I was furious at first, even sought out several others, only for them to tell me the same. So, I decided to take things into my own hands and do it myself. Let me tell you, I seriously botched those first few pieces, but I found the entire process relaxing and rewarding. Since then, I’ve spent all my extra time chasing down rare stones and other minerals, in addition to the usual gold and silver we see, to experiment with. I was recently contacted by aman in upper California who believes they’ve discovered a new mineral they are calling platinum.
The area is rich in a few gems I cannot get just anywhere, like Benitoite, Jasper, Rhodonite, and even some oddly colored diamonds have been found recently. I just must get my hands on some of these. My poor Victoria has more pieces than she could wear in several lifetimes, but it’s become somewhat of an obsession for me. There is nothing like seeing finished pieces that you have created with your own hands hanging around a beautiful neck or a graceful hand.”
“What a unique story. I’ve never given much thought to the jewels my mother has always worn, but yes, someone had to hunt down the materials and turn them into the beauties they are. I take it you two travel quite often, then?”
“Yes, that’s why I had our own train cars built. Neither of us likes sharing our space with others, and the comfort of sleeping in our own bed was well worth the cost. Not to mention, if my love is jewels, my wife’s is clothes. We had to have one entire car retrofitted just to hold all our clothing.”
“Well, you two would win the award for best dressed, that’s for sure. Our own sleeping car is decent, but if we traveled like this often, I would investigate buying one as well. So, do you sell your work?”
“I have not, as I mostly give it to the many ladies that surround me, but I have a few pieces I know Victoria would not mind parting with that you might think suitable for your little lady. After all, that ring shows the world she belongs to someone. We still have several days left on the train, so I will get with you one evening and show you what I have.”
“Thank you! I feel like I have done everything backward with Jessica, and we are both still learning to simply exist in each other’s space. You are right about her being skittish. Every time I touch her, I feel like I am approaching a wild animal that needs to be tamed.
“Maybe that is the best way of looking at the situation. She needs to learn to trust you. If this is not a love match, she’ll probably be afraid to show her true emotions, as most women are taught to hide them. That beauty you call Bells in the back was probably just as leery in the beginning. Just show her that you will always be there, and she will come around.”
“I think that is the one thing she fears the most. My wandering spirit leaving her behind.”
“Lust is immediate, but true love is forever. Although neither can keep you warm at night, quiet the mind, or make you rush back to them. That is an emotion that cannot be put into words. It’s a feeling that only time builds, but when it sneaks up on you and sinks its claws in, you will never escape it again.”
I look out the window, pondering Tyberius’ words, somewhat caught up in my own thoughts, when he suddenly stands up, his hand instantly around Victoria’s waist, as he pulls her close, kissing her on the forehead. I notice someone standing behind her, but my eyes glance past as I look for Jessica. Just as I start to ask her where she is, Victoria reaches behind her, pulling the young lady up to her side. I am instantly mesmerized and ruined for all others.
“Jessica?!”
I am on my feet before I realize it, grabbing both of her small arms in my hands as I hold her away slightly, looking at her from top to bottom.
“Dear Lord, you’re gorgeous, I never dreamed …”
Victoria’s voice interrupts my next words. “You act as if you have never seen her before, Reggie. I’m sure this old dress doesn’t do justice to the ones she’s lost.”
I swear I hear laughter in her voice, but my mind can’t think past what my eyes are seeing.How did I miss this? Not only is she turning every head around us, to the point that I want to hide her away from the world while yelling, “MINE”! But how did I not see the perfect skin, the thick dark hair, the curves that are literally making my mouth water, while those beautiful eyes stare up at me with wonder in them? I can tell she is slightly uncomfortable with all the sudden attention, but for once, she is standing here with her head held high.
“Uhhh, I mean … I have … it must be the color of this dress, or maybe the hairstyle.” I pull her close, only to feel her stiffen slightly when I kiss her on the cheek. My mouth lingers slightly longer than it should as I take in her unique smell. “Love, I swear, you take my breath away.”
I know I am butchering this, but I am literally tripping over my own tongue.I’ve looked right past her. She could have walked by me, and I would never have realized who she was. If anything, this really makes me wonder how many beauties out there are hidden by plain clothes and their position in life. My eyes devour Jessica to the point that my body is reacting. The light blush on her cheeks only makes her more adorable to me, and I am just in the process of lowering my head, wanting to taste those lips, when Tyberius’ voice breaks through the fog in my brain.
“Are we going to stand in the aisle or have a seat? The evening is still young.”
Shaking my head, I make myself look away from her. “Sorry, yes, we would love to continue on with this pleasant night, after all, we have no place we need to be.”
I step back, placing my hand on Jessica’s waist as I move out of the way so that she can maneuver herself and all that dress onto the large bench seat. Releasing her so that she can scoot over is something I almost have to force myself to do. For once, I am glad that the others at the table can carry on a conversation without me because in this moment, I am a tongue-tied youngster. I’ve seen many women … enjoyed the pleasures of the flesh as all men in my station do, but none have captured my attention like this beauty beside me,like my damn maid.
I noticed she was attractive before, but my mind never saw her as anything other than a maid. It’s like those other clothes put her in one category, and that only makes me as vain as the people who judged her when we walked in this room. Now I wonder if I really am that sort of man or if it was my upbringing. To look at her now and the way she is holding herself, you would never know she was not born into this world.
Tyberius orders a late dessert, and I eat mine without tasting it as I can’t seem to keep my eyes off her as she talks animatedly to Victoria about a dime magazine they both read and the dresses inside. Tyberius interacts with them constantly while I sit back, slowly sipping on some fresh coffee, literally watching Jessica bloom in front of me. I didn’t realize how much time had gotten away from us until I see them lowering the gas lamps, realizing how late we’re all still up.
“I hate to interrupt such good times and the exceptional company, but if the train is still on schedule, we will arrive at the depot in Chicago early and should probably turn in for the night. We have a million things to do there and not enough time to accomplish them all.”
“Victoria and I are both night owls and tend to forget that not everyone else is. You are correct, Reggie. The train will arrive early, so you two should get some rest.”
I am just getting out of my seat when Jessica leans closer to Victoria. “Thank you for everything. I will clean the dress and have it back to you in the morning before we leave, along with the jewelry.”
“The dress is yours, sweetheart. As a matter of fact, while you were getting ready, I gathered a few things I thought you might need and had them sent to your room so that you will have something decent to wear tomorrow.” Just as Jessica starts to say something, I see Victoria reach out and take her hand. “Just say thank you.”
With a pretty blush on her cheeks and a timid smile, she whispers, “Thank you.”
“You can bring the jewels with you when we are back en route since we still have to take in a few of those dresses I was telling you about earlier.”
“I am looking forward to it.”
