“It will be well. The Duke is a good man and he is wild about you. He will secure our family’s future further, and yours in particular. He could not stop talking about how beautiful you are, and what an accomplished dancer you are. You really made an impression upon him.”
“I wish he had on me. Papa, it is terrible, but I cannot remember him at all. I know all about him, as I do all the lords. I know the Thornmouth family history as well as any others, but the man himself, I simply cannot picture him.”
The old man frowned and crossed his arms in front of his chest.
“Your Mother has informed me of this. Do not worry yourself too much. You will remember him when you see him. And if you do not, then you will make new memories. You have a lifetime ahead of you. You will see. Perhaps one day in the future you will laugh about not remembering him at first.”
She nodded, “I very much hope so. Faith, Papa. I worry so about disappointing you.”
He shook his head. “You would never disappointment, child. Well, you will if you let me win at this game.” He pointed at the board and set the pawn down in its intended place.
“That you do not have to worry about, Papa.” She was about to place her own pawn in an attack position when her father looked up and snapped his fingers.
“I almost forgot!” He rose and went back to his desk, retrieving an item from the drawer while Rowena followed him with her eyes. He pulled out a handkerchief and returned to their table, placing it between them, next to the chess board.
“I had commissioned this some time ago, from Mister Henson at the jewelers. It intended to give it to you when I informed you of the husband I had chosen for you. But then of course, everything got rather hectic with the vineyard and such. I wish I could have broken the news of your impending marriage in a more personal way, but I simply…” he paused and shook his head. “In any case, this is for you. I hope in the months to come, as you settle into your new life, this will provide you with some comfort.”
He pushed the handkerchief across the table, and she picked it up.
The item felt light and she took care to unwrap it.
“Papa!” She exclaimed and clutched her chest. “It is beautiful.” She held the pendant in her hand, letting in dangle before the light of the fireplace so that it sparkled even more. She let it slide into her palm. The front was designed with her father’s signature roses: one for Mama, one for Catherine, and one for her, with a strong stem holding them up, which she knew symbolized her father. She turned it around and read the inscription, tears filling her eyes.
“Papa,” she said quietly and got up, wrapping her arms around him. “Thank you. I shall cherish this for all of my days.”
She noticed that her father’s eyes were watering up as well. He quickly turned his face away and took a large sip of his ale before she could say anything.
He was a sentimental, emotional man, quite the opposite of his wife. While Lady Hazelshire was usually only maternal to Betsy, her father had no qualms about showing his affection to any of his children. He loved spending time with them but given his busy life, he often was not able to.
Lord Hazelshire had a habit of making up for his lack of time with gifts, such as this one. She stared at it, turning the pendant in her hand back and forth.
“It almost didn’t make it here,” he said while keeping his eyes on the chess board.
“What do you mean?”
“The messenger was ambushed in an attempted robbery and the necklace was separated from the letter which accompanied it. If it wasn’t for Lord Westmond and his determination to reunite it with its rightful owner, I would have had to start all over again and it would never have made it to you in time before the ball.”
“Lord Westmond? The Duke who took ill and all but vanished?”
I recall the stories. They say he was struck down by the same ailment as Napoleon. Dreadful.
“His son. The elder Duke passed away some months ago. His son just took his place in the House of Lords and lives nearby. He came upon the robbery, stopped it, and then found the necklace which you hold in your hands now. Honorable young man. He and his brother both. I’ve invited them both to the ball.”
Rowena raised her eyebrows. “You have? As a thank you for returning the necklace?”
He nodded. “And to introduce him to Catherine. The Duke is in an unfortunate financial situation right now, but I trust he will right the ship. He seems a smart enough young man and he is a duke, after all. Can you imagine Mama if she had two daughters both wed to a Duke?” He chuckled, pleased with his plan.
“It would be the best day of her life. Papa, you would be served parmesan ice cream without protest each day for the rest of your life,” she grinned as her father licked his lips. Her father had an insatiable sweet tooth which he could only ever indulge in when away from home, for Lady Hazelshire insisted on limiting the access of her family to foods she found contrary to one’s waistline.
“That alone would make such a match desirable,” her father said. “Jest aside, Lord Westmond’s family has long owned a vineyard as well as a winery and he’s offered his expert advice. So, when you are introduced to him at the ball, be sure to be especially personable. This man could provide the assistance your old Papa needs with this wretched business.”
“Of course, I will.”
As if she was ever anything other than the perfect lady.
They concluded their game at a late hour so that by the time Rowena retired to her chamber, the house was already dark. She made her way to her chamber by light of a single beeswax candle and climbed into her bed. She placed the necklace on her side table.
She found herself rather curious about the young man who might turn out to be the answer to her father’s worries with the wretched vineyard and who so generously returned her precious necklace.
