Smiling, she did as bidden, aware of what felt like a fine chain being placed around her neck. She bent her head as Maxwell fastened the catch, his touch at her nape causing a sweet little shiver to run down her spine.
Both his hands then came to rest on her shoulders and a soft whisper brushed across her ear. “You can open them now, my love.”
She did so, gasping at the sight of the blue sapphire resting at the base of her throat. The large, faceted stone, oval cut, was set in a notched gold bezel and suspended on a chain of fine gold. It was a simple but elegant design that did not detract from the beauty of the jewel, but rather enhanced it. A flush of delightwarmed her cheeks. “Oh, my goodness, it’s magnificent. I love it. Thank you.”
“We’re not quite done yet.” He handed her a small, blue leather box. “But I think it best you put these on without my help.”
Another gasp escaped her when she opened the lid to see a pair of sapphire drop earrings, the settings smaller, but identical to that of the pendant. “Oh, Max, they’reperfect.” She reached for him in a silent demand, and he bent to kiss her mouth.
“I’m glad you like them,” he said, straightening.
“I adore them.” She leaned into her mirror as she put them on. “I was undecided, but now I believe I shall wear my rose taffeta gown tonight. It will look lovely with the blue, don’t you think?”
Maxwell’s hands returned to her shoulders, his thumbs tracing soft circles on her neck. “I’m sure it will.”
“I’m curious,” she said, studying him once more, “did you choose that waistcoat to coordinate?”
“Mmm, your birthday gift might have influenced my choice a little,” he said, and dropped another kiss on the top of her head. “I’ll send Archer in and leave you to finish dressing. Meet you downstairs when you’re ready?”
Louisa nodded her assent and continued to gaze at her reflection, her sight turning inward as she fingered the sapphire pendant. Not seven months earlier, on a mild day in late winter, she’d been hurtling across the moor on Byron’s strong back. At the time, as she faced another London Season, her optimism for her future had been mired in doubt.
No longer.
These days, her life felt like a dream and the future looked wonderful. Granted, getting to this point had been the result of some questionable decisions, a touch of inappropriate behavior, and perhaps a few misgivings. But now, as far as she wasconcerned, her life—hermarriage—was just about perfect. The only thing missing, for Louisa at least, was a child. Every month she waited, hoping, praying she would not bleed. So far, though, it had been one disappointment after another. As for Maxwell, she wasn’t even sure how he felt about children. He’d never broached the subject, which in turn made her reluctant to do so. She had yet to find the right moment—or perhaps the courage—to discuss the issue with him.
Certainly, today wasn’t the day.
A tap at the door drew Louisa back to the present and she surrendered to Archer’s ministrations.
*
The perfection ofthe day continued into the evening. The first surprise came upon their arrival at Highfield, where they, and Finlay, would be staying for the night. Louisa discovered, to her great delight, that Arthur had come home from school and Josiah had made the journey from London. For the first time since her wedding, all her siblings were back under Highfield’s roof.
Louisa’s pendant and earrings garnered their merited admiration, and yet more gifts followed. Dinner was a rambunctious affair, with plenty of food, drink, and laughter. Memories, some poignant and some comical, had been resurrected and rejuvenated. Tales of childhood mischief had been shared, some previously told, others confessed for the first time.
“Grace, my dear, it appears we were completely blind to the machinations of our children.” Aldous, feigning misery, shook his head. “I can only conclude that we are failures as parents.” The subsequent chorus of cheerful denials loudly contradicted their father’s statement.
Even Maxwell, who was neither boisterous nor loud by nature, appeared to be caught up in the gaiety. “I can’t say I got into too much mischief myself,” he remarked, when asked. “My father always kept me busy and consequently out of trouble.”
Finlay snorted. “Whoa, not so fast, brother. I seem to recall Mam telling a tale of you putting frogs in the church font. Frightened the life out of the minister at my baptism.”
Maxwell laughed. “Aye, right enough. I’d forgotten about that. Got the strap for it, too.”
Later, when bellies were full, and the distinctive odor of cigars drifted through the house, Louisa followed her mother upstairs to light the candle in the rose window.
“What a splendid evening it has been,” Grace declared. “Have you enjoyed it?”
“Very much, Mama. It’s been wonderful.”
Grace smiled. “It gladdens my heart to see my daughter so happy.”
Louisa returned the smile and stood in solemn silence till the candle was lit. Then, “I consider my life—our marriage—to be just about perfect,” she said, watching as the little flame settled into a steady burn. “There is only one thing missing, Mama. Something I would dearly like to happen but, as yet, has not occurred.”
Understanding showed on her mother’s face. “These things often take time, dearest.” She touched Louisa’s cheek. “My suggestion is to set your worry aside and just enjoy your marriage. The fact that you’re happy with each other is already a blessing.” A ponderous frown appeared. “Mind you, I have to say, we tend to be fortunate with our unions in this family. Fate has a habit of stepping in and arranging things for us in the most unorthodox ways. As you know, your Uncle Isaac first met Eleanor after falling off his horse in Hyde Park. What a fairytalethat was! And if not for a snowstorm, your father and I might never have met.”
Louisa wrinkled her nose. “And then there’s me and Maxwell.”
Grace chuckled. “Yes, most definitely unorthodox, but it has all turned out for the best. He seemed very much at ease tonight. One of the family, in fact. I’ll be interested to see how he copes with the extended family at Myddleton in a fortnight.”
