Page 56 of A Gifted Earl

“To mark our betrothal.” He went to the small table, and set the box down. “Please, open it.”

She walked across to stand beside him, and the warmth of her body came to him, along with the delicate floral of her perfume. He forced himself to stand still and wait. She reached out a tentative finger and touched the worn leather of the box. Then curiosity obviously overcame her hesitance, and she gently lifted the lid. And gasped.

“They belonged to mother’s mother – my grandmother. I thought the emeralds a perfect match for your eyes.” He lifted the necklace from the box. “May I?”

“Yes.”

He undid the clasp, and settled it around her neck, before making sure that it was securely clasped again. Then he lifted the bracelet and ring from the box.

“I don’t know if the ring will fit – but we can get it altered if it doesn’t.”

But it did fit, perfectly, as if it had been made for her.

She looked at him with eyes which glittered with unshed tears.

“Thank you. You are so kind to me, I do not know what to say.”

“You need say nothing. There is nothing to thank me for. It is only right that these should pass down to you now. But it is almost time for dinner, let us go down, and let people see just how beautiful you are.”

*****

The closer she got to the parlour, the more nervous she felt. He had insisted that she should enter the room on his arm, with her mother close beside them. And she knew that, as soon as she did so, people would look, and draw conclusions, and begin to whisper amongst themselves. The thought made her shudder – she had already suffered enough of whispering to last a lifetime.

But when he gently squeezed her fingers, she looked up, and gathered herself. When had she become such a coward, she who had always been so rash and rushing into things with no fear? Mentally, she gave herself a stern talking to, and chose to again be that almost heedless girl, to trust her own instincts, and be damned what others thought.

She smiled, and lifted her chin, making no attempt to hide the scar on her face as they entered the room. A small silence followed, and then, as expected, there were some whispers. She ignored them.

They went forward, and she dropped her hand from Lord Templewick’s arm, so that he might move about and greet his guests, whilst she and her mother went to join Lady Merringbar and some others. As soon as she possibly could, Amelia moved to stand close to Venetia, and whispered to her softly.

“Well, that was quite the entry. Do I take it from that….?”

Venetia attempted to put on her most innocent expression.

“Do you take what?”

Amelia sighed.

“That there is something between you and Lord Templewick, of course.”

“At this point, I choose not to say anything.”

“Ooooh! Well, that’s good enough as a confirmation of my suspicions for me.”

Venetia made a tutting noise.

“Stop making assumptions and have a little patience.”

“So, if I must be patient, at least tell me for how long, or I shall die of curiosity.”

Venetia laughed.

“I promise that you will know more before the end of this evening.”

Amelia gave a huge sigh.

“Well, that’s a relief.”

They went on to talk of other things, but Venetia found her eyes following Lord Templewick about the room and every so often he would glance her way and smile, which filled her heart with joy. Eventually, after what seemed like an age, the butler came to the parlour door, and announced that dinner was ready. At which point, Lord Templewick came to Venetia, and offered her his arm, to lead her in to dinner.