“Very well then.” Having crossed to one of two bookcases filling the room, Callum retrieved a large wooden box that sat on the top shelf. He brought the box to his desk and opened the lid to reveal a wide selection of gemstones set into various pieces of jewelry.
“Blimey.” Peter stared at the twinkling stones.
“Our task is of the utmost importance,” Callum told him, deliberately infusing a conspiratorial note to his voice. “We must select the future Duchess of Stratton’s engagement ring.”
“That won’t be easy,” Peter muttered.
Callum rather agreed. The five options were equally splendid, but he’d have to pick one. Having proposed four days ago, it didn’t sit well with him that Emily still didn’t have his ring on her finger.
“How about this one?” Callum asked, holding up a diamond ring. It was simple but elegant.
“Very pretty,” Peter agreed.
Callum frowned and set the ring back before picking up another containing rubies. “Or this one?”
“That’s also very pretty.”
“You’re supposed to be helping me, Peter.”
The boy rubbed the back of his neck. “All right. How about that one, to match her eyes.”
Callum selected the one with a square cut emerald flanked by diamonds. He smiled. “It’s absolutely perfect.”
“Will you give it to her today?” Peter asked.
“That’s my intention.” Callum placed the ring inside his jacket pocket and returned the jewelry box to the shelf. “I’m not sure Emily will have returned home yet since she went by carriage. It will probably be another hour until she arrives, so why don’t you and I go to the park in the meantime. We can stop by her house later on the way home.”
“That’s a brilliant idea. I’ll go fetch the kite.”
Callum chuckled. “Take your time, Peter. Don’t trip on the stairs. I need ten minutes to freshen up too.”
They arrived in the park after a brisk walk and found an open area without any trees for the kite to get tangled in.
“You’ll want to hold it like this,” Callum instructed. He gave a quick demonstration first, then passed the kite to Peter and adjusted his grip. “Don’t unwind the spool too much. Keep it taut as you try to get the kite airborne. You can always add more length later.”
“Which way do I run?”
“In the same direction as the wind.” Callum stilled for a second to gauge the airflow, then pointed toward his right. “That way. Once you feel the wind starting to pull the kite out of your hand, you release it and unwind the spool.”
Peter knit his brow as though in deep concentration, lifted the kite as Callum had shown him, and started to run. Callum watched as the kite started to flutter. Peter released it and turned with hope and excitement in his young eyes, only to watch as the kite lost momentum and drifted toward the ground.
“Try again,” Callum told him. “Maybe hold the kite a bit higher.”
Peter did as Callum suggested but once again, the kite dipped to the ground instead of rising.
“This is impossible,” Peter muttered.
“It’s rare to excel at something on your first try,” Callum said. “Took me several go’s when I was your age before I was able to get my kite into the air. You’ve got to keep at it if you want to succeed.”
He watched as Peter walked back to his starting position, held the kite as he’d been instructed, and started running again.
“Are you sure you taught me the right way?” Peter asked after three more failed attempts.
“Yes,” Callum assured him, “but it does require practice, and the wind today is a bit too gentle. We can always come back tomorrow. What’s important is that you do not give up.”
Peter huffed a breath and considered the kite. “One more try then.”
Callum wished him luck and prayed Peter’s efforts would be met with success. Arms crossed as he stood to one side, he tracked the boy’s movements when he started running. “Yes, that’s it. Faster, Peter. Keep going. Now release!”
