Page 80 of Bride By Coronation

He has fashion sense; he just doesn't know it.

Zara holds out a pair of gold stilettos. "These are keepers too."

I nod, unable to disagree.

She bends and helps me into them.

Gesturing to the box, Valentina ponders, "I wonder what's in this."

I glance at the black box. The anxious feeling intensifying. I go to the table, carefully tug the gold bow, lift the lid, and freeze, gaping.

A glass box showcases an ornate tiara with interlocking diamond circles. Large drop pearls adorn the gold circlet. It sits on a white satin pillow, and fifteen pendant emeralds gleam around it.

Where did he get this?

"There's a note," Zara says, tearing me out of my thoughts.

My gaze darts to a small black envelope pressed against the box. I pick up the package, take it to the couch, and sit. I reach for the envelope, break the seal, and pull out the note.

My dearest Fiona,

Based on your response, I opted for something older for you, my queen.

The Grand Duchess Vladimir of Russia first wore the tiara in 1874. In 1918, Albert Stopford, a British art dealer and friend of the Grand Duchess, smuggled the tiara and 200 other jewels out of Russia and into Britain.

After Vladimir's death, her daughter sold it to Queen Mary in 1921. Queen Elizabeth II inherited it in her coronation year in 1953. She wore it many times, with pearls, emeralds, or neither.

I hope you love it and appreciate all the royalty before you who wore it. Undoubtedly, you will be the most memorable of all the queens.

Sincerely,

The King

Zara asks, "What does it say?"

I slide the note back into the envelope, answering, "It belonged to the Grand Duchess Vladimir of Russia. Queen Mary bought it from her daughter, then Queen Elizabeth II owned it."

"You're joking, right?" Zara asks.

I unlatch the glass lid, pick it up, and peer closer at the magnificent piece laced with history. I carefully slide my fingers over the different parts of the metal and pearls, then hold a green emerald next to a pearl.

"That's insane," Valentina comments.

For once, I agree with her, nodding at her comment.

"What are the emeralds for?" Zara prods, sitting next to me.

I pull the pillow out, set the box on the table, and put the tiara on the white satin. I reach for the middle pearl, explaining, "You can wear it with pearls or emeralds," and unfasten the jewel. I put it on the pillow, pick up the emerald, and attach it in the same spot.

Valentina notes, "They don't make jewelry the same anymore."

"You're right," I agree.

She asks, "How are you going to wear it? Pearls or emeralds?"

My gaze moves between the two options. I spend several minutes studying it with all the pearls and emeralds. Then I do a combination, rotating every other one. After a few minutes, I acknowledge, "This isn't helping." I put the pearls back on except for the middle one.

"It's pretty like that," Zara offers.

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