“How much is that one…” Aaron pointed gingerly at a wooden box carved with forest animals. It was a simple lockbox, one that might be used to store items of value.
A poorly made one at that, and far beneath anything that might be deemed worthy of Aaron… but that is not the point.
“Oh, he has a good eye!” The shopkeeper scooped up the box and held it out. “Let us start the bidding…”
They had arrived at the markets less than thirty minutes ago.
The markets were located in the west of London, sprawling from the streets onto a neighboring park; a city of shabby tents and hastily constructed stalls, every alley and path was crammed with people as they hustled about in search of various deals and items for them to purchase at what was a cheap price.
It was not a place that Evander would ordinarily find himself.
The type of people who populated these markets were those of the lower class, some working, many street urchins with itchy fingers and quick hands. Evander had objected when Miss Finch nominated this marketplace, but she dismissed his concerns, claiming that she had shopped there a dozen times or more.
He watched her closely as they roamed the markets. He considered her in a way that he hadn’t before. It was easy to see her in a different light when she was in his mansion, dressed in finery, acting in a way that suggested she belonged. But here… this was her true self.
It made Evander feel more uncomfortable than he expected. For this past week, it had been easy enough not to think about who Miss Finch truly was and how different their worlds were. Here, however, it was impossible to ignore.
Does it even matter… You know it does, Evander. Despite how much you wish it were otherwise, nothing could matter more.
“Father…” Aaron tugged on Evander’s shirt and drew him back to the moment. “What do you think?”
“Hhmm?”
“The price,” Aaron said. “Is it fair?”
“Miss Finch?” Evander looked at Miss Finch. “What do you think?”
“That is not for me to say,” she said. “Master Aaron’s math was perfect, and I’ve been watching closely. But I brought him here not just to add and subtract but to experience how the world works. Sometimes we are ripped off, sometimes we are the ones taking advantage. Life lessons, which are learned through doing.”
“So….” Aaron bit into his lip.
“Buy it,” Henry pressured him. “It’s a good price!”
“Henry,” Miss Finch warned her young brother. “Allow Master Aaron to make the decision on his own.”
Aaron looked bewildered. Face scrunched into a ball, he glanced from the shopkeeper to Miss Finch to Evander. Evander gave him nothing, wanting to see what his son would do. It was such a small thing, but his son needed to learn to stand on his own two feet.
“I’ll take it,” Aaron said with sudden determination. “But…” His eyes flashed wickedly. “I want those playing cards, too. For free.”
“Free!” the shopkeeper cried. “You’ll ruin me, boy.”
“Or I’ll walk away now,” Aaron threatened. “Your choice.”
Evander chuckled at his son’s confidence, and never had he been more proud.
“He takes after you…” Miss Finch stepped in close. “You see it, don’t you?”
“No,” Evander said. “He is far kinder than I am.”
“You underestimate yourself.” Her hand rested on his arm, and Evander felt it through his clothes, so his skin prickled. “At this age, boys mimic their fathers. And I just know that if you were in the same position as him…” She laughed and shook her head. “You might have demanded the entire stall.”
“And I would have gotten it too,” he said.
Once they finished with the shopkeeper, Aaron dragged them further through the markets. While there were plenty of markets that sold clothing, food, and other household items, he had eyes only for those that specialized in toys.
Evander was not one to spoil his son, as he had never experienced such a thing growing up. His father had always said that being spoiled was a weakness and that he should learn austerity as a means of developing a strong constitution.
Not so long ago, Evander was of the same mind. Now, however…
