Radiance

Contents Sign up! Also by Sydney Jane Baily Introduction to Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Epilogue Acknowledgments Also by Sydney Jane Baily About Sydney Jane Baily Radiance by Sydney Jane Baily Published by WOLF Publishing UG Copyright © 2022 Sydney Jane Baily Text by Sydney Jane Baily Edited by Chris Hall Cover Art by Victoria Cooper Paperback ISBN: 978-3-98536-151-9 Hard Cover ISBN: 978-3-98536-152-6 Ebook ISBN: 978-3-98536-150-2 This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, brands, media, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. All Rights Reserved This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. WOLF Publishing - This is us: Two sisters, two personalities.. But only one big love! Diving into a world of dreams.. …Romance, heartfelt emotions, lovable and witty characters, some humor, and some mystery! Because we want it all! Historical Romance at its best! Visit our website to learn all about us, our authors and books! Sign up to our mailing list to receive first hand information on new releases, freebies and promotions as well as exclusive giveaways and sneak-peeks! www.wolf-publishing.com Also by Sydney Jane Baily Diamonds of the First Water Four sparkling sisters and their dash-fire brother dazzle the London social Season. Enjoy the excitement of Mayfair’s ballrooms and the luxury of country house parties in this romantic new series with mischief, misunderstandings, and mayhem. And of course passion! #1 Clarity #2 Purity #3 Adam #4 Radiance #5 Brilliance Prequel: A Diamond for Christmas Introduction to DIAMONDS OF THE FIRST WATER Once upon a time, an Irish family by the name of O’Diamáin emigrated to England from the north of Ireland, from County Doire to be specific. You may know the area as Derry or even Londonderry if you are thinking of it after King James I granted the city a royal charter. Felim O’Diamáin, who was the youngest son, sailed across the Irish Sea to make his fortune, bringing his pretty wife and two young children with him. As the story goes, they stopped over on the Isle of Man for a perfectly peaceful night before landing at Ravenglass the next day and traipsing through the Lake District. Another version swears they took the shorter but far more dangerous route north across the sea to Portpatrick, finding themselves in the southernmost part of Scotland. From there, if they indeed came that way, they headed east toward Gretna Green, not for any quick anvil marriage, mind you, but to traverse the border to England. No one knows for sure the veracity of either tale, nor particularly cares. Once they Prologue London, 1852 Radiance Diamond lowered her favorite pen with its lunar-shaped steel nib, setting it beside the recessed inkwell that she’d already filled in preparation for the lecture. The afternoon’s lecturer had just entered through the door at the right front of the main theater in the Royal Polytechnic Institution on Regent Street. And the sight of him was enough to halt her squiggling with pretty, albeit expensive, blue ink while the rest of the audience were still taking their seats. Radiance’s attention was riveted. Although she’d attended a variety of lectures all across London, both interesting and dull, she’d never set eyes upon the geologist, Mr. Edward Lockwood, before. Her breath caught. Now, she never wanted to take her gaze from him. What a rum duke! All broad shoulders and thick, unruly brown hair. Tall but not gangly. Attractive eyes that, from a distance, appeared to be an unusual shade of golden-brown. Sighing, she sat up straighter, coughed slightly to gain his attention, and waited for him to notice her. As expected, his head turned in her direction. Most men, at