She pressed her lips together stubbornly. ‘Will there be anyone famous singing in the opera this evening?’
‘You will answer my question, Gemini.’
Gemini gave a huff of incredulous laughter. ‘I really can’t believe that there are any women left who would still fall for that “me man, you woman” routine!’
‘Oh, but there are.’ His jaw set. ‘Some men too.’
‘Then more fool them,’ she came back pertly. ‘I assure you it isn’t going to work on me!’
Drakon was certain that Gemini was using this conversation to hold something back from him. As certain as he was that minutes ago he had tried deliberately to ins
ult her in an effort to put some distance between them. In retrospect, the insult had backfired on him when she had revealed that all the diamond and emerald jewellery she was wearing this evening had once belonged to her mother, and as such obviously had a sentimental value rather than a monetary one.
Yes, he had made a mistake by attempting to insult her, and it was a mistake he regretted—but that did not detract from the fact that he had every intention of knowing exactly what it was she wasn’t telling him.
‘Perhaps if I were to apologise for my earlier insensitivity?’ he said awkwardly, not used to finding himself in a position where he needed to apologise to anybody.
‘Perhaps.’
He nodded in satisfaction. ‘Now you will tell me why you do not have your mother’s engagement ring.’
Gemini looked across at him incredulously. ‘That was your apology?’
‘Yes.’
‘That’s really the best you can do?’
His jaw tensed at her obvious teasing. ‘For the moment I believe so, yes.’
She laughed softly. ‘Gosh, it’s so hard to resist when you’ve apologised so…prettily.’
‘Gemini!’ Drakon ground his teeth together at her obvious prevarication.
She gave a weary sigh. ‘If you really must know…’
‘I believe I must, yes.’ A nerve pulsed in his tightly clenched jaw.
Gemini’s face was once again pale. ‘I accepted the earrings, necklace and bracelet after Mummy died because my father so obviously wanted me to have things that meant so much to both of them. But I could see how painful it was for him to even think of giving me Mummy’s engagement and wedding rings.’
Drakon nodded. ‘I can understand that.’
He knew that his own mother kept his father’s wedding ring safely locked away in her jewellery box. Occasionally she took it out just to sit and hold it in her hands and think of the man she had loved and still did love—so deeply she had never even contemplated remarrying.
Drakon’s gaze sharpened as he thought of Miles Bartholomew’s remarriage, and the vindictive woman who had become his second wife. ‘Where are those rings now?’
Gemini smiled sadly. ‘I think we both know you’ve already guessed exactly where my mother’s rings are, Drakon.’
He could certainly take a good and accurate guess as to what had become of the rings. It was unbelievable. Unacceptable!
‘Tell me anyway,’ he ground out harshly.
Gemini sighed. ‘The will my father left was made shortly after he and Angela were married. At a time when he still believed her to be an honourable woman, as well as a warm and loving one,’ she added dully.
Drakon looked aghast. ‘Your father expected that Angela would be honourable enough to give your mother’s rings to you after he had died?’
‘I believe he did, yes.’
‘Which she has not done?’