Her father squatted next to her. “What did you find, Charlotte?” he asked.
Charlotte picked up what looked like a brooch from the grass. She studied it carefully, then she waved it in front of her as if expecting it to make noise.
“You found jewelry,” her father said. “May I see?” he asked, putting his hand out to her.
She shook her head and held the brooch closer to her dress. “Mine.”
“They learn that word quickly enough, don’t they?” James observed as he walked toward them.
Simon laughed. “Yes, they do. Please?” he asked, extending his hand to her.
She pouted and pushed the brooch down between her legs.
“What you need is a distraction,” James suggested. He unhooked his pocket watch from the chain that kept it secure. “See this?” He showed Charlotte the watch. She reached out a hand to take it. He pulled it back, barely out of her reach.“Do you want to trade? The watch for the jewelry?” he asked, pointing to where she had put the brooch.
Charlotte’s little face screwed up tight. Then she brought out the brooch and threw it toward James. He laughed lightly, but he handed her his watch.
“Are you sure you want to give that to her?” asked Simon.
“A deal is a deal. And it is not a valuable watch.” He stood up as he studied the brooch. It was a carnelian cameo of two women dancing. The carving was well done, the color of the carnelian rich and dark. It was set in a simple gold rope-style bevel setting.
Simon picked up Charlotte, who held tight to James’ watch. “It looks familiar,” Simon observed.
“Bring it here,” Cecilia suggested, holding out her hand. “Perhaps Elinor or I might recognize it.”
James returned to where he’d been sitting on the blanket and handed the brooch to Cecilia.
“I do recognize it! Look, Elinor, it’s Mrs. Jones’ brooch! She wears it nearly every day,” Cecilia said as she passed it to Elinor.
“Yes.” Elinor came up beside Cecilia and gently rubbed her fingers over the raised relief. “I often see her trace a finger over the design when she is stressed, as it relaxes her,” Elinor said with a relaxed, remembrance smile. “I asked her about the carving one time, as typically, cameos are of one person in profile. She said the dancing girls represented sisters.”
Cecilia looked at it again closely. “Probably lost it during her last painting session,” she said.
“Pity about the clasp being broken. That’s likely how she lost it. I can take it to her tomorrow,” James said, “as I promised the vicar I would consult with him on the upcoming church repairs.” He took the brooch from Cecilia and tucked it in his waistcoat pocket before lowering himself to sit on the blanket again.
“Lunch is ready,” Elinor said. “Looks like our respective cooks have filled our baskets. We shall not go hungry!” she saidas she passed around a platter full of various meats and cheeses, followed by a basket of bread, while James poured them mugs of ale.
“Oh,I dare swear I ate far too much of your cook’s delicious fare,” Cecilia said when all that remained of the picnic food were crumbs.
Elinor wiped her daughter’s face as the toddler swayed and her eyes drooped. Elinor laid her down in the shade. Charlotte tried to fuss but too quickly succumbed to sleep. The parents laughed.
“Charlotte has the right of it; a nap right now is in order,” Simon said. “I’ll lie down beside my little darling,” he yawned.
Cecilia stood up. “I need a walk to counter all that food.”
“I’ll join you,” Elinor said. “We’ll let the men watch the children.”
“Don’t I get a say?” James teased.
“No,” the women said together. Laughing, he raised his mug of ale in salute.
Cecilia and Elinor walked to the edge of the meadow where shade and sunlight played together through the trees.
“I wonder when Mrs. Jones was last up here?” Cecilia mused.
“She tries to come a couple of times a week when the weather is favorable,” Elinor said. “I believe she has been up here several times recently.”
“I can’t see her walking up here.”
