’t really want to spend time with her. He just didn’t want to be in the room with that diamond.

“What is it about the diamond that bothers you so?” she asked.

“Nothing.” Alistair said and straightened his cravat.

She knew he was lying. His brow had furrowed before he spoke, and his jaw clenched.

“Did you know that your blood pressure also increases when you’re untruthful?” Violet asked. “I wonder what the kymograph would say about you now?”

Alistair turned away from Violet’s eyes. “It would say that I do not wish to speak of the East India Company,” he said softly. “That I regret the time I spent in their employ with every iota of my being, and that when I see something like that,” he gestured down the hallway, “a priceless gem coerced from its rightful owners and displayed with such hubris and arrogance, I am reminded of the part I played in that history. And I loathe it.”