He pulled the delicate velvet box from his pocket and placed it in her hand. “A gift is aneedfor the giver—not the recipient.”
“Oh my. I see.” She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and lifted the box higher, eyeing it as though it held something dangerous. “You really didn’t have to, you know. It is not as if our marriage is…”
“Is what?”
“Uhm…Usual, I suppose would be a way of putting it.”
“I know,” he said quietly. “But I wish to make you happy again.” He would not tell her of his hope that their marriage would one day beusualin the best way possible. She would never believe him. He nudged her hand that held the box. “Open it. It is my sincerest hope you will like it.”
After another reluctant glance at him, she removed the ribbon and carefully opened the hinged lid. “Aregardring.” Her tone revealed she was less than impressed but determined to be polite. “How lovely.” But then something came over her, something that gave him hope. She cradled the box in both hands and studied the gemstones closer. “No, this one is different. The gems do not spellregard, do they?”
“No. They do not.” He waited, holding his breath for her to discover the uniqueness of this ring that was intended for her alone.
“Diamond, emerald, amethyst, ruby, emerald, sapphire, topaz.” Her voice had dropped to a whisper as she named the stones. She stole another glance at him, this time lingering long enough to meet his gaze. “Dearest?”
“Yes. Because that is who you are to me, my little wren. You are and always will be mydearest.” He took the ring out of the box and showed her the inscription inside the band. “And this is what our marriage shall be built upon.Trust.”
Tears welled in her lovely eyes. “It is wonderful, Matthew,” she whispered. “So very wonderful.”
“Shall I place it on your finger?”
“Yes, please.” She breathed the words so softly he barely heard her.
As he slid it to the base of her ring finger on her left hand, he smiled. “A perfect fit. A good omen, wouldn’t you say?”
She nodded while gazing down at her hand and slowly tilting it so the stones caught the light. “It is very lovely.” Her smile finally shone in her eyes once again. “Thank you.” She hugged her hand to her heart and twitched a little shrug. “I thought you might be here to inquire about the date we shall wed.”
“Have you settled on one?” He wouldn’t remind her that the sooner they married, the sooner the gossips would get bored with them and move on to torment some other poor soul.
“Felicity and Cook already have our wedding breakfast well in hand, and the maids have my trunks sorted. They assure me it will take no time at all to finish packing that which remains.” She paused and swallowed hard, as if she had just forced down an overly large bite of biscuit. “Would the day after tomorrow be suitable for your schedule?”
“It would indeed, thank you.” He hated this new, meek demeanor of hers. Where was his feisty little wren that warbled and darted through any situation with wit and fury? “I shall notify Mrs. Greer that the lady of the house will arrive the day after tomorrow. Shall I send for some of your trunks, or do you prefer to wait until your maid can accompany them to get your things properly situated in your rooms?”
She stared at him for a long moment, appearing bewildered. It was as if he had spoken in a language she didn’t understand. “My maid?” she said under her breath, more to herself than him. “I suppose I shall need a maid, shan’t I?”
“I fear Mrs. Greer cannot spare Mary Louise, and neither would she suit the task. While she is efficiency itself when it comes to many things, the duties of a lady’s maid are not her strengths. Her shortcomings caused poor Agnus to lose her temper more than once.”
Both of Fortuity’s fair eyebrows rose nearly to her hairline. “Agnus Sykesbury lost her temper? More than once? With Mary Louise? I cannot imagine that.”
Matthew chuckled. “It was quite remarkable. Even Eleanor was rendered speechless both times, and you can imagine my astonishment and joy at her mouth being shut for her.”
“Oh my. I am sorry I missed that.” Fortuity’s gaze settled once more on her ring and her smile widened, thrilling him immensely.
“You truly like it?” he asked.
“I do indeed.” With a sheepish dip of her head, she ran her thumb back and forth across the gemstones, barely spinning the ring on her finger. “I shall cherish it always.” She went quiet and her brow slightly puckered. Shadows of worry blotted the light of happiness from her eyes.
“What are you thinking, Fortuity?”
“How we have always been such good friends, even from the very start, and I do not wish us to lose that. I fear the loss of your freedom will cause you to resent me.”
It took every ounce of restraint he possessed to keep from dropping to his knees and telling her he was glad they were marrying. He didn’t dare, though, not yet. Because she would never believe him. Instead, he took her hands in his. “I do not now, nor will I ever, resent you.”
“How do you know?”
He took her hand and pressed it to his chest, flattening her palm over his heart. “My heart knows. That is all that matters, because I have learned that my heart gets things right far more often than my head does.”
She didn’t speak, nor did she lift her gaze from where she had it locked on her hand on his chest. Then she eased her hand free and hugged it to her middle. “I am glad you do not resent me,” she said quietly.
