“The jeweler is just up ahead,” Arthur said.
“He’s good?”
“Yes, and if he doesn’t have it, he can scour the competition or have something custom designed for you.”
“Interesting,” Charles replied, his mind a thousand miles off as he looked out the coach window with fascination. It was a thriving city, and people from all over the world came to see it for themselves.
Since going to Scotland, he had the urge to see more of the world, and perhaps they would when he and Cathryn went on their wedding trip which they were planning on doing the next spring.
When they pulled up in front of the jeweler, they found a large sign on the window. Arthur had the coachman get down and read the sign. The man quickly returned, telling Arthur the shop was closed due to a death in the family. They would reopen in a week’s time.
“Anywhere else you’d like to go?” his brother asked him.
“No, not unless you can recommend another jeweler.”
“There are one or two I have used in the past, but for something as important and meaningful as a wedding ring, I’d seek out only the best.”
“I agree,” Charles replied. “I’ll go through Mother’s jewelry and see if there’s anything appropriate, if that’s still fine with you.”
“Of course it is.”
“Very well. Anything else you fancy doing?”
“No, nothing that can’t wait,” Arthur replied. “Let’s go home.”
They rode in silence for what seemed forever. The traffic in this part of London was horrid. It always seemed to be non-ending, and there was never a good time. Early mornings the delivery men were out, then businessmen, and in the evenings,it was the ton out for everyone to see them in their finery as they made their way to balls, soirees, or the theater.
“I believe we’ll have the house to ourselves when we arrive. Daphne and Cathryn were supposed to go to tea at the dowager duchess of Blackpool’s house,” Arthur said.
Charles nodded but said nothing. He was staring out the window at all the commotion the traffic caused.
Arthur knew Charles well enough now to know that even if he didn’t respond, it didn’t mean he hadn’t heard the conversation.
“Charles?”
“Yes, the women have gone to have tea,” Charles said.
“And…”
“You can show me Mother’s jewelry without either of them walking in on us.
“Yes, would you like to do that?” Arthur asked.
“I would,” Charles replied with a nod of his head.
Before they knew it, the carriage pulled up in front of the family home. Charles was out of the carriage before any of the footmen could ready the carriage. He didn’t wait for his brother but rather moved quickly into the house. Removing his hat and gloves, he placed them on a nearby table. Arthur walked in and the process repeated itself.
“Join me in my study when you’re ready,” Arthur said.
“I’ll be there shortly.”
Charles needed to have a moment to catch his breath. There was only so much riding in a carriage in town he could tolerate. He found them claustrophobic. He needed to regroup and put this out of his mind. Arthur always made him feel at ease and never forced him into anything. His brother always let him take whatever time he might need.
The one thing he missed about Kent was being able to simply go out and walk whenever and wherever he wanted. It helped him in more ways than one. It not only refreshed him butrenewed him as well. It had the same effect on him as taking a nap during the day did for others.
When Charles did enter Arthur’s study, he found his brother setting out a box on his desk. He watched Arthur open the box and then shut it again. He glanced up upon seeing Charles.
“Have a seat. Would you like a whiskey?”
