Leonard pressed a hand to his jacket, where the ring remained snugly wrapped in one of his old cravats. The carriage stopped several shops down from the jeweler, and when the coachman opened the door, a tepid breeze and gray-blue sky greeted him, along with a light bustle of people walking along the street, murmuring to one another. Stepping down, he took a glance in either direction to be sure no one he knew saw him. “Thank you, Nichols. I shouldn’t be long.”
“Of course, Mr. Stanton.” With that, his coachman dipped his head and retook his seat at the front of the carriage.
Leonard’s hand found its way to the front of his jacket once more, feeling the familiar lump and setting him at his ease. If his father knew Leonard was selling the ring, he would certainly lose his head. And not for the reason one might assume—not for the fact that it had belonged to a family member, but instead, because of its monetary value. Luckily, Leonard was different from his father in one regard.
He didn’t care about either.
With another glance down the street and seeing no one he knew, Leonard took a more confident stride toward the shop. Being that fall was just around the corner, the usual crush of people was more of a trickle. And everyone was walking as if they had nowhere better to be. Leonard forced himself to remain polite, keeping the same pace as those in front of him, his steps painstakingly slow.
Then he couldn’t take it anymore. He darted to the right of the two older ladies in front of him, hoping to skirt around them and slip into the shop to get this task done and over with. He had taken no more than three steps when a young woman was suddenly in front of him. While unable to stop himself completely, he was able to slow enough that they barely bumped into one another.
“Oh,” the young lady squeaked, placing a hand on his chest to stop herself from slamming into him fully. She looked up, meeting his eyes. They were an exquisite shade of blue, her ivory skin flawless, and her lips a perfect shade of pink. Most men would fall all over themselves to garner an introduction to such a woman. But not Leonard.
He stepped back so she was no longer touching him.
“Excuse me,” she said with a laugh, threaded with a tinge of worry. “I am terribly sorry. My mother always told me I have two left feet.”
While some might have been distracted by the lady’s appealing features, Leonard had taught himself long ago not to fall victim to such vanity. Any woman he offered to marry would be treated as an object to his family, and Leonard would do no one such a disservice. Besides, he had other matters to attend to, which were more pressing. Which, ironically, had to do with the fact that he was unmarried and now owed his friends an exorbitant amount of money.
“No harm done.” Leonard nodded before trying to slip around her toward the jeweler’s shop—which was now in his view.
She stepped toward him again, her hand touching his chest, causing his eyes to widen with her forwardness.
“Are you sure you are all right? I would hate to think I caused you injury.”
It took a moment to find his voice. Why was she so close to him? “If anything,” he finally said, “it is I who should be worried if you are injured.”
“And yet, you haven’t inquired about it.”
Leonard tilted his head to the side. What a curious, strange woman. “Are you all right?”
She smiled, coyness playing about her eyes. “Yes, I am fine. Only a bit startled.”
He wasstillstartled. This woman had a strange way of interacting with people. Unlike the normal ladies of society, of which she appeared to be included in, judging by her expensive clothing and styled hair. “Very good.” He forced the formality, tipping his hat to her in farewell before bolting down the walk toward his destination.
“Sorry again!” The lady’s words rang out behind him, and he threw a half-hearted wave over his shoulder in hopes that would appease her feminine niceties.
The bell of the jewelry shop rang out as he stepped inside. He didn’t make any pretense of looking around to purchase anything, instead walking directly to the counter where the owner stood, polishing a watch fob.
“Good day, sir.” The owner placed the polishing rag and watch down, giving Leonard his full attention. “How can I help you?”
“I have an item to sell and was hoping you might be interested.”
The owner’s mouth turned down as his brows rose. “Of course. And what do you have today?”
Leonard reached into his coat.
And his heart stopped.
It stopped beating for a full three seconds before resuming with an uncharacteristic pounding. He could hear it in his ears, feel it in his stomach. Because, for reasons unexplainable, the ring was gone.
“Sir?” The jeweler’s brow furrowed. “Are you all right?”
Leonard tried to swallow, but his throat felt dry and swollen. “Uh.” He took a shaky breath as he swiped a hand across his forehead. “I think I forgot the item at home.”
The older man’s mouth turned down at the corners as he resumed his polishing. “Well, I would be happy to look at it if you run home and retrieve it.”
Nodding, Leonard closed his eyes, trying to replay the last two minutes in his mind. He had felt the ring in his pocket as he was alighting from his carriage. From that moment until the shop, there was no way it could have jumped out of his pocket.
