“She can’t actually make me do anything,” I said, straightening back up in my seat. “I have it in legal writ. And she signed it. She cannot even suggest a spouse to me. That said, I think you’re both wise. I’ll propose to Edwin and hope for the best.”
We arrived at the jeweler’s and I dismounted, Dame Temperance moving ahead of me as was her wont, Captain Rowan on my tail. They’d become unobtrusive statues in a minute, after they deemed the area safe, but until then they were almost physically attached to me. I paused to give Titan a stern look. Behave.
Titan blew out a weary breath, as if tired of my demands already, but did stay calm and planted. Good.
The custom jeweler here had a very old shop, one lovingly kept up with fresh paint. Prescott’s was a family business going back at least three generations, and it was one I trusted above all others when I wanted something exactly.
I’d made an appointment ahead of time, so I was the only customer, with Nora Prescott rising from her chair to give me a curtsey.
“Your Highness, you’re as punctual as usual. Do sit. Tell me what I’m designing.”
Nora Prescott was a grandmother as of this year, with a single grandson to her name, and she wore her age gracefully. Her greying hair was up in a bun on the top of her head, a white apron stretching from wrist to collarbones tied in place with nary a stain to be seen.
I’d known her since I was knee high to my mother, so I greeted her warmly. “Nora. How are you?”
“I’d be a sight better if my grandson wasn’t pickpocketing me.” She rolled her eyes, laughing softly. “Anything shiny goes into his fist and, unfortunately, everything here is shiny.”
“Just shows he’s got good taste already.”
“Ha! He has that, all right—took off with my finest ruby first. The scamp. Anyway, sit, tell me more about this ring I’m doing for you.”
“Not for me,” I corrected. “For my Edwin. I want a customized engagement ring for him.”
“Oh-ho.” She sat in her chair, eyeing me with delight. “So you finally found yourself someone. Edwin…?”
“Edwin Grantham.” I watched her blink when she realized he wasn’t a lord or of nobility in any fashion. “You know the Grantham family, surely; they’re the ones who run the architect office on this street.”
“Oh! I do, yes.” Her smile turned dazzling. “I always knew you weren’t the type to judge people’s worth by their pedigree. Thank you for proving me right. Now I’m truly excited to design this. Ring size?”
“A ten. Keep in mind this ring will be enchanted, so use a perfect stone for the setting. His favorite color is green, so I thought an emerald?”
“You thought emerald because it matches your eyes and will remind him of you,” Nora rebutted without fuss, already liftingher sketchbook. “Don’t hoodwink me, young man. I’m nearly three times your age.”
I honestly wasn’t sure why I’d even tried. Grinning, I let her have the victory. “I’ve seen him pick out jewelry, and he never goes for anything with much filigree. A straightforward, striking design is more his taste.”
“You do know him well.” Her charcoal lifted, and she sketched out two quick designs in bold lines. While she drew, she asked, “And yours? Surely you’ll get a ring too.”
“Should I? I’ve gone back and forth.”
“You’re getting engaged too, aren’t you?”
She had me there. It made no sense for him to wear a ring and me not to. I glanced at Captain Rowan and Dame Temperance, both flanking the doorway, for a second opinion. “Would it be wise to drive the message home with my own ring? Or would it be too blunt of a hint?”
“You’re overthinking,” Dame Temperance said. “Also, I think Edwin would feel better if you’re clearly marked as taken, off limits.”
“Ah. You’re smart, he would. Thank you.” I was overthinking things, even I could admit that, but it was easy to do with Edwin.
Nora peeked up at me even as she drew. “I insist upon meeting this man. I owe it to your late mother.”
“I quite assure you, I’m the one not worthy of him.”
“I still want to meet him. All right, here’s three options.” She flipped the sketchbook around.
They were all good, of course; she was a master craftsman. Still, I was quite taken by the first option—a slender, bold design unapologetically unadorned, showcasing the jewel seated in the middle. I imagined the ring on his finger and felt instantly taken with it.
“I like the first design. What emeralds do you have?”
Pleased, she rose and pulled out a drawer of select emeralds, then pointed to three in turn. “Each of these would resonate well with the design. They’re also perfect for enchantments.”
